"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’s statement underscores the core belief at the heart of much American strategic thinking: the conviction that strength, particularly military strength, acts as a guarantor of both national security and global stability. By affirming her lack of doubt that the American people broadly share this view, she highlights a collective disposition rooted in the nation’s historical experiences and global role. After enduring existential challenges during the world wars and the Cold War, Americans came to associate their safety with an ability to project power, deter adversaries, and defend allies. A strong United States, in this view, not only protects its own citizens but also contributes to an international order in which peace prevails through deterrence.

This sentiment also reflects how Americans often perceive the world through the lens of responsibility. With strength comes the obligation to uphold certain values and deter aggression, not only for self-defense but also for the benefit of the broader international community. The notion that “we are safer, when we are stronger” stems from a pragmatic understanding of power politics: rivals and potential threats are less likely to challenge a robust nation, and American influence ensures stability in key regions vital to its interests.

Kirkpatrick’s words also subtly critique isolationist or disarmament-oriented impulses that occasionally surface in American political discourse. For her and for many contemporaries, any perceived weakening of American strength risks inviting instability, emboldening adversaries, and undermining the frameworks that have ensured postwar security. Ultimately, the belief she describes is foundational to the policies of deterrence, alliance-building, and defense preparedness. It speaks to a faith not just in military hardware, but in resolve and commitment; strength is as much psychological and moral as it is material. Kirkpatrick’s assertion encapsulates a worldview in which American might is both shield and anchor for the nation and, in the eyes of its citizens, for the wider world.