From: Asfilho@AOL.COM
Date: Thu Jul 14 2005 - 12:40:46 EDT
A couple of comments on Jerry's post. "Social peace" in the UK is imposed in ways that are very different from the US. There is a much greater degree of social consensus here, and specific historical traditions indicating that open repression is normally not warranted (but it will be used if needed, eg, against the miners' strike in the mid-80s). Besides, the British ruling class (always wishing to play the role of enlightened "Athens" to the stronger but less sophisticated US "Rome"), wants to show the Americans how things should be done. So the different tactics in Basra (vs. Baghdad), and the different responses to terror in London (vs NY). There are differences with Spain too. There is going to be *no* mass mobilisation against terror in this country (except as passive silent minutes, ie, doing nothing). The ruling class rules ok - there will not be any form of mobilisation *even* in support of the ruling class and its handling of the situation. All negotiations to contain terror are concentrated on the "community leaders". The masses must grit their teeth and obey more than ever. That's their historical role in this country, from the point of view of the ruling class, especially in exceptional times. So much for democracy on both sides of the Atlantic. alfredo.
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