ideological state apparatuses, survival programs, etc

[scarletghoul]

One key point of the Black Panthers was their 'survival programs' which were basically community institutions run by the party, designed to help the community and to deepen the Party's mass base. They were very successful, and imho other movements should follow their example. Having programs like these provided people with a living alternative to the capitalist state, and made them embrace socialism-
"I don't know if I like communism and I don't know if I like socialism. But I know that that Breakfast For Children program feeds my kids, n****r. And if you put your hands on that Breakfast For Children program, I'm gonna come off this can and I'm gonna beat your ass like a ...." (from a fred hampton speech)
(breakfast for children was just one of many programs)

Yesterday I just finished reading Althusser's essay on the Ideological State Apparatuses, and think its pretty awesome. Though its obvious that education etc reinforces the class relations, the essay lays out a coherent structure for it. Anyway I think it adds another dimension to the panthers' programs when you think of their ideological role with Althussers' model in mind. Essentially they are alternative ideological apparatuses, which ultimately reinforce alternative (that is, socialist) relations. Althusser names the school system as the primary ideological state apparatus, and among their programs the Panthers had a Liberation School which lasted for ten years. I do not have a lot of info on that, but it seems like a pretty amazing thing. And don't you think it would be great if we could establish liberation schools in our towns and cities ? School is where people are for hours on end, in their most formative years, so it is pretty decisive in most peoples ideology.

Often ive discussed ideas like proletarian cultural societies and leftist mass media with other comrades.. These too would be valuable ideological apparatus especially a mass media. some guy on chat the other day used the term 'proletarian organs', for social organs that served the proletariats interest. Perhaps this is naive, but I think leftist groups would do well to create a jointly funded mass media network, including radio and TV, which shows news and other things from a revolutionary socialist perspective.

What im trying to say is, if we want to cultivate and spread proletarian ideology (which is the immediate task of the left in many countries) we should start setting up socialist ideological apparatuses. The most important imho are schools and mass media. Interparty efforts should be made.

Just some thoughts. Comments would be great

[Die Neue Zeit]

There are quite a few recent Theory threads into which mods could merge this one. It's about alternative culture. The Black Panthers didn't originate this. Marx's own Communist League did, and went on to new heights with the pre-war SPD.

[thesadmafioso]

This is indeed valuable insight, as for leftism to actually gain any ground under capitalistic conditions, the fragile sentimental wills of the proletarian need to be channeled effectively. The support exists, the recent decades of the post cold war era have seen socialism growing in its level of popularity and acceptance, but the reality is that no organized leftist institution exists to capitalize on this potential.

Actually working within the confines of the free markets could have many dangers to it, and it could possibly send some undesirable messages, but overall the possibility of actual noticeable leftist unity and progression could quite easily serve as the necessary justification.

[FreeFocus]

Providing social services are a way to demonstrate commitment to communities and also show the failings of the state. Hezbollah and Hamas both provide social services, which played a big role in their ascents to power and mass support.

The Black Panthers did a lot of things right. Remember, though, that these tactics are easy to co-opt. The public schools breakfast program originated to undercut the Panthers' efforts.

[Die Neue Zeit]

The Bastard Keynesian version of the welfare state undermined the alternative culture provided by unions and some left parties like the SPD, but succeeded mainly because of the war.

[Hoipolloi Cassidy]

There are quite a few recent Theory threads into which mods could merge this one. It's about alternative culture. The Black Panthers didn't originate this. Marx's own Communist League did, and went on to new heights with the pre-war SPD.

Now that would be an interesting topic, for instance your suggestion that SPD culture was "alternative." Are you familiar with Giancarlo Buonfino's "La politica culturale operaia: Da Marx e Lasalle alla rivoluzione di Novembre?" I think the questions it asks about a socialist alternative culture are those that need to be asked again and again - I myself have been asking (or re-asking them) in re: Rotes Wien.

Freundschaft,

[Zanthorus]

Marx's own Communist League did

It was actually Schapper, Bauer and Moll who started the German Workers' Educational Society while the League was still called the League of the Just, although Marx and Engels were involved in setting up the Brussels version.