Synopsis
A response to the collapse of Soviet Union's 'actually existing socialism', this book deals with the basic issues of why and how of this collapse, its implications and where it leaves the question of socialism in our time. An exercise in theory, with a plea for a return to the basics, by one associated with the communist movement since 1939, 'the argument is addressed', as the author says in the Preface, 'to fellow militants in what is left of the communist movement, to "social democrats" who still remain socialist, to the new crop of radicals, in the social movements or outside them, struggling to find their bearings in a world now almost universally dominated by capitalism, and to all those on the Left who share my concern with the present and future of socialism'. He adds: 'Even others may find it of interest for their present and future too is now involved in the present and future of socialism in a way that was never the case before'.
Originally delivered as Moin Shakir memorial lectures at Marathwada University, and updated, the argument ranges over a wide field: the initial impact of the collapse; Marxism of Karl Marx; socialism - a negation of capitalism; history's trick on the doctrine of Karl Marx; Bolsheviks and the October Revolution; Lenin's project for socialist transition in Russia; Stalin and after; what was built and what failed in the Soviet Union; the Gorbachev Years; post-collapse Russia, China and Cuba, and the Third and First Worlds; the single most important right lesson: Democracy; the single most important wrong conclusion: 'Triumph of Capitalism'; future of socialism; some issues of struggle for socialism today; etc. etc. Three recent writings of the author, "On the 50th Anniversary of India's Independence - A Marxist Argument", "The Return of Karl Marx" and "Talking of a Few Forgotten or Forbidden Things" are included as appendices.
