no, i'm saying there are lots of distinct groupings of all colours. therefore we need to be clear about what grouping we're talking about rather than using terminology interchangeably.
I agree. But I am trying to underline the broader similarities to bring the subject into relief. Why was the twentieth century such a mass grave? Why have utopian politics failed so spectacularly?
you distance yourself from actions by 'the right' and even by bush that you don't like all the time- why's it alright for you to do so?
However you slice Bush, he is on the right, be it religious, compassionate conservativism, big government republicanism, or whatever. He has done ok in the War on Terror, but not brilliantly. He has been pretty bad on trade and on government spending. Does that make him a socialist?
the communist party was communist, but it wasn't socialist- there is a distinction.
Oh come on, the Communist party and communism (in its various shades) generally is a part or branch of the wider socialist movement, and from there it was first developed by Marx and Engels. You complain about me muddying the waters but keep talking as if these groups are unrelated. Marx inspired the already existent socialist movement, and they took up many of his philosophies. Although nowadays most socialists want reform rather than revolution, its there in its origins.
you're right, stalin wasn't a capitalist he was a totalitarian communist.
again, you make assumptions about what i'm saying/believe in
Not really, although you do seem unprepared to commit yourself to any positive statement and prefer instead to tell me that I am wrong without ever explaining why. For the purposes of the discussion, I don't think that what your personal beliefs are is especially important. I'm trying to explain why I mean. However, you have said:
socialism shall be free or it shall not be at all?' (i paraphrase). the nazi's had no interest in freedom.
i'm saying just because people say they're socialist, doesn't mean they are
i agree- much of the reason was due to stalin's underhand dealings. the NKVD, hated the socialist/anarchist groupings in the civil war.
btw have you read 'homage to catalonia'?
No never read that one, though I do like Orwell.
Imagine "leftists" fighting amongst themselves and murdering one another, though. Those that were nothing shall become everything!
again, i agree. but that having that in common doesn't make the nazis (or the USSR) socialists
No, but they were both socialists, and were both totalitarian. Totalitarianism is a problem that radical socialist political movements have had a few times.
