Hello

[lovelife]

I am new to this website, and really new to leftist beliefs too (just started questioning the system in the last year or two).
I am not sure what my beliefs are exactly.

I believe I am a minarchist socialist, but so many people tell me different things.

I believe the ideal form of government would be for it to prevent harm, such as violence, murder, theft, rape, and emotional abuse. (a bit lax on the last one, like only if its serious)

I also believe that people should earn a living, but everything has value, from walking animals in a shelter, to cleaning a park etc, and the more value the work done the more you get.
Everyone would be able to work, provided they have no disability and are not pregnant (well even if your disabled somehow or pregnant you would be able to watch someone's kids, or read to children etc)
so there would be few excuses for people to be on welfare (which would in turn get much more strict on who gets it)

And it might go with my first point that I agree that people should be able to do whatever they want, so long as it does not harm others.

Some people say I'm anarchist (tho I do tend to despise anarchy simply because there is no guaranteed protection, or right of said protection. Sure some people say "well this system isn't perfect" or "Well someone is bound to help" or even a pay per service thing, I just cannot accept that. If I'm raped I want to make sure that whoever did that will not do it again, if someone steals from me, I don't want to have to rely on charity to get by etc)

Some people say I'm communist (no idea if that one is true or not)
Some say I'm socialist (again, not sure)

Others say I'm capitalist (and ewww I hate capitalism. rewarding greed, lies, extortion since its start)

Some say that liberal, and others say progressive, all these labels are starting to hurt my head.
So another question, does it even matter what your called?
I mean I wont shift what I believe in to fit in with the closest fitting ideology, so does it even matter?

Please forgive me if this is long, pointless or in any way noobish please, this is my first day here and I've been wondering these things for a while now.

[Catmatic Leftist]

I think that you are still searching. You should more spend time in our learning forums and opposing ideologies. I'm lurking around here myself because I still have a lot to learn and I've found it very useful.

[tbasherizer]

Read some classic literature(Marx, Lenin, Bakunin, Kropotkin), modern literature (Chomsky, Zizek [if you're feeling adventurous])talk to progressives in your locality, and as Paragon said, read up on this forum. Check out your local anarchist infoshop and/or find out if your national Communist Party or other radical party has a chapter around. The world of the left is full of variety, and I'm sure that once you've read up, you'll find a nice comfy ideological niche:). Whichever path you choose, I'm glad that you're giving serious thought to those questions you listed.

[ChrisK]

I am new to this website, and really new to leftist beliefs too (just started questioning the system in the last year or two).
I am not sure what my beliefs are exactly.

I believe I am a minarchist socialist, but so many people tell me different things.

I believe the ideal form of government would be for it to prevent harm, such as violence, murder, theft, rape, and emotional abuse. (a bit lax on the last one, like only if its serious)

Well, even saying "ideal government" tells me you are not a communist or anarchist. Both of these beliefs will claim that a classless stateless society is the goal of revolution.

The basic idea is that the state is a tool of oppression by the ruling class. We want to end both the ruling class and, by effect, the state. This does not mean a lack of organization, just an end to the state.


I also believe that people should earn a living, but everything has value, from walking animals in a shelter, to cleaning a park etc, and the more value the work done the more you get.
Everyone would be able to work, provided they have no disability and are not pregnant (well even if your disabled somehow or pregnant you would be able to watch someone's kids, or read to children etc)
so there would be few excuses for people to be on welfare (which would in turn get much more strict on who gets it)

This one gets into the money debate. For the most part, however, it is agreed that people will work and get back from the community.

Also, welfare as in capitalist societies is not something that would have to exist. If you can work you do so, if not we help you. Its that simple.

And it might go with my first point that I agree that people should be able to do whatever they want, so long as it does not harm others.


Some people say I'm anarchist (tho I do tend to despise anarchy simply because there is no guaranteed protection, or right of said protection. Sure some people say "well this system isn't perfect" or "Well someone is bound to help" or even a pay per service thing, I just cannot accept that. If I'm raped I want to make sure that whoever did that will not do it again, if someone steals from me, I don't want to have to rely on charity to get by etc)

This is a common misconception of what anarchism is. This is an image that comes from the silly Anarcho-capitalists who aren't really anarchists. The history of anarchism is part of the history of revolutionary leftism. To learn about anarchism the Anarchist FAQ (http://www.infoshop.org/page/AnAnarchistFAQ)is a great introduction to their ideas.


Some people say I'm communist (no idea if that one is true or not)

Communism advocates for a classless stateless society. For information check here (http://www.marxists.org). Especially the introductory works like the Communist Manifesto (http://marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/index.htm). Its a bit outdated, but it still gets the point across.


Some say I'm socialist (again, not sure)

Socialism is a broad term that includes everything from reformism to revolutionary Marxism and Anarchism.


Others say I'm capitalist (and ewww I hate capitalism. rewarding greed, lies, extortion since its start)

Capitalism is best defined as a society in which a few own the means of production (companies) and the majority of the people must sell their labor to gain access to the means of production.


So another question, does it even matter what your called?
I mean I wont shift what I believe in to fit in with the closest fitting ideology, so does it even matter?

It doesn't really matter. People tend to categorize themselves so it usually just happens.


Please forgive me if this is long, pointless or in any way noobish please, this is my first day here and I've been wondering these things for a while now.

Don't apologize, we've all been there. I know this is a lot of information to learn and to sift through. If you are ever confused just ask. We are always happy to help a new comrade learn.

[ChrisK]

Zizek [if you're feeling adventurous]

Don't read Zizek. It just plain hurts to do so.

[Victus Mortuum]

I would really REALLY encourage you read both:

The Anarchist FAQ: http://anarchism.pageabode.com/afaq/index.html

and

Lenin's State and Revolution: http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/staterev/

[NoOneIsIllegal]

If you're interested in anarchism, the best things to check out are:
- the Anarchist FAQ (link listed in post above)
- Peter Kropotkin's "The Conquest of Bread"
- Peter Kropotkin's "Fields, Factories, and Workshops"
- Rudolf Rocker's "Anarcho-Syndicalism: Theory and Practice"

The first is essential in knowing where anarchists stand and what anarchism is. The other 3 are good (and short) introductions and classic texts on the subjects of anarchism, specifically anarchist-communism, and anarcho-syndicalism... the only 2 relevant "categories" of anarchism. If you ever hear of "mutualism" or "anarcho-capitalism" just ignore the person :lol:

[Victus Mortuum]

Eh, I think mutualists should be shown why the full extension of their philosophy would result in communism and I think "anarcho"-capitalists should be openly called out as being totalitarian and in no way anarchist.

Not to got in a big argument or anything, haha