618
This does not mean that the inde–
pendent Left must cease its strug–
gle against capitalism; all it means
is that under the present circum–
stances no effective resistance to
Stalinism is possible if we refuse
to take advantage of the contra–
diction between Russia and the
Western powers.
We are aware of the difficulties
and dangers of this position-what
position is free of them? We are
certainly aware, too, that our
mo–
tives
and
interests
are
in
no sense
identical with those of capitalism.
But such difficulties and dangers
are a part of the present socialist
situation-a situation brought
PARTISAN REVIEW
about by a succession of disastrous
defeats. A positive socialist per–
spective is inconceivable apart from
the struggle to preserve the liberties
still existing in the Western world.
The struggle for such liberties is
in no sense contrary to the con–
tinuing tradition of socialist
thought-it happens only to differ
from the Leninist program of 1914.
In this reply to the criticism of
our editorial, our position has nec–
essarily been rather schematically
stated. We plan, however,
to
de–
velop it more fully in future is–
sues of
PARTISAN REVIEW.
THE
EDITORS
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