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I don't have the time, but an exhaustive analysis would have to cover not only Ukraine, but Russia's activities generally, not only internationally, but also internal colonization as well. But a simple, if snarky, answer on Ukraine is: Crimea. Speaks for itself. Strategic naval base, cuts Ukraine completely out of any deep water access to the Black Sea, the South Stream project, tourism, etc. Establishes a geopolitical water link with Odessa, Moldova troublespots. Or are we to believe that the Putin regime simply cares about the principle of national self-determination? Honestly, I think the burden of proof is on the other side who want to present Putin's Russia as non-imperialist. Begin the analysis from the *complete* Marxist theory of imperialism (that will require more than Lenin's pamphlet or Hilferding's "finance capital") and proceed to develop a perspective. Williams/Annis proceed with the exact *opposite* methodology. Their political milieu demand that they assume Russia as non-imperialist, and they proceed from that predetermined perspective to cherry-pick "theory" for gilding. Now proceeding "backwards" would be justifiable only in a dialectical presentation where one aims to negate the premise. Which is to say that there is nothing dialectical at all in the Williams/Annis presentation. Really, the whole farce is a crude assault on Marxism. It is also an assault on Lenin's perspective of a world divided and redivided between competing capitalist states, as well as between competing capitals in the world market, competition as seen dialectically, the competition of "frenemies". Instead, the dogma of the opposing Left milieu is always: The almighty, all-knowing "U.S. Empire" is the center of the world. It's their Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt have no other imperialisms before thee. I much prefer Lenin's original perspective. For all of its theoretical lacunae it is been brilliantly vindicated by reality *over the long run*. -Matt On Wed, Jun 25, 2014 at 4:26 AM, Greg McDonald <gregm...@gmail.com> wrote: > All the snarky back-slapping is fine and well, but in answer to the > question of whether or not Russia is imperialist, Louis writes: But Japan! > Not much of an answer. How about a concrete analysis of Russian activities > demonstrating its imperialist intent in Ukraine? > > Greg > > ________________________________________________ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.csbs.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
