[ok, there we go again... this will be my last post on the subject which is way-off topic by now. If it wasn't for the reference to Vichy I wouldn't answer on the list] On lun 24 nov 1997 à 09:50:54PM -0600, Jim Choate wrote:
strategic form is binary or possibly unitary. I would further feel historicaly supported to propose that given sufficient time, resources, and planning this situation will develop *and* devlolve to either a binary or a unitary form. A recent example was the Soviet Union. The interesting question is whether the current apparent unitary position of the US will devlove into a multi-party situation or whether it can actualy win over by some means the other parties to willing cooperation.
That's where we disagree (and other too, I hope). For one thing, you say yourself "the current unitary position". I don't think today you could that easily invade Canada, in a remake of 1812 and get away with it that easily. That, and the fact the concept of nations is dead, or soon to be (insert here your favorite rant on crypto-anarchy).
I challenge the thesis that the Japanese would have had to put a soldier in every house. Consider the situation in Vichy France and it's relationship with German occupiers. The Chinese could certainly have no higher level of objectionable feelings. Yet the Vichy French as a rule were quite cooperative in supporting German goals. Even to the point of firing on their French brothers in North Africa.
Reread my previous posts, I was careful enough to mention Vichy, knowing that it would pop up later, as a cheap shot. So, I said something like it works only if you get the approval of the locals, or at least their indifference (example: Vichy). Discussions of why and how this was possible is beyond the scope of the current argument, and I don't feel particulary bound to defend the weakness of my fellow countrymen during this period. I will just add that even if the population was generally quiet, the resistance activity was still a constant nuisance. So, slightly ahead from such a situation, you have, pick up the one you like, Afghanistan, Tchetchenia (or whatever the english word is), former Yugoslavia, Vietnam, Algeria (now and when the bad guys were the french) were maintaining order is a PITA. As for North Africa, I am not sure about what you are refering to, but say when the americans arrived in 43, despite orders to resist there weren't a lot of fights (certainly no fight would have been better but tension accounts for a great part. Remember Mers-el-Kebir ?)
Why? The Tripartite Pact wasn't signed until Sept. 27, 1940. A considerable time before this Churchill had been sending letters to Mussolini requesting
I never challenged any of these facts. I just gave you one, proving that Mussolini position changed from hostility to friendship. That's all. Check the facts I mentionned. F. -- Fabrice Planchon (ph) 609/258-6495 Applied Math Program, 210 Fine Hall (fax) 609/258-1735