Description
A bold and entertaining exploration of the epic struggles of yesterday and today. Blackshirts & Reds explores some of the big issues of our time: fascism, capitalism, communism, revolution, democracy, and ecology. These terms are often bandied about, but seldom explored in the original and exciting way that has become Michael Parenti's trademark. Parenti shows how "rational fascism" renders service to capitalism, how corporate power undermines democracy, and how revolutions are a mass empowerment against the forces of exploitative privilege. He also maps out the external and internal forces that destroyed communism, and the disastrous impact of the "free-market" victory on eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. He affirms the relevance of taboo ideologies like Marxism, demonstrating the importance of class analysis in understanding political realities and dealing with the ongoing collision between ecology and global corporatism. Written with lucid and compelling style, this book goes beyond truncated modes of thought, inviting us to entertain iconoclastic views, and to ask why things are as they are.… (more)
Status
Checked out
Due December 18, 2023
Call number
Genres
Publication
City Lights Publishers (1997), Edition: Reprint, 165 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member abclaret
It as be said that the political right (and to some extent the centre) have it easy. They just have to maintain the power they get and prove to be capable rulers. For revolutionary, leftwing politics to work, you need essentially to cover two bases; 1) offer a valid critique of the existing
While Parenti comes up with some sound reasons about how and why capitalism is and always as been rotten, its wars, bureaucracy, its unfair labour exchange system, etc., its the second part thats saddly weak. Towards this end he offers up his theory on 'Siege Socialism', as a counter pole to replace capitalism or offer a reason why existing socialist states should be defended as a gain for/by workers. 'Seige Socialism' is not an ideal, or a utopia but simply a reality of hostile states encircling a country which is trying to practice socialim, Parenti tells us. The beauty of this arguement is that every major crack in the system can be glossed over as a fault of the capitalist imperial powers. If only it was so simple....
Let it be said I have read many defences of the USSR, and Stalinism in general, but this is one of the worst defenses of an 'existing socialist' state Ive read for some time. How Parenti manages to go from logically asset stripping capitalism taking account of its errors to defending a society which was nothing more than an ill planned police state is startling.
Frankly Chomsky might not always be as readable, but it as to be said he has way better politics.
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political model and 2) find something viable to replace it. While Parenti comes up with some sound reasons about how and why capitalism is and always as been rotten, its wars, bureaucracy, its unfair labour exchange system, etc., its the second part thats saddly weak. Towards this end he offers up his theory on 'Siege Socialism', as a counter pole to replace capitalism or offer a reason why existing socialist states should be defended as a gain for/by workers. 'Seige Socialism' is not an ideal, or a utopia but simply a reality of hostile states encircling a country which is trying to practice socialim, Parenti tells us. The beauty of this arguement is that every major crack in the system can be glossed over as a fault of the capitalist imperial powers. If only it was so simple....
Let it be said I have read many defences of the USSR, and Stalinism in general, but this is one of the worst defenses of an 'existing socialist' state Ive read for some time. How Parenti manages to go from logically asset stripping capitalism taking account of its errors to defending a society which was nothing more than an ill planned police state is startling.
Frankly Chomsky might not always be as readable, but it as to be said he has way better politics.
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LibraryThing member GShuk
This seems like Russian propaganda.
He seems to be talking about the ideal of communism and not what it is in real life. (not that I am an expert)
While I agree capitalism has some major issues which he points out, he seems to minimize communism's shortfalls.
He made an interesting point that
After the war communists prosecuted many more Nazis than West Germany.
Not sure how true that was, however if true I commend them for that.
Although, hard decisions had to be made after WW2 to keep the countries working.
Overall, worth reading to hear different viewpoints but beware of his agenda.
He seems to be talking about the ideal of communism and not what it is in real life. (not that I am an expert)
While I agree capitalism has some major issues which he points out, he seems to minimize communism's shortfalls.
He made an interesting point that
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Capitalist and Fascists play footsie.After the war communists prosecuted many more Nazis than West Germany.
Not sure how true that was, however if true I commend them for that.
Although, hard decisions had to be made after WW2 to keep the countries working.
Overall, worth reading to hear different viewpoints but beware of his agenda.
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LibraryThing member Andjhostet
A fascinating book, detailing the entwinement of capitalism and fascism, and its constant struggle against communism, or any form of socialist thought. The chapters on the downfall of communism, and its negative effects on the citizens were particularly interesting.
