Their cynicism is based on a view of the world as a violent brew of selfish and conflicting desires, in which a strong army is necessary to make people and nations behave themselves. Their lack of imagination means they have abandoned the vision of humanity in which spiritual and ethical considerations are finally elevated above selfish desires. Believing the worst of human nature, the realists continue to push our societies to arm and prepare for coming, inevitable conflicts.
— Scott A. Hunt, The Future of Peace