Word: draconianism
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They will have to move to end the Greek economy's 32% inflation and more than $1.2 billion balance of payments deficit. They could continue the draconian deflationary program imposed last winter by the ousted junta, which included high interest rates, restrictions on bank credits and cuts in government spending. Such restrictions are far from popular, however, and the Cabinet may hesitate to continue them for fear of alienating the public support it will need to build a firm foundation for civilian rule...
...Geneva-based organization accused Amin of allowing his army and special police forces to terrorize the country, violating the constitution with arbitrary decrees and undermining the judiciary by attacking judges. Big Daddy's most publicized atrocity was his draconian expulsion of 50,000 Ugandan Asians in 1972, but that, apparently, was only the beginning. Tens of thousands of blacks have fled to Kenya, Tanzania and Europe since Amin seized power in January 1971. About 50,000 have been killed. Uncounted thousands have vanished and are presumed dead. Relatives file missing-persons reports, but they are often thankful that...
Papal Mercy. Barely a century ago, thieves would have been none too happy to find themselves subject to the Vatican's often draconian justice. It was said of the Papal States' public executioner, Mastro Titta, that he could crush bones with his bare hands. Today, however, the defendants are probably lucky that they were not turned over to Roman civil authorities. They were released on bail, which is rarely allowed by Italian courts. Also, they are getting a speedy trial, which is even more unusual in the litigation-swamped Italian system. On top of that, the Vatican...
...walls may be tumbling down under the pressure of Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller's new narcotic laws. In early December, right before Christmas break, five Columbia students were arrested for allegedly dealing drugs; two for reportedly dealing cocaine and three for reportedly dealing marijuana. Under New York State's draconian narcotics laws, which went into effect last September 1, the two students charged with dealing cocaine face sentences from life imprisonment to no less than 15 years, and the other three students charged with dealing marijuana face sentences up to 15 years...
Meanwhile, Santiago's provincial military boss has issued "Bando 28" (Order 28), forbidding "elections of any kind in union, guild, political, student or any other kind of group." Vacancies will be filled by the military. The draconian measure led one Santiagoan to wonder wryly whether the order applied "to the local football club too." The constitution was recently amended so that Chileans who criticize the government while traveling abroad will automatically lose their citizenship...