On Thu, 14 Dec 1995 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Of course, we have no way of knowing what Marx would have felt about the > Marxism list. Since Jim has offered his speculation, though, I will offer > mine. I believe that Marx would have said something similar to what Joan > Robinson said when she heard that Milton Friedman won the Nobel > (paraphrase): "I am rolling over in my grave." Note that Robinson said > that while she was still _alive_! What you say. I'm going by my grasp of who Marx the Man really was: not a quitter. > Some (I believe mistakingly) view the "struggle" on the Marxism list as > one between "academics" and "activists." I do not believe that the > Marxism archives will support this interpretation. I view the "struggle" > as one between those who take politics -- theory and praxis -- seriously > and those who do _not_. Often amounts to the same thing AFAIC -- but who's saying that it's all as black and white as you portray it..? > The idea suggested the other day that the Marxism list is the forum > through which international activists are discussing a potential new > "International" is ... laughable. The Marxism list, as presently > constituted, is a mirror of all the sectarian politics that have > discredited Marxists in the past. Only a total misreading of the List would lead someone to say this -- and it just goes to show how laffable is much of what passes for academic `thought' in Marxademia... > Must it be so? No. I still believe that the Marxism list has potential -- > for which the moderators have fought valiantly (and been consistently > flamed for their efforts). When "Marxists" on that list (I have > deliberately chosen to place that word in quotes) take politics seriously > again and realize that Marxism is something more than an opportunity for > one-liners and flaming, then the "academics" may return in greater numbers. Like I said; I, for one, reject your characterization -- and I'll bet that many List members are waiting with bated breath for this Return from the Mount -- _not_. (`Atlas Shrugged' comes to mind...) I'll say it again: the Marxism List is uneven, but this reflects the DIVERSITY of its members -- it's not some clubby little talk-shop of like-minded academics... It's potential is ENORMOUS, and I simply cannot respect the judgement of those who leave it complaining of the very features which give it LIFE. It's YOUNG, and it will DEVELOP. Those who leave are quitters -- simple. +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+ | stop the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal | | if you agree copy these 3 sentences in your own sig | | more info: http://www.xs4all.nl/~tank/spg-l/sigaction.htm | +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+ | Jim Jaszewski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> PGP Public Key available. | | http://www.freenet.hamilton.on.ca/~ab975/Profile.html | +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+