Peace Quote by Tony Judt

“War, in short, concentrated the mind. It had proven possible to convert a whole country into a war machine around a war economy; why then, people asked, could something similar not be accomplished in pursuit of peace? There was no convincing answer.” quote by Tony Judt — Download Open image

““War, in short, concentrated the mind. It had proven possible to convert a whole country into a war machine around a war economy; why then, people asked, could something similar not be accomplished in pursuit of peace? There was no convincing answer.””

Tony Judt

About This Quote

Source Book: The Origins of the Second World War, 2001

War focuses collective effort, prompting speculation if peace can be organized similarly, yet no solution emerges.

In simple terms: War unites people; peace lacks a clear engine.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the need for structured cooperation for peace.

Themes

war peace collective action political theory

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

policy design
conflict resolution
international cooperation

Key Concepts

systems thinking social organization economics

Questions to Reflect On

How can societies create compelling incentives for peace?
What structures can mimic wartime coordination without conflict?

A Different Perspective

Peace lacks the urgency and clear goals that drive wartime mobilization.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.7 out of 5 (4 ratings)

More by Tony Judt

I don't believe in an afterlife. I don't believe in a single or multiple godhead. I respect people who do, but I don't believe…

Tony Judt

Image

“Markets do not automatically generate trust, cooperation or collective action for the common good. Quite the contrary: it is in the nature of economic…

Tony Judt

Image

“ Lieux de memoire . . . 'exist because there are no longer any milieux de memoire , settings in which memory is a…

Tony Judt

Image

“Keynes died in 1946, exhausted by his wartime efforts. But he had long since demonstrated that neither capitalism nor liberalism would survive very long…

Tony Judt

Image

The Second World War had a precipitating effect in that it discredited the empires, as well as bankrupting them. Not only could you no…

Tony Judt

Image

“That the state might exceed its remit and damage the market by distorting its operations was not taken very seriously in these years.”

Tony Judt

Image

“Whatever their other differences, French Gaullists, Christian Democrats and Socialists shared a common faith in the activist state, economic planning and large-scale public investment.…

Tony Judt

Image

I think if I'm controversial it's not because I set out to be. It's because I've never felt comfortable being part of someone else's…

Tony Judt

Image

“This reduction of 'society' to a thin membrane of interactions between private individuals is presented today as the ambition of libertarians and free marketeers.…

Tony Judt