Friend wants to know about the left

[Savior]

Today in school, my friend asked me about communisme didnt. He said that h know what he was and if i could explain to him what it was or what the left is (i told him i was an Leftist) so i told him to read the Communist manfiesto, which he seemed pretty thrilled. He wants more info on the left.

How can i explain to him and point him down our path?
What literature should he read?

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Stuff I've been stoked on lately:

Work. Community. Politics. War. (http://libcom.org/library/work-community-politics-war-prole) - One of the best, most straightforward, introductions to revolutionary working class politics, like, ever. Highly recommended.

Abolish Restaurants (http://libcom.org/library/abolish-restaurants) - From the same folk as above. An easy economics lesson. It's been a while since I read it, but I remember not disliking it, anyway.

The Coming Insurrection (http://tarnac9.wordpress.com/texts/the-coming-insurrection/) - It's on the poetic side, which may or may not be appealing to you or yr friend, depending. It's certainly been one of the most widely influential works, at least among anarchists, in the last few years (not bad for a piece that's explicitly communist!).

[Lobotomy]

Don't show him Revleft, you'll scare him off. :p Just kidding, kind of.

I think the best introduction to communism is The Principles of Communism by Engels. It's sort of an FAQ and it's very straightforward. I can't post links but I know that there's a free copy of it on marxists.org.

[PoliticalNightmare]

http://anarchism.pageabode.com/afaq/index.html

He should read into anarchism since it anarchy is the ideal result of most communist ideologies, even if the ideology itself advocates different tactics. You don't sound English. What nationality are you? The anarchist FAQ has been translated into different languages.

[Savior]

Im American and I mean more like books and how to explain to him. I have no idea if he has internet

[PoliticalNightmare]

Im American and I mean more like books and how to explain to him. I have no idea if he has internet

Just print it off - it will probably cost less than buying a book (though you can order it online in hard back).

In any case, some good books for introductory communism would include "The Communist Manifesto" by Marx/Engels.

[Savior]

Yea, The CM is what i told him to check out, He said it was very confusing (hes average in intelligence). Is there a version in laymans terms?

[PoliticalNightmare]

Yea, The CM is what i told him to check out, He said it was very confusing (hes average in intelligence). Is there a version in laymans terms?

To be fair, there is terminology in the CM that could be confusing if one has not had the opportunity to research it beforehand.

Perhaps, then this should help: http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm

It gives one historical perspective into the history of the development of communism. Perhaps it would be wise to give your friend a brief explanation that the essence of communism is democracy over the workplace and particpatory politics: that is we believe every citizen should have right to say how large decisions by local councils are made, how the business he works at is run, etc.

[Savior]

To be fair, there is terminology in the CM that could be confusing if one has not had the opportunity to research it beforehand.

It gives one historical perspective into the history of the development of communism. Perhaps it would be wise to give your friend a brief explanation that the essence of communism is democracy over the workplace and particpatory politics: that is we believe every citizen should have right to say how large decisions by local councils are made, how the business he works at is run, etc.
I did say that, and universal healthcare and he said "i dont want to have to pay for africans" and i told him thats not what it meant...Hes not ignorant he just needs some guidance.

[PoliticalNightmare]

I did say that, and universal healthcare and he said "i dont want to have to pay for africans" and i told him thats not what it meant...Hes not ignorant he just needs some guidance.

I'm afraid to say it but you can't teach a pig to fly. In any case, he is mistaking socialism for the welfare state.

[Savior]

I'm afraid to say it but you can't teach a pig to fly. In any case, he is mistaking socialism for the welfare state.

I think it was the word universal, He thought that hed work and the money would go out of the country. He doesnt know that if that were to happen we would be in communism already.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

1. The three links I provided are all in easy-to-print formats.
2. What city are you in? If it's a significant centre, there is probably an infoshop or radical bookstore that could help you out.
Alternatively, send me a PM and I could arrange to mail you some shit.

[Savior]

1. The three links I provided are all in easy-to-print formats.
2. What city are you in? If it's a significant centre, there is probably an infoshop or radical bookstore that could help you out.
Alternatively, send me a PM and I could arrange to mail you some shit.

Wyoming, I'm going to print those links if I could get my shitty printer to work.
One day I just might take you up on the offer if sending me stiff if that's fine with you

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Wyoming, I'm going to print those links if I could get my shitty printer to work.
One day I just might take you up on the offer if sending me stiff if that's fine with you

Absolutely. I <3 penpals.

[Savior]

Absolutely. I <3 penpals.

What would you send me?

[Manic Impressive]

When I start to teach someone about communism who knows absolutely nothing about it I usually start with some films, lectures or music which have a socialist message. Obviously I recommend books as well but that really turns some people off. Here's a lecture by Dr Richard Wolff he explains the current crisis and what an alternative could be, it's easy to understand and he's a fairly entertaining speaker.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZU3wfjtIJY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZU3wfjtIJY)

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Probably nothing you couldn't find on yr own (though I do have a few local pamphlets kicking around). Probably something like the Beginner Communist Kit I wish someone had hooked me up with. And maybe a weird personal letter about the dumb things I've been up to.

[Savior]

Probably nothing you couldn't find on yr own (though I do have a few local pamphlets kicking around). Probably something like the Beginner Communist Kit I wish someone had hooked me up with. And maybe a weird personal letter about the dumb things I've been up to.
What is a Begginner Coommunist Kit? Like a Communist easy bake oven, exept it makes revolution and not cakes?

[Savior]

What is a Beginner Communist Kit? Like a Communist easy bake oven, exept it makes workers revolution and not cakes?
Fixed my grammar.

[The Idler]

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Any graphics guides are an easy read too. (see the Learning FAQ)