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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 a increasing freedom; toward justice for all; toward a society strong and flexible enough to meet the demands of all of its own people, and a world of immense and dizzying change.

Robert Kennedy#53

JusticeFreedomGlobalNationsSovereignty

About this quote

What does it mean?
Nations must find their own paths to freedom and justice.
In plain terms
Every country solves problems differently but aims for the same goals.
What can you take from it?
Respect diverse paths to freedom and justice.

Where it applies

  • diplomacy
  • international policy
  • development aid

Putting it to work

  • avoid cultural imposition
  • support local solutions
  • encourage reform

Questions to consider

  • Can justice look different everywhere?
  • What is the US role?

Another view

It may excuse authoritarian regimes under guise of sovereignty.

More from Robert Kennedy

  1. Nations around the world look to us for the leadership not merely by strength of arms but by strength of our convictions.

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  2. On this generation of Americans falls the burden of proving to the world that we really mean it when we say all men are created free and are equal before the l…

    Permalink to quote #54
  3. My views on birth control are somewhat distorted by the fact that I was seventh of nine children.

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