From: TimW333521-AT-aol.com
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 08:53:11 -0500
To: marxism-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.edu
Subject: Re: Cockburn?/child abuse


I believe we are dealing with a fundamental question here.  Clearly, I reject
an anarchist view.  So, it seems does Cockburn.   If we are to assume that
contemporary society has a state structure, that this structure will be with
us for at least some time to come, that this structure its capitalist, then
we need to decide how to act politically under these conditions.  To not to
do so is irresponsible.

But we must add an additional ppolitical element.  We live under conditions
of a political onslaught from the right.  The central theme of the right is
to attack "government" as a threat to  "the rights of the individual": the
latter being the rights of capital and private property.  Thus the heart of
the seeming contradiction:  the most extreme representatives of the
capitalist class have launched a political offensive against.... the
capitalist state!

Why?

Because this state, while **essentially** the instrument of the ruling class,
has been forced over the years to take on functions which aid, though
inadequately, the underclasses.  This right would like to trim that side of
government while preserving its repressive side-- even expanding it.

What is to be done?

Well, we can do nothing and preach an eventual socialist revolution (Sparts
et al).  Or we can cheer on this assault on the **social democratic** side of
the state (Cockburn).  Or we can defend this side of the state as a conquest
of the working class and seek its expansion, while advocating a more
fundamental change (me).


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