ss wrote, [on 2/1/2009 1:02 PM]: >> 6. The Westphalian system. Why are so many great military powers losing >> a war in Afghanistan? Afghanistan isn't even a nation-state, yet it's >> defeating all comers. Why do we even pretend to have nations these days? >> Hollow states, failed states, non-states... The European post-state! > > ROTFL > > Sadly underinformed. Like most Americans who write on the subject. But in > 2009, it's getting better.
In order that I better understand your statement, can you explain further? Sterling was claiming that the Westphalian System was (i) a form of consensus reality that (ii) could cause global disruption if it unravelled. <q> Let's consider seven other massive reservoirs of potential popular dread. Any one of these could erupt, shattering the fragile social compact we maintain with one another in order to believe things contrary to fact. </q> Do you disagree? Why? And what, exactly, is "getting better" in 2009? Udhay -- ((Udhay Shankar N)) ((udhay @ pobox.com)) ((www.digeratus.com))
