Yes.

(By work, of course, we mean “rule of law” holding. 

By fail, of course, we mean “might makes right” resuming.)

It occurs to me that the well of knowledge in the West—given its unique and rich tradition of valuing literacy—is deeper than any living African immigrant, and his total unfamiliarity with literacy, can dig in one lifetime. However, my conscience will not let the matter settle there.

The African is not without hope. The main lesson of literacy, the main point of the written record, is to insist that we tell the truth.

Will rule of law hold? Yes. If the Africans adopt our manifestly dominant tradition of valuing honesty, then it will hold.