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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
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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

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