We Live in a Dangerous Time

We like to believe that we live in an enlightened age. Unlike the ignorant prejudice of medieval times, unlike the history of slavery around the world and in our own country, unlike the genocide of the Holocaust and the horrors of WWII, ours is a peaceful and progressive age on the pathway to utopia. There has not been a global conflict in 80 years, nor, some believe, is there likely to be one ever again. Supported by such a view of history, we can anticipate a future of global prosperity in which hunger and want are things of the past...