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All that you say is true. I am still, however, trying to construct the list based on my sense that the contribution was constructive. As I earlier said in objecting to Wilson, he enshrined the principle of ethnic nationalism as the basis of the nation- state through the practical meaning given "self-determination". I am what one would call a liberal nationalist, by 19th century standards. I think that attaching patriotic sentiments (which I consider normal and proper) to the nation- state is an advance over tribalism, and that organizing the people on the basis of common history is the best way to constitute a democracy. I despise ethnic nationalism, per se, however, as it veers towards racialism, and becomes a precursor of Nazism....Secondly, by a hypocritical attitude towards national minorities in the emerging nation- states consequent upon the dissolution of the Russian and Austrian empires, he ratified the explosive situation of scattering irridentist time bombs throughout Mitteleuropa....Third, I am saying that his failure to attend to the punitive measures backed by Clemenceau helped sow the seeds of the Depression and World War II, in addition to the first two points....Finally, his failure to come to terms with the Senate over the League of Nations blew the best chance for a multi- lateral organization that might have thwarted aggression in the run up to WWII....In my mind, Wilson is the well- intentioned fool who set the stage for Hitler..... |
