[Marxism] Re: State capitalism -- addition

["Tom O'Lincoln" <suarsos@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>The question comes down to what your definition of a socialist state
in transition is. Is it a Utopia, or is it the first step in the advance
of the working class towards Utopia?<<

Yes, I think this is what it comes down to. You think the Eastern Bloc
states were the "first step in the advance of the working class towards
Utopia." Few people who actually lived there had any such illusions.
Even if I were to accept your one-dimensional portrait of Solidarity
(perhaps you can be forgiven this, if you haven't met the revolutionary
socialists among them like I have), the fact that millions were
attracted to it should tell us something about the rottenness of the
social order they found themselves under. But of course you have a
rationalisation ready so you don't have to face the unpalatable truth:

>>the population was not suficiently politicised or educated in  the
system they were living under, its virtues and the sacrifices necessary
to continue its progress.<<

A fine logic. Iif the people loath the regime, they must be poorly
educated. It's their own fault! Heaven forbid such ignorant people be
trusted with the right to strike.

The stalinist style of education sometimes involved a bullet in the head
-- do you defend that too? Why not; if you think this way, you can
rationalise anything.







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