--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The argument that there are just wars…" description: "\"“The argument that there are just wars often rests on the social system of the nation engaging in war. It is supposed that if a ‘liberal’ state is at w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/howard-zinn-576_war_the-argument-that-there-are-just-wars-of_1711338.jpg" --- # The argument that there are just wars often rests on the… ![“The argument that there are just wars often rests on the social system of the nation engaging in war. It is supposed that if a ‘liberal’ state is at war with a ‘totalitarian’ state, then the war is justified. The beneficent nature of a government was assumed to give rightness to the wars it wages…” quote by Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/howard-zinn-576_war_the-argument-that-there-are-just-wars-of_1711338.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/howard-zinn-576_war_the-argument-that-there-are-just-wars-of_1711338.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/howard-zinn-576_war_the-argument-that-there-are-just-wars-of_1711338.jpg) > ““The argument that there are just wars often rests on the social system of the nation engaging in war. It is supposed that if a ‘liberal’ state is at war with a ‘totalitarian’ state, then the war is justified. The beneficent nature of a government was assumed to give rightness to the wars it wages. ...Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt were liberals, which gave credence to their words exalting the two world wars, just as the liberalism of Truman made going into Korea more acceptable and the idealism of Kennedy’s New Frontier and Johnson’s Great Society gave an early glow of righteousness to the war in Vietnam. What the experience of Athens suggests is that a nation may be relatively liberal at home and yet totally ruthless abroad. Indeed, it may more easily enlist its population in cruelty to others by pointing to the advantages at home. An entire nation is made into mercenaries, being paid with a bit of democracy at home for participating in the destruction of life abroad.”” [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. War justification often relies on liberal ideals, but nations can be ruthless abroad despite domestic freedoms, revealing moral contradictions. **In simple terms:** Liberal societies may still commit brutal wars. Key Takeaway Critically examine national narratives. Themes war liberalism morality Mood critical thoughtful Type historical political ethical When to use this quote - policy analysis - historical study - public discourse Key Concepts political philosophy ethical hypocrisy Questions to Reflect On - How do societies reconcile liberty at home with aggression abroad? - What responsibilities do citizens have to challenge such narratives? A Different Perspective Idealistic rhetoric can mask aggression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Because of my own family's service (in the U.S. Army, Navy, and Massachusetts and New York National Guard), I am a strong supporter of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/because-of-my-own-family-s-service-in-the-u-s-army-navy-and/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [History shows that wars are divided into two kinds-just and unjust. All wars that are progressive are just, and all wars that impede progress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/history-shows-that-wars-are-divided-into-two-kinds-just-and-unjust/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [World War II made war reputable because it was a just war. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. 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