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About this quote

What does it mean?
The UN is used to fight conflicts verbally rather than resolve them practically.
In plain terms
Nations use the UN to argue instead of solving problems.
What can you take from it?
Evaluate if institutions are used for show or actual solutions.

Where it applies

  • global politics
  • negotiations
  • organizational critique

Putting it to work

  • audit institutional goals
  • demand concrete outcomes

Questions to consider

  • When does talk replace action?
  • How do you judge an org's real value?

Another view

Some UN work may be less visible but still useful.

More from Abba Eban

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  3. When the Council discusses what is to happen after the cease-fire, we hear many formulas: back to 1956, back to 1948--I understand our neighbors would wish to …

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