Intellectual exchange ought to have some political relevance. People can debate about
liberty, while saying nothing about what libertarian ideas and ideals have to do with the
rule of capital over the life of human beings. In my opinion, this is bovine nonsense!
How can a discussion of liberty ignore the powers of transnational corporations and of
transnational banks over the life of peoples in every place on our planet? How can talk
about freedom and rights ignore political élites? How can libertarians ignore an honest
discussion of the possibilities and values of a democratic form of political self-government?

If Cornel West is correct, in saying that "Marxist theory as an indispensable intellectual
weapon for freedom fighters in the present", then why can't we bring into a libertarian
discourse some of the ideas and ideals of marxism as alternative principles and concepts
which are fundamental to a revolutionary libertarian way of associated human life together.

Marxism is a libertarian philosophy, even if Karl Marx was, perhaps, guilty of having and
displaying an authoritarian temperament. Democracy and socialism are libertarian
political ideas and ideals, even if individual democrats exhibit dogmatic personality traits,
and even when individual socialists exhibit a doctrinaire disposition.  When the radio
superstar here in Atlanta, Georgia -- Neal Boortz, a self-proclaimed libertarian -- displays
his imperious and inflexible authoritarian personality idiosyncrasies on his radio show,
it would be a fallacy of relevance, an argumentum ad hominem, to challenge, contest,
criticize, or condemn libertarian philosophy because of the domineering and dictatorial
behavior of this individual libertarian.  Good ideas cannot be sullied by bad conduct;
moral principles are not defiled by immoral behavior, or by unprincipled actions.

Marxism is a misunderstood philosophy; it has been a misused perspective.  Marxism
has been fraudulently used by undemocratic and oppressive governments.  But, there
is some truth contained in the authentic philosophy of marxism. 





"Marxist theory is an indispensable -- though by itself inadequate -- intellectual weapon
in the struggle for individuality and democracy."
-- Cornel West, The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought, 1991





"The Marxist tradition is silent about the existential meaning of death, suffering, love, and
friendship owing to its preoccupation with improving the social circumstances under which
people pursue love, revel in friendship, and confront death."
-- Cornel West, The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought, 1991





"Marxist theory can give social substance and political content to postmodern themes of
otherness, difference, and marginality."
-- Cornel West, The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought, 1991 




"Marxism is not and cannot serve as a religion."
-- Cornel West, The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought, 1991




"Market morality engulfs us in such a way that it is difficult to arrange our lives so that
communal activity supersedes personal pursuits."
-- Cornel West, The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought, 1991





"Marxist thought does not purport to be existential wisdom -- of how to live one's life day
by day. Rather, it claims to be a social theory of histories, societies, and cultures. Social
theory is not the same as existential wisdom. Those theories that try to take the place of
wisdom disempower people on existential matters, just as those wisdoms that try to
shun theory usually subordinate people to the political powers that be."
-- Cornel West, The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought, 1991 





"Market mentality makes it hard for us to believe our sacrificial progressive efforts will
make a real difference in our busy and short lives."
-- Cornel West, The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought, 1991 





"Since there can be no substantive progressive politics without oppositional subcultures,
institutions, and networks, the predominant 'market way of life' presents a -- maybe the --
major challenge for progressive politics."
-- Cornel West, The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought, 1991





"I am a non-Marxist socialist in that as a Christian, I recognize certain irreconcilable
differences between Marxists of whatever sort and Christians of whatever sort."
-- Cornel West, The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought, 1991