Richard graciously contributed this previously to the current topic.
Richard // May 3rd 2007 at 9:44 pm (edit)
I don’t quite know where this will lead, but I’ll come for the ride…
I might be able to contribute something to “The antiwar movements relationship to socialist and communist parties, and vive-versa”…and also Conservative-capitalist/NuLabor-capitalist parties presumably.
Remember, Orwell joined the Independent Labour Party (ILP) in the late 30’s, but soon resigned after it adopted a pacifist/anti-war policy…he called himself a “British democratic Socialist” who was anti-fascist (Nazism) AND anti-communist (Stalinism) AND anti-imperialism (British/American Empires).
‘Fleshing out’ what we mean by Capitalism, Liberalism, Socialism, Communism might also be a worthy endeavour – for example : Is Socialism a version of Communism, or a negation of it ?
and
My opinion only…but I really think we must clearly define our terms first…so we all know what we mean when we say certain words…for example :
Capitalism, Socialism, Democracy – Capitalist Democracies, Socialist Democracies
Communism, Liberalism, Totalitarianism
And that’s just for starters !
Socialism,
9 responses so far ↓
Merkin // May 20, 2007 at 12:29 am |
Does there have to be relationship as such?
It seems to me that, more and more, we are seeing the dissolution of these sorts of relationship.
What do I mean?
The evil that we are seeing today is all pervasive and the solution does not involve traditional parties.
I am prepared to work with people I would not have in the past in order to rid ourselves of Bush or Blair et al.
Divide and control is an age old stratagem and we lose something as soon as we label ourselves.
In recent weeks, on the blogs, I have been accused of being Islamophobic, Homophobic, Zionist, AntiSemetic, Racist etc.
That is, any label which will circumvent rational argument of any sort.
In truth, I am only arachnaphobic and acrophobic (heights) but that doesn’t save me from vilification.
Strangely enough, I would say that we are involved in a battle between good and evil – exactly as Bush says. The difference is that I would recognise Bushism as the evil we have to battle against.
In this instance, I have no problem in talking about black and white – even though anyone who knows me would recognise that such a simplistic view is anathema to me.
Just get rid of these bastards. That’s all.
anticant // May 20, 2007 at 2:37 am |
I agree with Merkin. Labels are divisive, and each of the historic political/economic ones carry much ancient intellectual baggage which, in the present world crisis, is so much lumber.
What matters is personal integrity. People can be desperately misguided in political allegiance and intellectual detail, but their hearts may still be in the right place – i.e. sincerely seeking the welfare and happiness of humanity.
Take Karl Marx, for instance. He got a lot of things utterly wrong, and promulgated doctrines which, in the hands of worse men, did incalculable damage during the twentieth century, but as a person he was deeply concerned about the welfare of humanity. I’m not sure I would have enjoyed an argument with him, though, as he was a formidable bulldozer! But one can forgive almost anything to someone who sired the delightful ‘Tussy’.
I am happy to work with anybody, of whatever political or religious persuasion, as long as they seek peace, freedom, and happiness for the world’s suffering peoples.
Jesus – whether or not he existed – got it right when he said “By their fruits you shall know them”.
So look at what they do – not what they say. To hell with labels. In their different ways, Gorbachev and Bush prove my point.
anticant // May 20, 2007 at 5:25 am |
Another thing I think very important is that we should not make the mistake of regarding all those who pursue policies we think are mistaken as being deliberately wicked, or always ‘plotting’ to their own advantage. Though this is true of a sinister minority of amoral and unscrupulous
people who currently have too much power – especially in the United States – most of those who behave misguidedly are simply ignorant and rather shallow-brained, of not actually stupid [incurable stupidity being the result of physicial brain damage - not a character defect].
If we fall for conspiracy theories, and believe that the world is in the clutches of a shadowy clique who are consciously working together hand-in-glove, we shall only fall into the mistake that Merkin and I have already pointed out, of dividing people into ‘us’ and ‘them’.
Not that ‘Creepyveep Cheney’ would be a welcome guest in the burrow Snug! The Beadle would sling him out in short order.
Peace and love .
Jose // May 20, 2007 at 7:49 am |
I couldn’t be more in agreement with Merkin and Anticant. The project needs political asepsis and should be by all means independent from alien interferences.
The politics here is peace, nothing else. And originality in its pursuit.
1loneranger // May 20, 2007 at 2:47 pm |
Peace is the plan, a plan that can be incorporated and encouraged by all stripes equally.
There are as many different variations on the themes of THE Socialist and Communist party as there are Goldberg Variations, if not more!. Promote one agenda of peace and non-violence that would inspire cohesion between them all. Sign the Declaration of Peace and Humphrey’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and pledge to uphold the objectives stated there in and ALL are united.
anticant // May 21, 2007 at 5:14 pm |
Yes – peace, but not pacifism. That’s why I drafted our Declaration “against violence”: not “for peace”.
Worthwhile causes have to be fought for – preferably with words not weapons.
1loneranger // May 22, 2007 at 8:26 pm |
Quite right Anti, understood.
boldscot // May 22, 2007 at 10:38 pm |
‘Words not weapons’, correct GrumpOne.
We are hurting these people with our words.
I reckon they will have it tightened up in a year or so – so make the most of it while you can.
There is always a technology gap to be exploited.
Just make sure that the Anti-War guys are exploiting it.
I always say ‘Get intae these bastards’ as a parody of the uneducated Glasgow man.
But, in fact, that uneducated Highlander playing the bagpipes was what won the war on the Western front (simplistic, I know).
Let’s do it for us.
And don’t be put off because things are slow.
sandrar // September 10, 2009 at 2:27 pm |
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Cheers! Sandra. R.