The Political Thinkers Who Envisaged a Better Postwar World
In his book The Visionaries, James Holland explains how ethics and morals were once the guiding principles of leadership
In 2018, during the first presidential term of Donald J Trump, his secretary for defense, General Jim Mattis, is reported to have described the post-1945 international order as the “greatest gift of the greatest generation”. This invocation of history, Mattis was to conclude, ultimately fell on deaf ears. In stark contrast to many of his predecessors, the president and some of his political advisers had very little patience for this narrative about American leadership of the liberal world. It implied a burden that was no longer working for American interests, and was hindering its freedom of action on behalf of allies who had a far better part of the deal. By the end of the year, Mattis resigned – partly in dismay about Trump’s approach to the US-led alliance system – suggesting the president deserved someone in this position more aligned with his views.
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