I'm done

[billydan225]

I'm done with this website I don't know what I am politically I'm confused

[Yet_Another_Boring_Marxist]

See ya

[GiantMonkeyMan]

I'm done with this website I don't know what I am politically I'm confused
There's no need to pidgeon-hole yourself in a particular political category, especially if you are still learning and trying to come to grips with theory and practice. At the same time, this is a website for revolutionary leftist politics and if you aren't willing to engage on that level then perhaps this isn't the best place for you to feel comfortable anyway.

[Mass Grave Aesthetics]

So are you leaving us? Care to elaborate on this profound confusion of yours? Are you looking for a conversation here or just making a one last statement to the community before you ride into the sunset?

[billydan225]

I support communism it's just well I don't know

[Taters]

Maybe you should read some more stuff. Have you read the Communist Manifesto? Capital? Some Lenin? Some Luxemburg? Some Trotsky? Hell, it doesn't end there.
Just go to marxists.org and just start clickin' on junk and readin', pal.

[billydan225]

Well I have been wanting to read communist books what is a must read for a beggener?

[Taters]

Well, first of all, go to the Learning section and look at the stickied threads there. Lots of good resources there.

I'd certainly start out with the Communist Manifesto. You can't well consider yourself a communist if you haven't read that, IMO.

[Art Vandelay]

Read the Principles of Communism by Engels. It is the best place for beginners to start. It won't take you long, its a short read. See if you agree with it or not.

[The Jay]

You could choose to check out Black Flame (http://www.akpress.org/blackflameakpress.html) for a beginning look. There's plenty of basic books to check out!

[billydan225]

Ok right now I'm reading about the Berlin wall

[The Jay]

What are you reading in particular if you don't mind me asking?

[Prometeo liberado]

Youre gonna miss the communist pizza party!:laugh:

[billydan225]

What are you reading in particular if you don't mind me asking?

I went to my school library and got a book on the Berlin Wall it's pretty good

[Prometeo liberado]

If I were you I would drop the trot thing, clear your mind and start from scratch. Back to the basics as it were.

[#FF0000]

I went to my school library and got a book on the Berlin Wall it's pretty good

Good stuff. You're gonna want to check out some Marx n Engels though, if you want a good grasp of the basics of Communist theory. Like others said, the Learning Forum has stickied threads with good reading suggestions.

[Paul Pott]

I assume you're new. I don't know if this is like the situation you're in but I think I've had that feeling before. When people get confused they are prone to give up on Marxism or anarchism and become social democrats or something else.

When I was getting started in leftist politics and trying to define my views I went through periods where I felt like I didn't understand what I was doing and felt like the Soviet Union was it, the forces of history that lead to socialism are done and over with, and capital might just rule forever as it has so far. In most of the world, for someone who is new to the left, the ideological hegemony of liberalism and other bourgeois ideology in the history books, in universities, on the news, and in political discussions with family and friends can be quite demoralizing. On the surface the ruling class appears pretty damn strong into the foreseeable future.

What you have to remember is that capitalism is a system in crisis, and its inherent contradictions and divisions will only be resolved by the revolution of the working class. No hegemony, no amount of real and imaginary prosperity, no terror, no failure by the left can do that in the long run. Pay attention to the world. You'll notice that more cracks appear by the day. We need to prepare. To organize, to educate, maybe even to fight enemies like fascists. How and for exactly what is the question. Issues like that are where Marxism and anarchism diverge. You could have a lot to contribute.

We need organization, solid theory, and political struggle to bring the revolution to realization. Keep reading, thinking, and sharing your thoughts and concerns with people here and with comrades in real life, and you'll develop your views about what path you believe the movement of the working class should take. Once you mature in your views things will be clearer.

Maybe I'm assuming too much about your situation in particular but maybe that'll help someone else.

[billydan225]

I assume you're new. I don't know if this is like the situation you're in but I think I've had that feeling before. When people get confused they are prone to give up on Marxism or anarchism and become social democrats or something else.

When I was getting started in leftist politics and trying to define my views I went through periods where I felt like I didn't understand what I was doing and felt like the Soviet Union was it, the forces of history that lead to socialism are done and over with, and capital might just rule forever as it has so far. In most of the world, for someone who is new to the left, the ideological hegemony of liberalism and other bourgeois ideology in the history books, in universities, on the news, and in political discussions with family and friends can be quite demoralizing. On the surface the ruling class appears pretty damn strong into the foreseeable future.

What you have to remember is that capitalism is a system in crisis, and its inherent contradictions and divisions will only be resolved by the revolution of the working class. No hegemony, no amount of real and imaginary prosperity, no terror, no failure by the left can do that in the long run. Pay attention to the world. You'll notice that more cracks appear by the day. We need to prepare. To organize, to educate, maybe even to fight enemies like fascists. How and for exactly what is the question. Issues like that are where Marxism and anarchism diverge. You could have a lot to contribute.

We need organization, solid theory, and political struggle to bring the revolution to realization. Keep reading, thinking, and sharing your thoughts and concerns with people here and with comrades in real life, and you'll develop your views about what path you believe the movement of the working class should take. Once you mature in your views things will be clearer.

