Date: 22 Dec 96 03:56:05 EST
From: Chris Burford <100423.2040-AT-CompuServe.COM>
Subject: M-I: Re: Worker-Communism


As people may imagine, I did not think it worth commenting on Louis'
remarks about the legacy of Lenin in terms of whether my socks were smelly or
not.

But this comment sums up *at its best* for me one thing Louis has been 
trying to do with partial success for 2 years, and with which I have a line
of demarcation:

>>
Louis P.: Comrade, the m-i list is a pole of attraction for Marxists who
have ideas similar to the ones in the Iranian document, especially that
above. The 3 moderators, I and most people who post on a daily basis agree
with the sort of ideas put forward above. I hope that you are beginning to
discern this.
<<


When this process occurs voluntarily, such as by way of facilitating a cyber 
seminar, that IMO is fine. My line of demarcation is when Louis tries to impose a 
shape on this list by contributions that are intimidating and contemptous rather 
than critical and reasoning. Repeatedly IMO Louis tries to exclude people by
threatening that the list or he at least he himself will be hostile to them. 
Repeatedly I would rather include people and test the ideas out. I think that
makes evenutally for a stronger and more effective use of this internet 
resource. 

Thus for example I do indeed welcome the presence of people who may be 
seen as "Maoists" especially if they win respect even from their opponents by the 
clarity of their contributions. I also welcome market socialists, and post modernists
if they can explain why these ideas have currency in academic circles.

For me, too often Louis P seems to stand for 
an exclusive list. I would urge an inclusive list, because I think the application
of marxism to current problems will become stronger through the workings of 
an inclusive list.


Chris Burford
London



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