To David Page
Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 6
Rome. June 28, 1945

Did you ever see an article of mine on “Many Nations in one Empire” published in 1934 in a review that a young man named Otis, who seemed to have an independent mind, had founded, and which had, I believe, a short career? The review was entitled “The New Frontier” and printed at Exeter, New Hampshire. I have a copy of that article somewhere, but can’t find it. It has occurred to me that it might be resurrected, in part rather than as a whole, and might seem to have some actuality, while the fact that it was written more than ten years ago would clear it of all appearance of being provoked by any contemporary criticism or contemporary event. Criticisms and events pass away quickly: requiescant in pace. But my article considers ideal possibilities; observes that material cooperation and organisation are evidently demanded in the world: it seems to have been what both sides in this war have been proposing to establish. And, admitting that, I asked what power would be competent to direct such an economic reorganisation. And I suggested that Russia, if it really allowed each minor nation to preserve its Kultur, would be the best, because it had the requisite military tradition and capacity, with no political commitments beyond the economic sphere. Now, of course, when the U.S. have become the leading military and economic power, it might seem that it was for the U.S. to control the general international economy. It may so turn out; but I should not myself subscribe to it as an ideal, because “Democracy” is apparently to be imposed as a condition for partnership in the materially co-operative society. The Russians also talk of “friendly” politics being imposed as a condition; which I excluded in my reflections as incompatible with vital freedom in nations and in individuals. But if the Russians abandoned their sectarian propaganda, their “historical materialism” would prepare them to guide material interests fairly, for the moderate benefit and peace of all.

From The Letters of George Santayana:  Book Seven, 1941-1947.  Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2006.
Location of manuscript: Butler Library, Columbia University, New York NY.