In an interview with Euromoney magazine on global issues, you stated that "failure of political will is the crucial question" facing the world. Would you please give us your overview of the dynamics of the relationships between the major power blocs?

I was referring to the fact that there isn't a single government in the Western World supported by a large majority of its own people. At the time that was printed, the British government was skating along from crisis to crisis and about to call an election.[2]  The French election had not occurred. All the Scandinavian countries were within one or two votes of going either way. The Italian government could not be described as robust. The West German government was in deep trouble. There wasn't one in Lebanon. The Japanese government had just changed, with a new Prime Minister coming in.

So the ability of national leaders to act with decisiveness on some major problems has been hindered by the fact that there isn't any strong political will behind anything. There isn't a Franklin Roosevelt or a Winston Churchill or a Charles De Gaulle.

When the world perceives that there is no effective leadership, it becomes a very dangerous place in which to live because it becomes far more unpredictable.

I gather that you would place the United States Government in that same category?

I would indeed. In fact, on the Nevada ballot recently, they had the candidates listed, and below them was a box to check if the voter wanted "none of the above."

[2] Margaret Thatcher subsequently was elected by 33 percent of eligible voters.