Solution of minorities problems through divorcing the notion of sentiment from that of territory was recommended today by Dr. Albert L. Guerard during a roundtable on the third day of the Conference on Post-War Reconstruction being held at Antioch College.
In a talk on “Culture and Territories,” Dr. Guerard, who is professor of general Literature at Stanford University, held that “the hope of drawing a simple harmonious map of Europe on the basis of self-determination is a delusion.”
Dr. Guerard said that all Europe west of Russia must be organized into a single economic unit with a common social legislation. But such a union, he felt, would be dated if sharply divided national blocks were reconstituted. Instead, he urged the restoration of 60 or more federated states which would function purely as administrative units and would not be exclusively identified with a national culture. “Then, he said, “Not that complete cultural freedom be proclaimed which must transcend all material boundaries.”
“If we could liberate our minds from that tribal idol, the National State, our pluralism would easily go much further then this, “he asserted.” For the paradoxical effect of pluralism is to restore unity, which exclusiveness destroys. If we contemplate alien cultures in a spirit of respect and friendliness, they cease to be alien.”
Others who took part in the morning’s program, which was devoted to “Populations and Minorities Questions,” were David V. Glass, English author and Oscar I. Janowsky, author of “The Jews and Minority Rights.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
