Perhaps we are not in such close agreement. I don't think that Lenin wrote anything useful on nationalism (and I have read it) It is too easy in world history for the "oppressed nation" to turn into the "oppressor nation" and most nationalism appeals to an external oppressor, for it to be a useful tool for socialists. Of course imperialist have been beaten by nationalists, but have they lead to socialist societies? Socialism in one country is a Stalinist myth that should be abandonned. Remember that the name of Hitler's party was a contraction of Nationist and Socialist; that Mussolini started as a socialist. And I like Brad cannot believe that anyone would defend Stalin. ----Original Message Follows---- From: "Charles Brown" Yes, I am with you on that. Lenin wrote a lot on self-determination and national liberation which is helpful in thinking through the unity and struggle of the class/national contradiction. In sum, nationalism ( of which race identity is in a very sharp form) plays a mixed role in the world wide class struggle. One must first determine whether it is nationalism of an oppressed or oppressor nation. If the former, it may play a mixed, good and bad , role in the proletarian revolution. A concrete example of a progressive national liberation movement was that in Viet Nam, which was important in defeating U.S. imperialism. Charles Brown Workers of the World, Unite. Workers of the West, it's our turn Rod Hay [EMAIL PROTECTED] The History of Economic Thought Archives http://socserv2.mcmaster.ca/~econ/ugcm/3ll3/index.html Batoche Books http://www.abebooks.com/home/BATOCHEBOOKS/ ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
