Friday, March 27, 1964
University Daily Kansan
Page 3
Harris Cites World Order Deterrents
If the obstacles to world peace are insuperable, "we can but wait helplessly for Armageddon." Prof. Errol E. Harris said last night in discussing the social and political obstacles to international order.
"But if we are to survive, the choice is not open to us to admit the obstacles as insuperable," he added.
The professor cited several obstacles, the first of which was nationalism. Nationalism which excludes people regarded as nationally different, and is free from domination by any non-national authority, opposes recognition of "wider community" and any movement toward "supernational organization," he said.
FREUDIAN psychologists explain nationalism in terms of repressed primitive impulses in childhood, he said, which later gain release and are projected upon the national body and the symbols associated with it.
Thus, while individuals may be modest about themselves, they feel no restraint about pride and boastfulness concerning their nation, he said. The same principle applies to criticism, he continued. Personal criticism is more readily tolerated than national criticism.
Individual tempers are controlled pretty well, he added, "but the least slight to our national honor excites violent indignation."
Prof. Harris said the Freudians explain a nation's confidence in its own power as being derived from an infantile belief in one's own omnipotence.
BUT THE professor pointed out contradictions in the Freudians' explanation. They say citizens have a father-image of the nation-state, which developed from security provided by parents during childhood.
"But in the next breath they tell us that the behavior of individuals (males) is influenced by the Oedipus complex, an antagonism to the father formed in childhood through sexual jealousy, and that the consequent desire to bring vengeance on the father is then transferred to foreign nations" he said.
"The Freudian theory, therefore, combines elements of plausibility with others so confusing and conflicting, that it is scarcely credible."
Another explanation for nationalistic feelings is given by social psychologists, who use the "ingroup" and "out-group" theory.
THE IN-GROUP acknowledges obligations to its own members, but not to members of the out-group. Lives of members of the out-group are not considered important.
"Thus between the two groups the natural sentiment is hostility."
Prof. Harris did not dispute this view, but pointed out that it is a relative one, dependent upon the conditions of which a person is recognized as belonging to either group.
"A student will adopt an in-group attitude to fellow Kansans, and an outgroup attitude to Nebraskans; an in-group attitude to Americans, and an out-group attitude to foreigners."
ANOTHER OBSTACLE to world order the professor cited, was racial prejudice. He said that although there are no pure races, differences in skin pigmentation and facial types are sufficient to engender race consciousness.
"And with this, there have come to be associated violent prejudices without the least rational basis against one alleged race by another."
With the exception of anti- semitism, racial prejudice hardly existed before the eighteenth century, he said.
"It was only after the colonial era had set in that the white races adopted an attitude of superiority, and after the spread of slavery and the slave trade with Africa."
"IN ALL CASES the root of race prejudice is fear of submergence in, and loss of status to, a group hitherto held in subjection."
Another obstacle to international community is difference of social and political traditions. Prof. Harris referred to the differences of social background and political experience between the more developed countries and the new independent African and Asian states.
Presidential Candidate Profiles Crowther Stewart
Vox Populi's candidate for student body president, Marshall Crowther, has held the office before, but not at KU.
Crowther, Lawrence second-year law student, was elected treasurer and president of the student body at Kansas Wesleyan College after transferring from KU in 1959. Prior to that he served on the All Student Council as a freshman representative.
Since returning to KU Law School, Crowther has been on the ASC as law representative, chairman of the Athletic Seating Board and a member of the ASC Elections Committee
CROWTHER HAS BEEN vice-chairman of the ASC since November and chairman of the Committee-on-Committees and Legislation as part of his duties as vice-chairman
"I believe that student government should provide progressive continuity, actual student services and a two-way communication system between students and the council," Crowther said.
"VOX UTILIZES ITS council members to see and explain what has or is being done, what needs to be done and the best way to do it," Crowther said.
Stressing that student government leaders and party leaders should be separated but working for the same benefits, Crowther said a party is responsible "not only to select responsible people to run for office and to serve on committees, but also to explain why or why not legislation is accomplished."
"Although I am not an undergraduate. I feel my knowledge of the interests and problems of students is the same."
Crowther said the role of student leaders was to make a sincere and determined effort to investigate and propose legislation for concrete improvement and services for students.
As a former student body president, Crowther believes the role of an executive position is to suggest, advise, coordinate and represent student government and student interests.
CROWTHER'S FORMER qualifications include Outstanding Speaker of Kansas Boys State, county chairman of Statewide Activities, placement in the Campus Speaking contest and serving as pledge-class officer in Delta Upsilon fraternity.
At Kansas Wesleyan, Crowther also was a varsity tennis player.
Stewart—
Marshall Crowther
Bob Stewart
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Bob Stewart, University Party's candidate for student body president, has been active in KU student government and activities since he was a freshman.
HOLDING A fraternity seat on the ASC, Stewart also is a member of the Committee-on-Committees and Legislation and the Little Hoover Commission.
"I believe in a dual role of a student body president," Stewart said. "That is, the so-called "coat and tie" image when representing the students publicly, but also the shirt sleeves rolled up to actively work with committees, council members and students in general.
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He has been a member of the All Student Council Current Events and Public Relations Committees, and was a delegate to the Big Eight Student Government Conference last fall.
"The council representatives should feel a real responsibility to fully inform, discuss and explain issues and legislation to the student body."
Stewart feels the political parties should make a determined effort to seek out interested, responsible leadership and inform and train them early to make the committees work efficiently.
"I FEEL THE committees should be expanded or contracted, whichever proves more effective for their functioning. There should be a permanent Little Hoover Commission to evaluate and offer positive guidance and training for committee members," Stewart said.
Stewart feels that ASC representatives should interview applicants for committees rather than party representatives.
"By doing this they would be more aware of who is best qualified to receive the appointments, and they would know some of the scope in which the committees could work." Stewart said.
"Maybe this would help to interest more students in student government so that a few do not have to run all the business of the council."
"This, too, would enlarge the relationship of students to student government and help inform them of council matters."
Stewart is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
STEWART ALSO FEELS that the ASC should coordinate more of its activities with other campus organizations, as do the ASC Current Events Committee and Student Union Activities in bringing speakers to the campus.
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