THE DISADVANTAGES OF POLITICAL BOUNDARIES

An interesting but disturbing effect of the present division of our world into a myriad of independent or semi-independent nation-states, is the complicated, and sometimes comical, situations that have arisen therefrom throughout history.  In a word, our world has often resembled a patchwork quilt--wherein different assemblages of nations would join together into groups or alliances having common interests or goals; later lose some members, or totally break apart; and still later rejoin in new and different combinations.  Or to state it another way, nations can be said to frequently behave like a group of quarreling schoolchildren--taking each other's parts against one or more of the others, and often "changing sides" as events unfold.

A typical complicated example may be related in regard to the events that took place in Europe during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, culminating in World War I.  It is but a brief outline--but it demonstrates the similarity between the behavior of modern nations and that of urban youth gangs. 

(I capitalize and designate a number to each country's name when it appears for the first time.)

In the latter part of the nineteenth century, GERMANY (1), AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (2) (known as the "Dual Monarchy"), and ITALY (3) had joined together in what was dubbed the "Triple Alliance."  By reason of this, Austria-Hungary, who had been experiencing conflict with RUSSIA (4) of late, could feel assured that, if war with Russia broke out, she could count on Germany and Italy for help.  Furthermore, as a result of different conflicts between FRANCE (5) and Germany during the early years of the twentieth century, it could be considered that, if such a war should break out, France would join in the fray on the side of Russia.  Next, to further alarm Russia, we are told, Germany made overtures to TURKEY (6).

GREAT BRITAIN (7) was said to sit idly by during this time; although she had had late nineteenth century quarrels with France and Russia.  But Great Britain and France subsequently "made friends" once more, in the early part of the twentieth century--via Great Britain trading a free hand to France in MOROCCO (8) in return for France giving Britain a similar "free hand" in EGYPT (9).  At the same time, Russia sought and attained a like prize, in the form of an agreement with Great Britain granting Russia a 'free hand" in PERSIA (10).

While all these friendships were renewing at this time, Britain also found the inclination to enter an alliance with JAPAN (11)--in order to enhance English ambitions in the Far East.

When, in 1911, Germany sought to herself establish a claim to the southern part of Morocco, she was "backed" by SPAIN (12); but opposed by France, who claimed her own interest in Morocco by reason of her agreements with Britain.  France thus, in turn, sought and received "backing" in this regard from Great Britain.

At approximately the same time, SERBIA (13) proceeded to pursue territorial gains in the Balkans, effectively expelling Turkey's presence in that region.  These moves were denounced by Austria, with the "backing" of Germany and Italy.  At the same time, Serbia sought and obtained the "backing" of France and Russia.

In 1914, following the assassimnation of the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Austria declared war on Serbia.  Shortly thereafter, Germany sought to invade France.  When the route Germany took in its invasion constituted a violation of BELGIUM's (14) neutrality, Great Britain declared war on Germany.  Following this, Japan joined the melee on the side of Britain and France (the "Allies"); and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) did the same on the side of Austria and Germany (the "Central Powers").

In return for promises of Austrian territory, Italy joined in on the Allied side.  Next, ROMANIA (15) and GREECE (16) entered as Allies; while BULGARIA (17) did the same as a Central Power.  And when Germany declared war on PORTUGAL (18) in 1916, it too became an Allied combatant.  Subsequently, as we know, the UNITED STATES finally also joined in the brouhaha on the side of the Allies. 

When it was over, this "Saturday night free-for-all" resulted in the sacrifice of over twenty million  human lives (eight million military, and twelve million civilian men, women, and children), as well as a vast amount of physical waste and ruinition to a major part of Europe.

Similar formations of like associations have continued on afterward as well--as a comparable thumbnail sketch of events leading up to World War II would demonstrate.  And they go on to this very day, as our persisting international troubles serve to illustrate--including, of course, the current tragedies still unfolding in the Middle East.   

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