I The Michigan Daily-Thursday, March 17, 1983-Page 5 Prof. kicks off Marx centennial conference By JAYNE HENDEL Calling political and economic theorist Karl Marx "an intellectual vir- tuoso," University Prof..Charles Tilly helped to kick off a two-day conference commemorating the centennial of Marx's death. Tilly, a professor of history and sociology, told more than 200 people packed into an Angell Hall auditorium that Marx's theories have survived because his theses on proletarianization and the French Revolution and his emphasis on class struggle have stood the test of time. MARX IS acknowledged by scholars to be the founder of international Com- munism. He is most known for his book, Capital, and his "Communist Manifesto," commanding the "workers of the world" to unite in revolution. Marx deviated from traditional thinking, Tilly said, because of his em- phasis on the importance of the coun- tryside as the place where the proletariate originates and his rejec- tion of previous theory.' Tilly said that the French Revolution, which Marx called "the lighthouse of all revolutionary efforts," followed Marx's thinking on bouregeousie revolution, as the French bourgeousie replaced the incumbent monarchy. TILLY ALSO pointed out flaws in Marx's thinking, saying that Marx un- derstated the importance of the working class in France, and discredited the politics of the French peasantry, calling the peasants "fragmented and reactionary" when they were really organized radical. Socialism today isn't perfect either, Tilly said. "No doubt that a resurrec- tion of Marx would be surprised and in- dignant at seeing Socialism today," he said. He used the analogy of one seed producing many mutants to represent the proliferation of socialist political - groups today who sometimes deviate from Marx's original theories. Following Tilly at the opening ceremonies was Prof. Goran Therborn from Lund University in Sweden. "MARX WAS the most historically influential social thinker since the death of Mohammed," Therborn said. He also described Marx as a "revolutionary political strategist," "a scholar," and a "philoso her of history. The conference, which was sponsored by the Center for Research of Social Organizations, is just one of many tributes that have taken place all over the world. AT HIGHGATE cemetery in London, where Marx is buried, more than 900 people gathered at his grave last Mon- day. Ironically, only 30 people attended his burial a century ago, where his lifelong partner Frederick Engles eulogized him by saying, "The greatest living thinker has ceased to think." The University conference continues all day today, with workshops that will further explore Marxist philosophy. The public is welcome to attend the sessions, which will be held in the Rackham third floor conference rooms and in the Frieze Building. Daily Photo by ELIZABETH SCOTT LSA professor Charles Tilly speaks at Angell Hall yesterday. His speech, entitled "Marx The Historian'" was part of ,"The Karl Marx Centennial Conference" still going on at the University today. Mexican leader says co r i C~ountry is st able Conference examines automotive future ' I; *9XICO CITY (AP) - President Migiel de la Madrid says he rejects the Reagan administration's "domino- theory" fear of a leftist takeover in Central America, and insists that even if At happened it would not affect Mexico. Re also claims Mexico's severe economic problems will not cause political instability or lay the country open to threats by leftist forces. " MEXICO IS a very strong domino and will not be easily toppled," de la Madrid told a group of visiting U.S. publishers Tuesday. He added that he was "pleased to see that there has been some new understanding of this situation in the United States gover- ment" but did not elaborate. De la Madrid, who took office Dec. 1 for a six-year term, said Mexico is "concerned by the political tension and violence in Central America" but op- poses military solutions. "Mexico insists on negotiated agreements between countries and Within countries," he said. Repeating a long-standing offer by Mexico to mediate in the region's conflicts, he said his administration would be pleased to cooperate "in any action aimed at these objectives." THE REAGAN administration last year turned down an offer by de la Madrid's predecessor, President Jose Lopez Portillo, to mediate between the United States and Cuba and between the United States and Nicaragua's lef- tist Sandinista regime. The U.S. ad- ministration also strongly criticized a joint Mexican-French statement in 1982 recognizing the leftist rebels in El Salvador as a legitimate political force. De la Madrid acknowledged that Mexico is going through its worst crisis in half a century. But "Mexicans are trained to deal with crises," he declared, "and our political, economic and legal institutions are solid." "WE ARE STILL going through serious difficulties, but we are begin- ning to see some signs of relief. The hardest times are just ahead," he said. He said the government renegotiated one-fourth of its $83 billion foreign debt, secured $3.9 billion in bailout loans fiom the International Monetary Fund and obtained another $5 billion in new bank loans. Tourism, the country's second- '' de la Madrid ... rejects domino theory (Continued from Page 1) Nevertheless, we will try to hold off this local content bill," he said. "I don't think you will see any general protec- tive barriers being erected." Professor Keichi Oshima of the University of Tokyo also stressed the importance of a competitive world market. "Revitalization can only be achieved through continued technological development, and competition will provide incentive for that develop- ment," he said. OSHIMA ALSO said cooperation bet- ween auto corporations might be an ef- fective means of gaining technological advances. Intercorporate cooperation proved to be a point of contention at the conferen- ce. The representatives debated the merits of a recent agreement between General Motors Corp. and Toyota Motor Co. to begin joint construction of a new small car in the U.S. John Smith, GM director of world- wide product planning, said the only alternative GM had to the proposal was to get out of the small car business altogether. "But we've sold more than 2 million Chevettes - more than any other car foreign or domestic - and we're not going to walk away from that," he said. SMITH SAID the agreement was an effort to foster cooperation and free trade between the U.S. and Japan. "Protectionism in any form offers only a