What a country calls its vital... interests are not things that help its people live, but things that help it make war.

Summary

This quote suggests that the priorities and definitions of vital interests by a country are often driven by the pursuit of war, rather than the well-being of its people. It implies that governments prioritize obtaining resources or achieving strategic advantages to maintain their power and military strength, disregarding the needs and livelihoods of their citizens. By framing national interests in this way, the quote critiques the tendency of governments to prioritize militarization and conflict over the welfare and peace of their population.

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