Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site wxlvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!ittvax!wxlvax!olsen From: olsen@wxlvax.UUCP (Neil Olsen) Newsgroups: net.politics,net.politics.theory Subject: Re: A Mathematical Model for Radical Centrism Message-ID: <412@wxlvax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 28-Feb-85 12:50:54 EST Article-I.D.: wxlvax.412 Posted: Thu Feb 28 12:50:54 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 2-Mar-85 04:10:13 EST References: <88@spar.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: ITT-ATC SRD, Shelton Ct. Lines: 67 Xref: watmath net.politics:7883 net.politics.theory:282 > > ^ > | > |. > f | . > r | . > e | . > e | . > d | . > o | . > m | . > | . > ----------------------> > security > > Given that the length of the dotted line is bounded by the wealth of > a society, maximize the area under the line. > > Baba The model could be refined as follows : First, the line should be replaced by a convex curve. ^ |. | . f | . LEFT r | . e | .******* e | . d | . o | . RIGHT m | . | . ----------------------> security 1) "DEMOCRATIC FREE" governments are defined by points on the curve; They optimize the tradoff freedom/liberty. Most western and "free world" governments are on the curve, or very close to it! They can be subdivided into two classes : 1.1) The Leftist Democratic governments are on the upper half of the curve; they favor freedom to security. 1.2) The rightist Democratic governments are on the lower half of the curve; they favor security to freedom. 2) NON-DEMOCRATIC forms of governments are defined by points under the curve, but not on the the axis (ie. points inside the area) These are non optimal forms of governments. They can increase their level of freedom without compromising or decreasing their security level. 3) DICTATORships are defined by points on the security axis, or very close to it. 4) LIBERTANIANships are defined by points on the freedom axis, or very close to it. Of course, a government of a given society is not a static point in time. It is a dynamic point which traces very curious trajectories inside the area delimited by the two axis and the convex curve. The form of the trajectory is shaped by various internal and external forces and events. For example, it is well known that in war situations, most societies tend to shift closer to the security axis.