How to learn about tactics/strategy when it comes to politics?

[UltraWright]

I would like to learn about political tactics and strategies for two reasons:
1. to be able to analyze what other groups do and be able to see the long term result of what they are doing, and
2. to be able to use them myself (or through my group).

How can I do it? Which book genre should I read?

[thesadmafioso]

It sounds like political science might be of interest to you, I would suggest looking around for an entry level college textbook on the subject to start out with. Though it's unlikely the content will pertain directly to leftist political organizing, much of it is still usable in some sense or another.

[Binh]

I suggest starting with what Trotsky wrote about the "united front" and Lenin's book "Left-Wing Communism."

The best way to learn is by doing, making mistakes, and learning from them. Good luck. :)

[OhYesIdid]

Well, the asshole bussinessmen in my family would recommend The Art of War or The Prince. Though I gather there are plenty of online guides out there like this one (http://libcom.org/organise/key-ideas-for-community-organising), this one (http://libcom.org/organise/community/articles/door-knocking-tips.php), or this one.
(http://libcom.org/organise/general/articles/handling-difficult-behaviour-in-meetings.php)

[theblackmask]

I suggest starting with what Trotsky wrote about the "united front" and Lenin's book "Left-Wing Communism."

The best way to learn is by doing, making mistakes, and learning from them. Good luck. :)

Although I can't particularly agree with the book suggestions, I can definitely agree that the best way to learn anything is by getting out there and doing something. Through practice and making mistakes, you will learn enough about the abstract concepts of "strategy" and "tactics" to realize that most people that talk about them are simply armchair revolutionaries :D

[ckaihatsu]

I would like to learn about political tactics and strategies for two reasons:
1. to be able to analyze what other groups do and be able to see the long term result of what they are doing, and
2. to be able to use them myself (or through my group).

How can I do it? Which book genre should I read?


I have a contribution here. Awhile ago I saw that there seemed to be a lack of a systematic organization to all of this, so I made a few schematic layouts.

The concept is that a metaphoric political platform (made of wood "planks") spans a distance between two disparate political positions, relatively left and right of each other. The greater the span -- indicating a greater difference in positions -- the more support is needed in between, from intermediate positions, to prevent the platform-in-common from collapsing.

The stronger the overall support for the platform, the bigger the strategy -- symbolically represented as a heavy anvil -- can be placed on top of the platform-in-common without collapse.

Finally, tactics are represented as mechanical hammers placed on either side of an anvil (strategy). Because of their placement the hammers / tactics may be politically to the left or to the right of the strategy (anvil) itself. The mechanical hammers may be supported by the same platform as that holding up the strategy (anvil) or else by adjacent platforms, and may vary in size, extended length, and intensity / number of blows.

Everything noted here is schematically represented with regular material / physical properties, just as in physical reality. These schematics can be customized to any specific situation you require, for illustrative and visualization purposes.


[21] Ideologies & Operations

http://postimage.org/image/1d2pk9lok/


[3] Ideologies & Operations -- Fundamentals

http://postimage.org/image/34modgv1g/


Ideologies & Operations -- Bottom Up

http://postimage.org/image/1d4wy29dw/


Interpersonal Meanings

http://postimage.org/image/1d5a6d1c4/

[Tablo]

The best way to learn this stuff is to just experience it. Spend time debating with people. As boring and lame as it may be, spend time watching mainstream media(Fox, CNN, NBC, etc) and watch the party competition. It all comes down to economic competition. Political science is cool and all, but it ultimately comes down to the economic supporters of various factions. Economics is much more worthwhile to study than just political science. College political science is worthless.

[ckaihatsu]

The best way to learn this stuff is to just experience it.


That said, here's an encapsulation of what you *will* experience:


Leftism -- Want, Get

http://postimage.org/image/pgx9pah0/