--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't like a bipolar or a unipolar…" description: "\"I don't like a bipolar or a unipolar world. I like a multipolar world but on many occasions people have been surprised that South Africa has not seemed..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/mary-robinson-4639_africa_i-don-t-like-a-bipolar-or-a-unipolar-wor_2782936.jpg" --- # I don't like a bipolar or a unipolar world. I like a… ![“I don't like a bipolar or a unipolar world. I like a multipolar world but on many occasions people have been surprised that South Africa has not seemed, internationally as well as internally, to take a decision that affirms the true values of your Constitution and the vision of those who were…” quote by Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/mary-robinson-4639_africa_i-don-t-like-a-bipolar-or-a-unipolar-wor_2782936.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/mary-robinson-4639_africa_i-don-t-like-a-bipolar-or-a-unipolar-wor_2782936.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/mary-robinson-4639_africa_i-don-t-like-a-bipolar-or-a-unipolar-wor_2782936.jpg) > “I don't like a bipolar or a unipolar world. I like a multipolar world but on many occasions people have been surprised that South Africa has not seemed, internationally as well as internally, to take a decision that affirms the true values of your Constitution and the vision of those who were there at the beginning - Madiba himself and others.” [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prefers a balanced world view, noting South Africa's missed opportunities to uphold constitutional values. **In simple terms:** Values a multipolar world but sees South Africa falling short. Key Takeaway Advocate for constitutional fidelity and inclusive governance. Themes politics governance values Mood hopeful critical Type political inspirational When to use this quote - national policy - international relations - public discourse Key Concepts multipolarity constitutional law Questions to Reflect On - What steps can South Africa take to align actions with its constitution? - How does a multipolar view affect global cooperation? A Different Perspective Complex political realities may limit ideal outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africa/) [Bipolar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipolar/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Madiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/madiba/) [Occasions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occasions/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [South africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/south-africa/) [True value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-value/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [A unipolar world - one with only one power - makes sure that this space almost disappears. In a multipolar world this space multiplies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eduardo-galeano/a-unipolar-world-one-with-only-one-power-makes-sure-that-this-space/) [Eduardo Galeano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eduardo-galeano/) > [In the long march of history, at least two poles of attraction and antagonism have been the norm in world politics. Rarely has only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eskinder-nega/in-the-long-march-of-history-at-least-two-poles-of-attraction-and/) [Eskinder Nega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eskinder-nega/) > [We live in a unipolar world at this point with America as a moral arbiter and the whole morality is based on this insane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-svenonius/we-live-in-a-unipolar-world-at-this-point-with-america-as-a-moral/) [Ian Svenonius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-svenonius/) > [“One of the biggest challenges in this complex, multipolar world is the fact that we need different perspectives, different knowledge/expertise, and different ways to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-zhu/one-of-the-biggest-challenges-in-this-complex-multipolar-world-is-the/) [Pearl Zhu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-zhu/) > [An increasingly multipolar world requires an entirely different kind of U.S. foreign policy: far from being unilateralist, it necessitates a complex form of power-sharing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-jacques/an-increasingly-multipolar-world-requires-an-entirely-different-kind/) [Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-jacques/) > [The U.S. might enjoy overwhelming military advantage, but its relative economic power, which in the long run is almost invariably decisive, is in decline.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-jacques/the-u-s-might-enjoy-overwhelming-military-advantage-but-its-relative/) [Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-jacques/) > [William O. Douglas married not one, not two, not three, but four hot blondes. He was not faithful to any of them, not even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/william-o-douglas-married-not-one-not-two-not-three-but-four-hot/) [Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/) > [I won't let anybody, even the most powerful person in this country, trample our values or our Constitution. And no matter who's in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-garcetti/i-won-t-let-anybody-even-the-most-powerful-person-in-this-country/) [Eric Garcetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-garcetti/) > [Last time I checked, Congress was created to uphold the values of the Constitution, not the Bible and its biased teachings. 'All men (including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/last-time-i-checked-congress-was-created-to-uphold-the-values-of-the/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [If you believe in the values of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, if you're willing to work hard and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/if-you-believe-in-the-values-of-the-constitution-the-bill-of-rights/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [To me the separation of church and state is a thread that ought to run through public policy so that we can always recognize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-w-lynn/to-me-the-separation-of-church-and-state-is-a-thread-that-ought-to/) [Barry W. Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-w-lynn/) > [It's a fact that if Hillary Clinton is elected, the country's chance to have a Supreme Court that values the Constitution - and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-metaxas/it-s-a-fact-that-if-hillary-clinton-is-elected-the-country-s-chance/) [Eric Metaxas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-metaxas/) > [The core values of our constitution are at the heart of our nation's progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/the-core-values-of-our-constitution-are-at-the-heart-of-our-nation-s/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [ When a judge goes beyond \[his proper function\] and reads entirely new values into the Constitution, values the framers and ratifiers did not put… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bork/when-a-judge-goes-beyond-his-proper-function-and-reads-entirely-new/) [Robert Bork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bork/) > [America is a nation founded by immigrants and built on the ideal that anyone can be an American if he or she believes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/america-is-a-nation-founded-by-immigrants-and-built-on-the-ideal-that/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) ## More by Mary Robinson > [The governments are seen to be less effective than they used to be. The private sector is perceived as being so much more efficient,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/the-governments-are-seen-to-be-less-effective-than-they-used-to-be/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [If the Chinese business community takes the Declaration of Human Rights, core labor standards, and environmental standards seriously, the government of China will take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/if-the-chinese-business-community-takes-the-declaration-of-human/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [Every government has signed up to a voluntary legal commitment under at least one of the international