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About this quote

What does it mean?
Molotov compares foreign affairs conduct to historical diplomats. He notes Bolsheviks do not believe in an afterlife where they would meet them.
In plain terms
Mazarin, Talleyrand, Metternich would welcome him, but Bolsheviks do not believe in an afterlife.
What can you take from it?
Foreign policy skills are timeless, but Bolsheviks lack religious belief.

Where it applies

  • ideological critiques

Putting it to work

  • contrasting diplomatic traditions

Questions to consider

  • What qualities make a great diplomat?
  • Does materialism shape foreign policy?

Another view

It reduces complex statecraft to personal afterlife beliefs.

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