There are Liberals and Liberals.

Man of Ethics

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Feb 28, 2021
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I agree with Liberals on many issues. I disagree with Liberals on some issues including Cancel Culture. Earlier this year I have posted several threads arguing that those who cancel should be cancelled themselves. But that is not really on topic of History. Thus, in my nanostory I transport the argument into a Parisian café in 1935. In Dr. Zhivago, Strelnikov is a powerful CheKa member. Here he is an idealist student.


Once upon 1935, four Russian emigrants met in a Parisian café. They were acquainted enough to regularly meet and discuss politics. They disagreed on many issues, but they could sustain civil conversation. Golitsyn left Russia in 1913. Even though he lost his property in Russia during the Revolution, he was still an upper middle class businessman in 1935. Demidov and Morozov left Russia during the Civil War. With hard work and diligence they regained a position in the upper middle class. Strelnikov escaped USSR in 1930. In Paris his life was poor and miserable. Upper class gentlemen tolerated his company just for entertainment value.


That day, the four emigrants discussed Stalinism and Stalinists. Golitsyn, who came from a noble family, disliked Communists mainly for destroying traditional values and traditional way of life. Demidov, who was a rich industrialist in Russia, disliked Communists for taking away possessions of rich people. Morozov, who was still young and Freedom loving, disliked Stalinists for Purges and Repressions. All three emigrants viewed Communists as deluded. All three believed that Communists should be exposed to alternative point of view in order to see the error of their ways.


Strelnikov also had a negative view about Stalinists. In his opinion, Stlinists should have been put in concentration camps. The other three emigrants viewed him as a clown and found only entertainment value in his ideas. They made fun of him, yet he was happy that they at least accepted him. Golitsyn, Demidov, and Morozov subscribed to ideas of Liberal Enlightenment of the XIXth Century. They considered it unthinkable to put anyone into a concentration camp for his/her views. They did not even want to entertain such an idea. Strelnikov considered their ideological approach weak and defeatist.


Three of the four gentlemen were anti-Communist. Paradoxically, one was a Communist -- guess who? Strelnikov was not a secret Communist pretending to be an extremist Capitalist. Strelnikov never denied his affiliation -- a Communist, but not a Stalinist! Strelnikov retained his loyalty to Leon Trotsky. He was a Trotskyist.


As a teenager, Strelnikov was full of hope during the 1917 Revolution. He was grateful to Lenin and Trotsky for distributing the property of the formerly rich among workers and peasants. He has worked for Soviet Russia and was enthusiastic about successes of Socialism. In 1924, Strelnikov was a university student. At that time, his spirits were high and he was daydreaming about a Futuristic Society in 1935. This Society would be based on Equality and Freedom. All people would have food, shelter, and medical care. Socialist Revolution would start spreading globally.


Would the new Society have had a penal system? Definitely -- it would not have been harsh, but it would not have been non-existent. Anti-Soviet Agitation and Propaganda was already a crime in 1924 -- and it should have remained a crime in 1935. In particular, in 1924 there was political struggle between Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky. Strelnikov wholeheartedly supported Leon Trotsky. He was certain that Stalin would quickly lose the political struggle. He was certain that by 1935, Stalin would be living in Paris largely forgotten in USSR. He was also certain that by 1935, a tiny minority of hardcore Stalinists would justly suffer legal repercussions for Anti-Soviet Agitation and Propaganda.


Strelnikov was horrified as the chances of Leon Trotsky's victory dwindled and disappeared. He was horrified as Leon Trotsky was exiled out of USSR. In 1930, Strelnikov managed to escape USSR under false documents. For some time he was preoccupied with fitting into his new environment. Since 1932, Strelnikov once again started observing news from USSR via Russian Immigrant newspapers. He was horrified and broken as Soviet Penal System became extremely punitive. Strelnikov was horrified by massive purges. He was horrified by total loss of Freedom in USSR. Strelnikov became hopeless yet angry -- he would express his anger to anyone who would listen.


And here Strelnikov was. In a Parisian cafe with three upper middle class gentlemen. Still arguing that Stalinists belong in a concentration camp. Being looked down upon by his acquaintances who tolerated his company only for entertainment value. Strelnikov's three acquaintances so little difference between Stalinists and Trotskyists.
 
I guess when I wrote this nanoessay I have not studied enough History about Liberals.

There is a Liberal tradition from Girondists from French Revolution to Lenin and Trotsky from Russian Revolution to 1970s Left in USA. This tradition of Liberals stood for Freedom, Equality, and Positive Rights.

There is another Liberal tradition from Jacobins with Reign of Terror in France 1793-'94, Stalinists with Purges in 1930s, and Progressives with modern Cancel Culture.

Most Conservatives do not distinguish the two Liberal traditions.
 

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