Christopher Hitchens on Trotsky (part 3 of 3)

The great Christopher Hitchens discussing the equally great Leon Trotsky on the BBC Radio 4 show "Great Lives", hosted by Matthew Parris. Historian Robert Service is also present to add to the discussion.
First broadcast 8 August 2006, no violation of copyright intended.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• christopher
• hitchens
• robert
• service
• matthew
• parris
• great
• lives
• trotsky
• trotskyism
• communism
• socialism

[Solaris152]

I think the host was fair to ask what Trotsky would have done different. I don't know why Hitchens avoided the question like that.

[ickythumpy]

@Solaris152 I don't think Hitch avoided the question, I just think he refused to answer because the question was odd. It wasn't simply a matter of picking between Stalin and Trotsky back then, so Hitch did the honorable thing rather than just giving a silly answer.

[fubintien]

Great parting shot from Christopher.

"I know why people are Tories alright, but it doesn't take 45 minutes and it isn't interesting."

[noctalla]

@ickythumpy Hitch was being petulant because he didn't like the way the question was phrased - as was his wont.

[Riiye]

I hate the hypocrisy of this. Trotsky and his ilk were responsible for the brutal killing of god knows how many people, yet Hitch is basically apologising for him. Meanwhile he singles out National Socialism as a great evil that kills people. Could you imagine someone casually defending Hitler and suggesting him as their "amazing life"? I'm not saying we SHOULD tolerate the people who would suggest Hitler, I'm saying we should be consistent about condemning people who sympathise with tyrants.

[i3u7n5]

@iamFegor Ohhhhhh DUH. Sigh....I'm going to go sit in the corner and think about what I've done. (thanks)

[iamFegor]

@i3u7n5 Cassandra, the woman who was gifted to have perfect foresight but cursed that no one would believe her warnings.

[i3u7n5]

@Solaris152 I didn't detect Hitch being evasive, he sounded to me as though he couldn't provide a proper answer without a sufficient preface. I have a feeling that if the moderator would have let him finish that Hitch might have answered the question to his satisfaction, long winded as it may have been.

[i3u7n5]

Anyone know what self described "cliche" Hitch is referencing at 2:04 when he mentions what sounds like "a cassandro"?

[eggory]

Just once I'd like to hear Hitchens actually defend capitalism.

[Donsknotts]

@CellphoneProfitInc you'd be naive person then, take your youtube education for granite do you?

[ascetica0]

I think Hitchens answered the way he did to put into practice the point that Marxism isn't about, as he put it, being a votary for a charismatic leader. I guess the closest we get is Hitch saying that if the program of the Left Opposition, "which was generally thought to be led by Trotsky", had been adopted earlier things would have gone better. @bfoaliali brings up the point that Hitchens has a better answer in another interview. I think this is the one - /watch?v=r4v3y-zFW9A

[CellphoneProfitInc]

the fact that hitchens admires an anti freedom, pro collectivist figure like trotsky erases all respect i would have for him