From: Robert Peter Burns <rburns-AT-scf.usc.edu>
Subject: Re: MS and political practice
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 1996 22:11:01 +73600 (PST)


Most supporters of MS don't think that capitalism can be
overcome by the simple expedient of setting up workers'
cooperatives.  Obviously the capitalists aren't just going
to stand back and watch a gradual transition to workers'
control of the means of production.  What MS advocates
are concerned about is how to organize the economy *after* the 
necessary social revolution.  In a socialist society, i.e. 
one that has already abolished capitalist property relations 
and established the political supremacy of the working class,
what practical policies will be implemented?   Why have a 
concern to answer this question?  Because things didn't turn 
out too well in countries which did abolish capitalist property 
relations in the past.  The working class knows this, and 
so won't be drawn to revolutionary politics unless socialists
are able to persuade them that something different and better 
is in the offing the next time capitalist property relations are 
overcome.

Why isn't this point obvious to everyone on the list?

Peter
rburns-AT-scf.usc.edu


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