# Quote — Christopher Hitchens, For the Sake of Argument

> The United States has an isolationist and insular culture, combined with a global and interventionist posture. This highly dangerous and febrile mixture, which greatly facilitates the task of the fear-mongers and chauvinists, needs a very exact and nuanced diagnosis. I don't think that analogies from the totalitarian model, however suggestive, are sufficient.

- Author: [Christopher Hitchens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens.md)
- Book: [For the Sake of Argument](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/for-the-sake-of-argument.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Christopher_Hitchens#For_the_Sake_of_Argument:_Essays_and_Minority_Reports_(1993)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/for-the-sake-of-argument/the-united-states

## More from this book

> The polls undoubtedly help to decide what people think, but their most important long-term influence may be on how people think. The interrogative process is very distinctly weighted against the asking of an intelligent question or the recording of a thoughtful answer.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/for-the-sake-of-argument/the-polls-undoubtedly.md)

> The pornography of tough-mindedness, covert action, and preparedness for "peace through strength" has had a predictably hypnotic effect on the legislative branch, turning it from legal watchdog to lapdog.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/for-the-sake-of-argument/the-pornography-of-tough-mindedness.md)

> "Peace through Strength," surely history's most exploded nostrum.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/for-the-sake-of-argument/peace-through-strength.md)