From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?J=F8rn_Andersen?= <ccc6639-AT-vip.cybercity.dk>
To: "'marxism-AT-jefferson.village.Virginia.EDU'"
Subject: Re: Critique of Trotskyism
Date: Fri, 15 Mar 1996 11:30:36 +-100



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Chris:

>The paradox is that the collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe has
>provided a space for the total reexamination of what Marxism means.

Jorn:
Maybe an indication that the "socialism in Eastern Europe" had nothing
to do with socialism?
Anyway: Chris is right, the collapse of these Stalinist regimes has
provided that space. Marxism is now not only seen as the ideological
justification for slave camps. That makes life a lot easier for marxists.

I share Chris' hope that we can have an open-minded debate on Trotsky's
ideas - but saying that if we all admit
>that perhaps everyone was wrong at one time or another
will in any sense solve the question is - I think - a little naive.

Why? For one simple reason: If it had not been for the Stalinist counter-
revolution there would have been no Trotskyism. Trotsky would like Gramsci,
Luxembourg, Lukacs, Mandel, Cliff or whoever have been marxists. Each would
in differing degrees have been seen as contributors to the Marxist tradition.

The same goes for Lenin - Leninism was invented by Stalin. Lenin saw himself as a Marxist - and nothing else.

Trotsky's contribution was first of all that he kept alive the real Marxist tradition
during the years when Stalinism dominated the left. It is within this framework -
and only this that Trotskyism can be understood.

Had the eventual counterrevolution not stolen the banner of Marxism, Trotsky
would have been known primarily for 2 reasons:
1. As leader of the revolution in October 1917 with Lenin
2. For his theory of Permanent Revolution - but still this would have been a theory
that would have been elaborated by others in the revolutionary socialist movement.
It's significance would have been different.
3. A magnificent writer

IMHO

Jorn Andersen
ccc6639-AT-vip.cybercity.dk

IS
Denmark

PS: If Chris or others want to debate Trotsky out the framework of his upholding
the Marxist banner against Stalinist counter-revolution, then OK with me.
But this would not be debating Trotsky or Trotsky's role - it would be debating
some of Trotsky's insights in this or that area.

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