Production of Defense in a left-Marxist society?

[ZombieRothbard]

From my limited understanding of Marxism, left-Marxism is essentially the "libertarian" branch of Marxian Socialism (which encompasses Luxemburghists, Left-Wing Anarchists etc.). My question is: How would such a society defend itself? How would it develop law and order? How would it arbitrate disputes? I understand that the left is not a single homogeneous mass, and as such I do not expect a single answer.

If anybody could also cite or link materials related to the topic of defense in a left-Marxist society, I would appreciate the information. Thankyou!

[Leftsolidarity]

Research the Paris Commune and Zapatistas.

[danyboy27]

From my limited understanding of Marxism, left-Marxism is essentially the "libertarian" branch of Marxian Socialism (which encompasses Luxemburghists, Left-Wing Anarchists etc.). My question is: How would such a society defend itself? How would it develop law and order? How would it arbitrate disputes? I understand that the left is not a single homogeneous mass, and as such I do not expect a single answer.

If anybody could also cite or link materials related to the topic of defense in a left-Marxist society, I would appreciate the information. Thankyou!

left communist are not against the formation of a leftist governement they want the communities to be able to be more master of their own territories, you could compare that to a more democratic form of federalism.

having multiple communities with different custom and laws dosnt exclude cooperation between eacother for mutual protection or global agreement on certain kind of laws and regulations.

The greeks back then where able to protect themselves even tho they where a bunch of city states, and it worked pretty well.

[ZombieRothbard]

left communist are not against the formation of a leftist governement they want the communities to be able to be more master of their own territories, you could compare that to a more democratic form of federalism.

having multiple communities with different custom and laws dosnt exclude cooperation between eacother for mutual protection or global agreement on certain kind of laws and regulations.

The greeks back then where able to protect themselves even tho they where a bunch of city states, and it worked pretty well.

Well my question is looking for more specifics than that. For instance, a Marxist society would not collect taxes. So how would its army operate? Would it be militia? Would be be collectively owned? How would a Marxist court operate? Etc.

[#FF0000]

From my limited understanding of Marxism, left-Marxism is essentially the "libertarian" branch of Marxian Socialism (which encompasses Luxemburghists, Left-Wing Anarchists etc.). My question is: How would such a society defend itself? How would it develop law and order? How would it arbitrate disputes? I understand that the left is not a single homogeneous mass, and as such I do not expect a single answer.

If anybody could also cite or link materials related to the topic of defense in a left-Marxist society, I would appreciate the information. Thankyou!

It's kind of hard to answer a question like this without resorting to pure speculation or just suggesting you look at how things like this were organized in the past.

So I'm just going to suggest you look at how things like this were organized in the past!

In particular, like some others have mentioned, groups like the Anarchist Militias in Spain might be of interest, as well as the Zapatistas in Mexico (though, generally, we have issues with their politics, it might be helpful to look into how they're organized).

Unfortunately I can't think of a single source to point you towards. :mellow:

Oh and:


From my limited understanding of Marxism, left-Marxism is essentially the "libertarian" branch of Marxian Socialism (which encompasses Luxemburghists, Left-Wing Anarchists etc.).

I don't think I've ever heard the term Left-Marxism used before. There are Left-Communists, who are generally seen as more "libertarian" (though left-communists don't really like the term), and then there are Anarchists, the Libertarian Socialists. I think you're talking more about the latter.

[ZombieRothbard]

I believe Noam Chomsky referenced it in an interview, saying that there were Marxists in the anti-statist branch of the left, known as left-Marxists. It won't let me link the interview because I don't have 25 posts yet.

[#FF0000]

I believe Noam Chomsky referenced it in an interview, saying that there were Marxists in the anti-statist branch of the left, known as left-Marxists. It won't let me link the interview because I don't have 25 posts yet.

Ohhh I kind of know what you're talking about.

Anyway, I'm trying to find anything in regard to how these kinds of things were organized but I am having a hell of a time with it.

If I ever need to do a thesis paper on something, I know what it's gonna be on...

Anyway: Simplest and most basic answer possible in the vaguest terms possible with no detail whatsoever

Militias.
Collectively owned and maintained armories
Horizontal organization.

[Kiev Communard]

From my limited understanding of Marxism, left-Marxism is essentially the "libertarian" branch of Marxian Socialism (which encompasses Luxemburghists, Left-Wing Anarchists etc.). My question is: How would such a society defend itself? How would it develop law and order? How would it arbitrate disputes? I understand that the left is not a single homogeneous mass, and as such I do not expect a single answer.

If anybody could also cite or link materials related to the topic of defense in a left-Marxist society, I would appreciate the information. Thankyou!

It is actually not a "left-Marxist" book, but I think Council Communists and others would have a similar view: http://libcom.org/library/chapter-3-organization-defense

[Die Rote Fahne]

Speaking as a Libertarian Marxist, we still support the transitional phase that involves a governing body, we however believe that if it is to actually be socialist it has to be non-authoritarian and non-totalitarian with an emphasis on holding free and general elections so the workers can choose a socialist platform. We also believe that a bottom-up decentralised economic planning strategy is most effective.

In terms of defence, armed workers militias in the communist phase, and likely a military in the socialist phase.

Also, "left" anarchists (which are the only actual anarchists) are not Marxists.

[Leftsolidarity]

As I stated before, I think the Paris Commune and Zapatistas are probably the best example of this.

[Zanthorus]

I apologise for not having much to contribute to the original stated question, but I'm something of a trainspotter when it comes to these kind of issues:


From my limited understanding of Marxism, left-Marxism is essentially the "libertarian" branch of Marxian Socialism (which encompasses Luxemburghists, Left-Wing Anarchists etc.).

I am unaware of any self-identified 'Left-Marxist' tradition, nor am I aware of any Marxists who saw themselves as being 'libertarian'. I think there is a tendency for some to inchoately throw together widely differing tendencies under the banner of 'libertarianism' in order to build for themselves a monolothic political heritage, which has no real basis in reality. For example, Rosa Luxemburg attacked the Bolsheviks for shutting down the Constituent Assembly, whereas the armed detachment which led the closure of the CA was led by an Anarchist. Previously the Anarchists had been the only wing of the Socialist movement which had been violently against the idea of a Constituent Assembly or any kind of parliamentary-representative organ (Even Bolshevik propaganda pandered to the idea).


left communist are not against the formation of a leftist governement they want the communities to be able to be more master of their own territories, you could compare that to a more democratic form of federalism.

Left Communists do not believe in federalism. Even the German-Dutch Left was in favour of centralist organisation.


There are Left-Communists, who are generally seen as more "libertarian"

I think this stems from a narrow focus (And a fairly shallow one at that. I was reading the documents of the KAPD's intervention at the third CI congress yesterday and saw that the delegates defended themselves from the charge of supporting the Kronstadt rebels!) on the German-Dutch Left. I don't think anyone even vaguely familiar with the history of the Italian Left would regard them as having been 'libertarian'.


Noam Chomsky

I think this is your main problem.

[Thirsty Crow]

fuck, blooper, delete this post, sorry