Kirkus Reviews QR Code
WORLD POWER IN THE BALANCE by Tibor Mende

WORLD POWER IN THE BALANCE

By

Pub Date: Oct. 19th, 1953
Publisher: Noonday Press

A European journalist, correspondent for the Paris Herald Tribune takes the long view of the issues of the balance of power. With a backward glance at the map of our grandparents at the turn of the century- and a glimpse forward at the map of our grandchildren- he focusses on the challenge and the responsibility of the present if the world is not to be lost to Communism. Unlike our grandparents, we realize that change is the order of the day. Two vast powers are in competition. If we are not headed for economic dislocation resulting from the vast expanding industrial empire, we must open the door to foreign goods, close the gap between European currency and the dollar, and export capital. Purchase of raw materials is not enough to level the world's inequalities. Agricultural production must be expanded; selection and concentration of export industries must be arrived at. The problems of Asia- what the burgeoning nationalism needs, what we can supply -- must be met. The Southern Hemisphere cannot remain an unknown quantity,- resources, potential production strength, direction of mass movements. The intangibles must be recognized. An international income tax to finance an overall agency to promote human welfare rather than destruction seems one answer. Plenty of food for thought here. But the resistance to ideas is tough.