Problems of American Socialism

We continue the broad discussion (begun in last month's issue) with Joseph Starobin's response to Paul Sweezy's review of his recent book (see Sweezy, "From Paris to Peking to New York," MR, March 1956). Last month's discussion pieces have evoked a good deal of comment, and A. P.'s "If Not Now, When?" has been particularly commended by many readers. One correction, however, deserves to be recorded. A correspondent writes: "The quotation on page 17 is incomplete. It should read: 'If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?' This is much better socialist propaganda than the version you printed. Further, it is not from the Bible but from the "Ethics of the Fathers," one book in the Mishnah (also contained in the Standard Hebrew Prayer Book), where it is ascribed to Hillel." Our correspondent is right: the full quotation is much better socialist propaganda. -THE EDITORSThis article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website

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