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All do not develop in the same manner, or at the same pace. Nations, like men, often march to the beat of different drummers, and the precise solutions of the United States can neither be dictated nor transplanted to others. What is important is that all nations must march toward increasing freedom; toward justice for all; toward a society strong and flexible enough to meet the demands of all its own people, and a world of immense and dizzying change.

Robert F. Kennedy#18

FreedomPolicyDevelopmentInternational relationsNationsSovereignty

About this quote

What does it mean?
Nations develop at different rates. The US should not impose its solutions. All nations should aim for freedom and justice in their own ways.
In plain terms
Different nations grow at different speeds and should choose their own paths to freedom.
What can you take from it?
Allow nations to choose their own development paths.

Where it applies

  • foreign policy
  • development aid
  • diplomacy

Putting it to work

  • respect national sovereignty
  • tailor aid to local needs

Questions to consider

  • How do we respect sovereignty without enabling abuse?
  • Who decides what freedom looks like?

Another view

Some international norms are necessary to prevent abuse or conflict.

More from Robert F. Kennedy

  1. The road toward equality of freedom is not easy, and great cost and danger march alongside us. We are committed to peaceful and nonviolent change, and that is …

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  2. Each nation has different obstacles and different goals, shaped by the vagaries of history and of experience. Yet as I talk to young people around the world I …

    Permalink to quote #19
  3. The essential humanity of men can be protected and preserved only where government must answer - not just to the wealthy, not just to those of a particular rel…

    Permalink to quote #16

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