Had you read the lines you would recognize that my commentary on the development of political economic systems is based on a far broader collection of historical literature on the subject than the standard Marxist analyses, is a proposal for wide theoretical changes to the whole concept of the development of new modes of production and the consequent conflicts, for example and a much less restricted use of dialectical materialist method for analysing historical developments in general.
Had you read the lines you would have discovered that the final appeal of the article was not for restriction of book learning, but of book worship, i.e. the argument from authority and orthodoxy rather than from theory tested by evidence collected from historical practice.
Had you read the lines you should have realized that the use of the disturbing term "inimitable" as regards Mao's works was IRONIC.
You protest being patronized while demonstrating 1. That your knowledge of theory is inadequate for an argument on the issues 2. That the same could be said of you acquaintance with the historical material 3. That your reading skills are seriously compromised by a fertile and fantastic imagination.
Victor Friedlander-Rakocz victor at kfar-hanassi.org.il ----- Original Message ----- From: "joanna" <123hop at comcast.net> To: <lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org> Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 22:55 Subject: Re: [lbo-talk] Some Observations on Class, was Re: working class?
>
>
> Victor wrote:
>
>> Any effective (practical), concrete description of the future socialist
>> society and of the processes whereby such a society will emerge can only
>> be based on continuous on-going SCIENTIFIC MATERIAL work that follows the
>> changes within the developing capitalist system. Considering the history
>> of the emergence, rise and eventual dominance of the capitalist system
>> within Feudalism, I suggest that we, like Marx, not be enslaved by
>> traditions - glorious as they may be, and like the inimitable Mao, give
>> priorities to investigation over "book worship".
>
> The "inimitable Mao"?
>
> But, speaking of book worship. If you mean to encourage people to think
> for themselves, to avoid doctrine, and in Lenin's words "to be as radical
> as reality," you should walk the walk too. Avoid a pontificating tone,
> avoid assuming that others share your admiration for Mao, and avoid ALL
> CAPS.
>
> Joanna
>
>
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>