I think socialism is the self-emancipation of the working class, which is one reason why we believe in the self-determination of all peoples.
Spreading socialism by military force may not be wrong, per se, but if the working class within that country do not lead the revolution within it, the democratic institutions that are necessary to continue the socialist project are either stunted or never formed.
If socialism is in essence the workers' management of the economy, you then cannot by definition force socialism on unwilling workers. The ideological hegemony of capitalists in a country must be subverted with agitation, education, and organization, at least to a point where there is a solid movement of socialists within that country.
Yeah, I think this is one of the flaws of the Soviet model of exporting revolution. No matter how righteous your crusade is, if the revolution isn't home grown then it's so much easier to stoke up reactionary fear about foreign invaders trying to take away your way of life, and that you need to grab a gun to defend your god, government, and flag from the dirty commie invaders.
It's not like the west would've left them in peace regardless, but maybe the red scare propaganda that was used to drum up anti-communist fervor wouldn't have been as effective.
I think socialism is the self-emancipation of the working class, which is one reason why we believe in the self-determination of all peoples. Spreading socialism by military force may not be wrong, per se, but if the working class within that country do not lead the revolution within it, the democratic institutions that are necessary to continue the socialist project are either stunted or never formed.
If socialism is in essence the workers' management of the economy, you then cannot by definition force socialism on unwilling workers. The ideological hegemony of capitalists in a country must be subverted with agitation, education, and organization, at least to a point where there is a solid movement of socialists within that country.
Yeah, I think this is one of the flaws of the Soviet model of exporting revolution. No matter how righteous your crusade is, if the revolution isn't home grown then it's so much easier to stoke up reactionary fear about foreign invaders trying to take away your way of life, and that you need to grab a gun to defend your god, government, and flag from the dirty commie invaders.
It's not like the west would've left them in peace regardless, but maybe the red scare propaganda that was used to drum up anti-communist fervor wouldn't have been as effective.
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Of course, there are always extenuating circumstances, but there are drawbacks to socialism by force, even in cases where you could make an argument.