I really agree with Keith on this point, but for different reasons..... KH However, there's one truth which he (probably unwittingly) demonstrates. This is that homo sapiens, particularly individual males of the species, has a genetic urge to exercise power which has evolved (and was necessary) for millions of years in small group and tribal contexts. This power urge is thus well nigh impossible to eradicate. It doesn't need more than a few moments' thought to realise that history demonstrates this conclusively.
Modern technology and communications means that individuals or small groups are capable of dominating a variety of human institutions which operate on a universal scale.......snip, snip....snip AC Not limited to males (viz Maggie Thatcher). But the will to dominate underscores my suspicion of the activities of the WTO. Whose interests do they represent and why are they so intent on achieving their aims? Thanx for your insight here Keith. If as you say "This power urge is thus well nigh impossible to eradicate.", then perhaps it should be recognized, understood and tempered. I think this is one of the things the protest groups are trying to accomplish. arthur cordell -----Original Message----- From: Keith Hudson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2001 3:13 AM To: Brian McAndrews Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: A Canadian philosopher's views on the WTO Hi Brian, I found John McMurtry's article, "The FTAA and the WTO", to be an emotional spasm in which truths, untruths, contradictions and sometimes sheer nonsense are all jumbled together. Almost every sentence requires examination. Any attempt to do so would be an arduous process and I, for one, am not going to try. However, there's one truth which he (probably unwittingly) demonstrates. This is that homo sapiens, particularly individual males of the species, has a genetic urge to exercise power which has evolved (and was necessary) for millions of years in small group and tribal contexts. This power urge is thus well nigh impossible to eradicate. It doesn't need more than a few moments' thought to realise that history demonstrates this conclusively. Modern technology and communications means that individuals or small groups are capable of dominating a variety of human institutions which operate on a universal scale. Sometimes these are conspiring with others against the public interest; sometimes they are in competition to the benefit of the public interest. There are people with good and bad motivations in all these institutions, just like the normal population. In new historical situations, new checks and balances have to be recreated. That's what's happening now. However, John McMurtry's article conflates all this as a vast totalitarian conspiracy against the ordinary man. He offers no solution -- only the possibility of the total collapse of civilization. He doesn't offer anything constructive, I'm afraid. Keith Hudson (I have deleted the article for reasons of length, but it is to be found in Brian McAndrews' FW message of 21/11/01.) ___________________________________________________________________ Keith Hudson, General Editor, Calus <http://www.calus.org> 6 Upper Camden Place, Bath BA1 5HX, England Tel: +44 1225 312622; Fax: +44 1225 447727; mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________
