Re: CPC, freedom of expression ( Re: Argentina: the "plan" of Cavallo has been unleashed)

["Henry C.K. Liu" <hliu@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Johannes Schneider wrote:

> Henry C.K. Liu wrote:
>
> >
> > Johannes Schneider wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > During the Third Period the German CP more or less denied that there was
> > > much difference between fascism and bourgeois democracy. For that error
> the
> > > German working class paid a high price.
> > >
> >
> > The German CP made many errors.  The one you mentioned was not the
> critical one.
> >
>
> It was responsible for bringing Hitler to power. No critical error?

It was the GCP's tolerance for civil liberties that led to Hitler's rise. At any
rate, Hitler was created by the Social Democrats, not the Communists.  The
Christian Democrats used NAZI tactics to suppress Communists after the war.
Germany under the Christian Democrats was not much distinguishable from the
early phase of Nazi rule.

> > There are many who claim that capitalism is a historical necessity on the
> road
> > to socialism, and that capitalistic democracy is the best and more natural
> > process from feudalism toward socialism
>
> Did I ever argue that?

You gave me that impression.

>
> > Civil liberties under capitalistic governments are
> > progressive, but under socialist governments, they are reactionary.
> >
>
> Even with this qualification I doubt such a generalisation. If socialism is
> the more advanced form of society, what is there to loose by freedom of
> expression?
>

Doubt is reactionary. Every statement is a form of generalization.  The test is
where the generalized statement leads to.  Revolutionaries cannot afford doubt.
They must be convinced of the correctness of their ideology. The right to
believe that some people should starve while others drink champaign is not a
civil right.  The right to a decent diet for everyone is.
We can have freedom of expression only after the total demise of capitalism.  At
this moment in history, freedom is a capitalistic tool.  Revolutions are not
debating societies in search of self gratification for passive intellectuals.
Revolutionaries know where they are going and have not time for those who value
personal freedom above the need to forge forward the movement's objectives.

Henry C.K. Liu