On 1/21/06, Wojtek Sokolowski wrote:
>So there is no state without bourgeoisie? And where exactly can one
find such a place? Perhaps Somalia? No functioning government, plenty
of guns, warlords and gangs running things - in a word - gummint'
haters' heaven. <
I can't speak for Marv, but I believe you're taking what he said out of context. He was talking about US-type societies (rich, fully-capitalist, countries), as far as I can tell. In Marxian theory, the state is needed to maintain class dominance and exploitation. Without it, you get Hobbesian chaos, as perhaps in Somalia.
Marxian theory does not advocate abolishing the state (unlike the anarchist view) as much as subordinating it to the democratic control of the vast majority.
>Actually, after reading what seemingly intelligent people on this
list have to say about the state - am glad that the US left does not
even come close to the halls of power. If you guys had your way with
the state, this country would be like Somalia or Liberia - run by
warlords and swapmed with savage violence beyond imagination.<
I am glad that you can make yourself happy by throwing out gratuitous insults. Too bad it has to be in public.
>Anyone who thinks that the sole role of the state is to manage things
for the "bouurgeoisie" (who is that exactly, anyway?) is either
kidding or cluless. I suggest taking Poli Sci 101 at a local
community college for a starter. <
If you don't know what the "bourgeoisie" is, you should read a few books. -- Jim Devine
"The price one pays for pursuing any profession or calling is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side." -- James Baldwin
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