America Quote by Robert Scheer
“Everybody says, "Well, if it's a democracy, let them have nuclear weapons." America is the only country that has ever used nuclear weapons. We're the only ones, this democracy, our great democracy.”
About This Quote
Source Opinion piece: Nuclear weapons and democracy, The New York Times, 2021
Democratic nations may paradoxically claim moral superiority while possessing destructive power, exposing contradictions in policy.
In simple terms: Democracy can hold nuclear weapons despite moral claims.
Key Takeaway
Critically examine the ethics of nuclear deterrence.
Themes
democracy
nuclear weapons
policy hypocrisy
global security
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government debates
- peace negotiations
- public protests
Key Concepts
ethics
political theory
international relations
Questions to Reflect On
- Is nuclear deterrence compatible with democratic values?
- How should democracies reconcile security with moral leadership?
A Different Perspective
Some argue nuclear arms deter war; others see them as immoral.
![“He [Reagan] likes to tell jokes and that's why he told the ethnic joke that got him into some trouble. Perhaps if reporters didn't overreact to a politician's telling the very same joke they routinely hear and tell in the city room, we'd get more humor.” quote by Robert Scheer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/17c/robert-scheer-12420_american-politics_he-reagan-likes-to-tell-jokes-and-that-s_773713.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
