Something New under the Sun

Whatever else it may be, Eurocommunism—or the range of political phenomena we conveniently bunch under that label—represents something new. To say, something new, is not necessarily to say something good; it is just to say, something new. There can be disagreement as to when it began, or the extent of the newness, or the likelihood of still further, deeper changes. But the one view not to be taken seriously is that of the neoconservatives and right-wing social democrats (in the U.S., almost indistinguishable) that Eurocommunism represents a tactical maneuver, perhaps even secretly blessed by Moscow, or that since there is in the world some eternal essence called Communism, that essence must survive eternally.

I agree with those who urge a healthy skepticism toward the Communist parties of Western Europe, or who point to the many ways (ideology, organizational structure, habits of thought, etc.) in which even the more heterodox Communists retain some of the traits of Stali...