covenants and conventions based on the Universal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/every-government-has-signed-up-to-a-voluntary-legal-commitment-under/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [Since 9/11 the United States has been followed by countries with bad records, such as the former Soviet Union countries, into erosions of human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/since-9-11-the-united-states-has-been-followed-by-countries-with-bad/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [I'm not interested in scoring points or being over-critical of the US administration. I want to find the entry points to try and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/i-m-not-interested-in-scoring-points-or-being-over-critical-of-the-us/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [Tackling the issue of climate change presents us with an inflection point in human history - a climate justice revolution that separates development from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/tackling-the-issue-of-climate-change-presents-us-with-an-inflection/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [Look, you are interested in trying to make sure that governments keep a clean environment, have regard for the lifestyles of indigenous peoples, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/look-you-are-interested-in-trying-to-make-sure-that-governments-keep/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [ I felt when I was elected that the most important task on this island \[Ireland\] was to extend the hand of friendship right across… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/i-felt-when-i-was-elected-that-the-most-important-task-on-this-island/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [We now know that climate change is a driver of migration, and is expected to increase the displacement of populations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/we-now-know-that-climate-change-is-a-driver-of-migration-and-is/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [I was elected by the women of Ireland, who instead of rocking the cradle, rocked the system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/i-was-elected-by-the-women-of-ireland-who-instead-of-rocking-the/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [There are numerous issues that governments used to deal with that they now no longer deal with to the same extent: Prisons have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/there-are-numerous-issues-that-governments-used-to-deal-with-that/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [As Elders, we are fully committed to the principle that all human beings are of equal worth. You will see that we highlight equality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/as-elders-we-are-fully-committed-to-the-principle-that-all-human/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [I agree with those who argue that it is possible to distil from the religions of the world their common values and relevance. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/i-agree-with-those-who-argue-that-it-is-possible-to-distil-from-the/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [Freedom from discrimination for women, ensuring that female children can learn to read, these are human needs for half the human race, not western…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/freedom-from-discrimination-for-women-ensuring-that-female-children/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [All countries are particular and no models are perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/all-countries-are-particular-and-no-models-are-perfect/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) [Explore all 108 Mary Robinson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) ## More Africa quotes > [“We ought to know the history of our ancient ancestors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-ought-to-know-the-history-of-our-ancient-ancestors/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Africa, being the major target of colonial plunder, therefore becomes a major source of conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-horne/africa-being-the-major-target-of-colonial-plunder-therefore-becomes-a/) [Gerald Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-horne/) > [I'm in 'Madagascar 2.' I'm Testy the Lion. The franchise moves to Africa, and Bernie Mac is also in the film. I loved working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-lister-jr/i-m-in-madagascar-2-i-m-testy-the-lion-the-franchise-moves-to-africa/) [Tom Lister, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lister-jr/) > [South Africa needs a second liberation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mugabe/south-africa-needs-a-second-liberation/) [Robert Mugabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mugabe/) > [There's a place in Botswana where there are 100,000 elephants living in a single population. Think of the amount of space they need. Remember,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-bergin/there-s-a-place-in-botswana-where-there-are-100-000-elephants-living/) [Patrick Bergin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-bergin/) > [If you followed the media you'd think that everybody in Africa was starving to death, and that's not the case; so it's important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/if-you-followed-the-media-you-d-think-that-everybody-in-africa-was/) [Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/) > [Africa for the Africans... at home and abroad!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-garvey/africa-for-the-africans-at-home-and-abroad/) [Marcus Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-garvey/) > [In Africa, animals and the natural landscape allow local communities to support themselves, as there is a constant source of money from tourism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/in-africa-animals-and-the-natural-landscape-allow-local-communities/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) > [My mom is from Ghana, and my dad is from Detroit, so I would go back and forth to Africa a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-richardson/my-mom-is-from-ghana-and-my-dad-is-from-detroit-so-i-would-go-back/) [Sam Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-richardson/) > [I've never been invited to do an exhibition or do a talk in England, except once, about 10 years ago. I've given talks all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-wildsmith/i-ve-never-been-invited-to-do-an-exhibition-or-do-a-talk-in-england/) [Brian Wildsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-wildsmith/) > [I represent my country, but I also represent the continent of Africa when I play in Europe. That's why it's important to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yaya-toure/i-represent-my-country-but-i-also-represent-the-continent-of-africa/) [Yaya Toure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yaya-toure/) > [What we need in South Africa is for egos to be suppressed in favour of peace. We need to create a new breed of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hani/what-we-need-in-south-africa-is-for-egos-to-be-suppressed-in-favour/) [Chris Hani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hani/) > [I was learning to track rhinoceroses in Africa and tracked right up on an animal that really I thought was going to kill me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/i-was-learning-to-track-rhinoceroses-in-africa-and-tracked-right-up/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) > [I am interested in bringing Africa to the foot of the Cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhard-bonnke/i-am-interested-in-bringing-africa-to-the-foot-of-the-cross/) [Reinhard Bonnke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhard-bonnke/) > [My mother is a huge fan of my work. I told her about 'Coraline' long before the film was made, and she got the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-selick/my-mother-is-a-huge-fan-of-my-work-i-told-her-about-coraline-long/) [Henry Selick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-selick/) [Browse all 1,665 Africa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africa/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't like a bipolar or a unipolar world. 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