Believe Quote by Michael Ignatieff
“The disagreeable reality for those who believe in human rights is that there are some occasions-and Iraq may be one of them-when war is the only real remedy for regimes that live by terror,”
About This Quote
Source Book: Human Rights and War, 2004, Michael Ignatieff on moral dilemmas of war
Human rights advocates may accept war as a necessary remedy against terror regimes, despite its contradictions
In simple terms: War can be a necessary remedy for terror regimes
Key Takeaway
Weigh moral costs of war against threats to human rights
Themes
human rights
war ethics
terrorism
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- humanitarian intervention
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
international law
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives to war exist for combating terror?
- How can we mitigate war’s collateral damage?
A Different Perspective
War often causes civilian harm and long‑term instability
