Hoover InstitutionStanford University
Chapter One: Boot Camp Wisdom

Published October 03, 2019

George Shultz sits down with Hoover Research Fellow Bill Whalen to discuss “boot camp wisdom.” When individuals act inconsistently or without core principals, they lose authority and integrity. Making empty threats in foreign affairs is even more dangerous because it not only threatens national security, but also destroys hard-earned credibility.

Video Recorded: August 20, 2018

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the disadvantages of making empty threats?
  2. What kind of policies are needed to control climate change?

Additional Resources

  • You can read George Shultz’s chapter, “In Brief: A World Awash in Change,” in Blueprint for America. Available here. 
  • You can find the rest of “Blueprint for America” here. 
  • Read “The Danger Of Empty Threats” by George P. Shultz, available here.

Cast

George P. Shultz

George P. Shultz

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