In ancient times, the opulent and civilized found it difficult to defend themselves against the poor and barbarous nations, Adam Smith observed in 1776. In modern times, the poor and barbarous find it difficult to defend themselves against the opulent and civilized. It seems the 21st century is more ancient than modern. What else could be said of an era when failed and failing states generate far more worries for the international community than powerful states?
failed states
November 1, 2009
2:00AM
In decades past, Washington looked across the oceans and worried about the threats posed by powerful states: the British Empire, the Kaisers Germany, Imperial Japan, Hitlers Reich, the Soviet Union.
