Dangerous Quote by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr
“There is no more dangerous thing for a democracy than a foreign policy based on presidential preventive war.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address on Democracy, 1972
A democracy is endangered when its foreign policy is driven by pre‑emptive war motives.
In simple terms: War‑driven policies threaten democracy.
Key Takeaway
Seek diplomatic solutions over pre‑emptive aggression.
Themes
democracy
foreign policy
war
pre‑emptive
danger
Mood
cautious
serious
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- government decision‑making
- military strategy
- public debate
- policy education
Key Concepts
political theory
international relations
Questions to Reflect On
- When is pre‑emptive action morally acceptable?
- How can democracies balance security and liberty?
A Different Perspective
Pre‑emptive war may be justified in genuine self‑defense scenarios.
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