Re: Soviet balance sheet

[boddhisatva <kbevans@xxxxxxxxx>]

		Mr. Perelman,




	Okay, I suppose that having a threat tends to put a nation in a
more Keynesian frame of mind, but I think it was the expansionism of the
S.U. rather than the socialism of the S.U. that was the principal
motivator. In America the year with the most strikes was 1946, as I
remember.  I think post-war stability was the main interest.


	After thinking about it for a while, I became curious as to
whether the presence of the Soviet Union encouraged educational systems
to talk about Marxism more than they otherwise would have, even if it was
only to vilify it.  Because there was this large, putatively Marxist
nation, it really demanded that teachers and professors at least mention
the ideology.  Then again it could be that awareness of Marxism would have
grown better in a less highly charged atmosphere. Does anyone have an
inkling how much Marxism was talked about in schools and universities as
time progressed?




	As for the repression of ethnic hostilities, I think all colonial
powers repress ethnic hostilities to some extent, if only be focusing
resentment on themselves.  As we know, however, once the colonial power
weakens weakens the ethnic hostilities come back with a bang.




	peace