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Politics : Foreign Policy Discussion Thread

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To: lorne who wrote (2377)	1/18/2003 9:22:55 AM
From: Hawkmoon	of 15987

Dictators don't behave rationally. Indeed, one reason they become dictators is precisely to escape the tiresome constraints of rationality. Very interesting concept... And it makes a bit of sense when one perceives the concept of "Top Dog" mentality... But of course, what we find "rational" as civilized people living in a democracy is not what is rational with in the "Jungle".. Saddam is where he is for a reason. He's the most brutal of a society of brutal individuals all vying for control over Iraqi oil. He's there because he controls sufficient resources to repress any discontent. He's there because he knows how to divide his opposition so they can't unify against him. Saddam is quite rational, when perceived from the most brutal, uncivilized level of humanity. But from a civilized perception, he is the ultimate in irrationality.. risking all to maintain his complete control over society, rather than compromising and maintaining a lesser portion. Dictators play zero-sum games.. All or nothing.. Whereas, I perceive "civilized" leaders play non-zero sum games... giving a little here so they can gain advantage elsewhere.. Hawk

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