Present
collection of articles by Armando Hart should be seen in a particular
historical context. With collapse of erstwhile USSR and lessening of charm in
Chinese Socialist experiments and also with the advancement of newer Latin
American socialist experiments an interest in lesser known theorists and
political personalities of Third world countries has gained momentum. A
question should be raised and critically examined whether these people has
anything substantial to contribute in the universal treasure of Marxist Theory
and it’s creative application or they should be treated as just an attempt to
glorify their limited and narrow experiences.
In this
context these articles must be read with some care. Armando draws heavily from
Cuban tradition so sometimes he becomes difficult to follow. This can at best
be taken as a lesson that Marxists should try to assimilate their respective
cultural tradition in a positive manner. Indian and particularly Hindi
heartland practitioners on intellectual front should learn it seriously since
Marxist cultural intervention in Hindi heartland started with rejection of
tradition and in spite of long ideological struggle this line of thinking is
still very much dominant in some circles.
To some
extent India and Cuba can be compared since colonization is the fact of life in
both cases. Our colonizers have asserted that we are the people of spiritual
interest and so should not try to gain material benefits or should not demand
for economic prosperity. In these articles Armando accepts the opposition of
material/spiritual and civilization/culture though for a Marxist these are not
so opposed. Third world countries have
not only a claim over culture but civilization also belongs to them. Right from
the Chinese to Maya all ancient civilizations have flourished in these
countries only.
Actually
bourgeoisie has created this opposition to have a claim over civilization and
material and to prove capitalism as The ‘civilised’ system which has
responsibility to civilize other ‘barbarians’. But while accepting this
opposition Armando transforms it into weaker countries’ strength by exposing
the unethical socio-political milieu and utter materialistic consumerism of USA
versus ethical positions of Cuba.
In the
neoliberal offensive of our times the things like culture seem no more useful
so rulers have no time for it. In this atmosphere these articles are not only
relevant for discussing the place of culture in total social behavior but are
also tools in the battle against Imperialist cultural offensive.
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