Arnold Toynbee in his massive...
Illustration
Arnold Toynbee in his massive study of human history, records that there have been, to the present time, 26 attempts by the nations of the world to form a league that would ensure peace. All have failed. We are now in the midst of the 27th attempt -- call it what you will -- NATO or the new concensus that seems to be emerging among the nations of Europe. We see incredible changes in eastern Europe, prisoners are released, the poor are fed and the human spirit is once more emerging to claim its freedom above any form of government.
Such a hope was offered to the captives of Babylon by the second Isaiah. And the great day came; the Hebrews came home; new beginnings seemed imminent. But too soon the age old sins of selfishness, glory in power, overcame Israel and in time she was swept aside in the great currents of history, first by the Greek and then the Roman Empires.
In our day "peace has broken out" in our world in the most decisive way since the French Revolution. Yet we see little rejoicing among the Great Powers, only suspicion of an emerging new economic order; distrust of Germany and Russia remain. The age old hatreds will not lie buried.
-- Docherty
Such a hope was offered to the captives of Babylon by the second Isaiah. And the great day came; the Hebrews came home; new beginnings seemed imminent. But too soon the age old sins of selfishness, glory in power, overcame Israel and in time she was swept aside in the great currents of history, first by the Greek and then the Roman Empires.
In our day "peace has broken out" in our world in the most decisive way since the French Revolution. Yet we see little rejoicing among the Great Powers, only suspicion of an emerging new economic order; distrust of Germany and Russia remain. The age old hatreds will not lie buried.
-- Docherty
