learnitarian
11th July 2010, 07:54
I'm told Marx never developed a thorough political theory because he was focused more on explaining capitalism. But what might we say was the essence of political Marxism during his lifetime? I know he said he wasn't a Marxist because people he disagreed with were using that term for themselves. But what might that term have meant if he had defined it for himself, judging by his incomplete work on political theory?
And then, what is the essence of what Lenin contributed? If I say I am a Leninist, what am I agreeing with? Did Lenin accept all of Marx? Or did he break with Marx on certain essentials?
And what about Trotsky? A Trotskyist must believe what, in order to remain essentially Trotskyist? Is a Trotskyist also by definition a Leninist? Or did Trotsky amend Lenin?
Stalin? It's obvious enough that the Stalin and Trotsky camps are opposed. But does that just mean that the Stalin camp believes the opposite of whatever makes a Trotskyist a Trotskyist? Or is there something essential to Stalinism in its own right?
And Mao? It's obvious that Maoism breaks with a lot of the essentials of those who came before, because those camps are always accusing Maoists of that. But those arguments never provide a clear picture of what the essential differences are. What makes a Maoist unique?
And, I'd like to know about left communists. Why are they called that? Who are the major ones? Was Luxemburg one? What does a Luxemburgist believe, which other Marxists don't? Is a left communist essentially someone who agrees with Marx but not Lenin or anyone who followed him? I've heard something like that.
If I know the essence of the isms, I can know whether I accept or reject this one or that one.
I know I'm asking for simple answers to complicated questions. Thanks in advance to those who try to give them.
And then, what is the essence of what Lenin contributed? If I say I am a Leninist, what am I agreeing with? Did Lenin accept all of Marx? Or did he break with Marx on certain essentials?
And what about Trotsky? A Trotskyist must believe what, in order to remain essentially Trotskyist? Is a Trotskyist also by definition a Leninist? Or did Trotsky amend Lenin?
Stalin? It's obvious enough that the Stalin and Trotsky camps are opposed. But does that just mean that the Stalin camp believes the opposite of whatever makes a Trotskyist a Trotskyist? Or is there something essential to Stalinism in its own right?
And Mao? It's obvious that Maoism breaks with a lot of the essentials of those who came before, because those camps are always accusing Maoists of that. But those arguments never provide a clear picture of what the essential differences are. What makes a Maoist unique?
And, I'd like to know about left communists. Why are they called that? Who are the major ones? Was Luxemburg one? What does a Luxemburgist believe, which other Marxists don't? Is a left communist essentially someone who agrees with Marx but not Lenin or anyone who followed him? I've heard something like that.
If I know the essence of the isms, I can know whether I accept or reject this one or that one.
I know I'm asking for simple answers to complicated questions. Thanks in advance to those who try to give them.