The parties, Fascist, or other, which bring about dictatorship want dictatorship. But John Smith who insists on certain policies which produce war does not want war. The first is the result of conscious intention duly carried into effect. The second is the result of an intention which miscarries, miscarries because of certain current errors and fallacies.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Dictators intend to rule, but others cause war through mistaken policies without intending conflict.
- In plain terms
- Some want power on purpose, while others start wars by accident due to bad ideas.
- What can you take from it?
- Bad policies can cause war even without intent.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you prove intent in policy?
- Can good intentions lead to terrible results?
Another view
Distinguishing intent from outcome is often difficult in practice.
More from Norman Angell
One speaks of dictators ruling by 'force'. But what has enabled dictatorial governments to possess force? The only means by which a man can become a dictator i…
Permalink to quote #24 As an Englishman, particularly as an Englishman standing upon foreign soil, I am, of course, prepared to argue that every war we have ever fought was a purely …
Permalink to quote #26 To shut our eyes to the part that John Smith plays in the perpetuation of unworkable policies, in building up the forces of which he becomes the victim, is to …
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