Prospects for the New Nations

The sudden emergence of new nations in Asia and Africa poses crucial problems for our age. No longer is it sufficient to applaud the demise of imperialism. We have also to discard any previous reliance on simple ideologies of progress. And we have to recognize that some or all of the new nations will present features deeply distasteful to men of a libertarian vision. There is no guarantee that the new will be desirable or appealing. Nor can we assume that the end of colonial servitude will necessarily usher in an age of democracy. We must ask bluntly what are the chances that a democratic polity can ultimately win over authoritarian and totalitarian politics?

Owing partly to the rapidity with which they have gained independence, m...