The Alternatives

The trouble, said Mr. Theiler, is that we haven't progressed to the stage where we are prepared to make a personal sacrifice, even though only temporarily, in the general interest. Each nation must give up a little of its autonomy if all are to be welded peaceably together. The alternative is that some will lose all rights of self-government. It was not necessary to give up all rights, in fact, any attempt at a unitary world state would be to completely disregard the facts of history. It would first be necessary for the foreign policy of the federated states to be decided in common and then defence would have to be in the hands of the central body. This central authority must be given the power to implement its policy, by force if necessary. Apart from these matters of foreign policy and defence each state could remain completely autonomous.