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This is an historic moment. We have in this past year made great progress in ending the long era of conflict and cold war. We have before us the opportunity to forge for ourselves and for future generations a new world order, a world where the rule of law, not the law of the jungle, governs the conduct of nations. When we are successful, and we will be, we have a real chance at this new world order, an order in which a credible United Nations can use its peacekeeping role to fulfill the promise and vision of the U.N.'s founders. We have no argument with the people of Iraq. Indeed, for the innocents caught in this conflict, I pray for their safety.

George H. W. Bush#13

HistoryInternational relationsLawOrderPeace

About this quote

What does it mean?
The Cold War is ending; hope for a rules-based world.
In plain terms
We are moving to a peaceful world order.
What can you take from it?
Support international law and peace.

Where it applies

  • diplomacy
  • international law
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • support u.n.
  • promote rule of law
  • advocate peace

Questions to consider

  • Can the world be ruled by law?
  • What ends war?

Another view

Idealism often meets geopolitical resistance.

More from George H. W. Bush

  1. Clearly, no longer can a dictator count on East-West confrontation to stymie concerted United Nations action against aggression. A new partnership of nations h…

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  2. We're going to keep trying to strengthen the American family. To make them more like the Waltons and less like the Simpsons.

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. Think about every problem, every challenge, we face. The solution to each starts with education.

    Permalink to quote #11

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