Re: Social Engineering (was: Different patriarchy Model)
PioneerTom (pioneertom@aol.com)
22 Dec 1994 03:12:39 -0500
geroldf@sdd.hp.com (Gerold Firl) writes:
In article <3cfbg4$nns@newsbf01.news.aol.com> pioneertom@aol.com
(PioneerTom) writes:
>examples of bad planning abound in recent history.
"Right. It seems like every time we try to "improve" our culture, or some
other culture, we do more harm than good, no matter how well-intentioned.
Of course, I may be looking too short-term; consider the british ban on
slavery in the early 19th century. It caused enormous suffering in africa,
as the primary source of export revenue was suddenly eliminated, but in
the long run this must be seen as a positive example of social
engineering.
A little closer to home, consider the american civil-rights reforms in the
60's. Thirty years later, american black culture has still not recovered,
and appears to continue a tailspin into dissolution."
While this has some positive notes I would like to point out that in the
case of ninteenth century Africa most people discomfited by ending
slavery, even in the short term, were slaver elites, or those closely
connected to them. The vast majority would have found a substantial
improvement in the decline of warfare that was part and parcel of the
African end of the slave trade both to the western hemisphere, and the
larger numbers that went to the middle east. The change's net negative
effect was born almost entirely by the people it was aimed at. This
example of _relatively_ good focus of effect is due, I believe, to the
fact
that the change emphasized an increase in the total freedom in society.
Indeed, it's primary restriction was against those using coercion to
restrict the freedom of others.
In contrast, regarding the effects of the civil rights laws in the 1960's
one can note that the negative effects did not appear until the first 1964
law was augmented by far more divisive and coercive laws of the late
60's. These resulted in fracturing of the black community, both
physically and morally. It is notable that this occurred specifically
under
more coercive law, even though the coercion of the late acts was not
directed in the main against the black community. It was this split,
which moved the people in the black community best adapted to the
urban environment away from those who could have benefited by their
example that seems to have produced much of the negative results. The
major difference seems to be in how much coercion is introduced into
the society, relative to what was there before.
Plan? , Yes! But plan for FREEDOM!
Tom Billings
pioneertom@aol.com
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