Continuing Relevance of Socialism

The collapse of the socialist world has once again brought back dangers not only of authoritarianism but of a retreat from the contingent humanity of capitalism. Without the support of the ethical vision provided by the left, liberalism can be easily swept aside by racism, exclusivist nationalism and religious fundamentalism. The demands of the people of the former Soviet Union and eastern Europe are prosperity, liberty and democracy. Tragically, what they might get instead is more suffering, more repression and an even more degrading uniformity.