Unsure of where I stand. Am I an Anarchist? Am I a communist? Am I even left at all?

[The Scream]

First of all Hello :)

I'm Polden, a 19 year old from Australia.

I'm new around here, but am interested to learn about left wing politics and politics in general, but more so I would like to know where you believe I stand in the political spectrum. Even more it would be great to know where I can apply my ideals to Australian politics.

I was introduced to left-wing politics through music, I am a massive punk fan and punk introduced me to anarchy (anarcho-punk, not to be confused with "chaos chaos" fake anarchist poser type punk bands either).

The reason I took more interest in leftist ideals was not for positive reasons, more so because of problems in society that I find I share a common left wing stance on.

For Example I strongly oppose: Racism, Facism, Sexism, Homophobic Activity and other prejudices.

I slightly agree on the anarchist ideals of: No controlling bodies or states, freedom etc, but I'm not sure it could work in the modern world.

You may notice that the above points are more on a social level, and that is another reason why I'm here, I want to learn more about the economic and "nitty gritty" subjects of left-wing politics.

Currently I think I'm leaning towards an Anarcho-Communist stance, but I'm really unsure of what I am :|

Help?

[Dimmu]

Hey,

Take a read
http://www.infoshop.org/page/AnarchistFAQSectionA

[NGNM85]

At least on social issues, you sound squarely Left-wing. My advice is to do some research and make up your own mind.

Curious about Anarchism, I strongly recommend you check out the Anarchist FAQ;

http://www.infoshop.org/page/AnAnarchistFAQ

Feel free to PM me, if you want any further recommendations, or if you have any questions.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I'd recommend just reading what people write around here. Try and find out what ideas make the most sense to you.

[GPDP]

Yeah, just lurk around, ask questions if you have any, and read stuff by leftists of all stripes. Eventually you'll formulate your own opinions, but always keep an open mind, for you never know when you will repudiate an earlier position of yours or find an idea that you once considered sacrosanct to be complete bullshit.

For instance my introduction to socialism pretty much came with Marx, followed by Chomsky and Zinn and a bunch of other anarchist writings, at which point I thought myself an anarchist. After some time and a whole lot of reading and discussing I decided anarchism was too idealist, and settled on Marxism, though anarchist sympathies remain.

So yeah, don't be too hasty to apply a label to yourself. And for sure do not let others try to define your views and give you a ready-made label. Oh, and stay away from taking one of those political compass quizzes, for they confuse more than they enlighten. Political ideologies are far too nuanced to be defined on a simple graph.

[Lenina Rosenweg]

First of all Hello :)


I was introduced to left-wing politics through music, I am a massive punk fan and punk introduced me to anarchy (anarcho-punk, not to be confused with "chaos chaos" fake anarchist poser type punk bands either).



For Example I strongly oppose: Racism, Facism, Sexism, Homophobic Activity and other prejudices.



Help?

The majority of socialists I know came to socialism though music. Most socialists would see the causesof racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. as ultimately rooted in capitalism and seek systemic change. We will always have these social problems under the capitalist mode of production.

Liberals would agree saying these things are bad but don't have any solutions. We see oppression as being rooted in the current social structure.

My advice would be to read, read, read, and read.Find what leftist take appeals to you, what methods seem to work and what don't, what historical interpretation seems valid to you and what don't and follow this.
And run....

[Proukunin]

That's how I was before I joined Revleft. I didn't really know whether I followed different tendencies either. But now I consider myself a non-doctrinaire. I dont really want to follow any leader's position. but I do take influences from all leaders and theorists. I still consider myself Marxist-Leninist though.

[Blackscare]

This is a little involved, but if you feel like reading a piece that outlines the fundamentals of Bolshevism, from the perspective of two Bolsheviks (one was considered the 'golden boy' theoretician, the other is also excellent but often overlooked).


This may seem like irrelevant history but it basically lays the foundation for modern day "Leninist" thought. I know you have vague anarchist leanings at this point, but it makes no sense not to learn about it all, ya dig?

http://www.marxists.org/archive/bukharin/works/1920/abc/index.htm

[theblackmask]

I slightly agree on the anarchist ideals of: No controlling bodies or states, freedom etc, but I'm not sure it could work in the modern world.

