A bit of historical context is relevant here, I think. The excerpted text was written in late 1945; the famous Marshall plan was still 2 years in the future. Don Passos could not have foreseen it.
Of course, there is a lot we cannot foresee today like then. Dire predictions are useful only when they serve us to figure out how to avoid them, not when they are used to throw dirt at a political opponent or an idea. Past history may be instructional here, but people rarely learn.
This and more is discussed in the linked blog item.
I think what I will do now is I will copy the texts here, to have a local LJ copy of each.
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Explanation
Of course, there is a lot we cannot foresee today like then. Dire predictions are useful only when they serve us to figure out how to avoid them, not when they are used to throw dirt at a political opponent or an idea. Past history may be instructional here, but people rarely learn.
This and more is discussed in the linked blog item.
I think what I will do now is I will copy the texts here, to have a local LJ copy of each.