World History

Many observers of international affairs assume that larger, more populous states are necessarily more powerful. But the reality is wealth and economic development are the most critical factors in securing true military power. 

Manent insists that if political leaders don’t lead society, we will have a society that isn’t led by political leaders. So what?

The gravest crimes in the state's lexicon are almost invariably not invasions of private person or property, but dangers to the state itself: treason, desertion, insurrection, etc. The state does not exist to protect its citizens, but to protect itself.

Even granting the goals of “meeting people’s needs” and “selflessness” cherished by socialists, a property-based market economy is far superior at meeting those goals in modern civilization compared to a top-down, centrally controlled socialist system.