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On 2014-03-16, at 7:27 AM, Michael Karadjis wrote: > Don't agree with the colourful characterisation below of Putin's Russia as > "fascist imperialist", nor with the idea that "the West" not "stopping Putin" > represents a "sell-out," since I think the EU and US are also bloodsuckers > alongside Russia in Ukraine. However, the article here is an excellent > antidote to the monomaniacal identification of the Ukrainian Maidan movement > with its ultra-rightist/fascist elements (I'm not so concerned with the > semantics), as it shows the strength of identity of the great bulk of the > European ultra-rightist/fascist movement with Putin and capitalist Russia. Michael: You're someone who has my respect, and I'd be interested in knowing the extent of your agreement with the following propositions. 1. We support left-wing governments, parties and movements against the US and European capitalist states. If there is a confrontation between these states - as, in this case, between Putin's Russia and Yatsenyuk's Ukraine, backed by the US and EU - there is no justification to support either side. 2. The centre-right parties from the mainly Ukrainian-speaking regions which head the government enjoy more public support at this juncture than Svoboda and the other parties further to their right. 3. The great majority of the Maidan protesters, with varying degrees of political understanding and commitment, were and remain supporters of the centre-right and far right parties, while the socialist and liberal left do not have their own parties nor any comparable influence in Ukrainian politics. 4. The precise relationship of forces between the centre-right and far right parties can't be quantified and the direction of events can't be forecast, although they have provoked fierce speculation on the international left, mirrored on the list. For example, Kagarlitsky's articles and the interview with the radical Maidan activist named Denis in recent issues of Links made a deep impression on me but were repudiated by Louis, who has relied on other sources. 5. Though it's dominated discussion, the relationship of forces between the centre-right and the far right is of secondary importance. What's decisive is that there is no left-wing government, party, or movement to support, as in Greece and Venezuela, and should be reflected in how we approach the issue in both tone and substance. ________________________________________________ Send list submissions to: Marxism@greenhouse.economics.utah.edu Set your options at: http://greenhouse.economics.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
