Yet, despite the rivalry of nations and the bloodiness of modern warfare, democracy is spreading. Indeed, in but half a century, Latin Americans rid themselves of all of that continent's military and civilian dictatorships, and Africa has eliminated more than half of the despots that have blighted its era of independence.
L'émergence de l'Etat Nation au XVIIIème siècle, puis le niveau extrême de barbarie atteint par le XXème, ont pu donner l'impression que ce rêve était inaccessible, en tous cas de plus en plus lointain.