Alliances Quote by Barbara Tuchman
“Diplomacy means all the wicked devices of the Old World, spheres of influence, balances of power, secret treaties, triple alliances, and, during the interim period, appeasement of Fascism.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, 1954
Diplomacy is portrayed as a network of manipulative strategies and alliances that sustain power structures and enable appeasement.
In simple terms: Diplomacy is often about power games and secret deals.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden motives in political negotiations.
Themes
politics
power
strategy
history
manipulation
Mood
cautious
critical
analytical
Type
historical
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- international relations
- diplomatic negotiations
- policy analysis
- historical study
Key Concepts
Realpolitik
balance of power
appeasement
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate between strategic diplomacy and unethical manipulation?
- When does appeasement become dangerous?
A Different Perspective
Diplomacy can also foster cooperation and peace, not just manipulation.
![“[Vladimir] Putin's Russia is only indirectly concerned with the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan as a means of maintaining its sphere of influence. I doubt that Russia will meddle. Moreover, I'm quite sure that Ilham Aliyev won't decide to carry out any serious action - it's not in his…” quote by Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f04/garry-kasparov-910_action_vladimir-putin-s-russia-is-only-indirect_411165.jpg)
![“They [Arabs] wanted to catch up with the modern world. The West appreciated that, but was more interested in colonies, markets, and spheres of influence. Such is the way in which historical forces operate: the give and take between nations, as between cultures, is no simple exchange” quote by Jabra Ibrahim Jabra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d3c/jabra-ibrahim-jabra-64018_appreciated_they-arabs-wanted-to-catch-up-with-the-m_259358.jpg)
![“The clergy [in the 14th century] on the whole were probably no more lecherous or greedy or untrustworthy than other men, but because they were supposed to be better or nearer to God than other men, their failings attracted more attention.” quote by Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/558/barbara-tuchman-3945_attention_the-clergy-in-the-14th-century-on-the-wh_159681.jpg)
![“[U]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle the apparatus of oppression.” quote by Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d7b/shulamith-firestone-12980_accomplished_u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together_5485.jpg)
![“I told [ David Lange] he was crazy, because you can't have an alliance relationship if you refuse access to their ships. And the Americans wanted to punish him very severely and I intervened there and softened them somewhat. They wanted to really take some tough, reactive measures to New Zealand.” quote by Bob Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9cd/bob-hawke-7891_access_i-told-david-lange-he-was-crazy-because_122774.jpg)