But their downfall may also mean that in the drug industry, as in politics, Mexico is becoming more modern and pluralist.

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There are many ways to practise the history of ideas, and true to the pluralist tenor of his subject, Mr Menand seems happy to employ almost all of them.

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And suddenly its neighbours are more pluralist.

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The spirit of co-operation among the wider opposition has even inspired some former officers in the Iraqi army, an especially divisive lot, to meet in London and issue a Covenant of Honour calling for a pluralist and demilitarised Iraq.

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