Originally posted by GlassDraggon+May 15 2006, 03:29 AM--> (GlassDraggon @ May 15 2006, 03:29 AM)
[email protected] 13 2006, 03:38 PM
Its fair to say communism is on the defensive at the moment.
But rather than sit about here and vainly organise a 'revolution' that will never happen, would it not be better to begin a period of reflection - taking an honest look at past occurances with socialists and communists - and reforming communism and socialism to make it applicable with a globalised world?
Furthermore, i think you should advocate more capitalism in the world, as does it not state somewhere amongst Marx's teachings that capitalism will bear the seeds of its own destruction? Surely then, more capitalism is needed? Take for example Nepal. If it goes down the Maoist line, then its in for trouble.
I believe you should do the following;
1) Take a long sabbatical - ten years or so. Call mass conferences. Invite every communist organisation in the world to a central meeting point and debate, debate, debate. perhaps form a new communist international?
2) Research and develop communism more to make it applicable to the 21st century. Calm peoples fears. Begin a process of education.
3) Encourage globalisation wherever you can.
I'm just gonna take this bit by bit.
The part about "...and vainly organise a 'revolution' that will never happen..." first-
There is no force in the United States that could rise up and fight toe to toe with the U.S. Armed Forces (or even the Special Forces branch). I'm assuming that's the type of "revolution" you invision. But there are 3 very viable aspects of revolution which can and would be very successful with an appropriate amount of organization. The most important of those would be education of the masses. If the majority of workers were able to step back and look at how horrendous their working and living conditions are in comparison to what they could be, that alone would provide the force necessary for a successful revolution. The second branch of viable revolution is economic. The U.S. economy (and empire) has probably reached it's peak and I personally believe it is on the decline. The nation's economy is so top heavy that it will likely collapse at some point in my lifetime. When that happens, it will give us an opportunity to step forward and rebuild. The third branch of revolution lies in direct action. Direct action being protests, rallies, unionization, worker sit-ins, worker strikes, corporate crackdowns and other non-violent means. Within this branch there is also a section allocated to the use of violence. I can picture you scoffing at the thought of using violence against such a large and powerful country. I suggest you look at Irish history from the 1916 Easter Uprising all the way up to the creation of a free and independant Ireland. The U.K. was the world super-power at that point and Ireland was in essentially the same position as we are now.
Then on to your capitalist rant:
Capitalism works like a virus. It consumes and grows and then has to consume more in order to continue growing. It's a vicious cycle with infinite growth possibility. That's wonderful...except there's very limited resources in the world. Infinite growth in a world of finite resources is a recipe for disaster. So capitalism, like a virus, consumes it's host and then it dies. Capitalism doesn't bear the seeds of it's own destruction- it IS destruction. I agree with you that Maoism is a terrible thing. But Maoism is not leftism- it is fascism under the guise of communism.
Now to your points:
1) That's already happening, especially in Latin America. Also, please don't use the words "leftist" and "communist" interchangeably. I'm a leftist but I'm not a communist. There is a difference and you seem to be missing it.
2) Again...watch the word "communism". Change it to "Research and develope Leftist theory...". Once again, this has already been happening. We've been refining and improving Leftist theory well into the late 20th and 21st century. Leftist theory is continually changing and being improved. I think part of this misconception on your part lies in your view of Leftism as "communism" and thereby relating it to the U.S.S.R.
3) Define "globalisation". If you're talking about Free Trade Zones, NAFTA, The World Bank etc etc etc then I think you need to do some research beyond the oily surface. You remember how I said that capitalism grows infinitely and consumes infinite resources in a finite world? That means that when grew past our ability to sustain ourselves within our own country, we had to start stealing resources and labor from other people. I've done a fair bit of global travel and I've seen the results first hand. You get outside the United States and Europe and you find starvation and poverty on a level that is incomprehensible to any American who hasn't seen it first hand. Many of these people arent starving and impoverished because of poor economic management on their government's part. The result of their starvation and impoverishment can be directly linked to Globalization and Free Trade.
My recommendations for you:
1. Watch the movie "Life In Debt" about the Jamaican Free Trade Zones
2. Read a LOT more about Leftism
3. Stop using the word "Communism" in the place of "Leftism"
4. Look up the dates and locations for some of the global Leftist gatherings
5. Read about the tactics used by the I.R.A. in Ireland from 1916-Independence
I'd keep going but I think this is enough homework for now :-P If you want more just PM me. [/b]
I understand what your saying. Also, I realise the USSR etc. were not communist states (Which is in itself an oxymoron, the concept of a communist state)
And please, don't talk to me about the IRA. Them scumbags ruined any chance we ever had of getting a united Ireland with their stupid martyrdom of 1916. Peaceful parliamentary politics would have gotten us Home Rule after the war. Its only a pity CS Parnell hadn't remained alive for it and there wouldn't have been all the unnecessary bloodletting by the IRA savages, who have indiscriminately killed people of all communities for over 70 years.