"The sword is the axis of the world and its power is absolute"

Charles de Gaulle’s assertion that “The sword is the axis of the world and its power is absolute” reflects a worldview shaped by the profound influence of military might on the course of history and the underlying forces of political order. The “sword,” as a metonym for military power and force, signifies the foundational role of strength and the willingness to defend or assert interests in the creation and maintenance of states, societies, and civilizations. Power, in this conception, is not merely an abstract feature of diplomatic relations but a tangible and decisive factor that can determine the fate of nations. When de Gaulle refers to the sword as the “axis” of the world, he emphasizes the centrality of force around which events, movements, and transformations pivot.

Throughout history, empires have risen and fallen based on their ability or failure to wield military power effectively. De Gaulle perceives the sword as the mechanism that upholds or overturns political orders; it is what draws boundaries, secures peace through deterrence, or, conversely, brings about war and conquest. The “absolute” nature of its power lies in the recognition that, despite ideals of negotiation, law, or diplomacy, the final arbiter in existential matters is often force. One may invoke justice, morality, or rational discourse, but these principles are ultimately sustained, protected, or overruled through strength, the capability to act decisively, often backed by arms.

This thinking does not diminish the value of law, reason, or governance but situates them in a reality where their survival is contingent on the strength that underpins them. For de Gaulle, whose life was shaped by the tumult of two world wars and the fight for France’s sovereignty, the “sword” is both a grim necessity and an enduring truth: authority, freedom, and survival are inextricably linked to the possession and exercise of credible power.