Date: Mon, 4 Mar 96 16:36:59 GMT
From: Adam Rose <adam-AT-pmel.com>
Subject: Re: Understanding Nicaragua



I like many others was inspired by the Nicaraguan Revolution, in
a similar way to the way a previous generation must, I guess, have
been inspired by the Vietnamese resistance ( No doubt Louis can
enlighten us here ). This may sound pathetic, but I was proud to
force some rather weak Nicaraguan coffee on my mum. The people
of a tiny country fighting a ten year ( is that right ? ) war 
against the most powerful country uin the world is inspiring, 
which ever way you look at it.

Nevertheless, the question remains, why was it defeated ?
Not to mention the contras is ridiculous, but this does not
serve as an explanation. Any revolution of the oppressed will
be less poorly armed than the counter revolution. Are we saying
then that no revolution can succeed ? Are we saying that no
revolution can succeed in a backward country ?

In the case of the Russian Revolution, I can give an explanation as
to why the revolution was ultimately defeated. Similarly for Germany
after WWI, and perhaps more relevantly, Spain in the 30's. I have
a Marxist explanation and a Marxist alternative, which unfortunately
wasn't really tried. In the wake of the defeat, it is neccessary for
Marxists to do the same for Nicaragua. Not to do so is in effect to 
argue that defeat was inevitable, or at least inexplicable, and that
in effect the struggle of the Nicaraguans was pointless.

Trotsky's forces on the ground were pathetically, tragically small in
the 30's. Spain was no exception. Yet he analysed Spain precisely in order
to pass down a tradition, over the heads of the leaders 2nd and 3rd internationals.
The least we could do is make use of it.

Adam.

Adam Rose
SWP
Manchester
UK

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