"Whenever you read a good book, it's like the author is right there, in the room, talking to you, which is why I don't like to read good books."

i've started dogearing the books i read, and writing down my favorite lines. these are some of the bits i liked most...

This insight has led me to look at all sides of every argument. (200)

The underlying principles of [the Bush] agenda can be summed up as follows: International relations are relations of power, not law; power prevails and law legitimizes what prevails. The United States in unquestionably the dominant power in the post-Cold War world; it is therefore in a position to impose its views, interests, and values on the world. (3)

there is a parallel between the war on terrorism and the war on drugs: The remedy is inappropriate to the disease. (26)

My particular concern is that the debacle in Iraq will prevent future efforts at nation building. I find it unconscionable that the Bush administration is seeking to justify the invasion of Iraq by invoking Saddam's atrocities now that the original grounds cannot be substantiated. (65)

It is dangerous, however, to place excessive reliance on the market mechanism. Markets are designed to facilitate the free exchange of goods and services among willing participants, but are not capable, on their own, of taking care of collective needs. Nor are they competent to ensure social justice. These "public goods" can only be provided by a political process. (91)

Helping individuals, groups, and countries to escape from a variety of development traps ought to be recognized as the primary objective of development policies. The very nature of the trap means that the trapped entity usually requires outside assistance to escape. (150)

We are in a position to dictate the terms that would satisfy us. We are prevented from doing so only by out own attitude: Nothing would satisfy us, because under the influence of extremists, we are opposed to the process. (175)