Political Views
Singer's writing was always deeply influenced by his interest in politics, and specifically the process of political change. Throughout his adult life, Singer was a socialist, but a critic of the Soviet Union. Influenced by anarchism, Trotskyism, and various newer dissident schools of Marxism, he was devoted ultimately to the political ideas of Marx and Luxemburg.
Singer opposed capitalism, saying that he "could not resign himself to the idea that with the technological genius at our disposal we are unable to build a different world." He denied, however, that capitalism's doom is inevitable, writing "capitalism has within it the seeds of its own destruction, but only seeds... Capitalism will have to be pushed off the stage." Singer believed that this push "will require a revolution."
While Singer was an opponent of Stalinism, and believed the French Communist Party in large part responsible for De Gaulle's success in taking power in 1958 and his failure to be overthrown in 1968, he had a nuanced view on the question. He wrote that, "while the totalitarian nature of Stalin's Russia is undeniable, I find the thesis of "totalitarian twins" both wrong and unproductive, and recognized the deep working-class implantation of the CP.
Singer retained an optimism about the prospects for socialism, writing shortly before his death:
There is no certainty about the future. Humanity has the capability of destroying itself, and it may very well do so. The hope is with the younger generation. They will not be able to run away from the problems of the world the way our generation did and the next generation has. But our grandchildren will have to deal with the contradictions.
Read more about this topic: Daniel Singer (journalist)
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