Contrary Quote by Jonathan Schell
“The spread of democracy is a wonderful thing-it is a necessary foundation for peace-and it can happen. But it cannot be advanced by force, and still less by the creation of a new empire, an idea that is as unworkable as it morally mistaken. Empire, the embodiment of force, violates equity on a global scale. No lover of freedom can give it support. It is especially contrary to the founding principles of the United States.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture on Democracy, 1990
Democracy thrives on voluntary support, not force or empire, which undermine global equity.
In simple terms: Freedom grows without coercion.
Key Takeaway
Promote democracy peacefully.
Themes
politics
peace
democracy
Mood
cautious
hopeful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- international negotiations
- human rights advocacy
- nation building
Key Concepts
soft power
legitimacy
ethical governance
Questions to Reflect On
- Can peace be maintained without power?
- What alternatives to empire exist?
A Different Perspective
Forceful expansion often backfires, creating resistance.
![“[A] new generation, innocent of the divisions of the Cold War, this coming-of-age. ... If its members do not feel the urgency to escape the nuclear danger that some of its parents felt, neither has it developed the deep attachment to nuclear arms also often found among their parents, including…” quote by Jonathan Schell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6f2/jonathan-schell-29900_abolition_a-new-generation-innocent-of-the-divisio_601430.jpg)
