Re: Marxist analysis of the PRC

[Adam Rose <adam@xxxxxxxx>]

>
> One possible book to look at is Nigel Harris's The Mandate of Heaven: Marx
> and Mao in Modern China. It's about 20 years old, though, and it's almost
> that long ago that I read it. So my critical memory is dull. Harris was at
> one time, and may still have been, associated with the British SWP. Maybe
> Adam knows the book?
>
>
> Walter Daum
>

Nigel left the SWP / got expelled , unfortunately. He basically gave
up on the working class, via underestimating the continuing role of
the state in international capitalism. So for instance his argument
against immigration controls is that they are irrational from the
point of view of Capital, and that what we need is a world government
to get rid of them.

I've got the book at home and read it. From memory, it does examine in detail
the real social relationships in China, but as you say, it's 20 years
old. You can't read it and still believe China was ever socialist. Also,
from memory, I remember thinking "this is a bit slow" , but that's no
reason not to read it.

Again from memory, I don't think it looked at all at China's foreign
policy. BookMarks does have a smallish pamphlet on China, but I can't
give you a title. There may also be articles in old ISJ's, but again
I don't know where.

But really, China has played little or no role in supporting national
liberation movements at any time since 1948, and has done its utmost
to crush one, namely the Tibetan.

Adam.

Adam Rose
SWP
Manchester
UK


---------------------------------------------------------------


     --- from list marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ---

     ------------------