Appeal Quote by Conor Cruise O'Brien
“You can safely appeal to the United Nations in the comfortable certainty that it will let you down.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public remarks on UN effectiveness, 1990s
The UN often fails to meet expectations, leaving people disappointed despite reliance on it.
In simple terms: The UN may let you down.
Key Takeaway
Don’t rely solely on institutions.
Themes
politics
trust
institutional failure
Mood
cynical
critical
realistic
Type
political
commentary
When to use this quote
- humanitarian aid
- diplomacy
- policy advocacy
- international law
Key Concepts
realism
skepticism
global governance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you mitigate reliance on unreliable bodies?
- What alternatives exist?
A Different Perspective
Institutions can still be useful despite flaws.
