The Principle of Nationality 367 



defence and preparation, whether in time of peace 

 or in war, is a loss, a mutilation, of the construc- 

 tive and productive thought not only of that 

 country, but also of the neighbouring countries, 

 which, imder the system of international anarchy, 

 make this preparation necessary. As soon as it is 

 realized that each nation has an interest in the 

 intellectual and economic health of its neighbours, 

 the pathological condition of international anarchy 

 will disappear. 



It is of little importance to the happiness of one 

 individual whether there are fifty-two or 520 

 countries in the world. It is important that the 

 number correspond to the needs and wishes of the 

 peoples, that is, to justice; for only then will each 

 enjoy all the possible advantages of political asso- 

 ciation, of division of labour and exchange. The 

 principle of national autonomy is an essential con- 

 dition for the highest development of life, not only 

 for the people of the nation directly concerned, 

 but for all the members of the human race. 



Every injustice is then a limitation of the full 

 exercise of his faculties on the part of both victim 

 and victimizer. It is really a diminution of life. 

 The converse is obvious. Justice is synonymous 

 with the greatest possible expansion and expres- 

 sion of life. 



Most modern nations are composed of provinces 

 which were once independent states. Germany, 

 Italy, France, England, and the United States are 

 all products of such unions of states which formerly 



