In a message dated 6/20/00 7:13:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
<< The biggest problem, of course, is the socialist project itself. What sense
does it make to think in terms of scientific socialism when the
working-class as we know it is not the same class that created the Paris
Commune. If we had something like the Paris Commune in the last 50 years or
so in one of the advanced capitalist countries, left economists would be
thinking about ways that such an experience could be replicated. Since we
lack such an example, we console ourselves with fantasies of a good society
instead. >>
Of course some people might think that one lesson to be drawn from the
failure of the working class in the advanced capitalist countries to live up
to the expectations of traditional revolutionary Marxists, a failure that is
pretty consistent for 150 years, arguably, and 70 years or so for sure, is
that there is something wrong with the theoretical apparatus of traditional
revolutionary Marxism. It is possible to explain away the failure of reality
live up to your theory by reference to disturbing factors, historical
conjunctures, etc.--flat-earthers and creationists do it too--although this
is pretty odd for a theory that claims to be superior to other because ot
tracks the "real movement" of history. However, the price of orthodoxy is
political irrelevance, and having the people you purport to support regard
you, if they think of you at all, as deluded fanatics. But pay no mind to me.
Louis will tell you that I am a right wing social democrat (isn't that it,
Louis?) and a class enemy. --jks
