--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was Thucydides who described the…" description: "\"“It was Thucydides who described the dealings between states as a world in which the strong do as they like and the weak put up with what they must. Po..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/geert-mak-29334_balance-of-power_it-was-thucydides-who-described-the-deal_1356941.jpg" --- # It was Thucydides who described the dealings between… ![“It was Thucydides who described the dealings between states as a world in which the strong do as they like and the weak put up with what they must. Power and dominion form the basis of that system, even when a balance has been achieved within it. But neither the hegemony of a given superpower nor…” quote by Geert Mak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/geert-mak-29334_balance-of-power_it-was-thucydides-who-described-the-deal_1356941.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/geert-mak-29334_balance-of-power_it-was-thucydides-who-described-the-deal_1356941.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/geert-mak-29334_balance-of-power_it-was-thucydides-who-described-the-deal_1356941.jpg) > ““It was Thucydides who described the dealings between states as a world in which the strong do as they like and the weak put up with what they must. Power and dominion form the basis of that system, even when a balance has been achieved within it. But neither the hegemony of a given superpower nor the attempt to prevent war by means of a balance of power have ever led to a lasting peace. The big question remains: can power be replaced as a ruling principle in international relations by justice? And how can justice, if it is not to deteriorate into mere words receive access to power? Can we, to that end, develop other forms of power, in order to establish justice between states? Now that modern weaponry has made the danger of war even greater, this question has become even more urgent. A European fort, a sort of Switzerland on a large scale, is an illusion in today's world. The power to destroy, once the monopoly held by the state, is now in the hands of anyone who can obtain the necessary information through the internet. The power of mass destruction, in other words, has become increasingly privatised in this world. In such a situation, can the international institutions with their joint responsibility provide justice that is accompanied by the power it needs? For our civilisation, the ability to develop a robust international rule of law is a matter of survival. Is that a utopia? No: for half a century, Europe has been proving that it is possible. \[Max Kohnstamm\]”” [Geert Mak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geert-mak/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power alone cannot sustain peace; justice must be integrated with authority, especially as destructive capabilities become widespread. **In simple terms:** Power without justice fails. Key Takeaway Seek just power. Themes peace justice power dynamics Mood serious thoughtful Type political analytical When to use this quote - diplomacy - conflict resolution - policy making Key Concepts international law security studies Questions to Reflect On - How can societies ensure justice guides power? - What mechanisms can prevent power abuse? A Different Perspective Justice can be hard to enforce globally. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balance of power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance-of-power/) [International relations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/international-relations/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Rule of law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rule-of-law/) [World power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-power/) ## Related quotes > [I think we are realizing that we are going to have to have an international rule of law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/i-think-we-are-realizing-that-we-are-going-to-have-to-have-an/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [“The soul of man is thus an emanation from the godhead, into whom it will eventually be re-absorbed. 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Only the unsayable, jeweled inner life matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/world-power-means-nothing-only-the-unsayable-jeweled-inner-life/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [Believe it or not, entertainment is part of our American diplomacy, it is part of what makes us exceptional, part of what makes us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/believe-it-or-not-entertainment-is-part-of-our-american-diplomacy-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More by Geert Mak > [“After mentioning these and other examples, Modris Eksteins correctly observes that the Holocaust was not exclusively a German affair. Hitler may have found ‘willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geert-mak/after-mentioning-these-and-other-examples-modris-eksteins-correctly/) [Geert Mak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geert-mak/) > [“The retaliation came in all varieties. One variety came largely from the Soviet soldiers. 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Power and dominion form the basis of that system, even when a balance has been achieved within it. But neither the hegemony of a given superpower nor the attempt to prevent war by means of a balance of power have ever led to a lasting peace. The big question remains: can power be replaced as a ruling principle in international relations by justice? And how can justice, if it is not to deteriorate into mere words receive access to power? Can we, to that end, develop other forms of power, in order to establish justice between states? Now that modern weaponry has made the danger of war even greater, this question has become even more urgent. A European fort, a sort of Switzerland on a large scale, is an illusion in today's world. The power to destroy, once the monopoly held by the state, is now in the hands of anyone who can obtain the necessary information through the internet. The power of mass destruction, in other words, has become increasingly privatised in this world. In such a situation, can the international institutions with their joint responsibility provide justice that is accompanied by the power it needs? For our civilisation, the ability to develop a robust international rule of law is a matter of survival. Is that a utopia? No: for half a century, Europe has been proving that it is possible. 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