It seems unlikely that a group of
warfare states like the top western European powers can escape the
economic contraction which presently threatens them and regain solvency
and stability through fiscal reforms or readjustments in tariffs and
trade.
Our analysis of the politics of civilization may be summarized in four
general statements:
1. Each civilization has consisted of a cluster of empires,
nations and peoples which at some previous period have
enjoyed independence and sovereignty.
2. Relations between these erstwhile sovereign units have
been determined by a shifting mixture of diplomacy and
armed force, with war playing a determining role in the
process.
3. In the course of survival struggle, political leadership within
the civilization has shifted back and forth as one group
has succeeded in establishing and maintaining its authority
over the entire civilization.
4. A general axiom of the politics of civilization might read:
At the conclusion of each war among civilized peoples
the victors are entitled to make the following declaration:
We operate under the Law of the Jungle: "Let him take
who has the power and let him keep who can." We have
the power. We have grabbed the real and personal property
of our neighbors and we propose to keep it. Our
friends are welcome to attend our Feast of Victory. Let
our enemies beware.
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