Comments on: Nationality’s role in social liberation: the Soviet legacy

By: Alec Abbott

Alec Abbott — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:25:18 +0000

Your excellent article is a reminder to us all of both the ever-topical and wide-ranging nature of the national question. All credit to you for sharpening our understanding of this subject.

In Britain, in response to the Euro crisis, the left is now debating whether the ‘southern’ and ‘eastern’ EU states are oppressed nations. In my recent criticism of the Revolutionary Communist Group, I take issue with those who present EU nationalism as progressive. (See the ‘Reviews’ section of my site http://www.rosclar.webspace.virginmedia.com ) An important aspect of Bolshevik thinking on this subject centred on the distinction between reactionary nationalism and progressive nationalism. Clearly, this issue will not go away.

By: Rupen Savoulian

Rupen Savoulian — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:06:03 +0000

Thank you John for this wonderful article. I read it over at the website for Links magazine, where it was reprinted.

I think you essay is a necessary antidote, not only against the distortions of bureaucratised socialism, but also against the unremitting tide of anti-socialist propaganda and distortions by the rightwing emigre communities in Australia. Most of the Armenians here are fanatic, dyed-in-the-wool anticommunists, and thus completely malign the Soviet nationalities policy as ‘Russian oppression’. I think that your essay rebuffs the slanderous falsifications of the emigre psychopaths and lunatics, and presents the case for socialist national evolution. The many achievements of the Soviet period in Armenia are being neglected, and so socialists around the world need to speak up against this campaign of disinformation.

Well done John.

By: Bob Schwarz

Bob Schwarz — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:01:08 +0000

In the final paragraphs of your excellent paper, you write: “the writings on this question of the Bolsheviks – above all, Lenin – in the years before 1917, in which Lenin speaks out sharply against federalism and positive action to promote minority cultures. Here we need to focus less on the Bolsheviks’ anticipations of the revolution and more on their response when it actually took place.” Are you saying that Lenin’s position changed before and after 1917, that his approach to nationalism and national oppression improved following the revolution, perhaps under pressure of events? That hasn’t been my impression and, if I am correct in my reading of that paragraph, I’m curious how you would justify that idea.

By: Pierre Rousset

Pierre Rousset — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:51:59 +0000

This article and the previous one refered to (on the Russian Revolution and the National Question) have been put online on ESSF website.

May I mentioned two questions?

To state that Sharia was integrated into the Soviet law seems to me to short
a formulation. First because “sharia” has various meanings or incarnations,
second because, if my memory is good, all of “sharia” was not integrated,
especially concerning the status of women (not a minor issue…).

Also, the Nov. 2006 article mentions the constitution of the Indigènes de la
République. Since then, the evolution of this movement into the Parti des
Indigènes de la République is very problematic. It expresses something, but
what?

Thanks for your useful works…

Pierre Rousset

By: abraham Weizfeld

abraham Weizfeld — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 03:37:52 +0000

Just so. An excellent summation of the pre-Stalinist Communist Party nationalities policy. A pity that Lenin abandoned his very own policy for that of Stalin. It is noteable however that Lenin retracted his support for Stalin over the Georgian nationalities treatment. But then again it is a pity that Bronstein (Trotsky) did not follow through on that initiative!

Nonetheless it is a pleasure to read of the various federalist initiatives undertaken, especially the recognition of the Jewish People as a nationality. This comes from the heritage of the Jewish Bund which advocated national-cultural autonomy. There is sufficient materiel available now to have included the Bund in this review. In particular it is to be remembered that Stalin put the two leaders of the Bund, Erlich and Alter, into prison for having formed up a Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee.