Date: Thu, 25 Apr 96 10:51:08 GMT
Subject: Re: state capitalist theories




The idea has always existed in an ultra left form, used
to denounce the Bolshevik revolution from 1917 onwards.

Cliff was different in that he stood in the Bolshevik 
tradition but also used the theory of State Capitalism.

[ Apparently, there were a group of Bolsheviks who 
called themselves the "Democratic Centralists" and
described Russia as State Capitalist in 1926. ]

I've read something about the "Johnson-Forest Tendency". The
only place I think I could have read it was in Cliff's
State Capitalism in Russia ? Not Sure, can't remember. Maybe
it was somewhere else ( "From Workers State to State Cap" ,
perhaps ).

As far as I know, they looked to workers councils etc as a
replacement for a revolutionary party ( like some people
in Germany in the 30's, can't remember what they were called ).
So in this sense, they were not in the Bolshevik tradition in 
quite the same way as Cliff was.

Aside from the pros and cons of the various labels and descriptions,
this was the real point behind Cliff's theory : it enabled him
to stay in the "mainstream" of the Bolshevik tradition, while 
completely rejecting Stalinism. Others tended to throw the Bolshevik
baby out with the Stalinist bathwater.

Of course, from other points of view, this is precisely its disadvantage :-).

Adam.

Adam Rose
SWP
Manchester
UK


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