J_Coe
21st July 2009, 02:41
A Revolutionary Course of Action I
A brief discussion on the crucial action required, bringing an end to the paradox in which we dwell.
--
“Understanding socialism changes your entire perception of the world; all of a sudden the fish dominate the sky and you can swim with the birds.”
--
Meaning not to take the auspicious sentiment from Martin Luther King Jr’ but I had a dream. I conversed with a man, a capitalist’s John Doe. Soon after meeting we began to discuss life’s purpose and the profiteering system in which we exist. This is what was said.
I asked if he was happy, he looked questionably, halted for a second and mirrored my question. “Don’t repeat what I said”, I said. This time he said nothing and agreed using his head - he nodded; I believed this to be a yes. I noted and proceeded to query his pause, asking him if he really preferred to be seen as a cog within an economic machine – used to further wealth for a select few off his labour. I explained ‘surplus value’ and preached against the obvious exploitation of the masses. Here the many live comfortably but still don’t receive their fair share, elsewhere the many starve. More disastrous still, individuals come to prefer to damage and exploit others for personal profit. Community, as we would like to know it ceases. He proclaimed the standard trained response - “We design ourselves, we can all become wealthy”. I replied to the former, “I agree” or so I said. To the latter – his, like my, ‘one of a kind self’ – ‘designed and built by our self”- was trapped within an ‘invisible cage’. Forces outside of our control better our abilities; the unparalleled number become nothing more than cogs. We cease to exist; we lose aspirations and focus on producing more profit for another. He said that everything I had said had been said before, “I’ve failed to convince you”, I said, “Keep doing your thing” after that, I said no more.
--
The idea of predestined coding of man is nothing short of a fallacy. Man, much like a mound of clay is born to be sculpted. Man is neither intrinsically good, nor intrinsically bad. Man - just is. From ground zero we build how society is to act, we exist within the environment and play the part we are thrown. We cannot cite Rousseau for man being corrupted from his ‘golden stage’ and likewise, Thomas Hobbes’ ‘state of war’ is nothing short of a scare mongering theoretical point in order to justify individual despotism. Society’s responsibility resounds within ourselves; it is forever the now and the future, built from the ashes of the past. We have the capabilities and desires to do both good and bad, to commit mutual aid or mutual exploitation. The system in which we exist is our choice and currently we are choosing to do harm by the pursuit of our own selfish gain stipulated by the system which we are gripped by.
Capitalism as a system not only allows but also perpetuates the pursuit of our own ‘selfish gene’ known to political theorists as ‘self-preservation’. This is accomplished through capitalist promotion of material gain and want. This system transforms moral vices into pseudo ‘virtues’; it has made selfishness, exploitation and individualism a fraudulent battle cry for adults and children alike. We no longer aspire to achieve greatness; we no longer push to discover something great, unless it can bring us great wealth. Our own primitive desire to accumulate far beyond what we need, or even really want, is now our primarily incentive. Company owners push to further profit, Marx discusses through ‘Das Kapital’ the glaring exploits in which are committed. These obvious exploits committed by the owners of the means of production are more than apparent and thus needn’t be detailed much greater. The vibrant difference between the labourer’s wage and labourer’s productive value is not the only cause for concern. Too long have socialists avoided tackling another real blockade to the righteous ideals. As Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara found while attempting to boldly spark a continental revolution in the heart of Latin America, Bolivia, the people must also be convinced. Cuba’s success was found through proletariat support, where Castro had support, in Bolivia, ‘Che’ had little to none.
