Thomson discusses the nuances of world order since World War II, including the balance of power--or "balance of terror," as he calls it. With nuclear weapons a common reality, major war has become unthinkable, but minor wars flourish. The SALT talks, the U.S. commitment to NATO, and the United Nation‘s role in peace negotiations are helping to start communication between enemies. Yet as the U.S. and Soviet Union begin to limit their armament, countries like China are becoming major nuclear powers. To sustain world order, the balance of power should be replaced by "internationalized" power.