LibraryThing member Zare
Book like this is something I did not expect to come across. To be honest I was expecting some sanctimonious work that would preach about conflict between fascism and communism without actually pointing to major elements of both ideologies and their role and place in modern world.
Man, was I wrong.
Author's writings on effects of "liberalization" of East, Latin America and Africa are current even today, because recent militant liberation actions in last two decades or so point to the same goals as it was in more economical strike in 1990's.
I agree with the author that main issue humanity experiences is conflict between classes of people - you may call it castes if you want to feel less Marxists (but are you then politically correct, eh?) - rulers and ruled. Why is this so strange to grasp is beyond me. Classes always existed and always will exist. It is only mark of period if there are conflicts and unrest or peaceful coexistence (with maybe movement between classes possible for some). If anyone has any doubt just look at last two years and sudden classification of people - workers, professionals and entrepreneurs - as radical or non-essential. And note who never declared themselves as non-essentials but "voices of reason and " (man I hate this) " science and facts". Terrible. And unfortunately political orientation does not play any role - modern Western left is as bloodthirsty, single-minded and vicious as the right to both internal and international policies, there is no difference (as much as one would like it to exist). Author makes quite a few points here especially related to the so much admired left intelligentsia. And also let me not get started on human cybernetization in order to reach (for all means and purposes) godhood for few. If this does not sound like quazi-religious explanation (since technology is not there yet) for our future aristocracy, I dont know what does.
Additional point I agree with is that racial and gender issues present in "modern" world are just used as white noise - otherwise somebody would expect some hard words and actions at least in Middle East for the same issues - correct? In general problem is with have's and have-nots (which is more of a hipster way of saying class of citizenry) and (as is case throughout history) have-nots have numerical superiority. So lets stir up tension the other way because each segregated part of society will always think they are the most oppressed and they will never find common ground.
Book is rather short but very concise and to the point. If there was any doubt about anything author writes about in 1990's (when book was originally published), for anybody capable of using ones mental capacity to think and draw conclusions - there are no more doubts.
Very pleasant surprise, gotta admit.
Highly recommended.
Man, was I wrong.
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This book has to be the most comprehensive readers digest on total world breakup started some 30 years ago by using shock and awe economical strike used for sole purpose of converting the majority of the world into gigantic exploitation field. Author's writings on effects of "liberalization" of East, Latin America and Africa are current even today, because recent militant liberation actions in last two decades or so point to the same goals as it was in more economical strike in 1990's.
I agree with the author that main issue humanity experiences is conflict between classes of people - you may call it castes if you want to feel less Marxists (but are you then politically correct, eh?) - rulers and ruled. Why is this so strange to grasp is beyond me. Classes always existed and always will exist. It is only mark of period if there are conflicts and unrest or peaceful coexistence (with maybe movement between classes possible for some). If anyone has any doubt just look at last two years and sudden classification of people - workers, professionals and entrepreneurs - as radical or non-essential. And note who never declared themselves as non-essentials but "voices of reason and " (man I hate this) " science and facts". Terrible. And unfortunately political orientation does not play any role - modern Western left is as bloodthirsty, single-minded and vicious as the right to both internal and international policies, there is no difference (as much as one would like it to exist). Author makes quite a few points here especially related to the so much admired left intelligentsia. And also let me not get started on human cybernetization in order to reach (for all means and purposes) godhood for few. If this does not sound like quazi-religious explanation (since technology is not there yet) for our future aristocracy, I dont know what does.
Additional point I agree with is that racial and gender issues present in "modern" world are just used as white noise - otherwise somebody would expect some hard words and actions at least in Middle East for the same issues - correct? In general problem is with have's and have-nots (which is more of a hipster way of saying class of citizenry) and (as is case throughout history) have-nots have numerical superiority. So lets stir up tension the other way because each segregated part of society will always think they are the most oppressed and they will never find common ground.
Book is rather short but very concise and to the point. If there was any doubt about anything author writes about in 1990's (when book was originally published), for anybody capable of using ones mental capacity to think and draw conclusions - there are no more doubts.
Very pleasant surprise, gotta admit.
Highly recommended.
Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1997
ISBN
0872863298 / 9780872863293
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