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Monthly Review always had soft Maoist politics. In other words, Stalinism. All the Stalinists and "ex" Stalinists are now returning to their roots as far as the war in Syria is concerned. The role of the capitalist class in the ex-colonial world? Yes, they can play an independent and progressive role. Class struggle in the ex-colonial world? It doesn't exist. The independent role of the working class there? Also non-existent. What's so disgraceful is all the supposed "Trotskyists" who have adapted to this situation and in practice are taking the same position when it comes to Syria. I had a long time "Trotskyist" tell me that the Syrian capitalist class is "different" from the capitalist class in Saudi Arabia. The clear implication was that the Syrian capitalists can play an independent role. This same person accused me of taking the same position in relation to Syria as Max Schachtman took in the Vietnam War. As older comrades will probably know, Schachtman - the former Trotskyist turned hard core anti-Communist - supported the US invasion of Vietnam. There is just one little problem with that accusation - well, actually one of several: For me to be taking the Schachtman position, then Assad must be playing the same role as Ho Chi Minh! These comrades have been hanging out with the Stalinists too long. John Reimann _________________________________________________________ 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
