Re: [Marxism] Afghanistan

["Lüko Willms" <lueko.willms@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, 2 Mar 2009 13:21:16 EST, Jscotlive@xxxxxxx wrote:

> I dispute Fred's analysis of Afghanistan. I do  agree that the methods 
> adopted by the PDPA with regard to the feudal structure  that prevailed 
> in the countryside were crude. 

  They were counterproductive. As this famous saying from this 
I-never-can-recall-his-name general or politician goes: "It was worse than a 
crime. It was an error." 

> However, given what came after, I  suggest their attempt to 
> drag Afghanistan into the 20th century was one that all  socialists and 
> Marxists should properly describe as  progressive.

  It may have been their intention, but as the other saying goes: "the way to 
hell is paved with good intentions."  

  If you want to look for even more radical ways to "drag" (think about what 
that word means) a country "into the 20th century", you might have a look at 
Kambodia under the regime of the "Khmer Rouge". 

> With regard to Fred's nonsensical point re  Afghanistan not having been 
> returned to feudalism, 

  you missed his main point: Fred Feldman said that Afghanistan "had never 
emerged from it." This is quite different from claiming that the country had 
emerged from feudalism and then fallen back. 

  Just reread Fred's contribution, and try to lower your blood pressure first. 
Fred continued after the last quoted sentence: "NO country which has 
escaped feudalism has ever gone back to it." 

> perhaps he has another  name for a nation largely ruled by 
> warlords complete with the power of life  and death over those living under 
> their rule.  

  Well, that is no reason to underwrite everything anybody in Afghanistan 
ever does or says against this or that as having my full approval. 


Comradely yours, 
Lüko Willms
Frankfurt, Germany
--------------------------------
visit http://www.mlwerke.de Marx, Engels, Luxemburg, Lenin, Trotzki in Ge
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