>>> "Max B. Sawicky" <sawicky at epinet.org> 03/25/00 04:27PM >>>
Better a socialist than a reactionary,
any day. If one chooses to define
socialism as democratic, as I would,
then better a socialist than a
communist too. HCKL hasn't a
trace of support for democratic
values, so he wouldn't fit a
positive definition of socialism.
___________
CB: As The Manifesto says, democracy is the working class as the ruling class, given that the working class is the overwhelming majority of the people, and democracy is the rule of the majority of the people as a whole. Socialism is the transitional phase of communism, in getting rid of capitalism, or the elimination of the undemocratic rule of an elite minority over the overwhelming majority. Popular Sovereignty ( All power derives from the People as a whole, "We, the People" ) is the first principle of democracy. The other principles of democracy are derivative from this, tested by this first principle.
There really isn't a choice as to whether to define socialism as democratic or not. Democracy must be the aim of a socialist.
I would say you are not objective in your judgement of Henry Liu. The intense dislike that you and Doug have for Henry ,and he for you, is because of the argument you all had when Henry was on the list. But you and Doug do not exhibit more support for democratic values than Henry does. You are diluding yourself when you think that. His criticisms of you are criticisms of your lacking democratic values too.
CB