Ambition Quote by James Lileks
“The International Criminal Court, like most international institutions, is a wonderful idea. A noble idea. All it needs to work is planetary government, worldwide democracy and the triumph of reason over tribal loyalties, political doctrines and individual ambition. In other words, it requires that we all live in the world described by the "Star Trek" television shows.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The International Criminal Court and Global Governance, 2005
The ICC would work only if humanity adopts a truly global, rational political system, akin to the idealistic future depicted in Star Trek.
In simple terms: Global cooperation is needed for the ICC to succeed.
Key Takeaway
Promote worldwide democratic institutions.
Themes
justice
global governance
idealism
Mood
optimistic
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy advocacy
- academic debate
- public education
Key Concepts
political theory
international law
utopianism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we move toward global governance realistically?
- What are the risks of assuming universal rationality?
A Different Perspective
Idealistic vision may overlook practical political realities.
![“The peoples are not awake...[There are dangers] which will render a world organization impossible. I foresee the renewal of...the secret bargaining behind closed doors. Peoples will be as before, the sheep sent to the slaughterhouses or to the meadows as it pleases the shepherds. International…” quote by Henri La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/db7/henri-la-fontaine-74178_awake_the-peoples-are-not-awake-there-are-dang_1377439.jpg)
