Ambition Quote by Harvey Mansfield
“We have now an American political party and a European one. Not all Americans who vote for the European party want to become Europeans. But it doesn't matter because that's what they're voting for. They're voting for dependency, for lack of ambition, and for insolvency.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on political commentary, 2023
The quote criticizes the rise of transnational political alignments, suggesting they foster dependency and hinder ambition, leading to financial instability.
In simple terms: Transnational parties create dependency and limit ambition, causing economic problems.
Key Takeaway
Beware of political movements that sacrifice independence for short‑term gain.
Themes
politics
nationalism
economics
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- elections
- policy debates
- international cooperation
- economic planning
Key Concepts
dependency
ambition
insolvency
Questions to Reflect On
- How does political dependency affect national sovereignty?
- What alternatives preserve ambition while encouraging cooperation?
A Different Perspective
May overlook benefits of cross‑border collaboration and shared standards.
