What am I?

[learnitarian]

I know I'm a communist, because I agree with the basics, like "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs," and the abolition of private property, but beyond that it gets confusing. I was hoping to submit myself to questioning to figure out what sort of communist I am, exactly.

[Drace]

Well you cant be a Marxist, a Leninist, A Stalinist, Maoist or anything unless you have the knowledge to uphold that specific ideology.

So really your basically just a communist until you learn more and take on a more in depth view.

[willdw79]

I know I'm a communist, because I agree with the basics, like "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs," and the abolition of private property, but beyond that it gets confusing. I was hoping to submit myself to questioning to figure out what sort of communist I am, exactly.
It's hard to say what people are.

From Wikipedia: "After the French party split into a reformist and revolutionary party, some accused Guesde (leader of the latter) of taking orders from Marx; Marx remarked to Lafargue, "if that is Marxism, then I am not a Marxist""

Many people have spent several thousands of hours in discussions, readings, and application of all sorts of strains of communist ideologies.

I think it is best if instead of defining yourself, let the chips fall where they may.

[h0m0revolutionary]

I know it's a cop out and their validity is always contentious, but if you're prepared to do the reading, wiki might be a good start :)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxism)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leninism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leninism)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trotskyism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trotskyism)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalinism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalinism)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maoism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maoism)

If you're after a less rigid and statist brand, try:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_communism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_communism)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism) (or more specifically: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchi...hist_communism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism#Anarchist_communism))

[punisa]

I know I'm a communist, because I agree with the basics, like "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs," and the abolition of private property, but beyond that it gets confusing. I was hoping to submit myself to questioning to figure out what sort of communist I am, exactly.

You're on the best road there is my friend - the red one ! So welcome :)

[yuon]

How about these questions:

Do you think that a state/government is a required part of any civilised society?

Would you use force to prevent two people from swapping items that they had made (perhaps a cake for a stew)?

Do you think that the only method of bringing about a "communist" society is through a mass violent revolution?

If no to the previous question: Do you think that a revolution is the most likely method of bringing about a "communist" society?

If no to the previous question: What do you think is the most likely method of bringing about a "communist" society?

Do you know much about Stalin and Trotsky beyond what is commonly known?

Do you care?

Do you know anything about Marx?

What's the first thing you think of when someone says "anarchism" or "anarchist"?

[Manifesto]

I know I'm a communist, because I agree with the basics, like "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs," and the abolition of private property, but beyond that it gets confusing. I was hoping to submit myself to questioning to figure out what sort of communist I am, exactly.
Well you still do not really do not know much yet and I take it that you are reading the Communist Manifesto? So in order to have an easier understanding of the basics of Communism try to read some Engels if possible.

[yuon]

Well you still do not really do not know much yet and I take it that you are reading the Communist Manifesto? So in order to have an easier understanding of the basics of Communism try to read some Engels if possible.

You, a supposed anarchist, is promoting the reading of the communist manifesto and Engels?

Why on earth would you bother? Seriously, I would never suggest reading the Communist Manifesto or any thing of Engels to a person wanting to learn about communism. Only if they wanted to go beyond the basics would I even think about pointing them to Engels.

Oh well.

[RHIZOMES]

If you're after a less rigid and statist brand, try:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_communism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_communism)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism) (or more specifically: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchi...hist_communism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism#Anarchist_communism))

Left communism
Not rigid

Pick one

[the last donut of the night]

You could be a non-doctrinaire communist, picking and choosing various ideas.

[Mephisto]

You can't explore your true political leanings by asking others. To get in touch with revolutionary theory is not like learning something in school but a long process of your own political development.

At the moment of course, you are an utopian communist/socialist, for obviously your opinion is based on normative ideals and not on scientific analysis. Now it would be the best to read some basic texts of marxist and anarchist authors, to explore which basic theories attract you the most and of course to get in touch with activists from several movements and organizations, for which this forum is a good place.

After you did this, it basically will stay the same for all your activist carreer. :D
You will always get in touch with deeper subjects of revolutionary theory, which will lead you to the necessary decision of chosing one or the other explanations for a certain problem. And of course, you will make your own class struggle experiences as well. After a while, you will see automatically in which revolutionary "school" you fit best.

[RHIZOMES]

You can't explore your true political leanings by asking others. To get in touch with revolutionary theory is not like learning something in school but a long process of your own political development.

At the moment of course, you are an utopian communist/socialist, for obviously your opinion is based on normative ideals and not on scientific analysis. Now it would be the best to read some basic texts of marxist and anarchist authors, to explore which basic theories attract you the most and of course to get in touch with activists from several movements and organizations, for which this forum is a good place.

After you did this, it basically will stay the same for all your activist carreer. :D
You will always get in touch with deeper subjects of revolutionary theory, which will lead you to the necessary decision of chosing one or the other explanations for a certain problem. And of course, you will make your own class struggle experiences as well. After a while, you will see automatically in which revolutionary "school" you fit best.

This was my experience in developing as a revolutionary as well.

[NecroCommie]

I know I'm a communist, because I agree with the basics, like "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs," and the abolition of private property, but beyond that it gets confusing. I was hoping to submit myself to questioning to figure out what sort of communist I am, exactly.
Judging from your ability to form words with correct spelling, I'd say you're a human...

(you get it? You know? Like, the topic is called: "What am I?".... Get that? ... ... ... It's funny to me...)

[Nwoye]

Left communism
Not rigid

Pick one
what you did there, i see it

[Manifesto]

You, a supposed anarchist, is promoting the reading of the communist manifesto and Engels?

Why on earth would you bother? Seriously, I would never suggest reading the Communist Manifesto or any thing of Engels to a person wanting to learn about communism. Only if they wanted to go beyond the basics would I even think about pointing them to Engels.

Oh well.
Yeah so they could learn the basics they said that they did not know much and that is a good place to start out. I'm not saying to read all of Marx's works at all or even that much and Engels is easier to understand than Marx. They should also read the Basic Bakunin later on when they think of what they want to be. And whats so wrong about the Communist Manifesto?