[STUDY GROUP] Marx & Engels Study Group

[Ander]

I was thinking of organising an extensive study of materials by Marx and Engels. It would be for both beginners and veterans and would cover a series of works by the two. I'm not sure if I would be comfortable leading the group, though maybe we wouldn't have to have a leader so to speak.

Anyone who is interested, please vote on a work to begin with and post any other comments that would help the project in this thread. The collection of material I am using can be found here. (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/sw/index.htm)

Since these kinds of groups have a tendency to fail, those who sign up should be willing to commit and be serious. It would not be necessary to stay for the entire study (it could take months) but sticking with it as long as possible would be great.

I think this could work very well as long as we have some dedicated people who want to give time and effort to the study. Also, depending on what we are reading, we could tackle it chapter by chapter or paragraph by paragraph.

In my opinion we should begin with Principles of Communism and quickly follow up with the Manifesto. They are the most basic and introductory texts and while perhaps boring, once we get through the first ones we can move on to more interesting reads.

[Vargha Poralli]

It has been a tough choice between Wage labor and Capital and Das Capital. But since capital is somewhat big and difficult for newbies I choose the former.

But anway I would like to point out that I have started Communist Manifesto study gruoup a while back so anybody before wanting to statrt with a new one would contribute to it . Here (http://www.revleft.com/index.php?showtopic=62690)

[R_P_A_S]

how about we start from the beginning.. what would that be?

[Ander]

It has been a tough choice between Wage labor and Capital and Das Capital. But since capital is somewhat big and difficult for newbies I choose the former.

I definitely agree that we should touch on Wage Labour and Capital as it is quite important, however I don't think we should do so yet.


But anway I would like to point out that I have started Communist Manifesto study gruoup a while back so anybody before wanting to statrt with a new one would contribute to it . Here

I'm sorry to say that this study group has since died; no posts have been made for almost three weeks. For that reason I want to sign up dedicated and willing participants.


how about we start from the beginning.. what would that be?

Well, Principles of Communism is somewhat an "easier" version of the Manifesto. Instead of a full text of solid writing it is in question and answer form and is not too difficult to read. In my opinion it is a good start before we move on to the Manifesto and could be tackled quickly.

You can find it online, here. (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm)

[welshred]

Yes start with the easier stuff, then progress onto the harder texts.

[Severian]

There was an earlier study group on Socialism:Utopian and Scientific. If you go back through this subforum you can find the threads.

[OneBrickOneVoice]

Critique of the Gotha Programme. I think most people already are pretty up to date on basics like Principles and the manifesto

[The Author]

Critique of the Gotha Programme, for the same reasons LeftyHenry gave, and because in a way I think it's an important work in understanding the nature of the process of the transition through socialism and communism.

[UndergroundConnexion]

As RPAS stated above, we should start with the principles, which i think will be completed by most of us here within days. Then after that we do the manifesto in more detail of course. From there we continue onto the other works.

It is important that the flow stays, and tat everybody is commited, as this would enlargen our understandign of marxism for all of us.

Also we should not try to have different tendencies conflicting here, meaning that trotskist vs. maoist debates shoudln't happen. But that will be ok i guesss

[( R )evolution]

I think we should def start from the beginning, I say we do Principles of Communism cause we would finish that relatively quickly and easy and then we go to communist manifesto and go from there. I think this is the best plan because not all of us are veteran commies and if we jump right into Capital than we would lose a lot of new people.

[UndergroundConnexion]

so when will be decided what is going to be studied? I have to say that I am realy looking forward to this.

[Ander]

As of now, with 13 votes cast, the winner is Principles of Communism, followed by the Manifesto. I still would like some more interested posters to join; the more the merrier as they say.

To all of you who voted for other works, please do not be discouraged. I am certain we will be done with these beginner texts very shortly and move on to greater things. Please stay with us, it wouldn't hurt to go over the Manifesto again, would it?

Tomorrow I will begin this study with Principles of Communism. Stay tuned!

I am also looking forward to this quite a lot, it looks to be successful :D

[OneBrickOneVoice]

manifesto is tied with principles. What say we do appeal to both the crowd advocating advanced works and basic works by doing principles first, and then gotha programme?

[EwokUtopia]

Sure, Im in, I do suppose principals would be easiest....we could also go chronologically. After this is done however, I opt for a Bakunin study group.

[Ander]

In my opinion, if we begin two different works at once the entire study will no longer be on the same wavelength.

I know you are eager to get onto the more exciting stuff (and so am I, trust me!) but starting from the beginning is really crucial and will make it easier to understand later works that may get more difficult.

Henry, and all you other anxious people, I promise you we will get to the advanced reading as quickly as possible. Be patient, please! :)

[R_P_A_S]

what's the critique of the gotham project? did i spell it right?

[Herman]

what's the critique of the gotham project?

It's basically criticising Batman and the Wayne Corporation for exploiting the workers in Gotham City.

The principles of communism should be the first thing to study.

[UndergroundConnexion]

so I believe it would be fair if we commence with the rpinciples of communism in that case. Most probably it is not gonna take very long, a week wouild be sufficient

Now what is leeft to discuss is:
how are we going to aproach this, how are we going to study it

[Ander]

I will make a post today beginning the study group.

For Principles, we can go question by question or address a couple of questions at once, depending on the size. Expect a post later on today.

[CodeAires]

Communist Manifesto is my choice. Good gateway.

[Nathan_Morrison]

i would say socialism, utopian and scientific as i am about to start reading, it and studying it and would like to see what people say about it, and I could share my notes on it

[Raúl Duke]

I'm stuck between The Civil War in France or the Critique of the Gotha Program... :(

thus...I haven't voted yet (could anyone convince me of which one I should vote for?)

Hey...what about Engel's book The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State? Its not on the list.... :unsure:

[ComradeRed]

This is just my opinion, and I probably won't get too involved in this, but why don't you read all of the important works of Marx and Engels? :huh:

[Raúl Duke]

Is this study group dead or is it going to happen?

[Janus]

I believe it's finished.

Principles of Communism discussion (http://www.revleft.com/index.php?showtopic=64413)