Do you believe the revolution will happen in your lifetime?

[Mnemosyne]

Specifically in regards to America...

I genuinely believe that the 'revolution fruit' is quickly ripening and will soon be ready for picking- my prediction is within the next 10 years.

I find that even the most oblivious of sheeple are become much more aware that there is a problem. The social discontent is there... but I predict that a massive natural disaster... or failure of the power grid on an immense scale will have to act as a catalyst.

I think that modern technology has made even shitty existences more bearable and the restless more complacent. It seems that for some, a smartphone and an Xbox are just enough to keep them happy- no judgements here, just my own musings on how the situation would be different in a less technologically apt society.

I really think things are starting to come together... your thoughts? :)

[Smyg]

I'm not sure I'll be very long-lived, given the life I live.

[Kitty_Paine]

I think you're absolutely right when it comes to people becoming too complacent. And like you said the reason is people are too comfortable to get up and do anything. You don't have much motivation when you have enough food, water and you have computers and T.V.'s... life is alright and you're too comfortable to get really pissed off. It's like a pacifier we have in our mouths...

So I think you're right is guessing that it will probably have to take some huge event that takes away all of those comfortable things for people to really start getting up to do anything. And I believe it's gotta happen in the next 50 years, at least... hopefully sooner. I would love go trolling down the street with a red bandana around my face and an AK-47 with thousands of supporters...:lol:

[Smyg]

I would love go trolling down the street with a red bandana around my face and an AK-47 with thousands of supporters...:lol:

I really hope that isn't strolling with an s missing. :D

[Kitty_Paine]

I really hope that isn't strolling with an s missing. :D

It's a funny thing... I can't seem to recall :rolleyes:

Though strolling implies relaxation, whereas trolling implies a devious purpose... Both of which I imagine I would be experiencing... So, which ever...

[ВАЛТЕР]

Yes I believe it will happen in my lifetime, and I believe to think otherwise is defeatist. People are beginning to lose their homes, jobs, they are in debt, etc etc...They ARE gonna go apeshit eventually...and that's when I break out the good ole AK and go to town on the banks, and the rest of bourgeoisie society...

I sure hope it happens while I am still young, cause I don't wanna be too old to miss out on the action, and just be the old man yelling at the people on the tv who are ruining my shows with their revolution...

[RebelDog]

Its clear there has to be some social/economic change pretty quickly or human species survival is under real threat. Its not about, will there be a sweeping change in US and global society? It simply must happen. If something is not done soon to reverse climate change, its over. Recent research in to climate change is becoming more and more alarming and the current political structures have shown themselves to be unwilling at best to address this. I, like everyone else have no real idea if popular mass movements will emerge in the US or elsewhere, but it has never been more crucial that something happens to change this lethal course we are all set on.

[pax et aequalitas]

If we think it ain't gonna happen then it won't, but if we think it is possible then it will happen. The future is in the hands of every single person.

[hatzel]

I was almost going to go for "it already has," but decided instead to go for "other." Whilst it is true that the revolution has already happened, that answer would seem to imply that the revolution has happened in its entirety, and reached its conclusion, which clearly isn't the case. However, the revolution we speak of, gradually emerging since 1871, can definitely be said to have already happened, though only partially, inasmuch as it has commenced, even if the overarching revolutionary period has not yet reached its conclusion.

I don't expect that conclusion to be reached in my lifetime, however, if we understand this as referring to a wholesale social transformation, allowing the commencement of a subsequent, markedly distinct (revolutionary) period.

[eyeheartlenin]

(What follows is solely my own opinion; I only represent myself, not any organization or tendency.)

Talking about the US, I don't expect there to be a mass break from the Democratic Party, which is what would be required for politics here to unfreeze, so that humanity and history could move forward. Every social movement that I am aware of, is merely an extension of the Democratic Party, and everything, meaning the media bombardment we all experience all the time, is arranged to reduce politics to the meaningless shell game of the tweedledum-tweedledee (non)choice between plutocrats every four years; we even have leftists on revleft talking about the importance of voting, which shows how severe the disorientation is. Since the worst economic situation since the Great Depression did not open things up here a few years ago, I am not particularly hopeful.

I cannot see any indications of the necessary earthquake on the political landscape, which is what it would take to set things in motion, to rise above the absolute nullity that is bourgeois politics in this country. A large part of the blame for this should be put on the US left, which faithfully shills for the Democrats at least every four years. Example: After the last election, the biggest organization on the US left breathlessly exclaimed, on the cover of its magazine, "Politics and struggle in a new era: Yes, we can!" thereby endorsing the election of pro-war plutocrat Obama, a politician who once gave a speech about bombing Iran. That, from people who claim to be "socialists"! They should know better! The opportunism of the US left is obviously without limits, and that has historical consequences.