I would suggest maybe reading Kropotkin's "Anarchist Communism." It's a bit old, but it has much to say about how we should organize ourselves, and addresses more of the "how it would work" aspects of things. (Plus it falls in line with your Anarcho-Communist stance, because we all know labels mean everything! :rolleyes: jk)

http://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/www/kropotkin/ancom/

[Rooster]

I would suggest reading Marx and Engel's Communist Manifesto before you read anything else, especially before anything Kropotkin wrote. Actually, I can direct you to a few nice youtube links to little videos that give a brief and entertaining look into some of the economic ideas and such. Give me a moment to look for them.

[theblackmask]

I would suggest reading Marx and Engel's Communist Manifesto before you read anything else, especially before anything Kropotkin wrote. Actually, I can direct you to a few nice youtube links to little videos that give a brief and entertaining look into some of the economic ideas and such. Give me a moment to look for them.

So it's ok to read Bukharin and Preobrazhensky before reading Marx, but not Kropotkin? Why the hate for the anarchists, bro? :D

[RED DAVE]

Just a quick point: as comrades introduce works that they think are worthwhile, it's a good idea to provide a link. Just takes a few seconds.

This is a good intro to international socialism.

The Two Souls of Socialism (http://www.marxists.org/archive/draper/1966/twosouls/)

RED DAVE

[Rooster]

So it's ok to read Bukharin and Preobrazhensky before reading Marx, but not Kropotkin? Why the hate for the anarchists, bro? :D

I just think that Marx outlined the problems within capitalism better than anyone else. If he decides to become an anarchist after that, then that's fine.

[Hoplite]

I recall seeing at some point in the distant past some sort of online test you could take that would sort out (kind of) your political beliefs. It was fairly long and involved and the results were fairly detailed.

I generally find "online quizzes" to be a waste of time, but IIRC this one at least gave you a decent starting place to look around.

[theblackmask]

Just a quick point: as comrades introduce works that they think are worthwhile, it's a good idea to provide a link. Just takes a few seconds.

This is a good intro to international socialism.

The Two Souls of Socialism (http://www.marxists.org/archive/draper/1966/twosouls/)

RED DAVE

I second this...Draper is the man.


I just think that Marx outlined the problems within capitalism better than anyone else. If he decides to become an anarchist after that, then that's fine.

You discouraged Kropotkin while ignoring the Leninist suggestions, which are based off Marxism, and would require basic understanding of Marx to read as well, right? I'm just asking why Bukharin is ok and Kropotkin isn't...or do I smell thinly veiled sectarianism?

[L.A.P.]

If all else fails, just try Wikipedia to find out about socialism, communism, anarchism, etc..

I too was in your position before I became a Communist, music, especially hip-hop, helped recognize a lot of wrongs in the system and was always a strong anti-racist when I was young. I was a Liberal throughout my whole life until I realized I was too radical for the United States Democratic Party.

[Magón]

Another book you might like to ready is Kropotkin's Conquest of Bread (http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/anarchist_archives/kropotkin/conquest/toc.html).

[The Scream]

Thanks heaps for pointing me towards some texts, I also appreciate the advice given from all.

I will post in this thread once I have read some texts and have questions regarding the topics :)

Cheers,
Polden.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I second this...Draper is the man.

It's just a shame that he bases so much of his critique of anarchism on Proudhon, a man who has about as much to do with contemporary anarchism as Robert Owen has to do with contemporary socialism. :sleep:

[Eastside Revolt]

I slightly agree on the anarchist ideals of: No controlling bodies or states, freedom etc, but I'm not sure it could work in the modern world.
Help?

This book could help answer some of your questions about anarchy:

http://www.flirp.net/posts/e-books-and-tutorials/295/Anarchy-Works-by-Peter-Gelderloos.html

[Lunatic Concept]

Its quite basic but I always thought this outlined lots of socialist thought in a very brief way
http://www.marxists.org/archive/pankhurst-sylvia/1923/socialism.htm