I see it as a distinction between criminal justice and war. In criminal justice I believe in rehabilitation and the avoidance of unnecessary cruelty, Johnny the axe murderer is a shit person so he should be kept away from society and hopefully reformed so he can be let out some day and no longer be a threat. Johnny the fascist or Johnny the oligarch on the other hand are not just shit people, they're waging a war against the working class and denazifying then to a permanent end is completely justified.
I see it as a distinction between criminal justice and war.
Do you really consider the war to be over after seizing power in one country?
Socialism itself is a stage of war. Its entire existence is informed by the conflict between proletariat and bourgeoisie and that war is only truly over when the bourgeoisie are marginalised worldwide to the point that counterrevolution is impossible.
At some point the war will hopefully be over but there is still a long way to go from the establishment of socialism somewhere to the end of capitalism everywhere.
This is why socialist societies needs to be watchful as they will be under constant attack.
I see it as a distinction between criminal justice and war. In criminal justice I believe in rehabilitation and the avoidance of unnecessary cruelty, Johnny the axe murderer is a shit person so he should be kept away from society and hopefully reformed so he can be let out some day and no longer be a threat. Johnny the fascist or Johnny the oligarch on the other hand are not just shit people, they're waging a war against the working class and denazifying then to a permanent end is completely justified.
Do you really consider the war to be over after seizing power in one country?
Socialism itself is a stage of war. Its entire existence is informed by the conflict between proletariat and bourgeoisie and that war is only truly over when the bourgeoisie are marginalised worldwide to the point that counterrevolution is impossible.
At some point the war will hopefully be over but there is still a long way to go from the establishment of socialism somewhere to the end of capitalism everywhere.
This is why socialist societies needs to be watchful as they will be under constant attack.