From: "Jim Devine"
Sure, just because it made sense from the Soviet elite's point of view does not mean that it made sense from the Eastern European perspective. ^^^ CB: I'm not saying it made "sense" from the point of view of the Eastern European elite. I'm saying it wasn't imperialism, because the Eastern European had just been partners with the German elites in invading the SU. When you invade a country , and they defeat your invasion and take over your country so you won't invade again. that's not imperialism. That's the commupance of defeated imperialism. Also, the Soviets did not establish exploitative economic relations with the Eastern European countries. ^^^^ It made sense (to its elite) for the USSR, for example, to institute "regime change" in Czechoslovakia in 1968. After all, democratic transformation might upset the applecart, spreading change or at least unrest to Poland, Hungary, etc. But it didn't make sense to the Czechs and Slovaks. ^^^^ CB: Yea, but what about NATO sitting right there ? The Soviets had already been invaded by imperialist countries who misnamed themselves democratic countries in 1918 and 1940. Why would you trust these "democrats" not to be part of another invasion ? The apple cart had a history of some rotten apples. ^^^^^^^ Similarly, it made sense to the US elite to invade the Dominican Republic in 1965, for example. After all, progressive nationalists were threatening to upset the applecart, especially since workers were getting weapons. It was possible that the entire Caribbean area would be destabilized. But it didn't make sense to the Dominicans. ^^^^ CB: However, the Caribbean had never invaded the US. This message has been scanned for malware by SurfControl plc. www.surfcontrol.com _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
