A REVIEW: THE FEARFUL MASTER

A Second Look at "A Second Look at the United Nations"

It’s not often that I come across a book that radically reshapes my understanding of a subject. The Fearful Master by Edward G. Griffin delivers the kind of compelling evidence that forces a reevaluation of previous assumptions. Growing up in California, the United Nations (UN) rarely made more than a passing appearance in the news—condemning an action here, holding a hearing there—without any tangible sense of impact. Griffin, however, meticulously assembles a case demonstrating that the UN is not only deeply involved in global affairs but also, alarmingly, a vehicle for chaos and destruction. If his claims hold true, the implications for today are profound.

This book is especially relevant for this blog, as it critiques an organization that, by its nature, should embody cosmopolitan ideals. Yet, as Griffin argues, the UN has often acted in a manner antithetical to true cosmopolitanism.

A Blood-Stained Puzzle

The book opens with a review of the UN’s involvement in the Congo and Katanga crises. During the Cold War, the UN encouraged anti-colonial independence movements across the developing world (what we now call the Global South). While Americans are often taught to see these movements as universally positive, Griffin highlights an overlooked reality: some leaders and local populations were either opposed to immediate independence or sought a more gradual transition (as was the case with the inhabitants of Luso-Indian Goa). Despite this, the UN aggressively pursued decolonization, sometimes with catastrophic results.

The conflict in Katanga is a prime example. When Katanga attempted to break away from the newly independent Congo, the UN—backed overwhelmingly by communist forces—intervened to suppress the separatists. The bloodshed that followed, including mass violence and destruction, was supported not only by communist factions but also by the UN itself. Griffin details how this was part of a broader pattern: the USSR, in collaboration with the UN, played a key role in dismantling established societies and reshaping them in ways that often led to further instability. The book, therefore, does not treat these wars as isolated events but as interconnected pieces of a much larger, more disturbing picture.

Debunking the Criticism

Critics have dismissed The Fearful Master as a relic of McCarthy-era paranoia, an exaggerated fear of communist influence. However, this characterization avoids engaging with the book’s actual arguments. Rather than relying on vague accusations, Griffin supports his claims with extensive references—including communist publications, newspapers, and internal documents. Far from being an unhinged ideological screed, the book presents a well-documented analysis of UN actions within the geopolitical struggles of the time.

The UN: Anti-Cosmopolitan?

Without revealing too much of the book’s content (I encourage readers to explore it themselves), I want to highlight two central arguments that suggest the UN has often acted in ways that undermine cosmopolitan values.

1. The Consequences of Forced Decolonization

Regardless of one’s stance on colonialism, history shows that it has been a recurring feature of human civilization. While the UN’s push for decolonization may have stemmed from noble intentions, its execution often led to disastrous results. Many newly independent nations lacked the stability, institutions, and economic infrastructure necessary for self-governance. In some cases, rather than achieving true independence, these states fell under the influence of new external powers—whether the USSR or the United States—without the administrative experience or resources necessary to foster lasting stability.

Moreover, Griffin argues that premature independence frequently led to cultural deterioration rather than cultural flourishing. Stability and order are prerequisites for the development of high culture. Without them, societies risk being trapped in cycles of crime, poverty, and internal strife, preventing their traditions from reaching their full potential. Critics often claim that colonial rule suppresses indigenous cultures, but history suggests that cultural exchanges went both ways. Many colonial administrators “went native,” adopting local customs and integrating them into their own lives. This dynamic could have led to rich, hybrid cultures—something the abrupt and often chaotic decolonization process hindered.

A Family enjoying quality time in Leopoldville c. 1958, 2 years before independence. Make of the photo what you will.

2. The UN’s Pro-Communist Tendencies

Communism has historically been corrosive to culture, replacing organic traditions with uniform, uninspired structures. A simple comparison of pre- and post-communist Russia illustrates this point. The grandeur of Tsarist architecture contrasts starkly with the drab, utilitarian aesthetic of Soviet-era buildings. Similarly, the Chinese Communist Revolution led to the destruction of countless cultural artifacts during the Cultural Revolution—an act of cultural vandalism on a massive scale.

Griffin argues that the UN, through its support of communist-aligned leaders and movements, contributed to this erosion of cultural diversity. This is not to say that UN officials deliberately sought to destroy cultures, but their policies often aligned with those who did. The pattern persists even today. Some years ago, I was surprised to learn that the UN’s top executive was a former member of Portugal’s Communist Party. After reading this book, such revelations no longer surprise me—they fit into a broader historical trend.

Which would you choose to meditate in? the first is devoid of any culture so as not to offend or show favortism, which is to say it tries to be universal. The second, though is obviously Japanese creates a space that is beautiful, and as such truly appeals to everyone, this is to say it is universal. The first picture is of a meditation room of the post-modern style at the UN headquatrers in New York that has been there since 1952. Being offensively simple and profoundly devoid of any reference to any culture it seems that by trying to appeal to everyone, it has ended up appealing to no one. The point of such comparison is to demonstrate the effect of a pro-communist sentiment on culture which has been noted by some to be corrosive. If the UN does indeed have pro-communist tendencies then this would be a powerful critique on its abillity to preserve culture.

The Verdict

Though The Fearful Master was published nearly 70 years ago, its insights remain strikingly relevant. The UN, despite housing well-intentioned individuals, has consistently failed to fulfill its mission of preventing war and fostering global stability. Worse, it has often aligned itself with forces that undermine true cosmopolitanism.

History offers numerous examples of successful cultural synthesis under structured governance: Mexico’s mestizo heritage, Macau’s Sino-Portuguese fusion, Eritrea’s Italian Art Deco influence, and Louisiana’s rich blend of French, African, and Native American traditions. By contrast, the stark cultural divergence between North and South Korea illustrates the stifling effect of communist rule. If communism is inherently anti-cosmopolitan, then organizations that support it—whether explicitly or implicitly—must be examined through a critical lens.

For those interested in global politics, realpolitik, and the mechanisms that shape our world, The Fearful Master offers an essential perspective. It may not be a book explicitly about cosmopolitanism, but it highlights themes that are inseparable from the subject. Understanding the failures of global governance is crucial to envisioning a world where cultural diversity can truly thrive.