Army Quote by Gore Vidal
“We have been at war almost constantly since the last century. And it has not helped our institutions. Congress no longer represents the people. The courts do not practice justice any more. The armies never stop playing at being the policemen of the world and of oil.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview with The New York Times, 1970
Continuous war erodes democratic institutions and undermines justice and accountability.
In simple terms: War harms democracy and justice.
Advocate for peace and reform.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- activism
- voting
- community organizing
- peace protests
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does perpetual conflict affect civic trust?
- What reforms could restore institutional integrity?
Peace alone cannot fix systemic corruption without structural change.