Quote by Norman Cousins, Pathology of Pow
The justification for those actions was that we were living in a very hard, predatory, cloak-and-dagger world and that the only way to deal with a totalitarian enemy was to intimidate him. The trouble with this theory was that while we live in a world of plot and counterplot, we also live in a world of cause and effect. Whatever the cause for the decision to legitimize and regularize deceit abroad, the inevitable effect was the practice of deceit at home.
Summary
This quote suggests that there was a belief that in order to handle a totalitarian adversary, intimidation and deception were necessary in a harsh and secretive world. However, the quote highlights that this approach had unintended consequences. The choice to justify and institutionalize deceptive actions abroad led to a culture where deceit became prevalent domestically as well. This implies that the means used in international relations can ultimately shape the practices and values within a society, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cause and effect.
Topics
Deception/lying
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