retreat to the economic isolationism of the 1930s," he warned. Speaking for the Reagan Ad- ministration, MacDonald said, "We welcome the investment, even a token investment. The flow of investment by Japanese companies in the U.S. is one way of relieving intense political pressure on the U.S. government." Bluestone, who is now a professor at Wayne State University, described methods for revitalizing the auto in- dustry by restructuring ' labor- management relations. Labor costs have traditionally been cited as a major factor reducing America's com- petitiveness with Japan, but Bluestone said "labor is only one very small part of unit costs. Scientific management techniques should be replaced by the "in- stitutionalization of employee in-: volvement," he said. "There is a need for a change in the work force in which the knowledge and the experience of the work force can be utilized. biggest dollar earner after crude oil, is booming due to the devaluation of the peso. The president said his gover- nment has cut spending sharply, reducing the budget deficit from 17 to 8 percent, and reached agreement with business and labor leaders to keep both price and wage increases down. The president said all this plus other belt-tightening measures will help economic recovery and will also help to offset the reduction in revenue resulting from recent sharp drops in oil prices. Mexico, one of the five largest producers and exporters, had to cut its prices an average of $2.50 a barrel this week, reducing export revenues $1.5 billion a year. WOMEN'S LIVES A conversation on how women grow and change with Barbara Fuller, clergywoman, co-founder of Inter-faith Council for Peace March 18th at noon Guild House 802 Monroe 662-5189 Lunch (homemade vegetarian soup) is available at $1.00 Program is sponsored by Guild House and funded in part by Michigan Commission/United Ministries in Higher Education * CUSTOMER INFORMATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS R Y Airport expansion plan doesn't take off HOW TO STOP DRUNK DRIVING. TOUGH LAWS MAY HELP, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO CHANGE OUR AtTITUDES. (Continued from Page 1) to begin seeking the grant. "Before the City Council ever asked for information, the Michigan Aeronautics Commission was told the City Council wanted this," said Leslie Morris (D-2nd Ward). "We were all abbergasted by the news," she added. MORRIS SAID she is worried that the ramifications of the grant investigation may harm the city. "The credibility of Ann Arbor getting grants is in doubt," she said. Lowell Peterson (D-1st Ward) said he was surprised by the seriousness of the mayor's actions. "I always knew that h@(Belcher) was capable of a petty power play, but I didn't think he could do'something so blatantly misguided," 1he'aid. Mayor Belcher said he has done nothing wrong. "I have been up front on theissue forever," he said. .NSTEAD, HE charges the legislators with playing "backdoor politics." He said Bullard and Pollack knew about the grant more than a mon- th.ago and didn't say anything until just a :few weeks before the elections. To me it is the most brazen use of secret back.door power," he said of the two. Belcher said Rep. O'Connor opposed the expansion plans for personal reasons. "Margaret O'Connor's house is five miles off the runway," he said. "She doesn't want planes flying over her horse farm." Peterson said Belcher had deceived the Council. "He clearly misled Council and falsified a document," he said. PETERSON REFUSED to buy the reconsideration argument. "Even Lou Belcher should understand that Oc- tober comes before Jannary." Councilmember Edward Hood (R-4th Ward) said although he was against the expansion plan, he saw nothing wrong with what Belcher did. "I see nothing wrong with what the mayor did. It had to come back to (City) Council anyway," he said. Both Peterson and Morris noted that it would have been more difficult for the council to reject the grant after it had been approved by the State Legislature. Hood also saw the investigation as a powerplay, but one made by other Council members. "Leslie Morris is running scared and using this to em- barrass Mayor Belcher," he said. 3|Sigbi n fltUilg Classifieds get results! Do you know anyone who's in favor of drunk driving? Not likely. And yet many people have driven when under the influence of alcohol, or will do it at least once. Take a look at some chilling statistics. One out of every two of us will be in- volved in an alcohol-related accident sometime during our lives. Last year alone, more than 25,000 people died in such accidents; an additional 1.5 million were injured. A disproportionate number of those killed were under 25 years old. The cost of drunk-driving accidents amounts to over $24 billion every year in property damage, loss of wages, medical and legal fees. Not to mention the emotional pain to the vic- tims' families and friends. What is being done about it? Over the years, many different approaches have been tried: mandatory jail sentences, stiff fines, license suspensions, alcohol- rehabilitation programs, and higher drinking-age laws. No single countermeas- ure seems to do the job by itself. Tough laws, unless they are supported by equally tough enforcement and the certainty of punishment, don't seem to work over the long run. Even with all three, probably the most effective single thing we could do is to examine our own attitudes about drinking and driving. How much do you really know about the effects of alcohol? The facts may sur- prise you. For example, a lot of people believe that beer and wine are less intoxicat- ing than other drinks. In fact, a can of beer, a glass of wine, or a 1 -ounce drink of 86-proof liquor are all about equally intoxicating. A lot of factors deter- mine how quickly you'll get drunk. Your body weight, how much you've had to eat, and the number of drinks you have over a specified time all make a difference. That's why it's so hard to know when you've had too much. A common legal defini- tion of intoxication is .10 per- cent blood-alcohol level. For a 160 lb. person, it takes about four or five drinks in the first two hours on an empty stom- ach to reach the legal limit, compared with three or four drinks in the first two hours for someone who weighs 120 lbs. Of course, your judgment and reaction time will be impaired well before you reach the legal limit. At General Motors, we're car. The Department of Trans- portation is now field-testing that device. 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