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One learns in the diplomatic academy that foreign policy is supreme. Domestic politics may condition, enable, or undercut it, but, ultimately, foreign policy determines the fate of nations. So, today, there are riots in the streets of several European cities, and the American and one or two other publics are revolting against the ruling party, it is said, because expensive wars have perverted fiscal priorities at the moment that labour markets are undergoing a drastic transformation from technological innovations. A disinterested observer might say: thou dost protest too much. Or perhaps not. The Western welfare state expired a generation ago. These societies have been living on malodorous fumes ever since. So now comes the reckoning. The people may still want their welfare state, but they also want prosperity. And, neither is possible, any longer, alongside expensive wars fought for someone’s benefit, somewhere else. A sinking ship still has options. They don’t lie mainly in political point scoring at home. It’s time to get serious about Aussenpolitik. Talleyrand is free today. But if you enjoyed this post, you can tell Talleyrand that their writing is valuable by pledging a future subscription. You won't be charged unless they enable payments. |