Basic ideas for rehabilitating the Left

[Sacrificed]

1. Shy away from leftist-liberal or reformist entanglements. Crusades against smoking serve nobody, and gun control will only harm the working class by denying it a source of weaponry with which to establish a revolutionary basis for further action later (civilian weaponry is hardly enough to overthrow a state, but it is enough to procure a base for this). This also means distancing itself from the environmentalists: it's in our interests to take no action against environmental decay and peak oil, which will lead to a crisis of capitalism.

2. Re-develop ties with the proletariat. In the first half of the twentieth-century, particularly in Europe, it was a common sight to see socialist-run shelters for the poor and relief and charitable organizations. These have almost vanished. The success of a revolutionary effort depends upon the proles. Now more than ever we can fight against urban decay and, in doing so, win adherents to our cause.

3. Propagandize. With the fall of the Soviet Union socialism was 'discredited' in the eyes of the masses, leaving the angry and disenfranchised to veer to the right, and intellectuals to take up the cause of such shams as libertarianism (I have no doubt that this particular fad will meet its demise as soon as it ceases to appear radical). The left must disprove this and begin building connections with these elements once again.

What are your thoughts?

[peaccenicked]

I would not worry about the left it is merely an indicator of badly organised revolutionaries are at the moment. The left is most probably a barrier to political change.
The only thing to do is to educate ourselves thoroughly in every social sphere. We have to have a deeper knowledge of what is going on than our ideological enemies.
Science is our best weapon.

[DisEnter]

Most people here are already educated enough. Solutions are our best weapon. At this juncture virtually no one is especially satisfied with the leadership of their nation. Take advantage of this and spread the solutions. Allow the people the perception they came to accurate conclusions of their own accord as this will empower them.

Aiding the proles is noble but if they are to survive revolution then they need to be able to aid themselves now. Weapons should be retained as they will become tools to satisfy need in due time.


I feel it is also important to abandon the labels of far-left. People do not care what system they are if in their mind they have attained peace and security.

[Moonwalk Mafia]

I agree with the socialist-run shelters. There need to be more of these than Church-run shelters; Church-run shelters do give a much needed service to the poor, but also serve them a bunch of propaganda at the same time that's not very helpful. I've worked at a Church-run shelter a few times before so I know this from first-hand experience.

In the States, most people are apathetic. Spreading the message without being obnoxious (one-on-one discussions with people who WANT to listen to you, or whom bring something up) are helpful in their own little way. Myth-busting is a small, but necessary, way to get people informed and at least somewhat interested in revolutionary ideas.

Everyone must fight his/her small battles everyday. I know this might sound stupid to people who risk their lives to fight against oppression, but every little bit counts

[Karl Marx's Camel]

I would not worry about the left

Considering how small part of the population is actually class conscious and revolutionary, you don't find that worrying?

[BreadBros]

Good suggestions so far. I would add:

1. Be bold, be brave, take initiative. Too often we leech onto other struggles and expect them them to be something they are not. A minor contract dispute between a reformist union and business has little chance of turning into a general strike or any kind of revolutionary blow to capitalism. We need to continue and escalate our organization for explicitly pro-proletarian goals such as wresting autonomy/political power, opposing imperialism, better working/social conditions, internationalism, etc. A lot of times this may not amount to much support initially but, as they say, "a spark can start a prairie fire". Anti-Vietnam-war protests at French universities escalated into crippling general strikes and near revolution in France in May 1968. The nascent pro-immigrant movement in the US suddenly mobilized millions of workers on a general strike in the past two May Days. Etc.

2. Avoid sectarianism. You shouldn't ever do something you disagree with or upholds views that you disagree with. However, much of the organizing the revolutionary left does is outside of the major ideological disagreements. It doesn't matter what tendency you come from if you want to organize against the war, in a workplace, for student power in schools/universities, to support immigrants, etc., so put those aside when you can. You will not only be surprised by the similarities we all hold in common but we will get more accomplished. If a group is really sectarian and only wants you to work with them, you should ditch them.

