Nader, a FellowTraveler

["Charles Brown" <CharlesB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 Nader, a FellowTraveler
by Sabri Oncu
02 April 2002 01:15 UTC

> Charles: Howabout the Left includes Communists,
> Socialists and Left Liberals.

Charles,

Why are you excluding the anarchists? They are an important part
of the Left in my view. Apart from that, as Jim said and I agree,
"political definitions are not only hard to make but are
political footballs." I don't think even on this list we can come
up with a definition of the Left on which we all agree. Just
think about the rest of the world's population.

Anyway, my point is, let us not forget the anarchists, especially
within the context of the "anti-globalization" movement. Without
their heroic efforts, the so-called "anti-globalization" movement
wouldn't have been where it is now, although it still has a long
way to go and it is possible that it may fail.

I guess I have spent too much time among them and, believe me,
liked it a lot.

Sabri

^^^^^^^^

Yes, Sabri,

You make a good point to relate Nader to today's anarchists.


I would classify anarchists similarly to liberals. They are left to the extent that they are for socialism as an ultimate target.  There is rightwing anarchism in the form of libertarianism. However, as you say in the here and now, left anarchists are resisting globalized imperialism through protests in the imperial center.

This defining was specifically related to Ralph Nader political career, so it was not entirely abstract definition mongering. Nader is an actual mass politician in the U.S. outside the Dems and Reps. His relationship to socialist politics is a concrete issue. As I said, you make a good point to relate Nader to today's anarchists.

Charles