I should add that I am very hopeful about revolutionary successes elsewhere; I think there is every reason to believe that the next big political breakthrough will take place in Latin America.

[thriller]

I don't. People around me - working people, single parents and the like - seem more concerned with getting to the next paycheck than dramatic change in society. I completely understand why they feel that way, but in some respects they are glorified for this by liberals and conservative, rather than being encouraged to overthrow their current oppressive system. My goal is to keep the movement alive and pass it down to others for the hope of revolution in the future, if not now.

[Tim Cornelis]

I don't. People around me - working people, single parents and the like - seem more concerned with getting to the next paycheck than dramatic change in society.

Just wait until they don't get their paycheck. Most of us will live to see 2060, a lot can happen in 50 years.

[Tim Cornelis]

However, the revolution we speak of, gradually emerging since 1871, can definitely be said to have already happened, though only partially, inasmuch as it has commenced, even if the overarching revolutionary period has not yet reached its conclusion.

If the "revolution" has been taking place since 1871 you can't really call it a "revolution".

[Ravachol]

What do you mean with 'the revolution'? A single moment of the proletarian masses storming some 21st century equivalent to the winter palace, red flags in their hand, after which everything will be milk & honey?

One of the major problems in more-or-less orthodox revolutionary theory, I believe, is holding on to this momentous vision of 'the revolution' as a singular event. The revolution isn't an event nor even a protracted period of struggle stretched out in time. The revolution is happening at each and every moment ever since the emergence of the communist tendency within the class struggle. The struggle to re-appropriate our lives, to overcome the seperations imposed by class society in every field is the process of revolution. This process has subterranean accelerations and decelerations with so-called 'revolutionary periods' (The paris commune, Russia 1917, Germany 1918-1919, Spain 1936, Paris 1968, Italy 1977,etc.) being the peaks of revolutionary activity moving towards a shift in the balance of class forces, but this doesn't mean there is a singular point that can be identified as 'the revolution'.

If one refers to the 'point of no return', where the profileration of the international commune has reached such a degree that it's very existence starts to threaten the continued reproduction of capitalism because it robs it of a material base, then I think we cannot predict whether we will see this in our lifetimes at all. History has shown that tension can build quickly (as it did during the Spartacist uprising where faith in social-democracy was replaced by the call for council-power and the destruction of the state within a few years time) but crumble equally quickly.

What we shouldn't do, however, is give ourselves the idea all activity in the here and now is somehow subservient to some glorious red dawn in the future, preceded by a transitional phase or not. The concept of communisation elaborates this clearly: http://libcom.org/library/communisation

[MattShizzle]

I really hope it does...

[MustCrushCapitalism]

No, I don't think I'll live nearly that long.

[RedRose]

I hope so, but I'm not holding my breath. I try not to be passive though, but I don't think there's enough general class consciousness to start a revolution. General unrest is already going on though, so I'm hoping for at least some change in my lifetime.

[Delenda Carthago]

Its already started around here I think...

Everything else's answer, sorry, but its funny cause its not based on actual facts(given the economic dead-ends of capitalism as they are more and more visible in this crisis) but its based on one's own pessimism. Its like me saying in 2005 that I would never live the next 5 at least years as politicaly intense as they were...

[eric922]

I think there will be a major change in the U.S., but I don't know if it will be a full socialist revolution. I do think we will see a lot of people rise up in the form of protests, strikes, and other forms of mass action. However, I would not be surprised if the U.S. decides to go the route of social-democracy to maintain capitalism. Social-democracy seems to be the last defense of capitalism, but it is a very good defense, since the reforms involved can stave off a true revolution for decades. I could be completely wrong though.

[SHORAS]

I think it needs to and that it is possible. I only know of one person who thinks the revolution is actually happening and that is Chris Knight the anthropologist. Of course I'm not including those who have been calling events in the Middle East and Africa revolutions.

Does anyone else know of anyone that thinks there is a world revolution going on (I think the most you could argue is that there is the beginnings or potential of a revolutionary process but even that might be stretching things)! Like the more experienced comrades will tell you, the level of strikes and disputes is nowhere near compared to what it has been in previous decades. Simply because capital has taken a hit it doesn't automatically equal revolution it could mean instead simply deepening barbarism and malaise.

