Do I need to be a Communist in order to join this site?

[Loony]

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[Vyacheslav Brolotov]

Noooo, don't go! :)

[Rooster]

I don't think that you really understand what communism means. I think you'd have to understand that you have to throw off capitalism with a revolution and I think reformists are restricted.

[W1N5T0N]

Ask yourself this...

Do you really believe the USA, no1 cappie (and by far richest) nation in the world will not do ANYTHING to uphold the status quo?

[Drosophila]

Social democracy advocacy is something that will normally get you sent to the restricted forum. So no, you're not really allowed to be a social democrat.

[Bronco]

Social Democrats are normally restricted I believe but seeing as you're sympathetic to Communism and here to learn more than anything I don't think there would be much benefit in restricting you. Up to the Admins though.

[Zukunftsmusik]

Social democrats are restricted, yes. But this doesn't mean you can't ask questions. Parts of the forum will still be open.


Ask yourself this...

Do you really believe the USA, no1 cappie (and by far richest) nation in the world will not do ANYTHING to uphold the status quo?

What on earth is this question supposed to mean? Surely you can be a social democrat and answer 'no' to that question.


A more adequate question would be: Is communism an ends, a final goal, or a movement evolving from capitalism?

[Loony]

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[Left Leanings]

Does one need to be a Communist to join this site?

Although I am not a Communist, I do believe that Marx made some good points and that these should be incorporated into society. I would consider myself more of a supporter of a social democracy than a Communist.

Communism definitely has its advantages and if one could start afresh with these structures in place then I will be the first person to support it. Yet I don't think that it is realistic to go out there and violently overthrow the powers that be.

I am a peaceful person and as much as I can see that a revolution might make these things happen faster, I am against this being done by violence. I am more into easing governments into it slowly and building a solid base than just overthrowing whoever is up there and hoping it works.

The poor need to be uplifted and governments need to be held accountable for what they have done, and also to support those who have been disadvantaged as a result of capitalistic greed. I am not in favour of abandoning governments entirely, but I do think that they should take more responsibility for the people than they have done in the past.

I'm not here to fight with people, just to ask questions and to learn more.

So, am I in the wrong place?

Social democracy is simply a mechanism for maintaining the rule of the ruling class. Welfare capitalism, if you like.

You talk of governments being held accountable. People have looked to elected politicians to change things for them for years and years. Concessions and gains are sometimes won. But they are scraps thrown from the table, to buy us off, and stave off an increase in working-class militancy.

And what reforms are granted, can be taken away. So there are cuts in healthcare, in social security, in housing, them there is mass unemployment and the slavery of wage labour.

The mass of people are working-class. We create all the wealth under capitalism. The goods we produce are stolen from us, and sold by the bosses, and the profit rolls into their coffers.

The ruling class is tiny. We the workers are many. So the bosses create a smokescreen and a mythology, petty hierarchies in the workplace (such as supervisors with only 3 people under them and paid a fraction more), use the police, the courts, and their armies, to keep the workers under their rule.

They want us to forget our potential, and not see through their mirage. The bosses need us. Without us, they cannot run their enterprises, and keep their riches coming in. But we do not need them. We can, and have, done it collectively for ourselves, and taken control of the productive machinery, and operated it for the benefit of all.

My advice to you is this: take your time here, and have a good read of all the posts, particularly in the Learning section. After that, see if you feel differently.

And by the way, Welcome :)

[Loony]

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[Zav]

Welcome! You can certainly join, which should be obvious because, well, you're here already. You might get restricted to posting in the Opposing Ideologies forum, because as the name of the site suggests, RevLeft is designed for Revolutionary Leftists and discussion amongst them, not really for arguing with every non-Communist or non-Anarchist who comes around. You are new here, so you'll probably be given some leniency to ask questions and put up your opinions for a while. If you do get restricted, it probably won't be your fault, so don't feel bad about it.

EDIT: If you are sympathetic and are learning, you shouldn't have any problems. Just ignore the baby Stalins and you'll be fine here.

[Drosophila]

Why not just abandon social democracy?

[Loony]

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[Bronco]

Should I contact one of the Admins and ask them to restrict me? As I said, I'm not here to make a stir or bicker, only to ask questions and learn.

And yes, I am sympathetic to Communism, but I feel at this point I am not in position to be calling myself anything other than a learner.

And perhaps I can also make some valuable contributions from a South African point of view.

No don't worry about it, if you're just here to ask questions and learn then I don't see why you should be restricted, it's normally just the people who are here to debate against Communism that do, or people who argue reactionary positions and say racist/homophobic/sexist shit

[Red Rabbit]

I personally wouldn't restrict you, but I'm not an admin so it's not up to me. :(

[Loony]

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[Drosophila]

What do you mean by "sort of" agreeing with Marx?

By the way, there is revolutionary democratic socialism. - http://www.revleft.com/vb/group.php?groupid=898

[Zukunftsmusik]

I would at this point rather have social democratic leanings which are open to change, than call myself a Communist and have no idea what I'm talking about.

This is what a lot of people on here should think. I don't think you're any less of a leftist than some non-restricted people on here, really. The only difference is that they talk under the name of revolution and communism, although their questions and statements often reveal their lack of knowledge.

Take me as an example. I've called myself a communist long before I got an idea of what that really meant. I've only started to realise what this meant the last year or so, before that I was really just a left social-democrat. I'm now more confident on my views, but I'm still learning. I'm a newbie compared to most people.

[hatzel]

Well half of us are just liberals and social democrats with Che-tees anyway so I wouldn't worry too much about it...

[Loony]

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[Drosophila]

What I mean to say is that I think I have a vague theoretical understanding of Marx, and therefore "sort of" agree as opposed to someone who knows all and who fully agrees.

I don't disagree with Marx, but at this point my understanding is theoretical and I would like to speak to and be in contact with those who have a better understanding than I do. So that I can progress from "sort of" to fully.

Well, depending on which parts you agree with, you could be a revolutionary socialist rather than a social-dem.

[Loony]

Five Dollars, I'm working on it. Been doing some reading and discussing with the husband.

I'll get back to you.

[CommieTroll]

You're still in your introductory phase. Just study the basics of Marx's works first and go from there. Stick around, it's a good learning experience, from reading some of your posts it seems that you have a good head on your shoulders (hopefully:))

[Loony]

You're still in your introductory phase. Just study the basics of Marx's works first and go from there. Stick around, it's a good learning experience, from reading some of your posts it seems that you have a good head on your shoulders (hopefully:))

I do. I just need to be introduced, as you say. :) And I'm working on that!