Help in exploring Communism

[an apple]

Hi,
I'm a student stumbling about in the vast amounts of literature on Communism and am trying to understand such ideologies. In a world where capitalism is banging its head against a brick wall, it reminded me of the time I thought to myself "This can't last much longer".

I really need some help on figuring out what the different '-ists' mean and what I could classify myself as supporting. Any links to/or guides to the various types of Communism would be much appreciated.

I've read the Communist Manifesto and don't know where to continue. I was hoping to find some more modern and relevant writings (preferably free) that I can just print out and take in.

If anyone understands what I mean, please help!

[NecroCommie]

Communist manifesto is surprisingly useless piece of literature. Not useless really, just over appreciated. Das kapital is more scientific critizism of capitalism, though it might have a bit oldish language depending on the issue.

This forum is also a good place to study what communists really think. Try reading some of the debates in "opposing ideologies" and "theory", and you will already have a good-enough picture of things.

Numerous leftist internet sites and organizations also have pretty good articles on modern day issues seen through the eyes of a marxist, though I personally dont know any in english. I would like to see the UK and US comrades link some english activist sites on this thread to clear things up.

I also remember a thread somewhere on this forum giving brief introductions to the theories of different communist "schools of thought". I will try to find it now.

Edit: aah... Here it is ---> http://www.revleft.com/vb/revolutionary-left-dictionary-t22628/index.html

[Matina]

Communist manifesto is surprisingly useless piece of literature. Not useless really, just over appreciated. Das kapital is more scientific critizism of capitalism, though it might have a bit oldish language depending on the issue.

What the hell are you talking about? the communist manifesto is ever so relevant. It has inside condensed various topics, as the programme of the communists, the attitude towards the organizations of the proletariat, how globalization occurs, the view on historical materialism etc etc. you just need to understand it. If you understand it the communist manifesto is the most useful piece on communism.


I was hoping to find some more modern and relevant writings (preferably free) that I can just print out and take in.

Depends on what you can understand. If you are advanced I'd recommend State and Revolution by Lenin, his work on imperialism etc. If you are still new to the whole thing, I would recommend the ABC of communism by Engels, Socialism made easy by Conolly, Socialism Utopian and Scientific by Engels etc.

You can find all of these if you search on the Marxist Internet Archive www.marxists.org

[NecroCommie]

What the hell are you talking about? the communist manifesto is ever so relevant. It has inside condensed various topics, as the programme of the communists, the attitude towards the organizations of the proletariat, how globalization occurs, the view on historical materialism etc etc. you just need to understand it. If you understand it the communist manifesto is the most useful piece on communism.

Well that is a matter of priorities. I tend to think communism primarily as an economic and societal ideology rather than a politic one. But sure if you like the political part then yes you can find interesting things in the manifesto too. Das kapital is for those concerned on economics.

And even then the manifesto is not useless. OK I used a bit harsh language, but I still think some people elevate manifesto to demigodhood or something. Communism contains so much more than the manifesto, and on some occations might be even something different than what described in the manifesto.

[Matina]

Well that is a matter of priorities. I tend to think communism primarily as an economic and societal ideology rather than a politic one. But sure if you like the political part then yes you can find interesting things in the manifesto too. Das kapital is for those concerned on economics.

And even then the manifesto is not useless. OK I used a bit harsh language, but I still think some people elevate manifesto to demigodhood or something. Communism contains so much more than the manifesto, and on some occations might be even something different than what described in the manifesto.


I don't think that people fetishize the communist manifesto. It is a very useful pamphlet outlining the principles of communism. Of course it omits the theory on the state and some other stuff, but there is so much you can include in 70 pages. It is a very useful text and every communist should return to it to find answers in contamporary questions.

Other than that Capital is excellent but not so good for begginers like the OP. So please don't overwhelm people by suggesting to them to read capital, as they won't understand it if they are new. It is better to start off with the communist manifesto and then go on to other works of Lenin, Trotsky, Engels and Marx. After that you should study contamporary stuff.

[Invincible Summer]

Hi,
I'm a student stumbling about in the vast amounts of literature on Communism and am trying to understand such ideologies. In a world where capitalism is banging its head against a brick wall, it reminded me of the time I thought to myself "This can't last much longer".

I really need some help on figuring out what the different '-ists' mean and what I could classify myself as supporting. Any links to/or guides to the various types of Communism would be much appreciated.

I've read the Communist Manifesto and don't know where to continue. I was hoping to find some more modern and relevant writings (preferably free) that I can just print out and take in.

If anyone understands what I mean, please help!

There are some FAQs at the top of most of the sub-forums here that are stickied.

