The only effective way we seem to have found to avoid nuclear war is to promote fear of its consequences in the Soviet bloc. Yet it may be that we will have to make substantial progress toward arms control in the next two decades if the possibility of avoiding general nuclear war is to become an acceptable probability. If progress is to be made, it will result not only from international political accommodation, but also from the intensive, collective effort of those scholars and officials who are involved in study, discussion and research regarding national security policy in general, and arms control in particular. In fact, the theory and concepts which they develop may in themselves be a means to the political accommodation which is needed, provided, of course, that corresponding efforts are also made in the Soviet bloc. Conversely, if these scholars and officials fail to apply adequate effort in this area, there may never be a solution to the problem of the threat of nuclear war.

The story of the Tower of Babel can teach us a great deal about man's political life. It begins at a time before time when “the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.” Then men said to one another “Go to, let us build us a city, and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make its a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” It is sad to report what happened to that first United Nations, at a time (if we are to believe the tale) far more auspicious for the union of mankind and for the ability of peoples to understand one another. The Lord (so the report reads) confounded their language, that they might not understand one another's speech—“and they left off to build the city” (Genesis ll;l-9).