October 14, 2021
Here’s how Monthly Review presents itself:
“Monthly Review began publication in New York City in May 1949. The first issue featured the lead article “Why Socialism?” by Albert Einstein. From the beginning, Monthly Review spoke for a critical but spirited socialism, independent of any political organization. In an era of Cold War repression, the magazine published pioneering analyses of political economy, imperialism, and Third World struggles, drawing on the rich legacy of Marxist thought without being bound to any narrow view or party line. The McCarthy-led inquisition targeted MR‘s original editors, Paul Sweezy and Leo Huberman, who fought back successfully. Against these odds, the magazine’s readership and influence grew steadily, and in 1952, Monthly Review Press published its first title, I. F. Stone’s Hidden History of the Korean War.
TFF has published Einstein’s article here. But what we want to highlight right here is the MR Volume 73, July-August 2021 because it is a special issue about the New Cold War on China.
The Editors start out
“This special issue of Monthly Review is devoted to the New Cold War on China. This leads us to the question: What has been the view of the Chinese Revolution presented in Monthly Review in the past seven decades? How has it changed over time? Here we are reminded of a famous statement often attributed to John Maynard Keynes, though likely apocryphal. Accused by a critic of being a flip-flopper, Keynes replied: “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” (Jason Zweig, “Keynes: He Didn’t Say Half of What He Said. Or Did He?,” Wall Street Journal, February 11, 2011).”
And they then continue to present articles from MR which, over time, has presented various themes and perspectives on China – as China has so rapidly developed and changed.
Then comes a fine intro by John Bellamy Foster followed by 8 analyses.
In times when there is so much deceptive information available, it is imperative to be curious about China and its civilisation, learn from deeper analyses and be open for different interpretations.
This Special Issue is a good place to get wiser…