The paradox of communism in power was that it was conservative. Eric Hobsbawm More Quotes by Eric Hobsbawm More Quotes From Eric Hobsbawm There is not much that even the most socially responsible scientists can do as individuals, or even as a group, about the social consequences of their activities. Eric Hobsbawm scientist groups science (Carmine Crocco) A farm-labourer and cowherd, had joined the Bourbon army, killed a comrade in a brawl, deserted and lived as an outlaw for ten years. He joined the liberal insurgents in 1860 in the hope of an amnesty for his past offences, and subsequently became the most formidable guerilla chief and leader of men on the Bourbon side. Eric Hobsbawm army men past