The European empires were politically and economically upset
by widespread colonial revolt in Asia and Africa. Spectacular
achievements of socialism-communism, particularly in East Europe and
Asia, added to the previous fragmentation a new line of division between
capitalist West Europe and socialist East Europe. This process of
fragmentation is giving separatist forces ascendancy over the forces of
integration and unification.
In Roman and Egyptian civilizations, the period of survival conflict led
to the centralization of wealth and authority. After five centuries of
suicidal competitive struggle, the European homeland of western
civilization is criss-crossed by sharp lines of division. Furthermore,
the shift of production and military power from Europe to North America
and Asia reduces the probability of speedy European integration.
In the more important centers of western civilization the chief item of
public expenditure is preparation for a war of air, water and land
machines that may extend technologically into a nuclear war. While we
have no precedent that would enable us to gauge the consequences of an
extensive nuclear war it seems reasonable to assume that it would
further fragment an already fragmented European continent.
The heavy burdens of militarism which western civilization is presently
carrying, have unbalanced budgets, which lead to inflation and to
onerous burdens of debt and taxes.
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