The US has often turned to dictatorships for its "friends indeed", though this doesn't always pay out particularly well.
While there's a limit to the amount of pain a democracy will shoulder, there's also a pretty strong tenacity to its true friendships. Such as, say, the "special relationship" much heralded between the United States and Britain. Once we got over some initial sore feelings, by the late 19th century, economic and cultural ties had pretty solidly cemented the two countries together.
By comparison, the USA' s dictatorial allies have been steadfast ... for roughly the duration of the dictatorship, if that. And the fall of same can leave a very long period of mistrust and poor relations: Iran, and much of Latin America are testament to this.
Public schools are indeed a fairly mediocre source, but fortunately we're not limited to the knowledge spooned out in them. I found university to be rather interesting in this regard, and have made some study of related matters since.
So: I'd take odds with Mr. Churchill's assessment.
Churchill was not speaking in regard to feelings and a relationship with another nation, but rather dependability in mutual long term pursuits. I think what he says remains true and a useful filter at times.
While there's a limit to the amount of pain a democracy will shoulder, there's also a pretty strong tenacity to its true friendships. Such as, say, the "special relationship" much heralded between the United States and Britain. Once we got over some initial sore feelings, by the late 19th century, economic and cultural ties had pretty solidly cemented the two countries together.
By comparison, the USA' s dictatorial allies have been steadfast ... for roughly the duration of the dictatorship, if that. And the fall of same can leave a very long period of mistrust and poor relations: Iran, and much of Latin America are testament to this.
Public schools are indeed a fairly mediocre source, but fortunately we're not limited to the knowledge spooned out in them. I found university to be rather interesting in this regard, and have made some study of related matters since.
So: I'd take odds with Mr. Churchill's assessment.