Date: Thu, 28 Jul 1994 10:57:17 +1000 (EST)
From: Robert Harle <rharle-AT-scu.edu.au>
Subject: Pragmatic Marxism


My last posting suggested in slightly different words that playing 
"hermeneutic gymnastics" with marxist texts was a worthwhile exercise 
only if something practical came out of it.
I see in Michael Lichter's posting similar worries about pragmatism, he 
cites Rhwanda.
In other philosophical areas (eg. Hume, Kant, Plato) pure theoretical  
discussion seems justified but surely with Marx "dialectical" = 
discussion to
bring about change.
In reply to Samuel I was not suggesting "making" (who is doing the making?)
everyone into first world consumers - infact I support the opposite position
of drastically reducing first world consumerism and hence capitalism. My 
idea is education through "networks" to third world peoples so they can 
see the devastating, tangible results of gross consumerism and 
capitalism, and perhaps before it is too late help them develop "appropriate"
technology etc.
I agree Samuel, ecomarxism is vital and if we do not DO something very soon
Marx's prediction (the self destruction of capitalism) will be vindicated,
though not for the reasons he proposed, or possibly could have imagined!
Cheers. Rob.


Robert Harle  Internet:  rharle-AT-scu.edu.au   Phone:  +61 66 203
    Southern Cross University, Northern Rivers (Lismore) NSW Australia