Basic human rights Quote by Joseph Stiglitz
“Fortunately, America remains a robust democracy, where most individuals are not afraid to speak out. What we have done in Iraq has, however, compromised out standing as an advocate of basic human rights - the prime minister of one country responding to criticism of America for its human rights put it, it was liking having Dracula guard the blood bank. The loss of America's moral standing has been one of the great losses of this war.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Economic Forum, 2006
America’s democracy is strong, but its actions in Iraq have damaged its moral credibility, likening it to a vampire guarding a blood bank.
In simple terms: US democracy strong but moral standing damaged by Iraq.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and repair moral damage.
Themes
democracy
human rights
foreign policy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
commentary
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- international relations
- public opinion
Key Concepts
political science
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can the US restore moral authority?
- What are the costs of lost credibility?
A Different Perspective
Critics may argue the metaphor is exaggerated.
![“World War II was really unusual, because America was in the Great Depression before. So the war did help the US economy to get securely out of this decline. This time, the war [in Iraq] is bad for the economy in both the short and long run. We could have spent trillions in research or education…” quote by Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/860/joseph-stiglitz-1351_america_world-war-ii-was-really-unusual-because_156000.jpg)
![“[T]here are some human rights that are so deep that we can't negotiate them away. I mean people do heinous, terrible things. But there are basic human rights I believe that every human being has. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the United Nations says it for me. And it says there are…” quote by Sister Helen Prejean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c4/sister-helen-prejean-94083_an-eye-for-an-eye_t-here-are-some-human-rights-that-are-so_222080.jpg)
