Part Two: Doctrines and Plans of Unification

PART TWO Doctrines and Plans of Unification WITH the spread of socialist and welfare ideas and their adoption in the political world, the impediments to the free movement of men, goods, and capital grew. With each new obstacle created for the benefit of domestic pressure groups mutual advantages of international cooperation and division of labor were sacrificed. Central planning and government welfare finally became identical with economic nationalism and disintegration of the world economy. The detrimental international effects of the "progressive" policies became apparent almost immediately upon the adoption of each welfare and protection measure. And with the first symptoms of disintegration, plans for cooperation and unification always emerged. Able minds of various nations holding various political beliefs began to reflect on the abolition of economic barriers and the creation of economic and political union. Some plans were even put into effect. The League of Nations, the United Nations, and the several organizations described in Part Three of this book must here be mentioned.

It is impossible to examine thoroughly all doctrines and plans of unification ever devised. They are as abundant as the detrimental effects of disintegration are numerous and diverse. In general they deal with the inescapable effects of our socialist and welfare policies and offer ready plans for government cooperation as the panacea for the deplorable state of international affairs. "You are free to continue your socialist and welfare policies," they proclaim, "provided your governments unite." But scarcely a scheme of government cooperation and unification deals with the causes of disintegration and disunity. Such a plan would merelv earn derision 33 34 DOCTRINES AND PLANS OF UNIFICATION and hostility, for it inevitably would unmask and indict the prevailing ideologies of government planning and welfare upheld and cherished by public opinion. It would demand that governments henceforth refrain from interference with the liberty of the individual.

The following part on the "Doctrines and Plans of Unification" offers an analysis of a selection of unification plans. They are selected from the abundance of material on grounds of two principles: (1) their success and popularity as indicated by public acceptance and approval, and (2) their material relevance for the critic.