Good Fences: The Importance of Setting Boundaries for Peaceful Coexistence (1110.1409v1)

Abstract: We consider the conditions of peace and violence among ethnic groups, testing a theory designed to predict the locations of violence and interventions that can promote peace. Characterizing the model's success in predicting peace requires examples where peace prevails despite diversity. Switzerland is recognized as a country of peace, stability and prosperity. This is surprising because of its linguistic and religious diversity that in other parts of the world lead to conflict and violence. Here we analyze how peaceful stability is maintained. Our analysis shows that peace does not depend on integrated coexistence, but rather on well defined topographical and political boundaries separating groups. Mountains and lakes are an important part of the boundaries between sharply defined linguistic areas. Political canton and circle (sub-canton) boundaries often separate religious groups. Where such boundaries do not appear to be sufficient, we find that specific aspects of the population distribution either guarantee sufficient separation or sufficient mixing to inhibit intergroup violence according to the quantitative theory of conflict. In exactly one region, a porous mountain range does not adequately separate linguistic groups and violent conflict has led to the recent creation of the canton of Jura. Our analysis supports the hypothesis that violence between groups can be inhibited by physical and political boundaries. A similar analysis of the area of the former Yugoslavia shows that during widespread ethnic violence existing political boundaries did not coincide with the boundaries of distinct groups, but peace prevailed in specific areas where they did coincide. The success of peace in Switzerland may serve as a model to resolve conflict in other ethnically diverse countries and regions of the world.

• The paper introduces the chngcntr package, which redefines counter manipulation in LaTeX using boundary-setting commands.
• It details the implementation of \counterwithin and \counterwithout commands that link or decouple counters for hierarchical resetting.
• The approach simplifies complex document formatting, offering practical benefits for large-scale technical and multi-author documents.

Overview of the chngcntr LaTeX Package

The paper under examination, "The chngcntr package," meticulously details the utilities provided by the chngcntr package in LaTeX, which addresses specific needs related to counter manipulation within documents. Authored by Peter Wilson and maintained by Will Robertson, the document serves as a precise manual for version 1.0a, aiming to elucidate the functionalities of counter management in LaTeX.

Technical Contribution

At the core of the package, the chngcntr package extends the capabilities provided in LaTeX for managing counters, which are fundamental for document structuring, such as section numbering and figure referencing. The document delineates the use of counters through the introduction of the \newcounter command, where a new counter gets defined, with an option to be linked to another counter. In essence, LaTeX by default allows the resetting of a counter whenever the counter it is linked to changes, e.g., section numbers resetting with each new chapter.

The paper details two primary commands introduced by the package:

1. \counterwithin: This command can modify an existing counter to behave as if it was initially defined in relation to another counter, resetting with each change in the linked counter. The default behavior also involves modifying the format in which the counter’s value is displayed.
2. \counterwithout: Conversely, this command strips the relational reset behavior from a counter, returning it to a standalone state reminiscent of an independent definition.

Both commands come in a variant that preserves the original format of the counter display, denoted by the starred versions \counterwithin* and \counterwithout*.

Practical Implications

The usefulness of the chngcntr package lies in its flexibility and simplicity for document authors who require dynamic counter management without redefining counters entirely. This flexibility is crucial for large and complex documents where hierarchical structuring changes frequently, such as technical manuals or multi-author books.

Theoretical Implications

Theoretically, the introduction of such a package highlights the potential for further modular extensions within LaTeX that enhance document authors' control over formatting and structure without exploring the more arcane aspects of custom LaTeX programming. The wrapper functionality provided by chngcntr simplifies interactions with LaTeX’s built-in commands, offering a potent tool for users with varying levels of expertise.

Future Developments

While the paper is concise, focusing on existing capabilities rather than speculative extensions, the potential growth in LaTeX packages aimed at intuitive document management is evident. Future developments might incorporate enhanced user interfaces for package functionalities, integration with LaTeX editors for real-time preview, or expanded capabilities for more complex counter hierarchies. Further, as versioning continues, collaboration among contributors might yield optimizations in package performance or compatibility enhancements with other document preparation systems.

In conclusion, the chngcntr package presents a useful extension for LaTeX users aiming for fine-grained control over counter behaviors within documents. Its focused functionality serves as a testament to the ongoing evolution of LaTeX as a robust platform for scholarly writing and technical documentation.