"A world in which others controlled the course of their own development, would be a world in which the American system would be seriously endangered"

In this quote, Benjamin Cohen is expressing his belief that the American system, or the lifestyle and government in the United States, would be at threat if other nations were able to determine their own courses of progress. He recommends that the American system counts on being the dominant force in global development and any shift in this power dynamic might present a hazard. Cohen's words also suggest a sense of supremacy and control over other nations, as he sees their independent advancement as a prospective danger to the American way of life. Overall, the quote highlights the value of maintaining American dominance in global affairs for the preservation of the American system.