International order is not an evolution; it is an imposition. It is the domination of one vision over others- in this case, the domination of liberal free market principles of economics, democratic principles of politics, and a peaceful international system over other visions that other nations and peoples may have. It will last only as long as those who favor it retain the capacity to defend it.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the imposition of a dominant international order shaped by liberal values over alternative visions from other nations.
Robert Kagan's quote articulates the idea that the current international order is not a natural progression but rather an imposed system that prioritizes liberal free market and democratic ideals. This dominance signifies a struggle between differing perspectives on governance and economics, suggesting that this order will endure only as long as its proponents are able to uphold it against challenges from competing viewpoints.
In practice
In a debate about global trade policies, this quote can emphasize the need to understand the impositions of certain economic principles.
As soon as politicians start climbing up the ladder, they suddenly become kings. I don't know how it works, but what I do know is that republics came to the world to make sure that no one is more than anyone else. The pomp of office is like something left over from a feudal past: "You need a palace, red carpet, a lot of people behind you saying, 'Yes, sir.' I think all of that is awful."
Bad government is the natural product of rule by those who believe government is bad.
The government is tottering. We must deal it the death blow an any cost. To delay action is the same as death.
Congress is where Americans are supposed to have our big, messy political fights. That's because the people who make the laws need to be hired and fired by the people. Don't like the laws? Fire the lawmakers.
Neither the United States nor Israel has the capacity to impose a unilateral solution in the Middle East.
If we insist that public life be reserved for those whose personal history is pristine, we are not going to get paragons of virtue running our affairs. We will get the very rich, who contract out the messy things in life the very dull, who have nothing to hide and nothing to show and the very devious, expert at covering their tracks and ambitious enough to risk their discovery.
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