"For the victor peace means the preservation of the position of power which he has secured. For the vanquished it means resigning himself to the position left to him"
- Gustav Stresemann
About this Quote
This quote by Gustav Stresemann talks to the power characteristics of war and peace. For the victor, peace suggests maintaining the power and control they have actually accomplished through their triumph. This could mean preserving control over a region, or perhaps an individuals. For the vanquished, peace means accepting the position they have been left in, which is most likely one of submission and subjugation. This quote highlights the unequal power dynamics that exist in between the victor and the beat, and how peace is not always a reasonable or fair outcome for both sides. It also speaks to the idea that peace is not necessarily a favorable result for all, as it can indicate the extension of overbearing class structure.