Abandon Quote by Paul Wolfowitz
“It would be a huge mistake to abandon democracy promotion. Peaceful political change has been enormously successful in the past years in Eastern European countries as well as in countries like South Korea, South Africa, Chile and Indonesia. However, if possible, the use of force is something to avoid except in cases where genocide is threatened, like Bosnia or Libya or with regimes that threaten our security, like the Taliban and Saddam Hussein.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Policy Remarks on Democracy Promotion, 2005
The speaker argues that promoting democracy is vital, but military force should be a last resort, reserved for extreme threats.
In simple terms: Promote democracy, avoid force unless necessary.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize peaceful methods; use force sparingly.
Themes
democracy
peace
intervention
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
policy
strategic
When to use this quote
- foreign policy planning
- humanitarian aid
- conflict prevention
- diplomacy
Key Concepts
political science
international relations
Questions to Reflect On
- When is force justified?
- How can democracy be supported without violence?
A Different Perspective
Force can cause unintended harm and backlash.
