[lbo-talk] Ellen Meiksins Wood Radio Interview on Empire

Bill Bartlett billbartlett at dodo.com.au
Thu Sep 25 08:45:26 PDT 2003


At 4:50 PM -0700 24/9/03, Sasha Lilley wrote:


>The war in Iraq may lead some to think that another
>age of colonial occupation has begun. Yet eminent
>Marxist scholar Ellen Meiksins Wood believes that
>imperialism under capitalism is distinguished by its
>use of economic, rather than military, coercion. She
>traces the varied forms of empire throughout history
>and points to the opportunities that capitalist
>imperialism presents for the Left.

In saying that capitalism is distinguished by its use of economic rather than physical coercion she isn't saying anything new. But she is making a very important point. One that has important implications for strategy. Its amazing how many people don't understand this.

Bill Bartlett Bracknell Tas



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