BarkellWH -> RE: Join The Greek Revolution (Jun. 28 2011 21:43:36)
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Marxism ( whether -Leninism or whatever ) cannot be oligarchy by its very principles. Leninism (as a variant of Marxism) cannot be oligarchical by its very principles??? Ruphus, Lenin was the archetypal oligarchical leader. Lenin proclaimed the Bolsheviks, which he led, the vanguard of the proletariat. By the "Vanguard of the Proletariat" Lenin meant that only they (the Bolsheviks) had the wisdom and authority to govern the Soviet Union. You can bet that Lenin did not ascribe to the utopian Socialist (not to mention Marxist) ideal of the state withering away. Lenin and the Bolsheviks embodied the state, and they meant to keep it that way. There was no compromise with Lenin. And remember "Democratic Centralism"? That was the idea that the small group of Bolsheviks who were the decision-makers could debate a proposition among themselves, but once a decision was reached, the debate was over. No going back to reconsider on the part of skeptics. And while we are on the topic of Marxism, there is a certain irony in the inconsistent and hypocritical way Marx and many of his followers benefited from the Capitalist system they claimed to despise. As is well-known, Marx lived largely off the largess of Friedrich Engels through Engels's Capitalistic Manchester mills. An even more egregious example of hypocrisy is Bertolt Brecht, the East German playwright, probably most famous for his play "Mutter Courage und Ihre Kinder." Brecht, of course, consistently criticized Capitalism, calling it exploitative and harmful, and he extolled the virtues of the East German Communist state. That was the extent of his "consistency." When it came to Brecht's personal life and well-being, as opposed to his public statements, he was notably inconsistent. For example, his plays were all copyrighted, in order for him to receive all the royalties from their performance, whether performed in the Communist East or the Capitalist West. Apparently redistribution of wealth stopped when it came to Brecht's income from royalties. One is reminded of the old adage: "Hypocrisy is the homage that vice pays to virtue." By the way, I have both seen "Mutter Courage und Ihre Kinder" on the stage and read the play in the original German. And I like it very much. Brecht's hypocrisy in no way hindered his ability as a playwright. He was very good, indeed. Cheers, Bill
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