There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
Over the years, there have been a series of concepts developed to justify the use of force in international affairs for a long period. It was possible to justify it on the pretext, which usually turned out to have very little substance, that the U.S. was defending itself against the communist menace. By the 1980s, that was wearing pretty thin.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the justifications for U.S. military actions during the Cold War, particularly the narrative of self-defense against communism that became increasingly unconvincing over time.
Noam Chomsky reflects on how various concepts were created to rationalize the use of military force in international relations, particularly by the United States during the Cold War. He points out that although these justifications were initially framed as necessary defenses against perceived threats like communism, by the 1980s, the rationale began to lose its credibility, highlighting the complexities and often dubious nature of political justifications for war.
Themes
ForceJustificationInternationalAffairsSelf-DefenseWarPoliticsCommunism
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about military intervention, this quote can be used to challenge the validity of justifications provided by leaders.
More from Noam Chomsky
All quotes →The 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
Noam ChomskyRead
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
Noam ChomskyRead
There are very few people who are going to look into the mirror and say, 'That person I see is a savage monster;' instead, they make up some construction that justifies what they do.
Noam ChomskyRead
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
Noam ChomskyRead
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
Noam ChomskyRead
Similar quotes
He thought about how it might be to be, say, a fox confronted with an angry sheep. A sheep moreover, that could afford to employ wolves.
Terry PratchettRead
For in that universal call,_x000D_ _x000D_ Few bankers will to heaven be mounters;_x000D_ _x000D_ They'll cry, "Ye shops, upon us fall!_x000D_ _x000D_ Conceal and cover us, ye counters!_x000D_ _x000D_ When other hands the scales shall hold,_x000D_ _x000D_ And they, in men's and angels' sight_x000D_ _x000D_ Produced with all their bills and gold,_x000D_ _x000D_ 'Weigh'd in the balance and found light!'
Jonathan SwiftRead
To denounce does not free the self from what it hates, any more than ignoring the past shuts off its influence.
Jacques BarzunRead
Corruption is nature's way of restoring our faith in democracy.
Peter UstinovRead
Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind.
Vince LombardiRead
Life in freedom is not easy, and democracy is not perfect.
John F. KennedyRead