Re: Positive psychology and emotional management in the USA

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

> Very true. Which makes me wonder about the left propensity for gloom.
> The only radicals that speak of hope these days are the Zapatistas.
> Wonder why?
>
> Joanna

This is an interesting question. To an extent this is related to the
post-Marxist outlook of some of its leaders. If you forsake daunting tasks
such as conquering power throughout Mexico, it is somewhat easier to be
hopeful since your goals are more modest. I think the major explanation for
the Marxist left is the collapse of the USSR. Despite the arguments of some
dogmatic Trotskyists that this constituted some kind of albatross for the
left, the USSR was a beacon of hope for most of us. When I was in Zambia in
1990 consulting with the ANC in exile, it was so obvious that its existence
gave them hope. Within a year or so that hope would be completely dashed.


Louis Proyect, Marxism mailing list: http://www.marxmail.org