Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site qantel.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!oliveb!hplabs!qantel!gabor 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 Lines: 15 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. ----- Gabor Fencsik {ihnp4,dual,nsc,hplabs,intelca}!qantel!gabor