--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those years [as the war progressed] would…" description: "\"“Those years [as the war progressed] would show, in the American system, how when a question of the use of force arose in government, the advocates of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bc/david-halberstam-9032_fear_those-years-as-the-war-progressed-would_2965982.png" --- # Those years \[as the war progressed\] would show, in the… ![“Those years [as the war progressed] would show, in the American system, how when a question of the use of force arose in government, the advocates of force were always better organized, seemed more numerous and seemed to have both logic and fear on their side, and that in fending them off in his…” quote by David Halberstam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bc/david-halberstam-9032_fear_those-years-as-the-war-progressed-would_2965982.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bc/david-halberstam-9032_fear_those-years-as-the-war-progressed-would_2965982.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bc/david-halberstam-9032_fear_those-years-as-the-war-progressed-would_2965982.png) > ““Those years \[as the war progressed\] would show, in the American system, how when a question of the use of force arose in government, the advocates of force were always better organized, seemed more numerous and seemed to have both logic and fear on their side, and that in fending them off in his own government, a President would need all the help he possibly could get, not the least of which should be a powerful Secretary of State.”” [David Halberstam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-halberstam/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When force is debated, those advocating it are better organized and appear more logical, compelling presidents to rely heavily on a strong Secretary of State for balance. **In simple terms:** Force advocates dominate discussions, forcing presidents to seek powerful diplomatic help. Key Takeaway Presidents must secure strong diplomatic counsel. Themes politics power government military leadership Mood cautious analytical Type political strategic When to use this quote - presidential decisionmaking - foreign policy formulation - legislative negotiations - public opinion management Key Concepts organizational advantage logic fear balance executive decision Questions to Reflect On - How can democratic institutions counterbalance organized force advocates? - What role does public scrutiny play? A Different Perspective The argument may overlook civilian oversight and democratic checks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arose Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arose-government-4542353/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Force Arose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force-arose-4542351/) [Government Advocates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-advocates-4542354/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Use of force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use-of-force/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War Progressed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-progressed-4542352/) [Years War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-war-537896/) ## Related quotes > [“In the Hundred Years’ War that dragged France and England through the 14th century, both sides would have liked to quit but could not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-w-tuchman/in-the-hundred-years-war-that-dragged-france-and-england-through-the/) [Barbara W. 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