How can Socialism/Communisn get the power ?? - what are the

[Subcomandante Marcos]

I see the fact of a guerrilla coming put of the jungle very difficult just as i see the fact of a truly marxist president been elected without a coup or a fraud.

So how can we turn this world around ?? is protesting enought when the boy upstairs is the one who takes the decision of war regardless of the public opinion.

Altought presidents like Lula are the true spirit of the revolution like Allende he is only one man, and he is far too popular for a coup but in other countries poeple are either to esceptical of Communisn because of the imperialist tactis of the U$ or just doesnt care and wants to gte by with whoever is in the presidency.

[Rodneo]

Lula was trying to get elected for 12 years I think, now that he is in power, he not only didn’t change anything, but I didn’t hear anything important the he will change soon. Honestly , I wonder who is really in charge, because Lula, isn’t actually a smart person.

[praxis1966]

Your question is a loaded one, since the actual phase in the revolution in which power is siezed and its nature is variable depending on the circumstances.

In some countries, like France and Sweden, it may actually be possible to elect socialist/communist leaders to the highest of national offices. In other countries, such as Peru, groups like Sendero Luminoso had to take matters into their own hands.

In any case, I think that many people make the mistake of equating revolution with the violent act of coup d'etat and nothing more. I personally agree with Paolo Friere in that the revolution is not confined to the siezure of political and socio-economic power, but also includes the formulation of revolutionary ideals prior to siezure and their implimentation afterwards.

What we as revolutionaries must do is analyze the limitations of the oppressive regimes under which we are held, their maleability in terms of potential for reform, as well as their efficacy at the perpetuation of the age old "Equal Opportunity as Freedom" myth. We must then act accordingly.

Education has and always will be the key. We must not confine our discussions to communities of like minded individuals such as this one. We must bring the Gospel of Revolution to the rest of the world. As leaders in the global revolution, we must first help to form a societal consciousness which knows what to do with true freedom when it gets it. Otherwise, we will only lay the groundwork for another Stalin.

Ultimately, the ascendancy of the revolutionary and the means by which this is accomplished must be taken on a case by case basis. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules in this world.

I don't know if that answers your question, but that's what I came up with.

(Edited by praxis1966 at 12:07 pm on April 17, 2003)