[lbo-talk] Platypus: what we are, what we do, and why

[Chris Doss]

All of which they believed would require the suppression of several nations within that territory, such as the Serbs and Bosnians (and actually everybody who wasn't a German, Pole or Magyar), whom Engels considered reactionary, backward peoples doomed to eventual disappearance (he was quite gloating about it too, which is what is extra-creepy). In other words, they had no problem siding with larger nations against smaller ones if they thought the former were progressive (which ironically usually meant more capitalist) and the latter backward.

----- Original Message ----
From: "farmelantj at juno.com" <farmelantj at juno.com>
To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org
Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 3:23:40 PM
Subject: Re: [lbo-talk] Platypus: what we are, what we do, and why

Marx thought that the unification of
Germany was a progressive step forward,
even though it was accomplished under
the auspices of the conservative Junkers.
It was progressive, in Marx's view, because
it would lead to the creation of a unified
German economy, leading to a more rapid
industrialization of that country, and
hence the development of a larger and
stronger, and more unified proletariat 
within that country. And within the 
sphere of international relations, 
the unification of Germany
was seen by Marx as progressive because
a unified Germany would be able to act
as a counterweight to both Britain and
Russia, the twin pillars of political
reaction in Europe.

Jim Farmelant
http://independent.academia.edu/JimFarmelant