THE AUTHOR INTERPRETS THE FUNCTIONS OF VIOLENCE, BETRAYAL, CORRUPTION, SECRECY, AND PROPAGANDA IN TERMS OF THEIR AFFECT ON MAINTAINING AND DEVELOPING EXISTING SYSTEMS, RATHER THAN AS ELEMENTS INTEGRAL TO THE GROWTH AND DECAY OF AN ORGANIC LIFE CYCLE. THE AUTHOR MAINTAINS THAT THE VIOLATIONS OF MORAL AND POLITICAL STANDARDS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE GOOD OF THE SYSTEM. HE STATES THAT THE SIGNS OF CORRUPTION ARE ALWAYS PRESENT AND, WHEN HELD IN CHECK, ARE INDICATORS OF THE SYSTEM'S ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF RIVAL RATIONALES AND ITS CAPACITY TO ABSORB THE CONFLICT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)