| I am not sure I like the Borg metaphor<g>, but the basic point is good. We are, in fact, advocating a way of life, one that depends on trust and respect and certain conceptions of the individual and the community. It is, in fact, modifiable, can have local flavors, but it makes demands for deep cultural change in traditional societies. The main thing is to set things on a course where they are allowed to evolve. Japan has been, for example, a semi- democracy, insofar as the Liberal Democratic Party has been too powerful, and there is too great a habit of deference in the society, leading to inordinate influence for the well- placed. Nevertheless, it has been set on a course that leads to greater democracy, and to working through its own version at a reasonable pace. So, we are in agreement: stay long enough to set things on track, then let them work things out, within a framework allowing for innovation...... |