The genius of Capitalism is not only that it manages to trap individuals into the system, but it also convinces the people that they desire capitalism and thus, the exploited, they, become petty exploiters and fail to see their own cause. Too often we look to others to blame. I do not deny that devils in suits rule the world, some of them know this while some joined the system with good intentions and found themselves encaged within, powerless to realise their original aspirations. Though, one must realise that if we are to search for those to blame, we needn’t travel further than to the closest mirror. The capitalist trap renders each individual stuck in a system where by they pursue material wealth - by capitalist means. These capitalist means leave said individuals as instruments of profit making, henceforth, the individuals unknowingly commit themselves to become means of producing a large profit for another owed to their own selfish desire to accumulate far beyond they want, or need. One might argue this is acceptable, as Adam Smith asserted both are ‘gaining’ and thus the contract is to mutual benefit. Though one must ask, why the incredible monetary difference between those at the top and those at the bottom? Why must many struggle for another live to excess? One can only deduce the obvious but generally avoided fact that for each one who lives on top of the world many must justify his position by living at the bottom of the ocean. Is this what we call humanity? The idea of helping those at the bottom will not truly motivate most of you, so instead think of yourself. How much money do you produce for another to enjoy? How many of you worry about money while others live to excess off of your back? How often have you seen, been involved in or worked under the threat of redundancies? It isn’t greed to demand what the selfish have stolen from you. You’re closer to the bottom of the ocean than you think.
--
How can the people take their rightful power? The answer resides within the question; the people are to take power. Winston Churchill referred to democracy as the best plausible option. Jean Jacques Rousseau referred to it as the system of the Gods, though not suitable for man and if we are to take the viewpoint from The Prince, Machiavelli saw the necessity and value in the benevolent dictator. Systems of Government can and often are continually disputed between arrogant bourgeois who serve to cloud theoretical discussions with judgements that needn’t necessarily be made when the utmost question has yet to be answered. What steps are to be taken in order to ensure the continual and perpetual collapse of systematic exploitation of the masses, whether feudal or capitalist? Though the primary intention of this essay is incite consciousness of the struggle through general discussion, I will take it within my liberty to briefly answer this. A vanguard has become more than necessary; Marx’s opinions of people rising up almost simultaneously when educated will fail. The source of problems faced stem from the ‘elite’, but the seed of destruction has been sown and now the vines have grown and strangled all of society, in order to combat this, the reactionary course must be equally as potent. For those who have yet to arise to the subtleties, this is advocating for revolutionary courses of action, lead by a vanguard of those prepared to take up the challenge on behalf of unconscious masses.
Revolutionary means will unquestionably fall short within certain areas of the globe. Capitalist havens such as the Western European States and the United States of America will surely and viciously crush any course of action. These strong, well-developed states possess anti-revolutionary means. At this point, when the well-trained heroic soldiers of the people are forcibly turn against the revolutionary means of the people. The soldiers face greater exploitation by the Capitalists, they are ordered to surrender their life for, often but not always, elite causes. How do the elite manage this? Deceit. Men and women wish to defend their homeland, at times they do, but the elite abuse the people’s army and sap the people’s power by doing so. At times, soldiers no longer serve the people, but instead, protect the Bourgeoisie. Unknowingly, we have allowed our own militaries to be commandeered by capitalists who do nothing short of abuse our soldier’s desire to protect us and use them as a semi-public-private means of protecting their interests. Public demonstrations that contest with State interests are met with either actual or the threat repercussions, we call this freedom and deny the existence of an elite?
Revolutionary means within Western states will have to arise from the masses, which will only be achieved through consciousness. This consciousness will arise from education of example. Such will be attained revolutionary action within developing states where vanguard revolutions can be successfully executed against the fragmented and weakened states. Public support is imperative and this will be gained easier within the greatest of exploited states. As the developing world is once again encapsulated with the rise of revolutionary socialism the Western people will take notice. It is this education of example that will create a channel for the revolutionary cause. Whether they originally agree or disagree, they will listen. Once the people begin to listen, the cause will slowly but surely be awakened and these most imprisoned souls of capitalism will begin to become conscious. It is this channel that will roar the necessity of revolution. An undying need to overhaul the current state of affairs and radically transform all systems of Governance and existence. No true believer will preach reform.
Reform and social policy is deceit and trickery; the capitalist becomes the wolf masquerading as a sheep. They wield a thousand miles and offer us a yard, if we do not take it they offer us a second, eventually our greed will defeat our own cause. The plan is not “more” it is “all”, the plan is not ‘better quality’ it is equality and the plan is not ‘some say’ it is liberation! I write this most vehemently, this is not a question of getting more of what we deserve, it is about getting what we as people are fully entitled to. Bourgeois reformers are nothing short of devils playing the part of saints. Technological advances have bettered the quality of life for many; do not mistake this with proletariat victory. Peasants across the ages lived better or worse relatively, the reality of exploitation still persists alongside the treacherous attempts to mask it. We asked centuries ago; we asked with the Chartists, we asked with the developing world revolutions, we asked with the global social movements, we asked with global labour movements, what is it we’re to do now …Ask?
