Re: life vs. civility -- Politics and Society in Russia and its Neighbors

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Date Posted: 14:55:35 02/13/02 Wed
Author: cynthia boaz
Subject: Re: life vs. civility
In reply to: Jenny 's message, "life vs. civility" on 22:50:15 01/28/02 Mon

Jenny,

These are great questions and especially relevant in light of today's discussion about the film and Soviet life.

Any responses to Jenny's questions?

-cb

>I found a passage in the reading that generates a very
>interesting question, one that ties into a topic we
>briefly discussed in class today. The fundamental
>question may provoke a seemingly obvious answer, but
>hopefully some contrasting discussion will arise. On
>page 63 of LT, Remnick writes of Bukharin, whos
>ill-timed sway towards liberalism was later an
>inspiration to Gorbachev's own reform:
>"He was no democrat, but no butcher, either. His
>ascent (unlikely as it was) would not have led to a
>civilized state, necessarily, but it might have saved
>countless lives."
>So the question is: What is paramount, life or
>civility? Excuse the existentialist undercurrent, but
>is life worth living when no social order is
>implemented? What is a "civilized state" or lack
>thereof? What are we willing to discount in order to
>live? Are we willing to forfit civility and security
>in exchange for life?
>
>Ok, my rant is over...
>
>Jenny

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