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I am currently taking notes on Bukharin's interesting, 1930s work: Science at the Crossroads. This was Bukharin's presentation, with the other delegates from the USSR, on Science; the document was presented to the International Congress of the History of Science and Technology. The above mentioned title does take some time and effort to unravel and penetrate esp., considering the historical developments that have taken place in science since the 1930s. Lenin lauded Bukharin as a theoreticians of excellence, not without reason. To this day the talents of Bukharin are not acknowledged, nor fully realised, neither have they been fully understood. Bukharin's Marxism does critique -the absolutist and Bonapartist aspects of Stalinism. Though Bukharin's strong expression is subte and oft not worth the trouble -to the general reader. One is bound to consider the context when reading any of Bukharin's writing. His ideas are subtly spun in a context (the post-civil war, consolidation of Stalinism, Totskyism, the rising of Fascism and a depressed global Capitalism of that time). Many would contend that these factors are similar to our own i.e., considering the similarity with our current historical condition. Any reading has a backdrop of Bukharin's fall, His notorious show trial, the historical distortions put this promising Marxist, either as an enemy of the Socialism, painted as an inconsequential Stalinist. However a basic reading always traps the reader, as such an approach obscures Bukharin's unique and original Marxist position. He is obscured in the conventions and distorted reproductions of the central committee and others enemies; all with a particular general line. A more serious study is needed i.e., towards relooking at this figure; such a study would bring much new thoughts on many new topics. I find Bukharin's angle on theory and practice offers up a critique on each and every hegemon (evident in Gramsci's work) and hence Stalinism. The works of Bukharin need to be expanded upon to clarify his teachings within the limits caused by the consolidation and cementing of a new type of absolutism (Stalinism). All of Bukharin's work have a distinct identity, esp., within the Marxist corpus; the works do provide a lot of depth, an analysis with a wonderful emphasis on the validity of sociology, the Historico-materialist slant. With some effort the text even breaks out and clearly critiques its stultified Stalinist (the general line of a quasi police state). However Science at the Crossroads, like Frederick Engel's Dialectics of Nature, takes time to reinterpret; both where written in different historical conditions i.e., before many of today's scientific concepts came about. Despite this the underlying framework holds ground and can be built upon. There is a essential Marxist kernel that remain, forever i.e., for as long a particular (hegemonic) scientific interest poses and is claimed as an absolute form (cloaked in whatever fancy dress). Science is held up (o be linked to the production process, thereby the claim of discoveries as private property i.e., and the reader can consider various interests (prison, military industrial complex &c.) The work can be a tool to look upon the current condition of Science. It takes time to work through; and esp., to see the work as a Marxist critique of Stalin's bureaucratic state. The figure of Bukharin is blurred, as was Marxism; he has become a historical distortion. But his works have an interesting Marxist orientation, they give readers a means to materialise and touch and realize the potential in Bukharin's ideas, which made this friendly man to be such a threat. My interest in his work has led me to try to get hold of a digital version of any of his Prison writings esp., How it all Began, and Philosophical Arabesques. I would also like to make contact with any comrades that are interested in re-establishing, relooking and sharing thoughts on the writings of comrade Bukharin. ... Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
