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We'll still need our armed forces and we'll take every necessary action to make America safe - but we'll gain that safety not by force of arms, but by who we are and what we represent. For we should be an America not puffed up by pride in our own power, but rather an America humbled by the recognition of our common humanity. We must make sure that globalization helps people around the world, raising living standards and improving the environment everywhere - rather than leading a race to the bottom.

Wesley Clark#24

SecurityNational securityPeaceForeign policyGlobalizationValues

About this quote

What does it mean?
Safety comes from national character and values like humility and common humanity rather than military force, and globalization should raise living standards globally.
In plain terms
We gain safety by being humble and humane, not just by using force, and globalization should help everyone.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize values and global cooperation over military dominance for true safety.

Where it applies

  • national security debates
  • foreign policy discussions
  • global development

Putting it to work

  • promote humanitarian values abroad
  • regulate globalization benefits

Questions to consider

  • What defines a nations moral power?
  • How can globalization be made fair?

Another view

Reliance on soft power alone may not deter aggressive adversaries.

More from Wesley Clark

  1. They killed in the name of God. But they are not the first. This began in pre-history; the tragedy is that it persists today. Some would characterize the event…

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  2. Working together, we can build a world in which the rule of law - not the rule of force - governs relations between states. A world in which leaders respect th…

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. Had we seen an earthquake, or the results of a powerful storm, the devastation and loss would have been awful - but our country has seen terrible tragedies bef…

    Permalink to quote #22

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