George P. Shultz
George P. Shultz
Full Name and Common Aliases
George Pratt Shultz was born on December 13, 1920, in New York City, New York. He is commonly referred to as "Mr. Secretary" due to his numerous cabinet positions.
Birth and Death Dates
December 13, 1920 (born) - still living as of this writing
Nationality and Profession(s)
American economist, statesman, and diplomat. Shultz held various government positions, including:
U.S. Secretary of Labor (1969-1970)
White House Chief of Staff (1974-1975)
Director of the Office of Management and Budget (1977-1978)
U.S. Secretary of State (1982-1989)
Early Life and Background
Shultz grew up in Trenton, New Jersey. He graduated from Princeton University in 1942 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he earned his Ph.D. in Industrial Relations from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1949.
Major Accomplishments
Shultz played a key role in several significant events and decisions:
Labor Secretary: As U.S. Secretary of Labor, Shultz implemented the Philadelphia Plan to promote affirmative action.
Chief of Staff: During his tenure as White House Chief of Staff, Shultz helped manage the response to the 1973 oil embargo and advised President Gerald Ford on various policy issues.
Secretary of State: As U.S. Secretary of State, Shultz was a strong advocate for arms control agreements, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with the Soviet Union.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions by George P. Shultz include:
The Shape of the Future: In this 1993 book, Shultz outlined his vision for a post-Cold War world.
Advice to Myself at Eighty: This 2008 memoir offers insights into Shultz's life experiences and lessons learned.Impact and Legacy
Shultz's contributions have had lasting impacts on U.S. politics and international relations:
Diplomatic Efforts: As Secretary of State, Shultz worked closely with Soviet leaders to reduce tensions and negotiate arms control agreements.
Economic Policy: During his time as Chief of Staff, Shultz advised President Ford on economic policy, helping to manage the country's response to global events.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Shultz is widely quoted and remembered due to his:
Expertise in Economics: As a renowned economist, Shultz brought valuable insights to various government positions.
* Leadership Roles: Throughout his career, Shultz held significant cabinet positions, demonstrating his ability to navigate complex policy issues.
George P. Shultz's life has been marked by dedication to public service, economic expertise, and a commitment to reducing global tensions. His quotes continue to offer valuable perspectives on international relations, economics, and leadership.
Quotes by George P. Shultz
There is no prospect that the United States will say to Israel, 'You do such and such and we'll not support you in your security.'
Open political and economic systems have been gaining ground and there’s a good reason for it. They work better.
Before you get mugged by reality, take out an insurance policy. It’s the Reagan way.
Between 1980 and 1990, the number of countries that were classified as ‘free’ or ‘mostly free’ increased by about 50%.
My experience is that if the military didn’t want to use force and was confronted with a president that did, the military would come back with what I would call the ‘bomb Moscow’ scenario. They would say it had to be done with conditions that were so extreme, you obviously wouldn’t do it.
You don’t get gushers of revenue by raising tax rates. You get it through expansion.
I learned in business that you had to be very careful when you told somebody that’s working for you to do something, because the chances were very high he’d do it. In government, you don’t have to worry about that.
I don’t know how you define ‘neoconservatism,’ but I think it’s associated with trying to spread open political systems and democracy.