Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 11:47:36 -0400 (EDT)
From: Gerald Levy <glevy-AT-pratt.edu>
Subject: Re: AUT: Re: Capital and the state


Previously I wrote:

> > >It is true that autonomist Marxists and Open Marxists have their own
> > >lingo. (no one has yet given an understandable distinction between these
> > >two groups here).

Bill, I think, responded:

> > That would be a good idea. So far I still have only the vaguest idea what
> > distinct ideas "autonomist Marxists" have to offer and I've been on this
> > list for nearly 2 years. Let alone "Open Marxists".

Then Harry responds:
 
> Gerald: 1) I find the first part of this statement rather amazing,
> particularly given the periodic posting of pieces of Steve's dissertation
> which are extremely clear about theoretical developments in Italy, as well
> as other material when "what is distinct" was quite clearly spelled out.

You are responding to what Bill wrote but mistakingly identified me as the
author.

> It's like John raising questions about "class composition" whose answers
> were given in a piece that he edited. Is discussion here an endless
> repetition that goes no where? 

Discussion among those who have different perspectives and who use a
different language for communication can indeed be difficult. Sometimes it
does appear to go nowhere. Patience though is required for both a
discussion of theory and for political activism.

> 2) As for the differences between those the
> "Open Marxists" call "autonomist Marxists" and themselves, I just recently
> pointed to what has long appeared to me to be a fundamental difference: a
> preoccupation with the dialectic on one side, its critique on the other. A
> difference which doesn't prevent me from seeing both "sides" as
> appreciative of workers autonomy.

Yes, but didn't you write that post earlier today or yesterday?
 
> > OK, I'll try harder. I've been on this list for nearly two years now. You
> > would not believe the valiant efforts I have made to extract meaning from
> > some of the posts..
> Were you the guy who claimed not to be able to understand anything El Sup
> wrote? I

Again, I think you are responding to Bill.

Jerry



     --- from list aut-op-sy-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---