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Article: An attack of pactitis. (long-term political consequences and disasters from international treaties)
- Article from:
- National Review
- Article date:
- August 12, 1991
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1991 National Review, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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AN ATTACK OF PACTITIS
ALERT READERS will have spotted that this occasional column has changed its name. In deference to the prevailing view that the cold war has been won by the West, "The Protracted Conflict" has yielded to "World in Conflict." If anything, the note of pessimism has deepened.
The aftermath of the Gulf War has done nothing to lighten the mood. The overthrow of a tyrant usually tempts the victors to have a go at remaking the international order. The trouble starts when the tyrant isn't quite overthrown. Metternich's glittering Congress of Vienna illustrates the problem. Napoleon was assumed to be out of action, since he had abdicated and ...