Meaning: The quote by Christian Lange, a Norwegian politician and international peace advocate, reflects on the post-World War I efforts to restore peace and stability through the formation of states and the regulation of their borders based on national identities. This statement captures the complex and turbulent period following the end of World War I, during which the geopolitical landscape of Europe and other regions underwent significant transformation.

The aftermath of World War I witnessed the disintegration of empires and the redrawing of borders, leading to the establishment of new nation-states across Europe and the Middle East. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, played a pivotal role in reshaping the political map of Europe by dismantling the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires and creating new nations such as Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Yugoslavia. These developments were driven by the principle of national self-determination, which sought to align state boundaries with the ethnic and linguistic identities of the populations within them.

Lange's reference to "the regulation of frontiers according to a consciously national program" underscores the deliberate efforts to redefine borders based on the concept of nationhood. This process was often fraught with challenges and complexities, as it involved determining the territorial claims of various ethnic and national groups and reconciling competing historical narratives. The goal was to create cohesive and homogeneous nation-states, reflecting a belief that aligning political boundaries with national identities would foster stability and reduce the potential for future conflicts.

The quote also alludes to the broader aspiration of establishing a lasting peace in the aftermath of the devastating global conflict. The League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations, was established as a mechanism for collective security and international cooperation to prevent future wars. The League sought to uphold the sovereignty of nation-states while promoting diplomacy and peaceful resolution of disputes. However, the idealistic vision of a harmonious world order based on national self-determination faced significant challenges, as unresolved territorial and ethnic tensions persisted in various regions.

Furthermore, the quote's emphasis on "efforts to reestablish peace" reflects the recognition of the profound disruptions and human suffering caused by the war. The post-war period witnessed widespread devastation, economic hardship, and social upheaval, prompting a concerted drive to rebuild societies and promote reconciliation. In this context, the focus on nation-building and border regulation was intertwined with the broader goals of fostering stability and addressing the grievances that had fueled the conflict.

Christian Lange's perspective as a politician and peace advocate reflects a pragmatic understanding of the intricate interplay between national aspirations, territorial boundaries, and the quest for enduring peace. His observations capture the historical significance of the post-World War I era, marked by the redrawing of maps, the birth of new nations, and the complex dynamics of nationalism and statehood. While the efforts to reestablish peace and reshape political landscapes were guided by noble intentions, they also laid the groundwork for subsequent geopolitical tensions and conflicts, underscoring the enduring relevance of Lange's insights in understanding the complexities of international relations and statecraft.