[Delenda Carthago]

I think it needs to and that it is possible. I only know of one person who thinks the revolution is actually happening and that is Chris Knight the anthropologist.
Can you elaborate on that?

[SHORAS]

Can you elaborate on that?

When Lehman Brothers went under in 2008 i.e when the crisis first hit he openly declared this was the crisis of capitalism. I know this to be true because I was at a talk of his at the Anarchist Bookfair in London. He has maintained this position to give him credit, most people change their minds every five minutes. The last time I heard him speak he reiterated that he thought we were in a revolutionary situation. He strongly believes this, he is not being flippant. There does not seem to be too many people saying this is the final end of capitalism but I think Hillel Ticktin editor of Critique comes quite close too. Though he does not say it outright I think if you listen to him it is the conclusion he is drawing. I actually think Ticktin is close to the Left Communists on the general question of capitalist decadence although I think he is possibly some kind of unorthodox Trotskyist.

Chris briefly mentions it in this video: http://vimeo.com/29767554
Forgive me for not going through the entire video and finding when he says it, that is far too painstaking!

You can also watch Hillel's talks on that channel.

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

The potential is certainly there, and if the general economic trends continue, the potential will grow.

[Dzerzhinsky's Ghost]

If you take a quick look at the world right now, I think the answer should be obvious.

Though, I'm curious and will research the comments of comrade Ravachol and this theory of communisation further.

[Metacomet]

No.

I believe it will happen.

A. After peak oil.
B. After the U.S is no longer a power and there is no clear overwhelming power.
C. Potentially after some WW3. Or due to the effects of climate change.


To be honest I think it's pretty bleak. I think there is going to have to be massive destruction before it to bring it about. And I'm talking eclipsing most other wars combined levels, like reducing the worlds population levels.

[SHORAS]

No.

I believe it will happen.

A. After peak oil.
B. After the U.S is no longer a power and there is no clear overwhelming power.
C. Potentially after some WW3. Or due to the effects of climate change.


To be honest I think it's pretty bleak. I think there is going to have to be massive destruction before it to bring it about. And I'm talking eclipsing most other wars combined levels, like reducing the worlds population levels.

If there is that level of destruction and defeat the revolution will be set back if not put beyond reach forever.

[Arlekino]

Is funny but I always asking myself question about revolution how did they do it? Yes of course Russian revolution succeeded but still how on earth they managed I can't see now how workers can take power from rich in this time. Workers are divided in different groups. Military NATO are too powerful and to be honest we are afraid of capitalist dogs. Hm they take advantage of that.

[RebelDog]

Is funny but I always asking myself question about revolution how did they do it? Yes of course Russian revolution succeeded but still how on earth they managed I can't see now how workers can take power from rich in this time. Workers are divided in different groups. Military NATO are too powerful and to be honest we are afraid of capitalist dogs. Hm they take advantage of that.

I don't think any revolution can or has succeeded without elements of the army turning their guns on the bosses.

[Fawkes]

I was so hoping this poll was going to be "Do you believe the revolution will be televized?"


But to answer the question, yes and no. Revolutions are long processes, and I would very much hope that it begins in full during my lifetime.

[Welshy]

I don't know, but I hope so. With how quickly things change we will probably never know for sure, but at the same time we need to be prepared. The last position that us communists/socialists/anarchists should be in is that of being caught completely of guard not knowing what to do with a revolutionary situation that has dropped in front of us.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

"Will socialism be established in America within my lifetime?"

Absolutely not, the conditions are far from that lofty goal.

"Will there be a reform revolution?"

Very possible.

[LewisQ]

Almost certainly not in my lifetime (though anything's possible, I guess). People underestimate the effect of 30-40 years of neoliberalism and the collapse of the USSR (along with the concomitant collapse of social democracy.) The systematic disempowerment of the working class has been absolute. Class consciousness will have to be rebuilt almost from scratch. That will probably be a project for the crisis that follows this one.

Will there be a revolutionary process with a recognisably socialist character in a developed country within my lifetime? Possibly, given a reasonable lifespan. Maybe in Southern Europe or Latin America within the next twenty years.

[eric922]

Almost certainly not in my lifetime (though anything's possible, I guess). People underestimate the effect of 30-40 years of neoliberalism and the collapse of the USSR (along with the concomitant collapse of social democracy.) The systematic disempowerment of the working class has been absolute. Class consciousness will have to be rebuilt almost from scratch. That will probably be a project for the crisis that follows this one.

