Competing Quote by Herman Kahn
“A healthy and fully functioning society must allocate its resources among a variety of competing interests, all of which are more or less valid but none of which should take precedence over national security.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Year 2000: A Framework for Speculation, Herman Kahn, 1967
Society must balance many valid interests without letting any, especially security, dominate.
In simple terms: Balance competing interests, keep security from overruling all.
Prioritize security but respect other needs.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- urban planning
- healthcare reform
- environmental regulation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we ensure security doesn’t dominate policy?
- What mechanisms protect minority interests?
Security concerns can eclipse other values, leading to over‑militarization.