Certain Quote by Robert H. Jackson
“If certain acts of violation of treaties are crimes, they are crimes whether the United States does them or whether Germany does them, and we are not prepared to lay down a rule of criminal conduct against others which we would not be willing to have invoked against us.”
About This Quote
Source Court Opinion: United States v. United Nations, 1949
Treaty violations are crimes regardless of the perpetrator; the US must not create double standards.
In simple terms: Crimes are crimes, no matter who commits them.
Key Takeaway
Apply laws equally.
Themes
law
ethics
international relations
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- diplomatic negotiations
- policy drafting
- human rights advocacy
- military planning
Key Concepts
Justice
double standards
rule of law
Questions to Reflect On
- How can nations enforce equal accountability?
- What mechanisms prevent selective law application?
A Different Perspective
May be politically challenging to enforce.
