How do we keep from becoming another russia?

[blackwaffle]

I was wondering how Russia and Cube and China are different than the communism that is endorsed on this forum. how do you prevent a leader from taking power and then turn communism into a dictatorship?

[redstar2000]

One good way to start is to relentlessly attack the "leader principle".

We should simply not allow one guy to always stand in front of the room and "run the show"...even when our groups are still very small.

Whenever someone comes around with that "follow me and I'll set you free" crapola, we should as a matter of principle totally reject his pretensions.

But, more importantly, we need to understand why we're doing that...that it's not just an emotional or knee-jerk reaction.

In the words of SDS from the 1960s, we need a developed theory of participatory democracy.

Here are some discussions about that...

Students for a Democratic Society vs. Leninism (http://redstar2000papers.fightcapitalism.net/theory.php?subaction=showfull&id=1083585987&archive=&cnshow=headlines&start_from=&ucat=&)

SDS Revisited (http://redstar2000papers.fightcapitalism.net/theory.php?subaction=showfull&id=1102950566&archive=&cnshow=headlines&start_from=&ucat=&)

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

[blackwaffle]

ah, i understand. and people can form political groups as well to gain more power, but they arent really poltical parties the way we see them. but, when communism is a government, do you think that the average people will be able to resist the "follow me and ill set you free" crapola?

[redstar2000]

Originally posted by blackwaffle
...do you think that the average people will be able to resist the "follow me and I'll set you free" crapola?

We can't predict the future in useful detail.

Nevertheless, if we've spent two or three decades or more building a mass movement around the principle of participatory democracy, I think people will be pretty conscious of the need to reject the "leader principle".

At least, I hope so!

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

[Non-Sectarian Bastard!]

I liked your old smiley better

[sanpal]

Originally posted by [email protected] 22 2005, 01:45 AM

At least, I hope so!


The hope dies last :lol:

[Ligeia]

Originally posted by [email protected] 22 2005, 12:30 AM
but, when communism is a government, do you think that the average people will be able to resist the "follow me and ill set you free" crapola?
I thought communism doesnt have a government.I think I am mixing up something,am I not? <_<

[Roses in the Hospital]

What you&#39;ve got to remember is that at the time of their revolutions China, Russia and Cuba were backwards countries where the populations were barely literate, with very little political understanding, meaning they were easily manipulated. In a more developed country the population should be sharp enough to not let a Stalin figure worm his way into power. As Hitler once said &#39;how fortunate it is for leaders that men do not think for themselves.&#39;

[redstar2000]

Originally posted by Ligeia+--> (Ligeia)I thought communism doesn&#39;t have a government.[/b]

It doesn&#39;t, of course.

What is Communism? A Brief Definition (http://redstar2000papers.fightcapitalism.net/theory.php?subaction=showfull&id=1082898978&archive=&cnshow=headlines&start_from=&ucat=&)


Non&#045;Sectarian Bastard&#33;
I liked your old smiley better

I thought the red smiley matched my avatar better...

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

[blackwaffle]

i see now. If there is no ladder to climb then no one can climb it... Altough, education, and perhaps propaganda, would play an important role in keeping a person from building his own damn ladder.

[(R)evolution of the mind]

Originally posted by [email protected] 22 2005, 05:11 PM
i see now. If there is no ladder to climb then no one can climb it... Altough, education, and perhaps propaganda, would play an important role in keeping a person from building his own damn ladder.
In a sense, yes. I don&#39;t believe education will stop all the educated people from trying to build their ladders. It is the other way around: people must be educated not to allow anyone to make themselves a rung of their ladder of exploitation. In my opinion, raising this attitude is the road towards the revolution.