--
Policy formation at this stage is unimportant, though one must fully understand how a post revolutionary system would exist. As without the promise of the general outcome no single soul of sound mind would join the cause. As John Locke worded it, the state is a “necessary evil”. These words have echoed throughout time and are well grounded. Man, by nature, requires leadership. Man also requires organisation. If I were to ask hundred men to build a bridge the outcome would be the formation of a few who would take control of organisational responsibilities. Because each man could not communicate with each one of the hundred, a small huddle is required to act as the channel from the collective entity of the hundred, to each of the individuals who form the hundred. It is therefore inconceivable that the state could be abolished, as it would contradict human nature and purge society of its collective entity. The state shall be formed by a vanguard, at first, if necessary. This is in order to quash counter revolutionaries and begin the first installation of the rightful means of existence.
The state shall act upon nationalised interests. A fully functional welfare state offering ‘free upon demand’ services is crucial. This is to include education, transport, health care, social services and a national bank. Some may argue states such as Britain possess a great deal of this. This is not the case. There is a great difference between a capitalist’s welfare state and a socialist welfare state. The latter would offer much more, partially due to the greater finances available. Within the capitalist welfare state, each of the elements is still run as businesses, still elements of profiteering exist. Questions of basic quality of life are not to be profited from. Alongside this, the “right to sell” is to be taxed and business profit margins are to be monitored while wages of the workers are to be increased. Profit itself cannot be removed; the reality of human nature is productivity is, to some extent, guided by self-interested incentive. However, profit margins are to be much smaller, there will still be those richer than others, to ensure “complete equality” would actually create inequality. The aim is to radically reduce the margin between the two. For those who refuse to partake within the system; by this meaning those who have not retired and remain capable of work but do not do so within good time are to lose all non-basic support from the state. Public services are to remain free, but monetary benefits are to cease past a point where one is deemed unjustified in any longer claiming from the work the whole while they willingly act independently against the system. At the least around the conception of the revolutionary overhaul, immigration is to reduce. Mass immigration is a capitalist means of reducing wage and increasing profit by injecting workforce. It is therefore not within the interests of the people to allow mass immigration into a society, at the least, until it is a fully functional socialist state.
--
Despite propaganda any day the revolutions might erupt, the skies over the great cities of the world will still emblazon up. A new generation will inevitably rise up, the people of every class will unavoidably realise the entrapment of inexplicable treatment of common man. Ideas cannot be stopped; the truncheon cannot beat down a passion. They’ll keep searching to find what cannot be stopped; the sign of invincibility is us. Minds are forever free. They’ll look to their troops to stop us, all they’ll find is us. They’ll look to their policemen, stood behind them is us. We encompass every element, every man despite his current position will eventually realise that they live the same life as us. Soon it’ll be realised that those at the ‘top’ have no more right than us, soon it’ll be realised that there is no use in fighting us. As of now, they call the shots; they control the minds of the young. We are the free minded; it is our burden and our challenge to break through this hell, tear it down and build a new world behind it.
--
To address the reader for a final time, it’s time that we collectivise and achieve what is to be done. We see and hear of the plight of many, we see and hear of the destruction of many… but nobody stops. It’s almost hard to believe that we as a world can stop caring over night. The concept presented does not exist within the current political spectrum. To understand what is presented you must think of it as an entire alternative to the world we live in. You must picture the fish in the sky and the birds in the ocean. This isn’t about redistribution of wealth to the poor; this isn’t even merely about the poor. This is about you, whether you’re working or ‘middle’ class. This is not merely a monetary issue, if it were; it would be our push for more wealth, not freedom that would serve to motivate the revolution, thus, self-defeating. The truth is many of us are forced into exploitation we do not even conceive, we are not conscious of it.