Maybe I'm assuming too much about your situation in particular but maybe that'll help someone else.
Capitalist are greedy

[#FF0000]

Bit more to it than that.

[Paul Pott]

Capitalist are greedy

I guess that's a starting point.

[billydan225]

They don't give enough money to the workers

[Tenka]

They don't give enough money to the workers

Workers not being paid in proportion to their labour is only a constant of Capitalism, which varies little. It's not just that Capitalists are greedy, but that they own everything and relegate the working class people to the practical status of easily interchangeable and replaceable nuts and bolts in their profit-making machinery, the bleak reality of which status becoming more apparent in times of Depression.

Capitalists swimming in surplus value while the actual producers thereof starve, while it's very ugly, it is a mere symptom of the relations of production and existence of private property, etcetera.

Here is a link to that text 9mm mentioned, which I checked out and believe to be quite well and to the point (and probably a better place to start than the Manifesto): http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm

[#FF0000]

Why are you so eager to label yourself a communist, OP? What has you so interested in this?

[billydan225]

Why are you so eager to label yourself a communist, OP? What has you so interested in this?

Because I don't like capitalism and it works unlike what most people say about it

[#FF0000]

Because I don't like capitalism and it works unlike what most people say about it

Alright. I ask because it seems to me (and I apologize if I'm totally off-base here) you're trying to just commit talking points to memory rather than seriously engage with and understand the Marxist/Anarchist point of view. So it seems like you're trying to play-act as a communist and say what you think a communist would say, which doesn't work out because you don't seem to quite understand what we're saying and where we're coming from.

And that's fine. You don't have to know everything. You don't even have to know anything, as long as you're trying to learn. So if you have questions about anything, even the most basic things regarding radical politics, don't be afraid to ask.

[Comrade Samuel]

Do not fret friend, even I Comrade Samuel, the greatest communist of all time was once confused about this stuff. As 9mm said Engles' principles of communism is the best starting point.

Principles of communism: http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm

Some might say that your book about the Berlin wall is useless if you're trying to become a communist but I personally feel as though knowing your history is just as important as knowing your theory.

Now go educate yourself, make uncle Karl proud!

Edit: I read in another thread that you are a sophomore in highschool. I am as well so its good to see somebody around who gets what it's like to be a youngster with communist sympathies.

[billydan225]

What's the difference between a democratic republic and a people's republic?

[#FF0000]

What's the difference between a democratic republic and a people's republic?

Wikipedia has a good definition:


a republican form of government where the country is considered a "public matter" (Latin: res publica), not a private concern or property of rulers, and where offices of states are subsequently, directly or indirectly, elected or appointed - rather than inherited - where all eligible citizens have an equal say in the local and national decisions that affect their lives

However, some countries might take on "Democratic Republic" in their countries name as a title, regardless of how the actual political system in that country actually operates.

"People's Republic" is pretty much just a title. I'm pretty sure the few countries that do claim to be a "people's republic" all operate very, very differently than the other "people's republics" do.

[Fourth Internationalist]

What's the difference between a democratic republic and a people's republic?

Nothing, really. It's merely a title for a country, and it means absolutely nothing.

[Tenka]

It's a name, a title which a country identifies itself with. Sadly oftentimes names and titles have no value, it's usually irrelevant to how a nation actually is (think North Korea's title: "the Democratic People's Republic of Korea", none of those titles truly apply)

A republic is literally any form of state that's not a monarchy. Calling this republic "democratic" or "people's" is inconsequential indeed. Republic does apply in that case, though, unless you think the figurehead Kim family of the military dictatorship of North Korea in fact makes DPRK a "monarchy" as some sillyheads think.

[Klaatu]

Actually there is a lot to be learned right here from the good folks on this site. :)

[kasama-rl]

I started by reading Mao's Red Book.

It has had a world historic impact, and concentrates a great deal of methodology.

And it is digestible, pithy and popular.... exactly what a new communist needs.

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/works/red-book/

[Comrade Nasser]

I'm done with this website I don't know what I am politically I'm confused

See ya buddy.

On an unrelated note, please, please whatever you do, do not join the Aryan circle jerk known as Stormfront. I hope you find you're way brah.

[Flying Purple People Eater]

unless you think the figurehead Kim family of the military dictatorship of North Korea in fact makes DPRK a "monarchy" as some sillyheads think.

Legally it is!

[adipocere]

I support communism it's just well I don't know

It sounds to me like you're overwhelmed by theory and abstraction. For me, the theory only becomes interesting when you can look back to real historical examples of the lengths at which the ruling class and her capitalist crusaders have gone to suppress the ideas and theories of communism.

If you're feeling bogged down or confused, I suggest getting pissed off (Latin America is a good place to start) and then revisiting the theory when you're more properly seeing red. That's what I do anyway.

[Quail]

I'd advise reading a bit of everything, marxist, anarchist, etc. Instead of picking a "tendency" and reading material that supports that viewpoint, you should read a variety of material and make your own mind up about it. You don't even have to have a tendency. I read things, take on board the stuff I agree with and discard the rest.

