Thoughts on a historically complex, factious Middle East: From James Madison, Federalist no. 10: There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects. There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests. (Solution one: everyone becomes Isis by force. Solution two: everyone becomes Isis by choice.) ... The inference to which we are brought is, that the causes of faction cannot be removed, and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its effects. ... Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens... (Main point being, no wanty a unified tyranny... Does this count as pitting faction against faction?)
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 20:27:31 +0000