Reflections On The Twentieth Century

Does a Danellian regard the world in exactly the same way as a late twentieth century American? Of course not. Throughout his works, Poul Anderson successfully presents alternative world views among his characters, particularly in the political novel, Mirkheim.

A Danellian says:

"'...the death, maiming and destruction of the Second World War were evil; so were the new tyrannies it seeded; and yet the breaking of Hitler and his allies was necessary.'" (The Shield Of Time, p. 434)

Was nothing else evil in the world or in the international order? I am confident that there would have been strategic conflict between Eastern and Western powers even if the former had not been tyrannies. Also, of course, democracies and dictatorships can make economic and strategic alliances. Thus, the issue was never as simple as: there are democracies and there are dictatorships so there must be conflict between them. Of course, the Danellian does not exactly say that. Perhaps he tailors his remarks to his audience? His observation is of more general significance than this specific example.

Referring to other relevant fiction, the recent The Man From UNCLE film presents a good fictional explanation of how, despite the Cold War, a Brit (Waverley) wound up commanding a Yank (Solo) and an Ivan (Kuryakin) against common threats (corporate crime and neo-Nazism.)