Re: [Marxism] Re Boliva Discussion

[Brian Shannon <brian_shannon@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Jan 9, 2006, at 8:16 AM, Joaquín Bustelo wrote:

> Let's see ... Trotsky, in 1905, developed the right position to  
> take on
> the then-unexpected great imperialist slaughter, which was the  
> result of
> a stage of capitalism that Trotsky in 1905 had no clue about, and  
> for a
> party that did not then exist in 1905, would not arise as a separate
> party for several more years, and whose existence as a separate party
> Trotsky would oppose for an other 10-12 years?
>
> Seems entirely consistent with the rest of latter-day Trotskyism!
>
> Long live revealed Truth!
>
> Down with vulgar reality, which constantly sullies the virgin  
> purity and
> crystal clarity of our ideas!!!

Sarcasm works best when it is based on reality. A joke based on your  
own false assumptions falls flat.

(1) Trotsky's conclusions after 1905 (which were an extension of a  
pamphlet that he wrote just before the 1905) can stand on their own,  
independent of WWI.

(2) All of the socialist parties of Europe expected a world war. They  
regularly predicted it and pledged to oppose their governments. When  
the war took place, they overwhelmingly adapted to their own nation's  
patriotism.

(3) Reams of paper have been printed about the interrelationship of  
parties and tendencies in Eastern Europe and Russia in particular.  
However, all of these revolutionaries were party members of one kind  
or another. They participated in joint conferences and conventions  
and clearly expected to be re-associated with each other during the  
forthcoming RR, predicted by all, including liberal capitalist  
parties in addition to the socialist tendencies.

(4) "a stage of capitalism that Trotsky in 1905 had no clue about"  
reflects the light-hearted bohemian attitude that Trotsky sat around  
coffee shops with other poseurs, hung out in galleries and salons,  
and rode to glory on his unique personality and brilliance without  
cracking a book, etc. Of course Lenin, in comparison, was the stolid,  
hard-working, organizer — brilliant too it must be granted.

Of course, I may be missing your point entirely. It is not hard to do.

Brian




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