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 ---------- 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. "