This is great, and I adore Parenti. But I don't 100% agree with his take on the development of Russian state power, specifically. Some of that did start with leftist infighting, as well as the revolution against the tsarists and kulaks.
The KGB existed as much because of internal divisions as external divisions. I think the south american revolutions were more complete and less fraught and had less of a need for military state apparatuses absent the outside interference from the US and the West.
Plus, the KGB predates the CIA and its existence was a driving force in the consolidation and nationalization of capitalist security firms. So he has the cause and effect backwards there.
yeah. like, Parenti obviously knows his shit better than I do. but anyone can misspeak or slip up or whatever every now and then. especially if you talk and write so much. it's that many more chances to make a mistake.
This is great, and I adore Parenti. But I don't 100% agree with his take on the development of Russian state power, specifically. Some of that did start with leftist infighting, as well as the revolution against the tsarists and kulaks.
The KGB existed as much because of internal divisions as external divisions. I think the south american revolutions were more complete and less fraught and had less of a need for military state apparatuses absent the outside interference from the US and the West.
The Tsarists were propped up by the west. The west fought directly on the side of the white army and funded them.
Plus, the KGB predates the CIA and its existence was a driving force in the consolidation and nationalization of capitalist security firms. So he has the cause and effect backwards there.
Technically it doesn't but before the kgb there was the nkvd
yeah. like, Parenti obviously knows his shit better than I do. but anyone can misspeak or slip up or whatever every now and then. especially if you talk and write so much. it's that many more chances to make a mistake.