Uses of action amongst the revolutionary left.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

What kind of action do different tendencies favour? What types of action are most effective in raising consciousness?

My own work has been taken up by stalls and paper sales. I think that these methods are okay, but many times they feel inadequate, and I am wondering if comrades have any tips on engaging workers and students, and getting them listening to us.

[The Idler]

Get on the TV, radio and mainstream newspapers ie. all the mainstream media. Otherwise you won't be taken seriously.

Certain tendencies do favour certain tactics. Some would rather smash up McDonalds than try and get elected as a union bureaucrat.

[Reznov]

Whatever you do, try to avoid using words like Communism. It instantly triggers a response in a audience members head that "COMMUNISM!?!?!?! COMMUNISM = BAD!!"

[Q]

Whatever you do, try to avoid using words like Communism. It instantly triggers a response in a audience members head that "COMMUNISM!?!?!?! COMMUNISM = BAD!!"

More likely you won't get passed the editorial process of said tv station, paper, etc. And if you do, it will most likely be in a negative way (case in point: FOX "interviewing" communists).

This is exactly the problem with the mainstream media: they are a part of the bourgeois apparatus and won't allow any real opposition to the class hegemony to be published. There are a few exceptions, such as Slavoj Zizek, which has become somewhat of a communist celebrity, but this is far from the common rule.

[revolution inaction]

Get on the TV, radio and mainstream newspapers ie. all the mainstream media. Otherwise you won't be taken seriously.

this is terrible advice, the mainstream media will never give us fair coverage, the only way we can have our views accurately represented to the workers is to talk to them directly and to produce our own media.

[Ele'ill]

What kind of action do different tendencies favour? What types of action are most effective in raising consciousness?

It depends on the subject- goals- those involved etc...

My opinion is that lockdowns and occupations of various spaces work well in conjunction with street demos- as long as there is a clear message and no deviation from the plan. I think this tactic works best at a smaller more community oriented level. At the larger demonstrations it can get washed out by the other things going on.

It's forceful- can take a similar militant and even 'violent' shape as the 'break shit' actions but there isn't that element that the media can so easily use against us. 'This building is ours now' - 'this intersection is ours now'.

When used with leafleting on the street- media liaisons- banner drops- it gets attention fast.



My own work has been taken up by stalls and paper sales. I think that these methods are okay, but many times they feel inadequate, and I am wondering if comrades have any tips on engaging workers and students, and getting them listening to us.


My suggestion here is you first have to listen to them. You are taking part in their struggle- you have to work with their comfort zones- you are not a vanguard- you don't need to lead them into a glorious victory.

With this said- even if they are not receptive to leftist ideas to the level of your liking- you can still use leftist ideas to assist them and their struggle.

[fa2991]

There's no easy answer. We haven't had a very effective plan for decades, which is a big part of the reason people live in communes or turn to lifestylism.

[Peace on Earth]

Actions speak louder than words. Get out there and do something, and then when people (i.e. workers) ask who or why you are doing this, explain your political beliefs. Already you've created a welcoming feeling for the worker, who is willing to listen to someone who wants to help them, instead of pushing your political views onto someone who doesn't have the foundation to truly understand them.

Take part in on-going community organizations or events and speak to the people there (without ranting about american imperialism or corporate whores) about everyday situtations in which your political beliefs, i.e. alternative systems to capitalism, would be beneficial. People don't take too kindly to being preached to. But when presented with actual situations in which your beliefs or system would help them, they will be interested.