WLIM@XX.LCS.MIT.EDU.UUCP (02/18/87)
From: "Keith F. Lynch" <KFL%MX.LCS.MIT.EDU@MC.LCS.MIT.EDU> In any case, I think they have succeeded all too well, given that their goal is NOT a high standard of living, but eventual world conquest. So your point is that it is not Soviet Marxism that is the threat but rather Soviet Militarism that is the threat. If Russian imperialism can "infect" both ends of the spectrum from the Czars to the Bolsheviks, it is likely that the ordinary Russians are "infected" too. Then a democratic Russia would be just as imperialistic. If this is the case, it is not to our military advantage to have a more democratic and economically powerful Russia. Psychological warfare aimed at freeing the Russians from totalitarianism would be fruitless. Instead we should concentrate on taking care of their imperialistic tendency first. I remember a right-wing friend of mine telling me not to confuse communism with totalitarianism. By the same token we should not confuse imperialism with communism. Imperialism provides us with an opportunity for using a "divide and conquer strategy" against the Communist bloc countries while communism does not. Willie ------- -------