Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Andrew Douglas's avatar

When I was an undergraduate studying Philosophy in the early 80s, there was a very vociferous minority of squabbling leftists, who divided much along the lines you describe - the 'Trots' and the 'Tankies'. They were characterized by an endless shifting kaleidoscope of allegiances and enmities, but what stood out most of all was a complete absence of any sense of humour. This was for me, and in subsequent life, a warning sign. When a political, or any other, view becomes so important that humour is absent, it is unlikely to be a good take on the human condition, and is therefore best avoided.

Expand full comment
Joy R's avatar

I was on the council of a large teacher's union, and came across both Trots and Marxists. The Trots were disruptive (to say the least), but the Marxists often had very well thought out positions that they articulated well. I simply listened and adapted their ideas to a more palatable form.

My father joined the communist party back when the world polarised just before WW2. Those old communist were not so dogmatic. What they did have was huge compassion for other people. In those days being a communist meant getting an education in history, sociology, and economics. Ironically, because they understood these disciplines so well, most flourished financially. Independent thought was encouraged, because it meant you were prepared to kick against the pricks.

In our current times, where a controlled MSM pushes the US Narrative, and opinions pass as News, many people ignore facts, and have what Col Douglas McGregor calls "a cocktail party understanding" of current affairs. Their opinions are gleaned from conversations and MSM headlines, rather than research.

I have just seen Prof Geoffrey Sach's address to the EU yesterday. He is strongly urging the EU to STOP being a vassal to the US, and to think independently, to develop an independent foreign policy. He also believes that all nations should train professional diplomats, like Lavrov, who can go to other nations and negotiate around differences, as an alternative to warring.

Expand full comment
22 more comments...

No posts