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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dennis O'Bell who wrote (137740)	6/24/2004 6:45:06 AM
From: Sig	Respond to of 281500

<<<Our respect for the individual has always been viewed with suspicion by the French, who often see Americans and our politicians as populist yahoos. This is where some of this stuff like the article you cite comes from. >>> We do keep our political makeup in transition with newbies getting a chance to participate each 2 years or whenever any member leaves voluntarily or unvoluntarily. Installed on the basis of promises , which if not implemented become lies. "But you promised ...." " I know, I know, but circumstances prevented me....." Sig

To: Dennis O'Bell who wrote (137740)	6/24/2004 6:15:15 PM
From: Bilow	Respond to of 281500

Hi Dennis O'Bell; Re: "The geography of France is already revealing - there's Paris, some kind of logarithmic singularity with lines of force radiating throughout continental France." Most medium sized nations (i.e. the size of France) have economic power, as well as the road system, etc., concentrated in the capital. Take a look at how, for example, London is situated with respect to the road system of England. If you want to learn about the railroad systems of other countries (which are usually more centralized than the roads), a great game to purchase is "Railroad Tycoon": railroadtycoon3.com The scenarios that already have railroads set up will illustrate the tendency for road systems to concentrate on just one city (usually the capital) in medium sized countries. Playing the game may give you a few hints as to why this comes about, but a more direct method would be to read Jane Jacob's "Cities and the Wealth of Nations: Principles of Economic Life". It takes longer for a relatively large region like the US to end up with a single city where power is concentrated. Maybe when we're as old as Russia we'll have such a city, but I have no idea where it will be. -- Carl