We are at a hinge moment in world history. As the Arab revolutions have shown, the old certainties are cracking apart.

People power: Libyans shout anti-Gaddafi slogans during demonstrations in the town of Derna yesterday. But while many look forward to the dictator being overthrown, his demise could lead to uncertainty across the globe

And despite the naive predictions of a new liberal order, the  future might well prove a very dangerous place indeed — with potentially devastating economic repercussions for millions of  British families.

Indeed, in all the excitement at the fall of the Arab autocracies, it is hard to miss the whiff of Western hubris.

Like the arrogant neo-conservatives who thought it would be child’s play to export democracy to Iraq, many of the idealists exulting in the giddy triumphs of street politics believe history is on their side.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1360095/Middle-East-crisis-lead-orgy-bloodletting-rocketing-oil-prices.html#ixzz1F4B08w2e