The Third World War

During the past month the system of internal government imposed by ideologues on the new nations of Asia has fallen apart. In one after another country a soldier—usually the chief of the armed forces—has assumed political command in order to halt the dissolution of a nominal parliamentary democracy into anarchy. These successive coups d’état, carried through without much violence, have in most cases the approval of the chief civilian magistrate.

Thus, in Burma Premier Nu requested General Ne Win, the Chief of Staff, to take over. In Pakistan President Iskander Mirza acted as spokesman for General Mohammed Ayub Khan in explaining the start of military administration. The Thai Supreme Commander, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, accepted state power on October 20 from a premier— Thanom Kittikachorn—whom he had himself installed in office a year ago.

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James Burnham

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During the past month the system of internal government imposed by ideologues on the new nations of Asia has fallen apart. In one after another country a soldier—usually the chief of the armed forces—has assumed political command in order to halt the dissolution of a nominal parliamentary democracy into anarchy. These successive coups d’état, carried through without much violence, have in most cases the approval of the chief civilian magistrate.

Thus, in Burma Premier Nu requested General Ne Win, the Chief of Staff, to take over. In Pakistan President Iskander Mirza acted as spokesman for General Mohammed Ayub Khan in explaining the start of military administration. The Thai Supreme Commander, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, accepted state power on October 20 from a premier— Thanom Kittikachorn—whom he had himself installed in office a year ago.