From: MD575151-AT-aol.com
Date: Sun, 17 Mar 1996 18:46:37 -0500
To: marxism-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.edu
Subject: Re: Russia's Communists -- News!


Hello,
    From what I hear there is talk of re-instituting the "Soviet" form of
government in Russia. 
   Adolfo asks; "Therefore, why don't we ask here the question?  Are you for,
or against, the Soviet form of power in Russia?"
   The only thing socialists should be concerned about in answering this
question is how the people of Russia will be affected by this change.
   First, it is obvious to me that there will be no soviets, or worker's
councils, in Russia if the old "Soviet" form of government takes power.
 There had never been a meaningful soviet power structure in Stalinist
Russia, nor do I expect there to be one if the Nationalists and Stalinist
Communists have their way.
  So, sadly, we are left with this question; "What is better for the Russian
workers and youth? A.) a Stalinist state, or B.) a Bourgeois state?
  Unfortunatly I have to answer with letter B.  At least capitalism will
create a revolutionary proletariat.  Stalinism will just fill the workers
with a false sense of triumph, it will give communism a bitter taste.  
   Ideally I would like to see another force in Russia.  I would like to see
a huge international revolutionary party of the proletariat once again seize
power in Russia.  However, this is totaly unrealistic at the present.
 Capitalism is forced to create such conditions in which revolutionary spirit
evolves.  Stalinism just forcibly crushes this spirit and eventualy leads to
a anti-"communist" and pro-democracy (capitalist "democracy") revolution.
 Well maybe not a revolution, more like outside intervention, but you get my
point.  Returning to Stalinism would be a step back in the evolution of class
struggle.  You cannot legislate socialism.  And when Russia tries to do so I
hope we can all recognize this. 
--Mike Dean


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