Date: Tue, 17 Sep 1996 14:58:03 +0930
From: Ian.Hunt-AT-flinders.edu.au (Ian Hunt)
Subject: Re: The state (hierarchy)


I don't think my comments are all that optimistic - what I say is that
there is no necessity for dependency on expertise to give rise to
oppressive power, and that any such tendencies can be expected to be
substantially weaker where there is no great incentive for people to be
self-serving, as there is when it can make the difference between a meagre
and full(at least materially) life.  Justin seems to accept that point but
wants to insist that there will always be some tendency for dependency to
translate into oppressive power and there will accordingly always be a need
for some safeguards against this. I agree with that. I don't think that
people can ever afford to assume that all will be well - if I am optimistic
it is only that i don't think that things need always be as unwell as they
are in capitalist society( or in utopian alternatives).




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