Pacifism Quote by Markham Shaw Pyle
““In answer to 'But violence hasn't solved anything!' The hell it hasn't. The application of violence - of killing and a willingness to be killed - on a massive scale is responsible for a lot of solutions. The most recent mass application of violence liberated Kuwait. The most recent mass application of violence on a global scale alone cleansed the world of the Third Reich. Nonviolence and passive resistance did less than nothing to stop Hitler and his henchmen. The Atlantic slave trade wasn't stopped by 'dialogue' or 'passive resistance' or conferences, but by the opened gunports of the Royal Navy; Dachau and Chang-I weren't liberated with pamphlets.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Political Commentary, 2020
Violence has historically resolved conflicts and toppled regimes where non‑violence failed, suggesting its pragmatic efficacy.
In simple terms: Violence sometimes achieves outcomes non‑violence cannot.
Key Takeaway
Consider the role of force in historical change.
Themes
conflict
history
politics
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
historical
ethical
When to use this quote
- war strategy
- human rights advocacy
- policy analysis
- military intervention
Key Concepts
realpolitik
ethical pragmatism
Questions to Reflect On
- When is violence justified?
- What alternatives could achieve similar results?
A Different Perspective
Violence also causes collateral damage and moral costs.
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