[lbo-talk] Limits of Criticism, was Mitchel's interview with two Platypus organizers

[Bhaskar Sunkara]

I actually meant to reply to Carrol's other post, but your point is
completely right.  Any future formation needs to be pluralist and allow for
free discussion, the permanent formation of factions, etc.   I also don't
understand the dichotomy between the mass and the vanguard party.

 The Bolshevik's were both, no?  What of the German SDP upon, while Lenin
and co. modeled their party, didn't it represent the most advanced elements
of the German working class?  Were not all of these 2nd international
formations "pluralist"?  Ever read Lars Lih's *Lenin Rediscovered* or
Macnair's *Revolutionary Strategy*?
http://www.socialistdemocracy.org/Reviews/ReviewLeninRediscoveredPart1.html
http://theactivist.org/blog/the-current-relevance-of-an-old-debate

On your other point, I think highly of the Platypus critique despite their
somber tone and verbosity. Far from melting away, they have expanded with
new groups in Toronto, Boston and New York recently.  A good way of thinking
of them is as a "pre-political" project.

Carrol: "Probably critizing Platypus and/or Klein is equally unproductive."

Calling out Klein's vapid bullshit is probably the most productive thing
I've done in the past 12 months and I filed my own taxes!

On Thu, Apr 1, 2010 at 11:18 PM, Chris Doss <lookoverhere1 at yahoo.com> wrote:


> All movements, past or future, left or otherwise, are characterized by a
> plurality...
>
>