Re: [Marxism] Baathism (2nd try)

[Michael Sims <mjsbpmagen-mxmail@xxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Jack, my original post, was a lazy post simply asking for any
details. However I have now done that part of research which I can
do in a european language on the net which gets me to the point where I
wanted to get to in the first post. (hence "2nd try")

I can only repeat then that I am looking for the opinions of the
comrades - or to see whether, as in the media, we are suffering from
tunnel vision.

The simplified question being - is the Baath party of any use to us, or
us to them?

I realise that there are some comrades who even have difficulty allying
themselves with their own comrades in the same party - but,
nevertheless, maybe there are some from the real world, who maybe even
have an insight into the situation in Iraq and Syria, who would like to
comment.

So here, my third try.

The baathist party is

*actively involved in resisting imperialism

*has achieved more socialisation of the economy than any western leftist
government.

*is secular

*is terribly authoritarian

*may possibly be racist

Are there any changes that may be going on in the Baathist party in the
resistance in Iraq and in the government in Syria which could be
fruitful for the left.

Should or could this party be of any interest to marxists, even though
it is defined as socialist but definitely not marxist?

To what extent was the character of the Baathist party in Iraq formed by
the political style of Saddam Hussein as opposed to Baathist ideas?

With Saddam and his family in detention or dead, what would be the
nature of the Iraqi Baathists under a new leadership?

At the back of one's mind, on this list, the thought must have occurred
about any possible alliances of the leftist groups with an authoritarian
party which may now be more open to alliances.

Why do the Baathists reject marxism? Is there any well grounded
reasoning - or is it by association?

I do not believe my line of questioning and interest is futile.

And poor marxist that I am (I know), I do think we should examine all
the facts on the ground in the Iraq and Syria (and also Yemen!) and not
just pass them over because the media will have us "write off" baathism
in the same manner as they will have others "write off" marxism and
socialism!


socialist salutations

Michael







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