Do Socialists Support Wars?

[vengefulcraigie]

I was wondering if members of revolutionary leftist parties support wars directed by nation-states?

I oppose many military actions by the United States. The only recent war that I supported was the invasion of Afghanistan. Those Taliban fuckers were complete medeval barbarians. They are epitomy of Islamic Fascism! It's bad enough that we have Christian Fascists like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and James Dobson trying to take over America! The crimes that the Taliban commited against women, moderate Muslims and minorities were completely absurd.

There were many wars that caused complete misery compliments of the US military machine. Was it worth it?

USA in Iraq...Nope.
USA bombing campaign of Yugoslavia in 98...Nope
USA in Kuwait in 91...Nope
USA in Somalia in 93...Nope
USA in Panama in 89...Nope
USA in Grenada in 83...Nope
USA in Beirut Lebanon in 83...Nope

[Severian]

Depends. What kind of nation-state? Waging war in the interests of what class?

I don't support any war waged by a capitalist, imperialist government. Even when their adversary is vile and their stated purpose noble-sounding, I simply will not place any political confidence in the armed enforcers of the Almighty Dollar.

My goal is to bring them down and replace them with a government that represents working people, and any victory they win puts that goal further off.

A government that represents working people may sometimes - not always - be able to wage a revolutionary war that advances the worlwide interests of working people. A good example is Cuba's military intervention in Angola, where they helped a newly independent country defend itself from an invasion by the South African apartheid regime.

Straw man disclaimer: this doesn't mean that I think invading countries is the way to spread revolutions. Typically, revolution has to be made by the working people of each country. "People don't like missionaries with bayonets" as Robespierre said long ago.

[cccpcommie]

class wars? yes.. race wars? no.. wars against imperialism?.. yes

[sovietsniper]

Originally posted by [email protected] 3 2006, 05:55 AM
USA in Kuwait in 91...Nope

I support that one, saddam shoudnt have invaded in the first place.

[ComradeOm]

Originally posted by [email protected] 3 2006, 06:25 AM
Straw man disclaimer: this doesn't mean that I think invading countries is the way to spread revolutions. Typically, revolution has to be made by the working people of each country. "People don't like missionaries with bayonets" as Robespierre said long ago.
On the other hand it was Napoleon and the French armies that brought capitalism to most of Europe. Or rather they swept away the old feudal structures and allowed the native bourgeoisie to rise.

[WUOrevolt]

I support people defending themselves against oppression, not nations waging war.

[dso79]

I might support wars that are intended to defend other nations against imperialism, and wars in support of revolutionary movements, but I’d never support any capitalist/imperialist wars.


The only recent war that I supported was the invasion of Afghanistan. Those Taliban fuckers were complete medeval barbarians. They are epitomy of Islamic Fascism! It's bad enough that we have Christian Fascists like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and James Dobson trying to take over America! The crimes that the Taliban commited against women, moderate Muslims and minorities were completely absurd.

The Taliban may have been bad, but that doesn’t justify the invasion. The US-led campaign killed thousands of innocent people and turned the country into a US puppet state. More than four years after the invasion there is still no stability and most Afghans aren’t better off now than they were before the invasion.

[Taboo Tongue]

Ok great few of you guys support (many) wars, and I don't support many either. Socialist parties through the years havn't always agreed with us though, here's just 5 I quickly dug up. (Not alot but hey, I'm going to sleep)

WWI - Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)
WWI - Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party (Menshevik)*
WWI - Socialist-Revolutionary Pary (SR's) (Were either nuetral or pro, and were not Marxist)
WWII - Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) (?)
WWII - Communist Party USA (CPUSA) (Once Hitler attacked the USSR)


*I beleive that they officially supported the war but the majority of the members didn't.
If any of these are erronous please correct me, research was rushed.

[sovietsniper]

Chinas communists in ww2 also. They led a resistance movement.

[Zingu]

You can't export revolution through military force.