>What Third-World revolutions really needed from proletariat &
>intellectuals in rich imperial nations was not so much the latter's
>"identification" with the former as socialist revolutions in the
>belly of the beast, which didn't happen -- hence the former's
>collapse or retreat. You can't eat someone's "identification" with
>you, though you may be encouraged by it at times.
>
>Yoshie
Socialist revolutions in the belly of the beast? This is not really
feasible at this time. What is feasible is for Marxist activists to provide
solidarity to countries in struggle, whether Vietnam, Nicaragua or Cuba,
etc. Brenner's diatribe against "third worldism" was a subtle cue that such
activity had become dated. It was much more in the spirit of Marx to drive
around in a jeep in places like Kenya looking for a progressive bourgeoisie
to orient to, as Colin Leys did. No longer was there an interest in
identifying peasant or working class insurgencies. Instead neo-Kautskyites
on the payroll of a university would devote their time and intellect to
promoting a third world version of the 19th century European capitalist
class. While this venture might have been futile, at least it paid better
and it wouldn't get you killed or tortured.
Louis Proyect
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