Howard Zinn on his introduction to anarchism and a possible synthesis of marxism and anarchism

[marmar]

Howard Zinn (August 24, 1922 -- January 27, 2010) was an American historian, academic, author, playwright, and social activist. Before and during his tenure as a political science professor at Boston University from 1964-88 he wrote more than 20 books, which included his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United States. He wrote extensively about the civil rights and anti-war movements, as well as of the labor history of the United States. His memoir, You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train, was also the title of a 2004 documentary about Zinn's life and work.

[xchrom]

1. du rec. nt

[limpyhobbler]

2. good one

I agree with a lot of that about the benefits of finding a synthesis between anarchism and Marxism. I guess a lot of people agree with that.

Also it was interesting this bit about not wanting to label himself because he never knows what the other person thinks the label means.

What an intelligent and creative human being Mr. Zinn was. Sometimes I worry that our best thinkers on the left in our new generations are never going to be able to live up to the best minds of the earlier generations, including Mr. Zinn.

What a great guy.

[socialist_n_TN]

3. I too loved Howard Zinn and I think that SOME sort........

of synthesis between anarchism and Marxism MIGHT be possible. One route I could see it going is a "left libertarian" way (like a LOT of people on this board) where the big stuff and "general welfare" stuff is taken care of socialistically and the rest is taken care of anarchistically.