File spoon-archives/marxism-international.archive/marxism-international_1997/97-02-17.213, message 48


From: cbcox-AT-rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu (Carrol Cox)
Subject: M-I: Now: Marx, irony, pessimism, irony. Was Value Theory
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 1997 22:53:23 -0600 (CST)


 Doug, you're probably right about temperament, but I don't think
my "basically pessimistic" is wholly incompatible with your formula-
tion. I wish there were a less uncluttered term than "optimism,"
with its echoes of both theodicy and rotarian boosterism, to
name whatever it is mixes with Marx's pessimism. A revolutionary
*has* in some senses to be "optimistic," but you yourself have
often argued against those sectarians who pronounce the revolution
to be around the corner; also, it seems to me that the burnouts
so many radicals suffer is partly grounded in the fall from
expectations of revolutionary perfection. And my "pessimism" or
whatever has kept me going for 20 rather dry years here in
Corn Country.

Carrol

>
> At 11:49 AM -0600 2/15/97, Carrol Cox wrote:
>
> >    Mark's reference to Doug in his February 15 message ("pace Doug
> >H") reminds me that before Jusin or someone galloped in with the
> >buffoonery of the "transformation problem" and market socialism there
> >was (were) an (some) interesting argument(s) going on between Doug
> >and Mark that should have been developed further on both sides.
>
> Actually I don't remember what we were arguing about. And ever since Mark
> denounced value theory and the transformation problem as the waste of
> effort it is, I've been highly disinclined to argue with him.
>
> >    I myself happen to view Marxism as a basically "pessimistic"
> >worldview
>
> Carrol, this may be your temperament speaking - and maybe mine in what
> follows. Marx, if not Marxism, seems to me at once both pessimistic and
> optimistic, a volatile mixture leavened with irony.
>
> Doug
>
> --
>
> Doug Henwood
> Left Business Observer
> 250 W 85 St
> New York NY 10024-3217 USA
> +1-212-874-4020 voice  +1-212-874-3137 fax
> email: <mailto:dhenwood-AT-panix.com>
> web: <http://www.panix.com/~dhenwood/LBO_home.html>
>
>
>
>
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>



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