20th century Quote by Strobe Talbott
“Here is one optimists reason for believing unity will prevail ... within the next hundred years ... nationhood as we know it will be obsolete; all states will recognize a single, global authority. A phrase briefly fashionable in the mid-20th century -- citizen of the world -- will have assumed real meaning by the end of the 21st. All countries are basically social arrangements, accommodations to changing circumstances. No matter how permanent and even sacred they may seem at any one time, in fact they are all artificial and temporary.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: International Relations Forum, 1995
The quote argues that nation‑states are temporary constructs and that a global governance will emerge within a century, making “citizen of the world” a real identity.
In simple terms: Nations are temporary; global unity will arise.
Key Takeaway
Embrace global cooperation.
Themes
politics
globalization
future studies
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
philosophical
prophetic
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education
- international NGOs
- citizen activism
Key Concepts
statehood
global governance
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How would global authority handle cultural diversity?
- What mechanisms could replace nation‑states?
A Different Perspective
Assumes rapid political consensus is feasible.
