Anarchists
Sir,—David Shanks is unclear about what makes Marxism scientific. Marx was the first to apply the scientific method in analysing how human societies operate. That is why Marxism is effective where other forms of socialism (e.g. Owen, Fourier, the Utopians) and anarchism are not. Anarchism and Utopian socialism lay out grandiose schemes of the perfect society and then attempt to persuade "everybody” to accept their scheme, upon which acceptance the gates of paradise are opened wide. Marxism is firmly based in the real world, taking account of what actually exists and showing how different forces acting on humanity can be expected to affect it under different circumstances. Marxism is a scientific tool essential in understanding and changing human societies. Anarchism and Utopian socialism represent only the hopeful wishes of dreamers who cannot hope to understand, and therefore cannot •. alter, capitalist society. In this difference lies the scientific basis of Marxism.— Yours, etc., J. R. DAVIES. December 10, 1986.
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Press, 13 December 1986, Page 24
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159Anarchists Press, 13 December 1986, Page 24
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