Equality above all else.

It was observed by Aristotle in his Politics, that democratically organised states practised ostracism on a regular basis. To what end you might enquire? Apparently the principle of equality was so paramount within the state that they ostracized and removed out of state for fixed periods anyone whose power was deemed to be too excessive. Indeed many democratically organised states according to Aristotle quite often elected the most incapable of the candidates to ensure political equality in all respects.

One does wonder if the US, based on this information, is the most democratic of countries?

ATC Solutions.

Tripura and how one injustice can have lasting repercussions.

I was reading an article on the BBC News website today that caught my eye. The reservoir of the 10 MW Gumti Hydroelectric (Hydel) Project in India's north-eastern state of Tripura has been the source of heated debate since it was commissioned in 1974. It was built despite fierce opposition from 40,000 indigenous tribesmen whose sole livelihood, their land, was submerged under the reservoir. Furthermore less than a fifth of the inhabitants received compensation due in part to the failure of these tribesmen to evidence ownership of the land. Having no land and no compensation many of the dispossessed have sought refuge in shanty towns along the parameter of the reservoir. Needless to say, the disenfranchised have provided a steady flow of angry young men and women that have swelled the ranks of the the state’s two large rebel groups, who have played a major part in the prolonged civil unrest.

In recent weeks a sharp drop in the water level at the reservoir, which has left it uneconomical, has seen the near-by indigenous people flock to reclaim the emerging lands. The reason for the sharp drop? Principally, the deforestation in the surrounding hills by the primitive agricultural practices by the very same tribesmen who lost their land to the Hydel Project. Classic!

At which gate are you located?

The city of Karakorum was surrounded by a mud wall, which had four gates. Each gate was married to a certain type of market. At the western gate sheep and goats were sold; at the eastern, millet and other types of grain; at the northern, horses; and at the southern oxen and carts (Rockhill. W. W., The Journeys of William of Rubruck to the eastern parts of the World 1253-1255, New Delhi 1998, p221) The centralisation of the sale of certain products and crafts is not unique to any one culture or generation. A quick look at London would evidence this; Hatton Garden diamonds, Bond Street boutiques, Saville Row suits and Tottenham Court Road electronics to name but an appropriate few. It seems the 13 century cosmopolitan city of Karakorum and the 21 century city of London share many features, none more so clearer than the self-imposition of economies of scale.

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