Robert Kagan Professions : Historian Born : September 26, 1958 Browse All Authors Top 17 quotes by Robert Kagan When you have a hammer, all problems start to look like nails. Robert Kagan hammers nails looks International order is not an evolution; it is an imposition. It is the domination of one vision over others- in this case, the domination of liberal free market principles of economics, democratic principles of politics, and a peaceful international system over other visions that other nations and peoples may have. It will last only as long as those who favor it retain the capacity to defend it. Robert Kagan vision order long Foreign policy is like hitting a baseball: if you fail 70 percent of the time, you go to the Hall of Fame. Robert Kagan hitting failing baseball I think most Americans believe that although it's better not to use military force if you can avoid it, that the world simply doesn't provide us the luxury of giving away military force as an important tool of foreign policy. Robert Kagan military believe thinking When it comes to setting national priorities, determining threats, defining challenges, and fashioning and implementing foreign and defense policies, the United States and Europe have parted ways. Robert Kagan priorities challenges europe I believe it is still true that conflicts among major powers usually stem from geopolitical rivalries but rarely from economic competition. Robert Kagan conflict competition believe It is true that I have known Straussians almost all my life. And the one thing I was taught about them from the earliest age is that they are wrong. Robert Kagan known taught age In my view, America has never had the opportunity to enter paradise. Europe enjoys the paradise it enjoys, in part because the United States provides the overall security that allows Europe to live in a system where military power is not a major issue. Robert Kagan military views opportunity The thing that I would say is that U.S. power is not eternal. I am not saying that it won't come to an end. Because it will. Robert Kagan eternal ends Based on all criteria - military power, economic influence, cultural dominance - America remains number one, even though other, new players are increasingly challenging it in that role. Robert Kagan military player numbers If a caterpillar doesn't know its future has wings, it hardly experiences itself as land-bound. Robert Kagan caterpillars land wings I left Russia in 1993 optimistic that democracy had taken hold despite the obstacles. Robert Kagan optimistic russia taken Obviously the administration intends to publicize all the weapons of mass destruction U.S. forces find - and there will be plenty. Robert Kagan wmds-in-iraq mass-destruction administration Americans are from Mars, Europeans are from Venus: they agree on little and understand each other less and less. Robert Kagan mars venus littles Well, I think he's right to notice that there is a difference in attitudes and even in the broadest sense of world view between Eastern Europe and Western Europe. Which is old and which is new is an interesting question, and I almost think that maybe he's got it backwards. Robert Kagan view new think world Britain has taken itself out as a major player in the international system, at least for a while, with the kind of cuts that they've made in their national security budget. Robert Kagan budget system out security Under our Constitution, military leaders have no choice but to endorse the president's decision after giving him their best advice. Robert Kagan best constitution decision advice Similar Authors Abram L. Sachar historian Bryan Ward-Perkins historian Bruce Catton historian Bruce Bartlett historian Brian Crozier historian Allan Nevins historian All Authors
