One of the great paradoxes of history are the claims of imperialist politicians to be engaged in a great humanitarian crusade, a historic “civilizing mission” designed to liberate nations and peoples, while practicing the most barbaric conquests, destructive wars and large scale bloodletting of conquered people in historical memory.

Coyne’s poorly conceived attack on the only fresh progressive movement western countries have seen in many years does not reflect well on Maclean’s, but the magazine has published more than its share of shoddy articles in recent years.