In "The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War, 1890-1914," Barbara W. Tuchman explores the complex political and social landscape of the pre-World War I era. She illustrates how nations and leaders repeatedly faced choices that ultimately solidified their positions and conflicts, leading to a more entrenched and polarized environment. This repetition of decisions, rather than facilitating resolution, made tensions more pronounced and difficult to navigate.

Tuchman's analysis reveals that the persistent nature of these choices contributed to the growing sense of inevitability regarding the looming conflict. The quote, "Every repetition of the choice only hardened the issue," encapsulates the idea that indecision and repeated confrontations only served to intensify the struggles between powers. As a result, the world became increasingly unstable, setting the stage for the catastrophic events of World War I.