Subversive

Textbooks

Some foreign students studying Political Science at Victoria are in danger of being unjustly branded as Communists. Their governments ban the importation or possesion of "subversive literature," including books on Communism and Russian government.

These are the very books that students at Victoria are required to study in Political Science II.

Chai-Anan Samudavanya, a second year student from Thailand, complains that many of the texts he is required to study are banned books in Thailand. The most offensive books are "The Collected Works of Marx and Engels." Other banned books include studies of Communist theory and the Soviet system of government.

In view of the threat of Communist subversion, the Thai government has restricted the academic freedom of political science lectures. Chai pointed out the danger of lecturers arousing interest in the more attractive aspects of Marxist theory, but having insufficient time or interest to give equal attention to the less attractive realities of Communism in practice.

At the same time Chai feels that political studies in Thai universities are too one-sided. A careful study of communism would result in a broader and fairer knowledge of international politics. He maintains that if the government is going to continue its policy of trying to stamp out Communism, it would be better for students to learn more about the enemy and find out where its weaknesses lie.