The wars of the future will be fought by computer technicians and by lawyers and high-altitude specialists, and that may mean war will be increasingly abstract, hard to think about and hard to control. Michael Ignatieff abstractaltitudecomputer share on social
There's a civic nationalism in Britain and dozens of other countries. Michael Ignatieff britainciviccountry Change image and share on social
Ultimate authority in a global system remains with sovereigns. Governments will not have it any other way: politicians face instant rejection from their electorate if they allow transnational authorities to dictate terms. Michael Ignatieff authoritydictateelectorate share on social
The detention of Japanese Americans during World War II would qualify as an example of majoritarian tyranny and misuse of executive prerogative, driven by fear and racial bias. Michael Ignatieff americanbiasdetention Change image and share on social
After spending the 1980s building up Saddam's Iraq as a counterweight to Iran, U.S. policy abruptly reversed course with his invasion of Kuwait and has since tried to cut him down to size. The policy is called 'containment,' but the question is, containment of what? Michael Ignatieff 1980sabruptlybuild share on social
An intellectual may be interested in ideas and policies for their own sake, but a politician's interest is exclusively in the question of whether an idea's time has come. Michael Ignatieff exclusivelyideaintellectual Change image and share on social
In politics, there's a kind of literal-mindedness. It's what you say, not what you mean, and you have to say only what you mean. Michael Ignatieff kindliteralmindedness Change image and share on social
What we want is to become masters in our own house. Michael Ignatieff housemaster Change image and share on social
For every African state, like Ghana, where democratic institutions seem secure, there is a Mali, a Cote d'Ivoire, and a Zimbabwe, where democracy is in trouble. Michael Ignatieff africancotedemocracy Change image and share on social
I can't think of this country without Quebec. Je parle francais. And when I think about being a Canadian, speaking French is part of it. Michael Ignatieff canadiancountryfrancais Change image and share on social