20th century Quote by Robert McNamara

We must begin by acknowledging a hard truth. We will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations, acting…

— Barack Obama

“One of the most startling commentaries on this century is the fact that millions more have died at the hands of their own governments…

— Charles W. Colson

“Generally speaking, by the way, that is the moral of the opponents of violence in politics: they renounce violence when it comes to introducing…

— Leon Trotsky

If in the modern world wars have unfortunately to be fought (and they do, it seems) then they must be stopped at the first…

— Jawaharlal Nehru

Great-power politics is tragic because the structure of the international system forces states that seek only to be secure nonetheless to act aggressively toward…

— John Mearsheimer

Under the interlocking regimes of neoliberal power, violence appears so arbitrary and thoughtless that it lacks the need for any justification, let alone claims…

— Henry Giroux

Every major power always seeks to justify its action on moral grounds. Such behaviour is almost as old as the hills. The west has…

— Martin Jacques

I believe that the entire effort of modern society should be concentrated on the endeavor to outlaw war as a method of the solution…

— Douglas MacArthur

The chief reason warfare is still with us is neither a secret death-wish of the human species, nor an irrepressible instinct of aggression, nor,…

— Hannah Arendt

Legitimacy, when challenged, bases itself on an appeal to the past, while justification relates to an end that lies in the future. Violence can…

— Hannah Arendt

People have long assumed that violence is necessary for political change. Rulers never cede power voluntarily, the argument goes, so progressives have no choice…

— Steven Pinker

A political policy is equated with moral right, and opposition to it with diabolical malevolence.

— Arthur Miller