tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192194.post112424710958690011..comments2023-06-05T12:15:30.783+01:00Comments on East Ethnia: A good point from NadezhdaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192194.post-1124276669427606502005-08-17T12:04:00.000+01:002005-08-17T12:04:00.000+01:00There is probably also a question of attention spa...There is probably also a question of attention span involved here. Once governments get past the point of mobilising people for the grand moralistic gesture, what remains is long-term and unpopular practical work, without an obvious immediate payoff. It often seems pointless, and there is always an opening for charges of "imperialism." So there is a strong temptation to get out as quickly as possible with the work unfinished. The effects are obvious enough in the Balkans, and it also produces consequences like an Afghanistan returning to the opium economy and an Iraq rushing toward theocracy.Eric Gordyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08743744653177736119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192194.post-1124253019467319022005-08-17T05:30:00.000+01:002005-08-17T05:30:00.000+01:00Welcome back! and thanks for the link. Yeah, it's ...Welcome back! and thanks for the link. Yeah, it's down right tedious how we have to keep reminding ourselves of some basic principles. Somehow people from all parts of the political spectrum tend to think good intentions (theirs, of course) are enough. "Unintended consequences" isn't a good enough excuse when those consequences could have been, at least in part, anticipated. Ethical action involves responsibility, not just sympathy. Though I'm often accused of lack of the latter when I mention the former.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com