Re: [OPE] Venezuela is the most democratic country in Latin America

Well, those regimes that you call socialists Jerry, are not socialists at all.   If you disregard the veil of ignorance, you are accepting the annihilation of your opponents as a guiding principle. Once Chávez is defeated, through democratic or undemocratic means, you will not be entitled to demand respect from your opponents. If it happens that they are moved by another comprehensive doctrine opposed to Marxism, your very existence will be in peril.   You will not be in a position to question the undemocratic means used either, since you erected entry barrier that prevented political competition. The fact that this had happened by means of the pools doesn’t reduce its undemocratic nature.  A. Agafonow ________________________________ De: GERALD LEVY <gerald_a_levy@msn.com> Para: Outline on Political Economy mailing list <ope@lists.csuchico.edu> Enviado: miércoles, 25 de febrero, 2009 14:55:50 Asunto: RE: [OPE] Venezuela is the most democratic country in Latin America Alejandro A:   I don't think that we can operate behind a "veil of ignorance". We must be fully conscious of history and have a _class_ perspective.   You want us to leave open as a 'democratic principle' the possibility of a return of socialist societies to capitalism.   This is as unthinkable as a return to slavery would be to abolitionists. Or, a return to cannibalism if it was the desire of the majority - democratically expressed. No, once we have historically moved beyond these older forms of barbarism there must be no turning back.   We should treat the "right" of capitalists to exploit workers with the same disdain as we treat the "right" of slave-owners to own slaves, the right of husbands to "own" wives, the right of parents to "own" children.   Moreover, the possibility of life itself on this planet - not only for our species, but all - *requires* socialism. To allow a return to capitalism is tantamount to suicide.  While I'm all for the right of individuals to suicide, no one, group, or class should be allowed  right to decide to kill off the prospect for life for everyone else.   No, there can be no "veil of ignorance": we are far too late in the game of our own history to operate under the assumption that whatever happens should be allowed to happen.  We are far too late in our history to be constrained by the limitations of BOURGEOIS democracy.   In solidarity, Jerry

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Received on Wed Feb 25 13:41:21 2009