Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ccivax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!rochester!ritcv!ccivax!band From: band@ccivax.UUCP (Bill Anderson) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: Domino theory Message-ID: <168@ccivax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 21-Jun-84 09:31:59 EDT Article-I.D.: ccivax.168 Posted: Thu Jun 21 09:31:59 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 22-Jun-84 10:43:58 EDT References: <560@opus.UUCP> Organization: CCI Telephony Systems Group, Roch, NY Lines: 28 I recently read Barbara Tuchman's "The March of Folly," and she discusses the domino theory in reference to US involvement in Vietnam. Basically, the most problematic aspect of viewing SE Asia, or Central America, as a set of standing dominoes is that it ignores any differences among the nations in question. Tuchman points out very clearly that US planners and advisors saw the entire region as a homogeneous culture with the same values. Hence, if one falls, then all will fall. The problem in SE Asia was that Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia (and the others) are highly diverse cultures, each with their own heritage, values, and traditions. And since each nation is different, and intensely aware of their own identity, the individual countries are nothing like dominoes. By ignoring these differences the US planners and advisors displayed an incredible arrogance toward, and insensitivity to, these diverse peoples. What worries me today is that we seem to be just as arrogant and insensitive with the diverse cultures in Central and South America. Tuchman's description of Vietnam is frighteningly similar to what is happening in Central America today. Can we learn from history? -- Bill Anderson ...!{ {ucbvax | decvax}!allegra!rlgvax }!ccivax!band