At first I was like yeah Marx, I doubt I'd know other communist thinkers. Then I saw Stalin and Mao Zedong and I'm thinking that's sending a bad message
Both were heads of state in socialist countries. Regardless of how they are portrayed in the west, along with the countries they led, their writings serve as incredibly valuable insights to the practical process of building socialism in the real world. What kinds of problems can we expect to run into? What might we be overlooking now that we can get ahead of? All of this can be enormously supported by learning from existing socialist movements in history and those who played an influential role in them.
Theory is critical for understanding how to best go about political action and mutual aid, just like physics is critical for engineering and biology is critical for medicine.
Reading also gives another vocabulary, arguments, a new way of thinking about certain topic, etc. A picture or an idea in your mind can become clear and be easily verbalizable when you read about that idea, even if you don't agree.
Like a vibes based argument vs a thought out argument.
Sure, it might not work, but no sense not trying anyway. If you abandon trying to win via election, it will just give them more grounds to claim legitimacy. The last election was fishy, let's not given them elections that they win without cheating.
If you think the difference between communists and fascists is minimal, then you're enormously incorrect. Whenever communists have taken power, they have always uplifted the working classes and solidified state power in the hands of the working classes. The opposite is true of fascists. The fact that these two seem similar to you is a deliberate consequence of how capitalist society portrays those who eschew capitalism and build meaningful alternatives to its constant plunder and predation.
19 Comments
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 63d
maturelemontree@lemmy.zip · 11 pts · 63d
At first I was like yeah Marx, I doubt I'd know other communist thinkers. Then I saw Stalin and Mao Zedong and I'm thinking that's sending a bad message
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 63d
Cowbee@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 58d
Both were heads of state in socialist countries. Regardless of how they are portrayed in the west, along with the countries they led, their writings serve as incredibly valuable insights to the practical process of building socialism in the real world. What kinds of problems can we expect to run into? What might we be overlooking now that we can get ahead of? All of this can be enormously supported by learning from existing socialist movements in history and those who played an influential role in them.
jasonthedragon442@lemmy.ml · 8 pts · 62d
Ah yes, reading theory, the best form of mutual aid, solidarity and political action
Cowbee@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 58d
Theory is critical for understanding how to best go about political action and mutual aid, just like physics is critical for engineering and biology is critical for medicine.
K1nsey6@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 62d
If you don't know what you are fighting for you might be fighting the wrong enemy
potatoguy@mbin.potato-guy.space · 8 pts · 63d
Reading also gives another vocabulary, arguments, a new way of thinking about certain topic, etc. A picture or an idea in your mind can become clear and be easily verbalizable when you read about that idea, even if you don't agree.
Like a vibes based argument vs a thought out argument.
Read theory, people.
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 63d
potatoguy@mbin.potato-guy.space · 3 pts · 62d
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 62d
dreugeworst@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 62d
it really bothers me that it's called Marxist theory when the vast majority of it is actually hypothesis
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 62d
Ashenlux@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 7 pts · 63d
Sure, it might not work, but no sense not trying anyway. If you abandon trying to win via election, it will just give them more grounds to claim legitimacy. The last election was fishy, let's not given them elections that they win without cheating.
commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com · -2 pts · 63d
liberals are the enemy
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 63d
commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 0 pts · 62d
smash Capital and the state
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 62d
commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 62d
then we can have anarchism.
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 62d
commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 62d
I think you're lost.
K1nsey6@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 62d
Once you understand both historical and dialectical materialism the next stage is organic, there is no question 'then what?'
impairedimperator@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 62d
Sometimes I wonder if most "left wing" spaces exist for the sole purpose of ensuring the right dominates the world.
Then I remember there is little meaningful difference between a tankie and a fascist.
Cowbee@lemmy.ml · 0 pts · 58d
If you think the difference between communists and fascists is minimal, then you're enormously incorrect. Whenever communists have taken power, they have always uplifted the working classes and solidified state power in the hands of the working classes. The opposite is true of fascists. The fact that these two seem similar to you is a deliberate consequence of how capitalist society portrays those who eschew capitalism and build meaningful alternatives to its constant plunder and predation.
K1nsey6@lemmy.world · -2 pts · 62d
The only fascists around here are liberals. Democrats are right-wing