Description
Book SynopsisA fascinating manifesto, proposing that the world should be split into smaller regions to distribute power more evenly.
Written by one of the most original political thinkers of the 20th century, in The Breakdown of Nations, Leopold Kohr shows that throughout history people living in small states are happier, more peaceful, more creative and more prosperous. He argues that virtually all our political and social problems would be greatly diminished if the world''s major countries were to dissolve back into the small states from which they sprang. Rather than making even larger political unions, in the mistaken belief that this will bring peace and security, we should minimise the aggregation of power by returning to a patchwork of small, relatively powerless states where leaders are accessible to and responsive to the people.
Originally published in 1957, this new edition features forewords by Neal Ascherson and Richard Body. The material has been n
Trade Review
We have now reached the point Kohr warned about... the point where 'instead of growth serving life, life must now serve growth, perverting the very purpose of existence'. Kohr's crisis of bigness is upon us * Paul Kingsnorth, The Guardian *
This is the most important book written by the most original political thinker of the 20th century. * Neal Ascherson, from the foreword *
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements Preface to the 1986 Edition Foreword by Neal Ascherson Foreword by Richard Body Introduction The Philosophies of Misery The Power Theory of Aggression Disunion Now Tyranny in a Small-State World The Physics of Politics: The Philosophic Argument Individual and Average Man: The Political Argument The Glory of the Small: The Cultural Argument The Efficiency of the Small: The Economic Argument Union Through Division: The Administrative Argument The Elimination of Great Powers: Can It Be Done? But Will It Be Done? The American Empire Appendices: The Principle of Federation Presented in Maps Chapter Notes Bibliography Index
