TRADITIONS IN TRANSITION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000200330011-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 19, 1998
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: August 8, 1961
• Content Type: NSPR

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AUG 8 1961
9 Mved For Release 1999/09/07 : CIA-qBIAb3b P75-pO
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From the Bookshelf
Traditions in Transition ................ By Robert Loring Allen
United States Policy. Ed dy Ikf'.tilli-
kan and Donald L. M. Blackmer. Boston:
1" , Brown & Co. 171 pp. Cloth, $4.50;
paper, $2.50.
This book is a useful tract for the times as
well as a genuine contribution to understand-
ing the contemporary world and America's role
in it. It concerns the economic and political
processes by which tradition-bound societies
emerge into political maturity and self-sus-
tained economic growth.
The book has no single author since it re-
sults from a seminar amp g some of the best
scholars at MTI"3 C nt* for "tn"teT11a 1Q ]al
a is as stant,' f5onalT'BTTclllmer a the
e i~s 'Fe Jjb y~ an were Frrancis
B i, Richard c taus, Everett Hagan, Daniel
Lerner, Ithiel de Sola Pool, Lucian Pye, Paul
Rosenstein-Rodan, and Walt Rostow. The book
is an amalgam of their thinking.
The authors argue that America's policy to-
ward the emerging nations should make pos-
sible their continued independence, particular-
ly from any power hostile to the United States,
and encourage pacific settlement of all inter-
national disputes. In addition, the United States
should foster the maintenance of effective gov-
ernment without recourse to totalitarian prac-
tices and encourage the development of an
open and flexible society.
W -o.L?note is the ghsence of any basic
spec oal related to, combatting communism
or toviet Union. The dagger of commu-
nism is o W one subcategory of three choices
available ' *otf?tries emerging from tradi-
tional societies.
One choice is to resist change steadfastly,
to preserve the traditional society, to maintain
an existing oligarchy by repression if necessary,
and to obstruct all measures and movements
which might jeopardize the status quo.
extremist measures and perhaps violently, of
the economic, political, and social framework of
the traditional society and replacing it with
something entirely different. Communism is but
one path the modernizer may choose. It is of
treat significance, however, because of the
power and the example of the Soviet state.
A third choice is available and United States
policy should stimulate and promote this
choice. This is the gradual transformation of
the traditional society into a modern one, eco-
nomically and politically. It can be accom-
plished by gradual modifications in structure,
institutions, and practices while retaining some
of the cohesive elements of tradition. It is not
possible to restrain the forces for moderniza-
tion indefinitely, but the exercise of restraint,
both by the enlightened traditionalist and the
responsible modernizer, can effect the change
in an orderly and beneficial way.
A < A
The authors are thus led to, purpose that the
United States assist the modernizing process
through economic assistance. and political sup-
port for the moderate elements. There is no
cheerful optimism in their analysis, however.
Even the most intelligent and farsighted Ameri-
can participation in the process may go awry.
Emerging states may opt for the first or second
choice, including communism. But the chances
for the third choice are greater with America
playing a leading role. If America turns its back
on the problem or is inept or unwise in its pol-
icy, countries will not have the material, techni-
cal, or intellectual facilities for undertaking the'
transition.
Scholars can quibble with some of the
analysis, proponents and opponents of foreign
aid should find much to argue about, public
officials may blanch at the awesome responsi-
bilities of this country, and ordinary citizens
can learn much of America's role in the
modern world from this book. There is reason
,FOIAb3b
CPYRGHT
Approved For Release 1999/09/07 : CIA-RDP75-00001 R000200330011-8