- Capitalism and Alternatives -

And something else to think about

Posted by: Stoller on December 30, 1999 at 11:00:18:

In Reply to: Something to think about posted by David on December 29, 1999 at 10:50:05:

: ...China, as many socialists here will tell you, is not "pure communism." Oh well.

Unless you would like to call Russia circa today 'pure capitalism,' I'd suggest you stop trying to pin distorted attempts of communism AS communism proper.

Lenin:


Marx deduces the inevitability of the transformation of capitalist society into socialist society wholly and exclusively from the economic law of the development of contemporary society. The socialization of labor, which is advancing ever more rapidly in thousands of forms and has manifested itself very strikingly, during the half-century since the death of Marx, in the growth of large-scale production, capitalist cartels, syndicates and trusts, as well as in the gigantic increase the dimensions and power of finance capital, provides the principle material foundation for the inevitable advent of socialism.(1)


Now, go back across the street (perhaps with another tray of drinks) and ask that woman if China in 1949 had large-scale production, capitalist cartels, syndicates and trusts, and powerful finance capital---or was China in 1949 in fact a PRECAPITALIST PEASANT economy which had no business to even attempt socialist transformation in the first place.

If I can't make a record player out of my ignorance about sound recording and some duck tape I just happen to have on hand, shall you blame Edison?

When will you procapitalists EVER see the Marxian distinction about historical and material preparedness for socialist transformation?

_______________


Note:

1. Lenin, 'Karl Marx' [1914], Collected Works volume 21, Progress 1964, p. 71, emphasis added.



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