Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Mid-week history lesson.

The foreign policy of the Soviet Union between 1928 and 1933 is commonly described by historians of the era as “third period communism”.*

The thinking of the boys** at the Comintern was that western society since the revolutions of 1917 had moved in three distinct phases; the “first period” of the initial revolutionary challenge, the “second period” of seeming capitalist revival characterised by the boom of the 1920s and the final “third period” characterised by the Great Depression and the rise of fascism.

The thinking was that fascism was the “final stage” of capitalism and that as the mask began to slip, more people would embrace the revolutionary policies of local communist parties. To that end, local communists were instructed to bring down democratic governments, even if it meant collaborating with local fascists.

The comrades did as instructed and, to take the example of Berlin, worked happily enough with the Nazis to bring down the local Social Democratic state government.

Gee – didn’t that work out well?

These cunts have form when it comes to backing the wrong horse.

* And unofficially described to me by an historian at a party as “a fucking disaster for all concerned”.

** You note I don’t say “the boyars at the Comintern”. Marvel at my restraint.

28 comments:

Perseus said...

If you replace the words 'Soviet Union' with 'Richmond Football Club' and change the dates to the mid 80's, you'll find the story holds true enough.

The far left seems to have always had an unhealthy relationship with the far-right, seemingly because neither can tolerate normal every day democracy.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

The Tiges are purging kulaks now?

Crikey!

Melba said...

Yesterday my 12-year-old asked what communism was. No shit. Now, we've read Eloise in Moscow, but how would you explain communism to her? Bear in mind that while she is incredibly precocious and has a better grasp of the rise of Hitler, the emergence of Gabriel Chanel and an innate understanding of the finer points of Machiavelli's The Prince, she is only twelve.

And would you mind placing it in context/comparison with these other ideologies?

1. socialism
2. democracy
3. plurocracy. Or is it plutocracy.
4. aristocracy
5. monarchy
6. theocracy

Giddyup then.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

The system we know as communism is more correctly known as Marxism/Leninism.

It is based on the theories of V.I. Lenin who envisigned the collapse of capitalism through a disciplined body of professional revolutionaries rather than the more orthodox Marxist ideas of mass working class political organisation.

Marxism/Leninism could be considered a proto-totalitarian politcal organisation in which a single political party dominates the machinery of the state - using this control to regulate and monitor the citizenry.

Or in short.

A couple of lunatics take control of the government and shoot anybody who disagrees with them.

Hope this helps.

Thank you.

squib said...

Last year, my then-13 year old said, 'So the Liberals are the good guys and Labor are bad, right?'

No shit, and this is AFTER she'd gone on a school camp to Canberra

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Your daughter needs a serious talking to, Squib.

squib said...

I gave her a big talk which involved a Star Wars analogy. Darth Vader was the Liberal Party and Luke Skywalker was Labor and Yoda was The Greens. I do a really great impersonation of Darth Vader (if I do say so myself). Anyway, I think things were a lot clearer after that

Anonymous said...

So....

Labor is the young, naive yet plucky hero, and the Greens are the experienced and wise old warriors?

Way to screw up your child there Squib.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Which would make Harrison Ford the Democrats?

Anonymous said...

I think the Democrats were a bit more like Alderaan - and you know what happened to them.

squib said...

Boogey, but Yoda IS green

*sheesh*

Anonymous said...

So is Greedo.

And now that you mention it, Luke was pretty green. Pretty green at using a lightsaber, pretty green at picking up hot senators from Alderaan, and pretty green every time he landed in a) a trash compactor, b) a tauntaun's belly, c) a Dagobah swamp, d) direct line of fire from an angry Sith Emperor.

Perseus said...

You know way too much about Star Wars to be healthy, Boogeyman.

I like Star Wars, but I don't know what a tauntaun is.

I am normal.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

I've always hated Star Wars.

Puss In Boots said...

Ramon, I think I love you.

I hate Star Wars too. In fact, I have always refused to watch it. That and Harry Potter. It's a bone of contention between me and my boy, as he is a Star Wars geek.

Anonymous said...

Perseus - and yet you having the love life of a true Star Wars geek. Embrace your destiny, young (well, young-ish) padawan.

Ramon - you're demoted.

Puss - and yet you clearly have a thing for Star Wards/Harry Potter loving guys.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Nyerr, nyerr, nyerr, Boogey.

Puss and I share a love that will never die.

Unless we actually meet.

Or until the next time I say nasty about the Greens

Puss In Boots said...

Unless we actually meet.

Hey! Just what are you implying, Mister?!

Also, you can say nasty things about the Greens all you want. I know they're losers.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Just that I'm an depressive alcoholic who smokes and eats meat.

You, I'm sure, are lovely.

wari lasi said...

This isn't even off topic. Ramon have you seen Rundle's "News Ltd is The Soviet Union" article from yesterday?

Andrew Bolt gets to be Beria. And I quote "Killed in the USSR version of a cabinet reshuffle" Beautiful.

I'm just catching up with my Crikey stuff.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

I did read that Wari and got a good chuckle out of it.

Especially the bit about Eric Beecher living in Mexico with Freda Kahlo

Puss In Boots said...

I've dated worse, Ramon. And I haven't been a vegan for about 5 years now.

I'm not lovely, though. I'm a pain in the arse. I'm surprised I've managed to keep the current boy around for so long.

Anonymous said...

I've dated worse, Ramon.

Such a ringing endorsement for you there, Ramon.

Perseus said...

So Puss dumps me 'cos I got an I-phone and now parades her love for Ramon in front of me.

Oh the pain, the pain.

I'm going to have to chase some TSFKA rebound loving.

Pepsi?

Anonymous said...

So Puss dumps me 'cos I got an I-phone and now parades her love for Ramon in front of me.

Oh the pain, the pain.

I'm going to have to chase some TSFKA rebound loving.

Pepsi?



Wow, deja vu.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Ah, Perseus, rejection can be cruel.

squib said...

Boogey, Skywalker and Rudd even look alike. I rest my case

Lewd Bob said...

I also hate Star Wars. But Ramon, sorry, I don't think I can love you. That would be gay. For we are men.