An admittedly cursory response to the important issues presented ...1) Eco-communism (syndicalism, fascism)/State capitalism - A system of top-heavy, bureaucratically run organs of social management/control (the 'managerial revolution' cited by Burnham in 1943) is rapidly becoming the preferred model of modern socio-political organizations and industrial states. They may call themselves 'social democrats' or 'liberal Democrats', but the principles that they are motivated by remain the same. The basic premise is that the people (the masses?) need some sort of 'guiding hand', and that this leadership is best delivered by an all-caring bureacracy made up of these same individuals (who are to receive heavy renumeration for their efforts, of course). Think less about Waco and Ruby Ridge, and more about the modern inner city (whose members frequently depend on these organizations for their livelihood). Corporations, while not directly in favor of these organizational behemoths, recognize the power of these legitimized groups, and are more than happy to cater to them in return for protection. Thus, the Randian "Galt" (corporate interests) meets the Orwellian "O'Brien" (the professional Left).
2) Why They Like Marxist Ideas, But Hate Marxism - Communism indeed has a bad name, and rightly so. Similarly, just as many people willingly segregate themselves by race and ethnicity in practice, few of these people would claim to support Nazism. The same individuals who press forth a distinctive and inherently valuable minority culture as a social good frequently do not give credit to the most voracious advocates of this method of group conceptualization.
The other big problem is that Marxists have developed a reputation for "bait-and-switch", i.e. they will propose a good idea, then use it to ask for the most ridiculous commitments and sacrifices from those sold on their bill of goods. In the same way, many people are happy to be nice to their neighbors, and will gladly talk to someone who laments the present climate of coldness in the culture - until they find out that this "someone" is a Jehovah's Witness. One then becomes tensed, presumably awaiting the inevitable sales pitch.
D.C.
