  Action-at-a-distance is a generic property of physical theories. As such, it
is not a fruitful idea in theory building. Its absence confers a rigidity on a
theory which we exemplify through analysis of long-range correlations of the
EPR-type in relativistic theories. Rigidity is desirable for fundamental
theories, and theory building should focus on structurally unstable properties,
making action-at-a-distance a side issue. Though apparent superluminal effects
seem to be present in many present-day physical theories, we maintain that they
are not a basis for action-at-a-distance.
