[Peace-discuss] binary criterion of war/not war

[C. G. Estabrook]

I'm surprised to hear you argue that there's no difference between a fascist
dictatorship and a liberal democracy. I though only hard-core radicals said
that. It's ridiculous.

It's at least as ridiculous to think that we can't imagine a better polity (and
economy) than we have now.  It's difficult to get there, of course.

John W. wrote:
> 
> On Fri, Jul 17, 2009 at 8:26 PM, Karen Medina <kmedina67 at gmail.com 
> <mailto:kmedina67 at gmail.com>> wrote:
> 
>> wake me up when one of you figures out a better system of
> government, in
>> terms of your ONE stupid binary criterion of war/not war.
> 
> This does bring up an interesting question. I don't think that the type of 
> government has much to do with whether a country will go to war.
> 
> 
> You're correct; type of government has nothing at all to do with it.
> 
> 
> 
> What does make a difference?
> 
> I suppose smaller, less powerful countries tend not to declare war on their 
> big, powerful neighbors [there are notable exceptions to this rule]. But in 
> order to have small countries, large powerful countries would also need to 
> exist and the big powerful countries would be tempted to create empires.
> 
> 
> That's right.  But I was not speaking only of one country against another, as
>  we traditionally define countries.  In many countries, perhaps especially
> the smaller ones, two or more groups of people fight and kill one another
> over power.  In our own nation, gangs fight and kill one another over
> "territory", etc.
> 
> 
> 
> I suppose that a country made up entirely of Quakers and Mennonites would not
>  start a war. But I don't think religion is a good way to separate people
> into countries. [Though I have noticed that Mormon children consistently
> share their toys the most readily of all the children I have observed.]
> 
> I suppose that if all the countries were on equal footing with regards to 
> resources and access to the basic needs, then there would be less temptation 
> to go to war.
> 
> 
> Less, perhaps, but far from zero.  Remember, most of the wars are started by 
> the leaders of the wealthier, more powerful countries who want to be even 
> MORE wealthy and powerful.  Greed has no limit, and it is inherent in human 
> nature.  Perhaps less so in the Quakers and Mennonites.  ;-)  And of course 
> in AWARE members.  ;-)
> 
> 
> 
> I think that every 7 years, everything needs to be re-distributed equally.
> 
> 
> It would be lovely, but it would do very little to end war.  And who is going
>  to supervise the redistribution?
> 
> 
> 
> -karen medina
> 
> 
> 
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