Ron P: "But getting there requires some intermediate steps such as reducing the amount of surplus value that goes to capital, rent seekers, religions, and political appointees."
The concept of "intermediate steps" is simply an expression the Idea of Progress -- which is at the very core of capitalist ideology. There is no ratchet effect in history. This does _not_ mean that the struggle for reforms" (e.g., " reducing the amount of surplus value that goes to capital") is not essential; it does mean that such reforms do not advance us one step towards socialism but _merely_ buttress the potential strength of the working class -- or, more precisely, head off the reduction of workers to one level mass of wretches incapable of any higher struggle. Carrol _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
