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From: gabor@qantel.UUCP (Gabor Fencsik@ex2642)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: More Thoughts On America-Bashing
Message-ID: <511@qantel.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 20-Aug-85 21:33:26 EDT
Article-I.D.: qantel.511
Posted: Tue Aug 20 21:33:26 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 25-Aug-85 00:58:10 EDT
References: <421@iham1.UUCP> <499@qantel.UUCP> <10956@rochester.UUCP> <146@psc70.UUCP>
Reply-To: gabor@qantel.UUCP (Gabor Fencsik@ex2642)
Distribution: net
Organization: MDS Qantel, Hayward, CA
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I agree with Dr.Schlesinger's main point about American-style
democracy being a culturally embedded product and therefore non-
exportable. I would quibble with the assertion that the system 
has not been severely tested. It was subjected to the same kind
of stresses that broke other political systems: economic depression,
attempt at secession, a lost war, major loss of influence, regional    
conflicts, a 'nationality question' of sorts and decolonization.
Many of these led to temporary bouts of hysteria but the political
system on the whole did what it was supposed to do, i.e.,
isolate, canalize, dampen and dissipate conflict by creating
or adapting institutions. The apparent lack of severe testing
is in itself a sign of success.

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Gabor Fencsik               {ihnp4,dual,nsc,hplabs,intelca}!qantel!gabor