Locaton:
The Heritage Foundation's van Andel center
Why do we find that we cannot rely on the countries of the
European Continent as automatic, unconditional partners in our
present war against terrorism?
The reality is that Western Civilization has a cultural, and a
political dimension. The cultural aspect acts like a magnet. We
read the same books, listen to the same music, admire the same
paintings and sculptures. But the legal, political, and economic
structure of the United States was established applying the ideas
and achievements of a single source - Great Britain. In that sense,
the divider is not the Atlantic Ocean, but the English Channel. And
the primary opponent in matters legal, political and economic has
been the European Continent. The only natural and wholly dependable
ally of the United States in both world wars has been the United
Kingdom and the same is true today.
The dangerous years ahead demand that we come to grips with this
very difficult proposition, further complicated by French influence
in the American Founding, and French alliance in the great wars. A
broad and comprehensive analysis is now required to bring us to the
point where we understand and accept that the wedge in Western
Civilization is as real as the magnet and, when the chips are down,
the wedge traditionally proves stronger than the magnet.
More About the Speakers
Dr. Balint Vazsonyi
Center for the American Founding
with commentary by
John O'Sullivan
United Press International and
Editor-at-large, National Review
Hosted By
Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
Director, Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom
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