Developments in information technology and globalised media mean that the most powerful military in the history of the world can lose a war, not on the battlefield of dust and blood, but on the battlefield of world opinion.
Timothy Garton AshRead
One thing, however, I know with certainty: violence, or the direct threat of violence, of the kind we have seen in the past few days, is totally unjustified as a response to any published word or image.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Violence is an unacceptable response to expression, regardless of its nature.
In this quote, Timothy Garton Ash emphasizes the fundamental principle that resorting to violence is never justified, even in the face of words or images that may provoke or offend. He argues that instead of escalating conflict through aggression, individuals and societies should seek to address disagreements through dialogue and understanding, reinforcing the importance of freedom of expression while condemning violent reactions.
Themes
ViolenceExpressionFreedomDialogueUnjustified
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in discussions about how to handle controversial speech in a civil society.
More from Timothy Garton Ash
All quotes →That said, the question remains: how to strike the balance between free speech and mutual respect in this mixed-up world, both blessed and cursed with instant communication? We should not fight fire with fire, threats with threats.
Timothy Garton AshRead
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