Capable Quote by Christopher Hitchens
“There are people who cannot forget, as neither do I, the lesson of the years of the Indochina War. Which was, first, that the state is capable of being a murderer. A mass murderer, and a conspirator and a liar.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The State and Violence”, 2001
The state can act as a mass murderer, conspirator, and liar, reflecting its capacity for extreme wrongdoing.
In simple terms: States can commit massive crimes.
Key Takeaway
Question state power critically.
Themes
politics
ethics
state violence
Mood
critical
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political analysis
- human rights advocacy
- historical study
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
moral responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms allow states to commit atrocities?
- How can citizens hold states accountable?
A Different Perspective
State actions are often justified by propaganda.
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