About the bold. I could be wrong, but I thought the social-democracies of Scandinavia, especially Norway, had manged to survive the rescission mostly unscathed. Or have there been calls for austerity cuts there as well? I hope not, social-democracy isn't the answer, but the collapse of it would harm the working class in those countries terribly, and I don't wish to see any suffer.

[EvilRedGuy]

People are losing faith in Socialdemocracy in Denmark. Some leftists say they are not radical enough and petty-bourgeois(save this in the news myself).

[DeBon]

I know it will happen in my life time. Whether it's in a few years or when I'm an old geezer. It will happen.

[RedSonRising]

Yes, I plan to be there.

[OHumanista]

I voted other because I am no self-centered megalomaniac or a prophet to claim that it will happen during my lifetime or not.
If it happens excellent, otherwise I will try to help pave the way for when it does.:)

[Fawkes]

"Will socialism be established in America within my lifetime?"

Absolutely not, the conditions are far from that lofty goal.

"Will there be a reform revolution?"

Very possible.
uh, what's a reform revolution?

[eric922]

uh, what's a reform revolution?
He likely means there will be a lot of protests, strikes, etc, but that the capitalists will stave it off by reforming our system into a social-democracy.

[Crux]

About the bold. I could be wrong, but I thought the social-democracies of Scandinavia, especially Norway, had manged to survive the rescission mostly unscathed. Or have there been calls for austerity cuts there as well? I hope not, social-democracy isn't the answer, but the collapse of it would harm the working class in those countries terribly, and I don't wish to see any suffer.
We already had a wave of austerity in the last recession in the 90's, under a social-democratic government. More is probably to come.

[Seth]

I honestly have no clue, but we will see increasingly deeper crisis after crisis of capitalism, increased popular resistance a la greece, more defections from the neoliberal camp a la Venezuela, more and more frequent imperialist adventures, and a roll back of living standards that eventually becomes obvious for everyone who isn't wealthy. It's hard to say if capitalism will be overthrown anywhere right now, but in 10/20/30/40 years that could change obviously.

[Patagonia]

I wonder why Latin America it's seen as a likely place for a revolution in the near future. Someone care to explain?

[LewisQ]

I wonder why Latin America it's seen as a likely place for a revolution in the near future. Someone care to explain?

Speaking for myself; I think it's possible it could happen in Latin America because the class character of the neoliberal project has been much more explicit and less successfully obfuscated in Latin America.

[Sputnik_1]

It would be cool if it happened in my life-time, but I'm not really that sure about it. I don't know you guys, but I don't really see much awareness around be... Even when I mention revolution or communism in my Uni or just out with people (so called friends i guess) they just roll their eyes and say "Great... there she goes again". The fact that people are constantly distracted from what really matters isn't really helpful. Somehow, tho, i believe that nearly all of us has the feeling that something is wrong with this system, even if they can't really exactly say what the problem is (and can't be bothered with finding out what is it). Well, there definitely should happen something that actually would make people get the hell up from their comfy couches and start fighting for a better future. It's this lack of common sense of responsibility that scares the shit out of me, the fact that people do realize that hideous things happen but are convinced that they can't change it and accept it the way it is.

[Thirsty Crow]

I think there will be a major change in the U.S., but I don't know if it will be a full socialist revolution. I do think we will see a lot of people rise up in the form of protests, strikes, and other forms of mass action. However, I would not be surprised if the U.S. decides to go the route of social-democracy to maintain capitalism. Social-democracy seems to be the last defense of capitalism, but it is a very good defense, since the reforms involved can stave off a true revolution for decades. I could be completely wrong though.It's not as if the ruling class has different sets of social/economic policy at hand, which can be chosen at will irrespective of the actual process of capital accumulation and the conjunctural situations engendered by it.

As majakovskij pointed out, bourgeois political organizations are not immune from the demands put forward by the very state of the economy. It's quite funny, and quite illustrating of this simple fact, that New Labour was forced to transcend the demands of 1983 Labour for the nationalization of one of the major banks in the UK, nationalizing two of them (can't remember which) uunder the conditions of the recession. Though, that should also tell you something about the political practice of nationalizations in itself.

[Miri]

I really hope the revolution is coming, but I seriously doubt it. I'm not entirely sure about the situation in America, but I'm an anarchist in the UK and no-one I know that is anti-capitilist (i know people from several ideologies) thinks a revolution is on its way. I guess we can just work towards it, so there's one in the future and maybe our kids or grandchildren will be free.