Finding a Usable Past

The United World Federalists were unusually successful during the l940s in gaining adherents and placing their ideas into the mainstream of American politics. In addressing recent issues that demand transnational or supranational solutions (ecological problems, migration of peoples, international crime, and economic globalization), the experience of the 1940s can be drawn upon for guidance. Success will depend on a favorable, yet fragile, ecosystem for the common sacrifice of sovereignty: pervasive fears of anarchy and hopes for a more ordered world, fluidity of diplomatic thought, realistic analysis of international politics, an expanded role for government, and the need for Americans to feel reasonably comfortable with the shape of supra‐national institutions. Future federalist accomplishments will depend on these lessons of the past

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