Use your mind, think freely and become conscious.
A brief discussion on the crucial action required, bringing an end to the paradox in which we dwell.
--
“Understanding socialism changes your entire perception of the world; all of a sudden the fish dominate the sky and you can swim with the birds.”
--
Meaning not to take the auspicious sentiment from Martin Luther King Jr’ but I had a dream. I conversed with a man, a capitalist’s John Doe. Soon after meeting we began to discuss life’s purpose and the profiteering system in which we exist. This is what was said.
I asked if he was happy, he looked questionably, halted for a second and mirrored my question. “Don’t repeat what I said”, I said. This time he said nothing and agreed using his head - he nodded; I believed this to be a yes. I noted and proceeded to query his pause, asking him if he really preferred to be seen as a cog within an economic machine – used to further wealth for a select few off his labour. I explained ‘surplus value’ and preached against the obvious exploitation of the masses. Here the many live comfortably but still don’t receive their fair share, elsewhere the many starve. More disastrous still, individuals come to prefer to damage and exploit others for personal profit. Community, as we would like to know it ceases. He proclaimed the standard trained response - “We design ourselves, we can all become wealthy”. I replied to the former, “I agree” or so I said. To the latter – his, like my, ‘one of a kind self’ – ‘designed and built by our self”- was trapped within an ‘invisible cage’. Forces outside of our control better our abilities; the unparalleled number become nothing more than cogs. We cease to exist; we lose aspirations and focus on producing more profit for another. He said that everything I had said had been said before, “I’ve failed to convince you”, I said, “Keep doing your thing” after that, I said no more.
--
The idea of predestined coding of man is nothing short of a fallacy. Man, much like a mound of clay is born to be sculpted. Man is neither intrinsically good, nor intrinsically bad. Man - just is. From ground zero we build how society is to act, we exist within the environment and play the part we are thrown. We cannot cite Rousseau for man being corrupted from his ‘golden stage’ and likewise, Thomas Hobbes’ ‘state of war’ is nothing short of a scare mongering theoretical point in order to justify individual despotism. Society’s responsibility resounds within ourselves; it is forever the now and the future, built from the ashes of the past. We have the capabilities and desires to do both good and bad, to commit mutual aid or mutual exploitation. The system in which we exist is our choice and currently we are choosing to do harm by the pursuit of our own selfish gain stipulated by the system which we are gripped by.
Capitalism as a system not only allows but also perpetuates the pursuit of our own ‘selfish gene’ known to political theorists as ‘self-preservation’. This is accomplished through capitalist promotion of material gain and want. This system transforms moral vices into pseudo ‘virtues’; it has made selfishness, exploitation and individualism a fraudulent battle cry for adults and children alike. We no longer aspire to achieve greatness; we no longer push to discover something great, unless it can bring us great wealth. Our own primitive desire to accumulate far beyond what we need, or even really want, is now our primarily incentive. Company owners push to further profit, Marx discusses through ‘Das Kapital’ the glaring exploits in which are committed. These obvious exploits committed by the owners of the means of production are more than apparent and thus needn’t be detailed much greater. The vibrant difference between the labourer’s wage and labourer’s productive value is not the only cause for concern. Too long have socialists avoided tackling another real blockade to the righteous ideals. As Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara found while attempting to boldly spark a continental revolution in the heart of Latin America, Bolivia, the people must also be convinced. Cuba’s success was found through proletariat support, where Castro had support, in Bolivia, ‘Che’ had little to none.
