Andre Gunder Frank article

[Charles Brown <cbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chris Doss




In Russia, the view that the US deliberately tried to wreck Russia is only
tossed around by demogogues, usually of the ultranationalist sort, so I am
ultraskeptical.

^^^^^^

CB: There is the sense that instituting capitalism, getting rid of all the
Soviet economic benefits for the working class, was wrecking the "Russian"
economy.

Of course , the U.S. agents considered instituting capitalism as a good
thing, and so they did do it on purpose. The fact that they didn't believe
that instituting capitalism is wrecking an economy does not get them off the
hook. The law recognizes recklessness (in the sense of unintentional or
careless)as sufficient mens rea for a crime. You are presumed to intend the
logical and foreseeable consequences of your actions.

In the law, the analogy is specific intent vs "general" intent, as in a
murder conviction requiring proving a specific intent to kill...whatever.

 The U.S. had the general intent of aiding and abetting the instituting of
capitalist relations of production in Russia.

I'm sure we could even get an enthusiastic confession from the principles (
not the agents).

Guilty !

Charles