“ For a closed society is not open to ideas of progress—and a police state finds that it cannot command the grain to grow. ”
John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address (14 January 1963). copy citation
| Author | John F. Kennedy |
|---|---|
| Source | State of the Union Address |
| Topic | society progress command |
| Date | 14 January 1963 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5041/5041-h/5041-h.htm#3 |
Context
“The disarray of the Communist empire has been heightened by two other formidable forces. One is the historical force of nationalism—and the yearning of all men to be free. The other is the gross inefficiency of their economies. For a closed society is not open to ideas of progress—and a police state finds that it cannot command the grain to grow.
New nations asked to choose between two competing systems need only compare conditions in East and West Germany, Eastern and Western Europe, North and South Viet-Nam. They need only compare the disillusionment of Communist Cuba with the promise of the Alliance for Progress.” source
New nations asked to choose between two competing systems need only compare conditions in East and West Germany, Eastern and Western Europe, North and South Viet-Nam. They need only compare the disillusionment of Communist Cuba with the promise of the Alliance for Progress.” source
Meaning and analysis
