Answers Quote by George McGovern
“To those who charge that liberalism has been tried and found wanting, I answer that the failure is not in the idea, but in the course of recent history. The New Deal was ended by World War II. The New Frontier was closed by Berlin and Cuba almost before it was opened. And the Great Society lost its greatness in the jungles of Indochina.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 1972 Democratic National Convention, George McGovern
Liberal reforms have been undermined by historical events, not because ideas are flawed but because external crises disrupted their implementation.
In simple terms: Ideas are sound; history disrupted them.
Key Takeaway
Adapt policies to changing contexts.
Themes
politics
history
policy
l
ism
Mood
optimistic
analytical
Type
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- government planning
- social activism
- education curricula
- community organizing
Key Concepts
historical analysis
policy design
Questions to Reflect On
- How can liberalism evolve to withstand future crises?
- What lessons can be learned from past interruptions?
A Different Perspective
External crises can also expose deeper flaws in policies.
