Jeane Kirkpatrick quotes

Jeane Kirkpatrick was an American diplomat and political scientist, best known for serving as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. A prominent figure in shaping American foreign policy during the Reagan administration, she advocated for a strong stance against totalitarian regimes. She became one of the first women to hold such a high-ranking diplomatic position for the United States. Here are 36 of her quotes:

Vietnam presumably taught us that the United States could not serve as the world's policeman; it should also have taught us the dangers of trying to be the world's midwife to democracy when the birth is scheduled to take place under conditions of guerrilla war.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

The speed with which armies collapse, bureaucracies abdicate, and social structures dissolve once the autocrat is removed frequently surprises American Policy makers.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

When Marxist dictators shoot their way into power in Central America, the San Francisco Democrats don't blame the guerrillas and their Soviet allies. They blame United States policies of 100 years ago. But then they always blame America first.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

No idea holds greater sway in the minds of educated Americans that the belief that it is possible to democratize governments anytime and anywhere under any circumstances.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

Decades, if not centuries are normally required for people to acquire the necessary disciplines and habits. (for democracy) In Britain, the road to (democratic government) took seven centuries to traverse.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

Neither nature, experience, nor probability informs these lists of 'entitlements', which are subject to no constraints except those of the mind and appetite of their authors.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

I was a woman in a man's world. I was a Democrat in a Republican administration. I was an intellectual in a world of bureaucrats. I talked differently. This may have made me a bit like an ink blot.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

What takes place in the Security Council more closely resembles a mugging than either a political debate or an effort at problem-solving.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

Truth, which is important to a scholar, has got to be concrete. And there is nothing more concrete than dealing with babies, burps and bottles, frogs and mud.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

Russia is playing chess, while we are playing Monopoly. The only question is whether they will checkmate us before we bankrupt them.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

And now, the American people, proud of our country, proud of our freedom, proud of ourselves, will reject the San Francisco Democrats and send Ronald Reagan back to the White House.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

When our Marines, sent to Lebanon on a multinational peacekeeping mission with the consent of the United States Congress, were murdered in their sleep, the "blame America first crowd" didn't blame the terrorists who murdered the Marines, they blamed the United States. But then, they always blame America first.... The American people know better.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

And I have no doubt that the American people generally believe the world is safer, and that we are safer, when we are stronger.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

A government is not legitimate merely because it exists.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

Democrats can't get elected unless things get worse-and things won't get worse unless they get elected.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

I conclude that it is a fundamental mistake to think that salvation, justice, or virtue come through merely human institutions.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

We have war when at least one of the parties to a conflict wants something more than it wants peace.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

I think that it's always appropriate for Americans and for American foreign policy to make clear why we feel that self-government is most compatible with peace, the well-being of people, and human dignity.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

Because the miseries of traditional life are familiar, they are bearable to ordinary people who, growing up in the society, learn to cope, as children born to untouchables in India.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

Solidarity was the movement that turned the direction of history, I think.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

I always assume that democracy is the only good form of government, quite frankly, and democracy is always to be preferred.

Jeane Kirkpatrick

A doctrine of class war seemed to provide a solution to the problem of poverty to people who know nothing about how wealth is created.

Jeane Kirkpatrick