Community Quote by Martin Jacques
“We all know what is meant by the term 'international community,' don't we? It's the West, of course, nothing more, nothing less. Using the term 'international community' is a way of dignifying the West, of globalising it, of making it sound more respectable, more neutral and high-faluting.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The World in the Age of Globalisation" by Martin Jacques, 2008
The phrase "international community" is a rhetorical tool that masks Western dominance by presenting it as a neutral, global consensus.
In simple terms: It disguises Western power as a universal voice.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question the true power behind such language.
Themes
politics
language
power
globalization
media
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- diplomatic negotiations
- media analysis
- policy critique
- academic discourse
Key Concepts
hegemony
framing
ideology
soft power
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from the term?
- How does this framing affect global decision making?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook genuine multilateral efforts and non-Western perspectives.
![“[T]he commitment to a framework neutral among ends can be seen as a kind of value [...] but its value consists precisely in its refusal to affirm a preferred way of life or conception of the good.” quote by Michael J. Sandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/538/michael-j-sandel-32311_good-life_t-he-commitment-to-a-framework-neutral-a_64582.jpg)
![“The social [media channel] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection, and community. That's what there's too little of in today's mediascape, despite all the hoopla surrounding social tools. The promise…” quote by Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c85/umair-haque-25881_beauty_the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-bea_1270.jpg)
