Subject: LL9806012 Klo McKinsey: The "D of P" and the internet in the modern world
Date:    Wednesday, June 03, 1998 3:58 PM


> Andrew wrote:
> ====================
> >> These ladies and gentlemen often argue too, that key elements
> >> of Marxist politics especially the theory of the state and the
> >> dictatorship of  the proletariat are absurd.
> 
> Klo replied:
> ====================
> >The only thing absurd is the assertion that the dictatorship of
> >the proletariat is no longer needed.  It's needed now as much
> >as ever, especially in light of the fact that wealth differentials
> >have never been greater.  It is going to require a dictatorship
> >to overcome the dictatorship of incredible wealth.
> 
> Andrew also said:
> ====================
> >> IMO, what gives Marxism is revolutionary significance is its
> >> evolving character and its dynamic relationship to social
> >> change. Unfortunately even those who describe themselves
> >> as Marxist have tended to lose sight of this.  Too often, they
> >> have ignored the vital task of developing Marx's theory in
> >> line with changing social conditions. ...
> >> .... Thus orthodoxy and revisionism in different ways express
> >> the same problem - the failure to develop Marxist theory.
> 
> Ben Seattle replies:
> ====================
> OK folks, this is all well and good.  I agree with all of the above.
> But at some point we have to actually do this.

My reply,

Do what Ben?  With our numbers are as they are, what are you proposing
in concrete practical terms?  I hope you are not advocating we engage in
some kind of Blanquist escapade?


Ben says,
> 
> I have raised on several occasions the need to consider the attitude of
> the dictatorship of the proletariat towards the internet.  So far--no
> one has been willing to touch this topic with a ten foot pole.


My reply,

     Ben.  I have no problem touching it with a one inch thimble. 
Exactly what do you want to know.


Ben says,

> 
> If _we_ are not willing to discuss how the system of workers' rule will
> function under modern conditions--then is it right to blame _others_ for
> not wanting to think about it?
> 
> All the "Trotsky-hunting" that has been going on is a waste of my
> bandwidth. 


My reply,

It is not Trotsky-hunting.  It is exposing an anti-Marxist ideology that
still infects a large number of people who consider themselves leftists
and Leninists.


Ben says,

 I am confident that I am not alone in feeling this way.
> Anyone who has any theoretical ability should focus on the issues that
> are decisive.  


My reply,

To which ones are you referring specifically?


Ben says,

The theory of the dictatorship of the proletariat is the
> _center_ of communist theory--and represents the decisive question of
> our time.  


My reply,

The D of P is not so much the center of communist theory as it is that
concept that separates Marxist-Leninists from the others.  Dialectical
Materialism and the class struggle, for example, are concepts of
critical importance as well.


Ben says,

Anyone who refuses to discuss how the dictatorship of the
> proletariat will function under modern conditions (ie: with a modern
> communications infrastructure) is not really strengthening the concept
> of the dictatorship of the proletariat.  Instead they are just
> generating hot air.
> 
> We can do better than that.


My reply,

What exactly are you wanting to discuss that you consider more important
than that which we have been discussing.  Could you elaborate?

Klo


> 
> Ben Seattle ----//-//
> Will the "Dictatorship of the Proletariat" censor the internet?
> -- Find out at: www.Leninism.org