This is not bad - gives you a general overview of some main tendencies and topics, as well as some links to look at (http://www.revleft.com/vb/revolutionaryleft-dictionary-t18401/index.html)

[ZeroNowhere]

There are some FAQs at the top of most of the sub-forums here that are stickied.

This is not bad - gives you a general overview of some main tendencies and topics, as well as some links to look at (http://www.revleft.com/vb/revolutionaryleft-dictionary-t18401/index.html)
There are a few flaws in it, though.


Reformism: A name given to politics which means to change society through a legal process ie parliment and the judicial system.
No, reformism is the reforming of the current system.


In Orthodox Marxist theory, the stage after capitalism but before Communism in which the dictatorship of the proletariat rules and individuals are paid according to how much they work. China, the USSR, etc. all claimed to be in this socialist stage, none ever claimed to be in communism.
Marx was obviously not an 'Orthodox Marxist', then.
The rule of the proletariat only takes place during the 'expropriation of the expropriators' (aka. Revolution). Labour credits are used in the initial/lower phase of communism, which is... A form of communism, in which there is no state. Of course, Marx used the words 'communism' and 'socialism' interchangeably (with a few preferred phrases, for example, 'primitive communism')

It does lack De Leonism (http://www.revleft.com/vb/de-leonismi-t100202/index.html?p=1341927#post1341927), etc, but then again, most things do. :D

[manic expression]

Are any of you going to at least try to answer his/her question?

OK, I'll give a few points, but remember this is general and I'm probably missing quite a bit. All below falls generally into the communist camp.

Marxism - the first and biggest ism, notably put forth by Marx and Engels. Marxists accept Marx's basic theories of class conflict, the contradictions inherent in capitalism, the proletariat's role as the only revolutionary class in modern society, capitalism's historical development (at least until the late-19th Century) and other conclusions made by Marx. Reading the Communist Manifesto (as you already have) will give you a solid grasp of all of these and more. In addition, you might want to read Engels' Principles of Communism, a nice little FAQ. Beyond that, try Wage-Labor and Capital and Capital, as well as Engels' The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State.

Leninism - Lenin and the Bolsheviks broke with the Social Democrats of the Second International on many issues, and more importantly formulated many practical concepts and analyses that form the basis of all Leninist ideologies. Lenin argued that the vanguard of the working class (the most politically advanced section of the workers) can and should be organized into a disciplined, cohesive party in order to propagate revolutionary socialism and carry out the tasks of proletarian revolution. In addition, Lenin analyzed the changing nature of capitalism, pinpointing the development of monopoly capitalism, "gigantic usury" (the dependence on debt, which is what led to the most recent capitalist meltdown) and other characteristics which he termed imperialism. Lastly, most of the Bolshevik policies carried out during the early phases of the Russian Revolution are accepted by all Leninists as correct. What Is to Be Done?, Imperialism, State and Revolution and Left-Wing Communism: An Infantile Disorder will give you a good idea of what Leninism stands for.

"Stalinism" - This generally includes any Marxist-Leninist who deems Stalin's policies, most especially his theory of "Socialism in One Country" (which is often misconstrued), in the period of his leadership within the Soviet Union and the Comintern. To read more about this, you're best off reading about the history of the USSR (although avoid right-wing historians like Robert Conquest) and Stalin's role in world history.

Trotskyism - The rejection of Stalin's policies and theories. Trotsky called the Soviet Union under Stalin a "deformed worker state", that is to say the bureaucratic caste had wrestled political power from the workers and established a contradictory (yet still relatively progressive) regime without working-class state power. Trotskyists also uphold Trotsky's theory of "Permanent Revolution", which was in response to Stalin's "Socialism in One Country". There are many divisions within the Trotskyist camp around the world, but both of these tenets are basically accepted by all. The Revolution Betrayed and The Permanent Revolution will outline most of Trotskyism for you.

Maoism - the ideology which formed out of the Chinese Communist Party's experience in China. Mao Zedong rejected the leadership of the Soviet Union under Khruschev and formulated many theories distinct to Maoism. Just a few include "mass line", "cultural revolution", "revisionism" and others. I'm not sure where to start reading for Maoism, maybe a Maoist could help me out.

Feel free to add to this everyone.

[NecroCommie]

Other than that Capital is excellent but not so good for begginers like the OP. So please don't overwhelm people by suggesting to them to read capital, as they won't understand it if they are new. It is better to start off with the communist manifesto and then go on to other works of Lenin, Trotsky, Engels and Marx. After that you should study contamporary stuff.
Well OK that is more of a valid point perhaps. I think Lenins works are too quite difficult, but on the other hand it depends on the reader somewhat.

[an apple]

Thanks for the post Manic,
It was an extremely helpful starting point. Christ, I hope I haven't started an international conflict over the usefulness of Capital!