Military and absolutist regimes are undoubtedly well fitted to get the jump on an unsuspecting or unprepared enemy; but the history of modern warfare proves that they cannot win over representative governments in the long run, provided that people behind those governments have the heart to sustain initial punishment, and both the will and the resources to fight back.

History of United States Naval Operations in World War II.: Breaking the Bismarcks barrier, 22 July 1942-1 May 1944 (ed. 1950)