In February 2000, historian Geoffrey Parker delivered two lectures entitled The World is Not Enough: The Imperial Vision of Philip II of Spain. The title came from a motto, Non Sufficit Orbis, that Philip had struck on a commemorative medallion. The motto later came to be incorporated into the Royal Arms and is indicative of Philip's strategic vision.
Parker describes Philip's vision as 'messianic imperialism':
Philip II believed absolutely that his interests coincided with those of God. "You are engaged in God's service and in mine, which is the same thing." (pp. 21-22).
Furthermore, he argued that this vision prevented any strategic planning that considered the possibility of failure.
I first read these lectures in the Fall of 2004, after it had become clear that the Iraq War was going much more poorly than the Bush Administration had expected it to. And yet, in the midst of this catastrophe, President Bush continued to speak of the war as divine providence. I was immediately struck by the similarities between this messianic vision and that of Philip II.
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