Hard to believe Quote by Steven Pinker
““It’s a little-known fact that most terrorist groups fail, and that all of them die. Lest this seem hard to believe, just reflect on the world around you. Israel continues to exist, Northern Ireland is still a part of the United Kingdom, and Kashmir is a part of India. There are no sovereign states in Kurdistan, Palestine, Quebec, Puerto Rico, Chechnya, Corsica, Tamil Eelam, or Basque Country. The Philippines, Algeria, Egypt, and Uzbekistan are not Islamist theocracies; nor have Japan, the United States, Europe, and Latin America become religious, Marxist, anarchist, or new-age utopias. The numbers confirm the impressions.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature, 2011
Most separatist movements fail; existing states persist, showing that violent upheaval rarely reshapes borders.
In simple terms: Separatist attempts seldom succeed.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the resilience of current nations.
Themes
politics
conflict
history
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
explanatory
informative
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- educational debates
- media commentary
Key Concepts
statehood
nationalism
failed insurgencies
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people still pursue independence?
- What factors could change these outcomes?
A Different Perspective
The analysis may overlook ongoing struggles and human costs.
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