Neo-socialism

A red scare is returning to the CR because of ČSSD's willingness to work with the Communists on the regional level. This of course has its historical connotations, given the country's Communist past, but there's also a global perspective. As Mikhail Khodorkovsky predicted in Vedomosti on Fri. (click for Russian or English), a turn to the left will sweep the globe in reaction to the financial crisis. The neo-liberalism of Reagan and Thatcher will be replaced by what Khodorkovsky calls neo- socialism. The election of Barack Obama is a manifestation of it, he said. By cozying up to both ODS and the Communists, ČSSD Chair Jiří Paroubek seems to be bridging the gap in the CR between the two ideologies. Those who fear the worst from this might take comfort from Khodorkovsky's assertion that the neo- socialism of the 21st century will borrow more from Reagan and Thatcher than from Stalin. [Czech Republic perestroika Russia Ronald Margaret]