{The Coming-of-Age of America [continued]}[6th January 1976]

[Redbook2:76A-T][19760106:0000i]{The Coming-of-Age of America [continued]}[6^th January 1976]

19760106

[continued]

Would such a structure be possible? Yes. Is it likely? No. Why not? Ask Idi Amin*, Mr. Vorster*, Mrs. Ghandi*. The voluntary surrender of political power from a territory requires a maturity on both sides rarely seen within Europe and North America – and never, now, outside those two areas. But it's worth bearing in mind two great lessons which are at the moment making themselves clear to the people of a dizzy World. First: No Government possessing an atomic bomb – and that is likely to mean well over half the World's Governments by the end of this Century – need seriously fear permanent occupation of its territory by a neighbouring territory's Government. The present reluctance to use nuclear weapons is unlikely to survive proliferation. Second: One intelligent Man, and more effectively a small group of Men, may bring any urban society to the point of collapse, if he or they possess the will – particularly if that society is highly governed.

*[Leaders of Uganda, South Africa, and India, respectively]

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