The genius of Capitalism is not only that it manages to trap individuals into the system, but it also convinces the people that they desire capitalism and thus, the exploited, they, become petty exploiters and fail to see their own cause. Too often we look to others to blame. I do not deny that devils in suits rule the world, some of them know this while some joined the system with good intentions and found themselves encaged within, powerless to realise their original aspirations. Though, one must realise that if we are to search for those to blame, we needn’t travel further than to the closest mirror. The capitalist trap renders each individual stuck in a system where by they pursue material wealth - by capitalist means. These capitalist means leave said individuals as instruments of profit making, henceforth, the individuals unknowingly commit themselves to become means of producing a large profit for another owed to their own selfish desire to accumulate far beyond they want, or need. One might argue this is acceptable, as Adam Smith asserted both are ‘gaining’ and thus the contract is to mutual benefit. Though one must ask, why the incredible monetary difference between those at the top and those at the bottom? Why must many struggle for another live to excess? One can only deduce the obvious but generally avoided fact that for each one who lives on top of the world many must justify his position by living at the bottom of the ocean. Is this what we call humanity? The idea of helping those at the bottom will not truly motivate most of you, so instead think of yourself. How much money do you produce for another to enjoy? How many of you worry about money while others live to excess off of your back? How often have you seen, been involved in or worked under the threat of redundancies? It isn’t greed to demand what the selfish have stolen from you. You’re closer to the bottom of the ocean than you think.
--
How can the people take their rightful power? The answer resides within the question; the people are to take power. Winston Churchill referred to democracy as the best plausible option. Jean Jacques Rousseau referred to it as the system of the Gods, though not suitable for man and if we are to take the viewpoint from The Prince, Machiavelli saw the necessity and value in the benevolent dictator. Systems of Government can and often are continually disputed between arrogant bourgeois who serve to cloud theoretical discussions with judgements that needn’t necessarily be made when the utmost question has yet to be answered. What steps are to be taken in order to ensure the continual and perpetual collapse of systematic exploitation of the masses, whether feudal or capitalist? Though the primary intention of this essay is incite consciousness of the struggle through general discussion, I will take it within my liberty to briefly answer this. A vanguard has become more than necessary; Marx’s opinions of people rising up almost simultaneously when educated will fail. The source of problems faced stem from the ‘elite’, but the seed of destruction has been sown and now the vines have grown and strangled all of society, in order to combat this, the reactionary course must be equally as potent. For those who have yet to arise to the subtleties, this is advocating for revolutionary courses of action, lead by a vanguard of those prepared to take up the challenge on behalf of unconscious masses.
Revolutionary means will unquestionably fall short within certain areas of the globe. Capitalist havens such as the Western European States and the United States of America will surely and viciously crush any course of action. These strong, well-developed states possess anti-revolutionary means. At this point, when the well-trained heroic soldiers of the people are forcibly turn against the revolutionary means of the people. The soldiers face greater exploitation by the Capitalists, they are ordered to surrender their life for, often but not always, elite causes. How do the elite manage this? Deceit. Men and women wish to defend their homeland, at times they do, but the elite abuse the people’s army and sap the people’s power by doing so. At times, soldiers no longer serve the people, but instead, protect the Bourgeoisie. Unknowingly, we have allowed our own militaries to be commandeered by capitalists who do nothing short of abuse our soldier’s desire to protect us and use them as a semi-public-private means of protecting their interests. Public demonstrations that contest with State interests are met with either actual or the threat repercussions, we call this freedom and deny the existence of an elite?
Revolutionary means within Western states will have to arise from the masses, which will only be achieved through consciousness. This consciousness will arise from education of example. Such will be attained revolutionary action within developing states where vanguard revolutions can be successfully executed against the fragmented and weakened states. Public support is imperative and this will be gained easier within the greatest of exploited states. As the developing world is once again encapsulated with the rise of revolutionary socialism the Western people will take notice. It is this education of example that will create a channel for the revolutionary cause. Whether they originally agree or disagree, they will listen. Once the people begin to listen, the cause will slowly but surely be awakened and these most imprisoned souls of capitalism will begin to become conscious. It is this channel that will roar the necessity of revolution. An undying need to overhaul the current state of affairs and radically transform all systems of Governance and existence. No true believer will preach reform.
Reform and social policy is deceit and trickery; the capitalist becomes the wolf masquerading as a sheep. They wield a thousand miles and offer us a yard, if we do not take it they offer us a second, eventually our greed will defeat our own cause. The plan is not “more” it is “all”, the plan is not ‘better quality’ it is equality and the plan is not ‘some say’ it is liberation! I write this most vehemently, this is not a question of getting more of what we deserve, it is about getting what we as people are fully entitled to. Bourgeois reformers are nothing short of devils playing the part of saints. Technological advances have bettered the quality of life for many; do not mistake this with proletariat victory. Peasants across the ages lived better or worse relatively, the reality of exploitation still persists alongside the treacherous attempts to mask it. We asked centuries ago; we asked with the Chartists, we asked with the developing world revolutions, we asked with the global social movements, we asked with global labour movements, what is it we’re to do now …Ask?
