Salient. Victoria University Students' Newspaper. Volume 39, Number 25. October 4, 1976

Reply to Mark Carey On Political Science

Dear John,

Just a quick note in reply to Mark Carey's letter - there are a few points which I would like to take up - Mark:

1.	Your attempt to distinguish between philosophy and existing society just can not work. If philosophy is not relevant to political phenomena - especially that which surrounds us — I would contend that it should not exist at all.
2.	My institutionalism' refers to seeing Politics as taking place within systems, rather than looking at the rationale behind those systems - a valid point in my "experience" that applies to this university.
3.	Your reference to Marxism I find must disturbing. "As a non-Marxist I find it very easy to visualise a Marxist analysis of POLS being (at the same time) structural". There can be no doubt, however, that Marxism as a means of analysis is one of the most popular, and relevant to modem society. A form of analysis that the department at present lacks any real expertise in.
4.	Your comments on workload, and for that matter your purpose for being at university, leaves me in some doubt as to your genuine interest in POLS. Meritocracy, by virtue of its existence in the Chinese situation, does not necessarily make it a right practice. At least in China it is recognised as a part of the contradiction - to be discouraged - whereas within the varisty it is actively supported.
5.	While we are hounded by assessment regulations - and while people share your own perspective as to the purpose of university - there is no way round your criticism - any ideas?

Your letter is gratifying in that it raises more points - two sides to any story b always [unclear: preferable].

Thanks,

Neil Gray.

p.s. Regarding eccentrics: Judge not lest ye find yourself looking in a mirror sometime.