*Cf. "The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil" (documentary film)
Peter Ward Brooklyn
On Jul 4, 2007, at 7:33 PM, Robert Wrubel wrote:
> Bill,
> I can agree with one part of your argument: socialism in any form
> will have to defend itself against an "other", but that other is
> more likely to be a capitalist enemy than a majority "living in
> want." The majority living in want can simply join the socialist
> minority.
>
> I agree that any little socialist cooperative functioning today
> is partly or mainly a fantasy, since in many ways it still depends
> on a surrounding capitalist infrastructure. But, you have to start
> somewhere. I dont believe in imposing government from the top.
> You just wind up with another form of entrenched power.
>
> Bill Bartlett <billbartlett at aapt.net.au> wrote:
> At 10:01 AM -0700 4/7/07, Robert Wrubel wrote:
>
>> Socialism is often misunderstood by being equated with a national
>> state government, but there is no reason why socialist forms of
>> government shouldnt begin at the local level, in city councils,
>> neighborhoods, even apartment buildings.
>
> Actually, there is a very good reason why socialism cannot operate in
> isolation.
>
> The aim of the struggle to end class society is freedom from
> insecurity and want. We want it for all of humanity, rather than just
> ourselves. Not only because it is possible, or because it is just,
> but because it is the only security that is sustainable in the long
> term.
>
> However, that kind of freedom and security cannot be enjoyed by a
> minority and still be called socialism. It can then only be seen as
> privilege, in the sense that those living in the municipality,
> neighbourhood or even apartment building, would be enjoying benefits
> which they are unable to share with those outside of this privileged
> enclave. Ultimately, they would likely be forced to defend themselves
> and their privileged lifestyle from the great majority of people
> around them, living in want. Perhaps by force, but at least by resort
> to the systems of law traditionally used to protect the haves from
> the have-nots.
>
> Basically, a socialist enclave is a utopian fantasy and a very
> dangerous one at that.
>
> Bill Bartlett
> Bracknell Tas
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