My efforts to post to this list have been returned as mis-addressed.

I'd appreciate advice.  I use the address in the "To" below.

Harvey Wheeler


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From:   Discussions on the writings and lectures of Noam Chomsky on behalf of
Lawrence Libby
Sent:   Tuesday, April 29, 1997 2:56 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Noam on authority

Relevant to recent discussions (I hope):

"Any kind of illegitimate authority that exists, whatever it may be, from
interpersonal relations up to
huge states and transnational corporations, every such form of authority has
to demonstrate
legitimacy. They have the burden of proof, and we should understand that
usually, very often, almost
always that burden can't be met. When it can't be met, it should simply be
dismantled. And that's the
way to move more towards a free and just democratic society. I don't think
there's any sphere of life
where these questions don't arise. There's different answers in different
places and that depends on
the circumstances, but the mechanisms are always the same. It's engagement,
education, organizing,
pressure, building new institutions. Those are the ways. In a country like
ours they're much more
available then in a place like Haiti or Columbia where you might get
murdered for it. It won't happen
here. But it's the same mechanism. "