: : Piper: Well, Nikhil seems to think that socialism is incompatiable with dictatorship. That is blatantly false as far as i am concerned. : How do you mean? In what sense? Where? I hope your not trying to begin some kind of anarcho-sectarian rangle against socialism, comrade.
Piper: My point was just that socialism can conceivably exist under a dictatorship, as it can exist under a democracy. Similary a capitalist regime can exist under dictatorship or under democracy. This is all a bit crude, but that's the basic point i was making.
: : I agree that dictatorship is conceivably a necessary device in some circumstances.
: Well, not so much dictatorship, which can be misinterpreted, but a lack of political rangling, the appointment of politicians by majoritarian vote etc. a necessary provisional phase in social organisation.
Piper: Actually i think it depends who you appoint dictatator. Ever heard of Solon? I think you can have benevolent dictatorships.
