ABSTRACT
From the standpoint of the 2020s the Treaty of Versailles may appear, at first glance, to be of little relevance to contemporary issues in international relations. Versailles occupies a box labelled ‘history’. Maastricht by contrast, while 30 years ago, appears more immediately relevant occupying a box labelled ‘politics’. The Versailles statesmen would not have been surprised by the emergence of regional nationalism within European countries, including those with seemingly stable liberal democratic constitutions. Scotland was close to secession in 2014 and may secede if another referendum is held this decade. There are also intriguing parallels between the relationship of America and Europe after 1919 and the relationship a century onwards. After Versailles America opted for isolationism until Roosevelt steered the country towards the Allied cause in World War II. The shadow of the Maastricht Treaty still envelops people in the 2020s.
