A Learning Leftist

[Antipiol]

Hello to all.

Long time guest, first time member.

I'm not a huge fan of forums usually. I find the level of maturity to be completely absent in most cases and this combined with the insane obnoxiousness of people who are willing to stand in complete arrogance and opposition to reason because of their inebriation through “internet courage”, has driven me away.

But, I’ve decided to participate because of my desire for leftist discussion and enlightenment on the subject. I would perhaps just go out and read volumes and volumes of leftist literature but I’m a student and I simply have no time for that… yet. I’ve read the Communist Manifesto and own a copy but besides that and the information I’ve picked up here through creeping around over the months, I know very little.

My principle belief is that because no man has control over the circumstances of his birth, whether that be the year, location or by whom he is birthed, it is an immoral and ridiculous act for any man to lay claim to such resources or products that all men need to live healthy, sound lives.

I do not believe that Capitalism is the cause for all the world’s problems but I do believe it is a system that leads to inequality, corruption, poverty and advocates individuality through “cut-throat” competition.

I’m also an atheist (huge surprise, I know).

I would also like to explore the left more to find where my specific beliefs align with others. Not necessarily for my own sake, or a need to label my leftism, but so I can more easily convey my beliefs to others without having to explain each and every point. But anyway…

I have a few simple questions if anyone wouldn’t mind –

Is true communism strictly state-less?

What is the difference between state-less communism and anarchism?
Does true communism use direct democracy?
Level one questions, I know, but they have been a source of confusion.
What else now…. Hmmm, I’m a psychology student with interests in neuroscience and psychopathology mainly…
Guess that’s it. Thanks for reading.

[Lobotomy]

Hi, welcome to Revleft.

"Is true communism strictly state-less?"
Yes. We believe that the state is nothing but a tool used by the bourgeoisie to protect private property.

"What is the difference between state-less communism and anarchism?"
There is not a big difference in what the "final product" would look like. Different tendencies within communism usually disagree on how to transition from capitalism to communism. For example, Marxists believe that there needs to be a "dictatorship of the proletariat" in order to seize the means of production, while anarchists generally don't believe in the need for a vanguard party.

"Does true communism use direct democracy?"
Yes, most tendencies argue in favor of direct democracy.

If you have any more questions head on over to the learning forum.

[daft punk]

Hello to all.

Long time guest, first time member.

I'm not a huge fan of forums usually. I find the level of maturity to be completely absent in most cases and this combined with the insane obnoxiousness of people who are willing to stand in complete arrogance and opposition to reason because of their inebriation through “internet courage”, has driven me away.

But, I’ve decided to participate because of my desire for leftist discussion and enlightenment on the subject. I would perhaps just go out and read volumes and volumes of leftist literature but I’m a student and I simply have no time for that… yet. I’ve read the Communist Manifesto and own a copy but besides that and the information I’ve picked up here through creeping around over the months, I know very little.

My principle belief is that because no man has control over the circumstances of his birth, whether that be the year, location or by whom he is birthed, it is an immoral and ridiculous act for any man to lay claim to such resources or products that all men need to live healthy, sound lives.

I do not believe that Capitalism is the cause for all the world’s problems but I do believe it is a system that leads to inequality, corruption, poverty and advocates individuality through “cut-throat” competition.

I’m also an atheist (huge surprise, I know).

I would also like to explore the left more to find where my specific beliefs align with others. Not necessarily for my own sake, or a need to label my leftism, but so I can more easily convey my beliefs to others without having to explain each and every point. But anyway…

I have a few simple questions if anyone wouldn’t mind –

Is true communism strictly state-less?

What is the difference between state-less communism and anarchism?
Does true communism use direct democracy?
Level one questions, I know, but they have been a source of confusion.
What else now…. Hmmm, I’m a psychology student with interests in neuroscience and psychopathology mainly…
Guess that’s it. Thanks for reading.

Hi, I would post these in Learning, maybe as separate threads.

But briefly, yeah there is no state in communism, and the end result is pretty much the same for anarchists and communists. Yes it would be direct democracy, more than we could even imagine. In fact in the end you wouldnt even need democracy as such because everyone would be equal, involved in planning, and using their initiative. So for instance you could do a consumer survey, consult a few experts, and make a decision. You wouldnt need to take a vote because you already know what it's result would be. However we can vote on loads of stuff, yeah. It would be done in the workplace or at home on computer.

[Lenina Rosenweg]

These are very good questions.To clarify Marxist ideas of the state and how Marx's ideas evolved in the aftermath of the Paris Commune I could recommend State and Revolution by Lenin. Its not a thick book and its actually an easy read.

http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/staterev/

Also Marx's writings on France

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1852/18th-brumaire/index.htm

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1871/civil-war-france/ch05.htm

This may be helpful.Marx's writing on French politics of the time is considered a masterpiece and has influenced bourgeois historiography.

I don't know much about the anarchist view. You may want to read Bakunin's disagreements with Marx.

[Caj]

Welcome to the forum!



Is true communism strictly state-less?

Absolutely. The State is an apparatus for class oppression. Classlessness is incompatile with the existence of the State.


What is the difference between state-less communism and anarchism?

Anarchism is a revolutionary strategy for achieving communism. Anarchism repudiates the State as a means to bring about classlessness and statelessness.


Does true communism use direct democracy?

Most communists advocate use of direct democracy; however, on larger scales direct democracy becomes impractical, and other forms of democratic control may become necessary. Among these other forms are demarchy (selection of delegates by lot) and electoral democracy (which would cease to function as de facto plutocracy with the abolition of classes).