Re: [Marxism] On NLR's Ideological Retreat (was Tariq Ali responds to aliens from outerspace)

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

Charlie Parks wrote:
> I agree with Louis about some of the problems NLR displayed since its
> new series--inter al., the tendency to publish career academics as
> representative Marxists, and the detachment from on-the-ground radical
> politics. But I don't think even the new series of NLR is monolithic in
> this regard, as it seems that many contributors (and some of its
> editors) have been tacitly working against Perry Anderson's assertion in
> the lead-off editorial for the new series that (roughly) "the only point
> of departure for a serious left today is a lucid registration of
> historic defeat." Issues as early as NLR 2 feature pieces by the likes
> of Alex Callinicos insisting on the continued relevance of revolutionary
> Marxism, who asks "has world history really thrown in its hand?" and
> goes on to cite Seattle and French public sector labor agitation.

I agree completely with this. I should have said that the Perry Anderson
wing of the NLR has a defeatist attitude. Btw, I have heard through the
grapevine that Tariq Ali's wife hates Kerry and pushed for the inclusion
of the Cockburn piece on lesser-evilism. I'd like to hear what goes on
their bedroom...

--
Marxism list: www.marxmail.org


_______________________________________________
Marxism mailing list
Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism