----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Henwood" <dhenwood at panix.com>
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> And the attempts at definition so far have been so vague as to make
> it impossible to tell a Leninist from a non-Leninist.
Really? Doug, I gave 7 points in my earlier answer, which I will condense as
(a) revolutionary transformation of the social world (b) adherence to the tradition of 1917+ (c) representation of the workers and oppressed of the world (d) practical and dialectical approach (e) independence from the ruling class (f) self-determination / sensitivity to the oppressed (g) organization of revolutionaries
Your response was along the lines of "anarchists and democratic socialists accept (a), I accept (b) (you don't really, but leave that aside), hippie pacifists accept (f), Chuck0 accepts (e), so you haven't gotten anywhere." Well, that's silly. Chuck0 doesn't accept (b). Many hippie pacifists don't accept (a), (b), (c), or (d). You don't accept (g). If you can find me some significant number of non-Leninists whom I will agree accept ALL those criteria, then I'll work on sharpening my definition.
Frankly, I am starting to think you're trolling your own list.
LP