- Capitalism and Alternatives -

A class approach

Posted by: Barry Stoller on January 28, 19100 at 11:04:56:

In Reply to: The death penalty posted by Nikhil Jaikumar on January 27, 19100 at 19:47:50:


: MDG and SDF brought up the issue of the death penalty below. What do people on this board feel about it.

I agree with Lenin that the working class should support the bourgeoisie 'in order to secure equal rights and to create the best conditions for the class struggle' ('The Right to Nations to Self-Determination,' Collected Works volume 20, Progress 1964, p.409).

Since opponents of government are promiscuously executed in times of class crisis, communists would be wise to OPPOSE the dealth penalty in general.

To specify certain crimes on principle is to presume that those who do the specifying are those who hold the power of state. Specifications can quickly change in times of class crisis. One day, the child molester is executed; the next day, the socialist 'spy' is executed.

The best bet is to oppose ALL forms of the death penalty while the bourgeoisie is in power. Luckily, the liberals will do most of the fighting for communists regarding this issue.

When communists come to power, the decision regarding the death penalty can be brought up again (democratically).


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