Doug Henwood wrote:
>
> >"If you have ever wondered why the Left (including American
> >Liberals) are slow to condemn Communism's atrocities, it is because
> >they share a fundamental belief in human nature and the role of
> >institutions in shaping human attitudes and behaviors. "
> >
> >i'm sorry, but i don't believe this says anything does it? what
> >exactly are these beliefs and institutions?
>
> I think this means lefties all share a faith in the human power to
> shape human life and history rather than those script being written
> by God and/or Nature. They might have a problem with some
> laissez-faire types, but who are we to ask that they be consistent?
I'm not prepared to untangle it, but I think you are looking at the intersection here of populism, some varieties of fascism, libertarianism, and probably a number of others. Those who remember the '50s may remember that for many anti-communists the biggest communist of all was Nelson Rockefeller -- and they believed the United States was already communist controlled. Part of it is to see all invisible powers as somehow "government" or "communist" -- and hence corporate power was communist power. (The illogic isn't mine here -- as Doug says who are we to ask them to be consistent.) Then the only *legitimate* invisible power is God, who however exercises his power visibly -- or is expected to. Strange changes in available commodities, interest rates, culture all come from the invisible power of communism.
This isn't it -- perhaps it will suggest something better to someone else.
But if it is even a little bit right -- it might point to the dangers of the kind of left-right coalitions some are advocating in their opposition to the WTO, etc. Strange shit there!
Carrol