Original scientific paper
Some Critical Reflections on Bahro’s »Alternatives«
Mojmir Križan
Abstract
The Jugoslav edition of R. Bahro’s book »Alternative« (Globus, Zagreb 1981) has stirred up numerous theoretical discussions. In its number 7—8 of 1982, the journal »Naše teme« (»Our themes«) has, among other articles, included eight critical reviews on Bahro’s work.
The aim of this paper is to deal with:
a. Certain aspects of the above work which were not dealt with in the discussion and
b. To comment on certain points in the discussions which
— in the author’s opinion — have resulted from lack of
— understanding of Bahro's work.
In the focus of the paper is Bahro’s analysis of the Stalinism phenomenon; the historic role of »Real socialism «; the problem of defining a historical subject of social transformation in real socialism; the role of League of Communists as an organised social subject in the transformation process; the problems of the State and communal organisation.
The author concludes that Bahro has given a valuable criticism of realistic socialism, despite the fact that in his search of the social subject of transformation, he has exaggerated the readiness and capabilities of scientific and technical intelligence to become the leading factors in the process. With regard to the Socialist alternative, he has pointed to several conditions required for its realization: cultural revolution; abolition of division of labour in the sense of a life-long work specialization; reorganization of society and its reconditionalising into communal organisations. However, his concept of the alternative does not embody a comprehensive construction of a communal social system.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
155847
URI
Publication date:
31.12.1983.
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