--
Policy formation at this stage is unimportant, though one must fully understand how a post revolutionary system would exist. As without the promise of the general outcome no single soul of sound mind would join the cause. As John Locke worded it, the state is a “necessary evil”. These words have echoed throughout time and are well grounded. Man, by nature, requires leadership. Man also requires organisation. If I were to ask hundred men to build a bridge the outcome would be the formation of a few who would take control of organisational responsibilities. Because each man could not communicate with each one of the hundred, a small huddle is required to act as the channel from the collective entity of the hundred, to each of the individuals who form the hundred. It is therefore inconceivable that the state could be abolished, as it would contradict human nature and purge society of its collective entity. The state shall be formed by a vanguard, at first, if necessary. This is in order to quash counter revolutionaries and begin the first installation of the rightful means of existence.
The state shall act upon nationalised interests. A fully functional welfare state offering ‘free upon demand’ services is crucial. This is to include education, transport, health care, social services and a national bank. Some may argue states such as Britain possess a great deal of this. This is not the case. There is a great difference between a capitalist’s welfare state and a socialist welfare state. The latter would offer much more, partially due to the greater finances available. Within the capitalist welfare state, each of the elements is still run as businesses, still elements of profiteering exist. Questions of basic quality of life are not to be profited from. Alongside this, the “right to sell” is to be taxed and business profit margins are to be monitored while wages of the workers are to be increased. Profit itself cannot be removed; the reality of human nature is productivity is, to some extent, guided by self-interested incentive. However, profit margins are to be much smaller, there will still be those richer than others, to ensure “complete equality” would actually create inequality. The aim is to radically reduce the margin between the two. For those who refuse to partake within the system; by this meaning those who have not retired and remain capable of work but do not do so within good time are to lose all non-basic support from the state. Public services are to remain free, but monetary benefits are to cease past a point where one is deemed unjustified in any longer claiming from the work the whole while they willingly act independently against the system. At the least around the conception of the revolutionary overhaul, immigration is to reduce. Mass immigration is a capitalist means of reducing wage and increasing profit by injecting workforce. It is therefore not within the interests of the people to allow mass immigration into a society, at the least, until it is a fully functional socialist state.
--
Despite propaganda any day the revolutions might erupt, the skies over the great cities of the world will still emblazon up. A new generation will inevitably rise up, the people of every class will unavoidably realise the entrapment of inexplicable treatment of common man. Ideas cannot be stopped; the truncheon cannot beat down a passion. They’ll keep searching to find what cannot be stopped; the sign of invincibility is us. Minds are forever free. They’ll look to their troops to stop us, all they’ll find is us. They’ll look to their policemen, stood behind them is us. We encompass every element, every man despite his current position will eventually realise that they live the same life as us. Soon it’ll be realised that those at the ‘top’ have no more right than us, soon it’ll be realised that there is no use in fighting us. As of now, they call the shots; they control the minds of the young. We are the free minded; it is our burden and our challenge to break through this hell, tear it down and build a new world behind it.
--
To address the reader for a final time, it’s time that we collectivise and achieve what is to be done. We see and hear of the plight of many, we see and hear of the destruction of many… but nobody stops. It’s almost hard to believe that we as a world can stop caring over night. The concept presented does not exist within the current political spectrum. To understand what is presented you must think of it as an entire alternative to the world we live in. You must picture the fish in the sky and the birds in the ocean. This isn’t about redistribution of wealth to the poor; this isn’t even merely about the poor. This is about you, whether you’re working or ‘middle’ class. This is not merely a monetary issue, if it were; it would be our push for more wealth, not freedom that would serve to motivate the revolution, thus, self-defeating. The truth is many of us are forced into exploitation we do not even conceive, we are not conscious of it.
Use your mind, think freely and become conscious.