Screwtape mentioned the problem: "Nor of course must they ever be allowed to raise Aristotle’s question: whether “democratic behaviour” means the behaviour that democracies like or the behaviour that will preserve a democracy. For if they did, it could hardly fail to occur to them that these need not be the same."
For "democracy" put "empire" or "industry" or even "culture"--the principle remains. Self discipline and an ideal of the greater good dissolve in prosperity. Leo Nicolletto has some suggestions for keeping the NATO "empire" from suffering the fate of all others, but none of his prescriptions would be organic anymore, and therefore would need to be imposed. And imposing radical changes merely hastens catastrophe. David Warren is a better guide. You won't get what you want unless you want something else more.
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