I always suspected

that Samuel 'Clash of Civilizations' Huntington was a wanker, but this passage from Move Your Shadow* confirms it:

"[Huntington] went on to offer a possible rationalization of police state methods: "The centralization of power may also be necessary for the government to maintain the control over violence that is essential to carry through major reforms." "

I am not particularly skilled at abstract thought, but applied to an actual case (i.e. the apartheid security apparatus cracking down on the ANC et al. during the 80s, a period of supposed liberal evolution) it is clear that this is pernicious, morally corrupt nonsense.

* Yes, yes, here we go again - LOVE HIM. Seriously, this is an amazing book - I find moral clarity and dry wit completely irresistible - excuse me, I have a book to finish/new intellectual crush to revel in.