At the most general level, I'm not a fan of psychiatric approaches to political analysis. There are analytical problems of reification in that it's hard enough but reasonable to analyze one person's psyche; it's reification to do the same to states and/or political affiliations.
But more important, the consequence of such discussions, if not the intent (I don't think that's the case here), is to change the subject.
Well thanks for the review. It's interesting how you dwell on the technique - "psyciatric lecture" - while avoiding discussion of the content - why much of the Left continues to push an analysis of the Mideast situation that is sorely at odds with the observable facts - then say the author has changed the subject, so that he can discuss the audience's denial instead of the "real problem". Most people would say that deep denial precludes discussion of any "real problem", since it impossible to solve problems that one refuses to acknowledge. This is precisely the author's contention, so discussion of the denial -- its symptoms and its cause -- it precisely his subject.
As for right now, I agree with the quote I found from the Brookings conference, that everyone appears to know what the endgame is--the Palestinians give up the right of return, the Israelis move back to the 67 borders--but no one can see how to get there. In the meantime, many die on both sides.
Everyone, John? Including the Arafat, the PLO, Hizbullah, PIJ and Hamas? They see this endgame too? And the Israeli settlers? Are they not also players in this game? and what of Saddam Hussein, the mullahs of Iran, Hosni Mubarak and Prince Abdullah? have their voices no weight? Do Sharon and King Abdullah have to see this endgame too, with no vote on the content of this abandoned West Bank? No, I'm sorry John, this statement does not reflect reality. If "everyone" saw this endgame, we would already be there. It is because so few see this endgame that the situation exists as it really exists.
If "everyone" sees this endgame, why is it unobtainable? |
