From:	 Ben Seattle [icd@communism.org]
To:	 marxism@lists.panix.com
Subject: Political rights under workers' rule
Date:	 Fri, 26 Jun 1998 10:01:35 -0700

Jim Heartfield -- June 24
>I am trying to get together a reading list for a discussion
>about oppression, rights and freedom today. I am
>interested in any newer texts, either critiques of formal
>freedoms, or defences, or redefinitions of traditional
>ideas. I am particularly interested in theoretically
>demanding works.
>
>Any ideas?

Hi Jim,

You may be interested in "The Digital Fire" or chapter 8 of "How to
Build the Party of the Future" (section 8d) at my site.  There (and in
other places) I discuss the right of workers to use the internet under
the future "dictatorship of the proletariat".  I say that, in a modern,
stable society, everyone (even reactionaries) will be able to read and
post pretty much anything they want--but that the *commercial* use of
the net will be restricted.  If anyone wants to promote nonsense as an
individual--that will be their right.  But no one will be able to *hire*
an army of slick flacks to promote greasy food or greasier
politics--without facing a swift and decisive reaction.  And this will
make *all* the difference in the world.

Hence, censorship will not apply to *bourgeois views* but rather will be
applied to views which are backed by *bourgeois resources*.

It is a very interesting subject.  I consider this subject decisive
because until it is authoritatively resolved--there can be no realistic
discussion of how workers' rule in the modern world will function.  And
without this--there can be no communst movement worthy of the
name--because workers' rule is the only possible focal point for a
communist movement worthy of the name.

Unfortunately, with very few exceptions, the most esteemed and expert
"marxists" on these lists will not touch this topic with a ten foot
pole.

Ben Seattle
----//-// 26.Jun.98
www.Leninism.org