February 7, 2003: You see it on the news almost every evening. It might be an aging hippie, a disaffected college student majoring in "undecided," or an Episcopal bishop overwrought by a lifetime of denying the divinity of Christ. They stand before the camera and generally accuse President Bush, in his prosecution of the War on Terror, of being (1) a war criminal, (2) beholden to "big oil," (3) systematically destroying the Constitution of the United States, or (4) some combination of (1), (2) and (3). Then they almost always end their diatribes by stating that terrorism will not be stopped by military action, but by "engaging in dialogue."
It sounds very nice. Talking is very often a pleasant activity and it sure beats marching through the desert in 120 degree heat carrying 75 pounds of equipment in your backpack.
In fact, talking is essential to conducting business, perpetuating human relationships, and healing the psychic and spiritual wounds that are part and parcel of existence. Very few people really doubt the importance of dialogue between business associates, husbands and wives, or within the therapist/patient or priest/penitent relationship.
But is dialogue effective in dealing with evil? First of all, let us define evil. Simply put, evil is a conscious and rational commitment to the breaking of moral law by one who knows the difference between right and wrong. The evil person generally conceals his evil actions because he is aware that they flaunt centuries of accumulated human taboos. Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao Tse-Tung were evil. The bulk of their crimes were committed not in the public eye, but in dark prisons or remote locations like Auschwitz or the jungles of Cambodia.
The man running naked through the streets brandishing a knife menacingly at a cat whom he believes to be a demon is insane, not evil. He is unaware that his behavior breaks moral laws or normative bounds, and he acts within full view of the public.
Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, however, are evil.
Now let me repeat the question. Is dialogue effective in dealing with evil?
Well, let's look at the historical record of just the twentieth century for the answer:
June 4, 1989 -- In the midst of negotiations and dialogue with student protesters seeking democracy, the government of Communist China begins a ruthless military suppression of the peaceful protest.
April 2, 1982 -- Although it has been planning the Falklands War for several years, the Argentine government is in the midst of negotiations with Britain when it begins the invasion of the British territory.
January 17, 1973 -- After years of negotiations and dialogue, the United States, South Vietnam, the Vietcong and North Vietnam sign the Paris Peace Accord. The North Vietnamese government agrees to the following statement in the treaty: "The South Vietnamese people's right to self-determination is sacred, inalienable, and shall be respected by all countries." The North Vietnamese invade South Vietnam on December 26, 1974.
July 1968 -- Alexander Dubcek and Leonid Brezhnev engage in four days of dialogue about Dubcek's reforms in Czechoslovakia. Dubcek agrees to concessions. The Soviet Army occupies Prague on August 20, 1968.
April 19, 1961 -- In an ongoing series of communications, Soviet Leader Khruschev informs President Kennedy that the Soviet Union "does not seek any advantages or privileges in Cuba." One year later Khruschev makes the decision to put Soviet missiles in Cuba, and the Berlin Wall is built -- the latter action violating agreements stemming back to the end of World War II.
October 31, 1956 -- During the Hungarian Revolution, the Soviet Government states: "The Soviet Government is prepared to enter into the appropriate negotiations with the government of the Hungarian People's Republic and other members of the Warsaw Treaty on the question of the presence of Soviet troops on the territory of Hungary." On November 4, 1956 the Soviets launched a military attack on Hungary and quickly crushed the Revolution.
June 25, 1950 -- Following three years of UN-sponsored negotiations and dialogue, North Korea, with the support of the Soviet Union and China, attacks South Korea.............