[Big Boss]

Most of us started with the Communist Manifesto. I don't think there is a better place to start from.:)

[TheEmancipator]

Most of us started with the Communist Manifesto. I don't think there is a better place to start from.:)

Its only 40 pages yet it has enough content to dismantle any kind of oppressing class axioms we have in mind. Awe inspiring for me certainly. Almost every line is quotable...:grin:

[Brutus]

I would start with the principles of communism, as I found it much easier to read than the manifesto. Engels has an ability to convey complex points in a manner that they are easily understandable. After that, try 'socialism:utopian and scientific'.
For now, try to stick with Marx and Engels, then move on to other communists. Reform and revolution by Rosa Luxemburg is a good read.
Don't abandon us yet. Read more!
Marxists.org is a great place

[MP5]

Nopt everyone who calls themselves a Communist falls neatly into a tendency. For instance i would fall most closely towards Anarco-Communism but i also believe in left wing nationalism which put's me on the odds with every Anarchist out there.

I would suggest starting with Marx, Engels, Lenin, Kropotkin, Mao and going from there.

[Lev Bronsteinovich]

Max Shachtman's "What is Socialism" is a good introduction. Yes, old Max drifted rightward until he became a cold warrior shit, but this book, written in the 1940s is really pretty clear and straight forward. If you are interested, I can scare up a link, maybe.

[Comrade #138672]

They don't give enough money to the workersYes. We demand more money. :)

[black magick hustla]

man, stop feeding the troll kids

[Brutus]

This person seems genuinely interested

[hashem]

I went to my school library and got a book on the Berlin Wall it's pretty good

i think you should at least read some works of Marx and Engels, especially their early works to understand basics of scientific socialism.

what is the book about Berlin Wall about? its probably about evil communists who were preventing people from escaping from them! but you should first know what is communism in order to judge whether East Germany was communist or not. such books cant help you in present situation.

[Crux]

This person seems genuinely interested
Yet every single post he has made thus far is a one-liner. I'm not saying he is being ingenuine, what I am saying though is that if he is really interested in a discussion he should give us something more to engage with. This said, this is the Learning forum, most responses have been helpful and respectful, let's keep it that way.

[billydan]

I hade to make a new account because I forgot my password but I did get a book on communism it's very helpful

[Brutus]

Do you mind of I give you a few tips?
Please can you use more punctuation- it makes your posts easier to read.
Try to reply with more than one liners. It would be easier for us to help you

[Luís Henrique]

I hade to make a new account because I forgot my password but I did get a book on communism it's very helpful

And what book would it be?

******************

If you are a high-school student, perhaps the best thing to do would be to analyse and understand what is going on at your high-school.

Does it have a jock culture? To what extent bullying is a problem? Is it racially integrated, and are there racial tensions? Are there tensions between male and female students?

Is it a public, free, school, or do you have to pay for it?

Is it in a rural, urban, or suburban area? Is it in a dynamic area, attracting new people and new capital, or is it in one of these decadent areas where jobs are disappearing?

Is the content taught in school what you, as a student, think you need to learn? Are the teachers supportive of questioning students, or do they try to impose their authority and silence dissent and doubts?

Is there any kind of students' organisation? Some club or union that can be used for complaints about the quality of teaching, or even the material conditions of the school?

What is the perspective of your classmates in life? Do they plan to go to college, and is this a viable perspective? Are they satisfied in joining the workforce as semi-qualified labour? What do they think about that? Are they conformed with their perspectives, or are they dissatisfied at them, even if they don't know how to explain such dissatisfaction?

Luís Henrique

[billydan]

And what book would it be?

******************

If you are a high-school student, perhaps the best thing to do would be to analyse and understand what is going on at your high-school.

Does it have a jock culture? To what extent bullying is a problem? Is it racially integrated, and are there racial tensions? Are there tensions between male and female students?

Is it a public, free, school, or do you have to pay for it?

Is it in a rural, urban, or suburban area? Is it in a dynamic area, attracting new people and new capital, or is it in one of these decadent areas where jobs are disappearing?

Is the content taught in school what you, as a student, think you need to learn? Are the teachers supportive of questioning students, or do they try to impose their authority and silence dissent and doubts?

Is there any kind of students' organisation? Some club or union that can be used for complaints about the quality of teaching, or even the material conditions of the school?

What is the perspective of your classmates in life? Do they plan to go to college, and is this a viable perspective? Are they satisfied in joining the workforce as semi-qualified labour? What do they think about that? Are they conformed with their perspectives, or are they dissatisfied at them, even if they don't know how to explain such dissatisfaction?

Luís Henrique

Some fights sometimes but not this year

Public school

I don't really pay attention to stuff that goes on at school

[Luís Henrique]

Some fights sometimes but not this year

Peoe have big trucks

I don't really pay attention to stuff that goes on at school

It is, earnestly, very difficult to be a communist without paying attention to things that go on on the place where we socialise with other people.

Luís Henrique

[melvin]

Its much more important to understand the basic concept of class struggle and always support it than it is to read books and box yourself into an ideology.

[billydan]

People don't really talk about politics at my school

[Poison Frog]

Billydan do you have any actual questions or points to discuss?

The input thus far is suspicious, to say the least.