What a country calls its vital economic interests are not the things which enable its citizens to live, but the things which enable it to make war. Petrol is more likely than wheat to be a cause of international conflict.

Summary

This quote suggests that a country's definition of "vital economic interests" is not solely based on the wellbeing of its citizens, but rather on factors that facilitate the ability to engage in warfare. It implies that resources like petroleum, which have high geopolitical value, are more likely to be a source of international conflicts compared to essential commodities like wheat, which are crucial for citizen livelihoods. The quote highlights the prioritization of strategic resources for national security purposes over the basic needs of the population.

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