3. Rebuild the left autonomously, sincerely and independently. So many people (especially young people) are unhappy with capitalism and want to fight for a better world but are unfamiliar with Marxism, anarchism or any socio-economic theory and do not know where to begin. The problem is that the usual way of going about that now is by either joining established leftist groups or studying independently. That puts a lot of people off from the left entirely, makes people sectarian, gives people warped views, makes them bitter, etc. I think one of the best models of organization is the multi-tendency study group. Joining a theory study-group with members from different tendencies (for example, I was in a Capital study group with 2 Trotskyists, a "Stalinist" and a left-communist) can give newbies (and sometimes on advanced topics as well) theoretical guidance/basis, the opportunity to debate, the opportunity to possibly come together on praxis on shared views, a less sectarian viewpoint and there is no pressure to conform to one line, you are at liberty to come to independent conclusions. Obviously this type of thing requires people who aren't bad-tempered or too emotional but I consider it one example of the type of organizing we need: organizing that is aimed at proletarian revolutionary goals primarily, instead of promoting our respective tendency or group.

4. Jump into the 21st century. Seriously, whats with the complete emphasis on newspapers. Obviously paper media will always have a place since not everyone has computers. Still, a glance at RevLeft, Indymedia or any other leftist online gathering place shows how wide-reaching and influential the internet can be. Yet so many leftist groups barely have a net presence or seem reticent to accept it. Seems to me like something of value can be done with it and surely the vanguards of the people, if they are capable of running the dictatorship of the proletariat, are capable of figuring something out.

I'll try and think of more later. I like this thread, any more suggestions people?

[Prairie Fire]

From my own experience witrh organizing, the best thing that any comunist can do is show personal initiative, and constantly be doing something productive.

Read theory, organize, get involved in struggles...

Even Rev-left is quite unproductive; we sit around and start "Trotsky vs Stalin thread #674", when we could be organizing. I started a forum for my grouip too, but only so that we could organize despite scheduling difficulties.

Right now, it is not sectarianism, reputation or outdated methods that are the biggest killers; it is total lack of initiative on the part of communists.

Ber active, be productive, and unite with active indiviuals.

[Joby]

Talk to people.

[peaccenicked]

QUOTE
I would not worry about the left


Considering how small part of the population is actually class conscious and revolutionary, you don't find that worrying?


Not really, numbers of people committed to the revolution in pre revolutionary conditions is largely immaterial. What is really bothersome is militant ignorance in the face of reality. http://www.endofempire.org/reports.php?page=248

I find it bad in Glasgow, where I live but it is probably large and looming in the so-called 'developed' countries.

We have made a mess of things, as a species, as a class, as revolutionaries, I only hope we can clean things up before we disappear. Sometimes I panic, but we have to be calm in order to sort the mess out.
shite aint it- but it can be a joy too. Little victories, and then the more you watch the more you can actually laugh (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KGIKBVd8no&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fzeitgeist%2Etoday%2Ecom%2F2007%2 F08%2F05%2Fbill%2Dmahler%2Don%2Dccd%2F)

[manic expression]

1.) Avoid unnecessary pessimism. Revolutionary movements always ebb and flow, but they always come back stronger than they were before. In the Manifesto, Marx points out that capitalism, in dealing with crises, depletes the means with which to deal with further crises; capitalism's grave is getting deeper, we just have to summon the power to drive the stake further and roll the corpse into its rightful place. The left doesn't need to be "rehabilitated" in that sense, it needs to get more active.

2.) Remember that revolutionary organizations that make waves tomorrow can be extremely small yesterday. The Bolsheviks were a small and illegal group in the early 1900's, but they were able to grow soon after. What they did right, however, was lay the groundwork of their party and facilitate that growth. Make sure that the groundwork is set for these sorts of developments.

3.) Find or start a group, perhaps get involved with more than one organization, and start getting experience. Look for any opportunity to spread your message in a manner that people can relate with. Relate your ideas with the conditions people face everyday, things they are upset with. People want things to change, and they'll appreciate a movement that tries its best to change things in their favor. Show them how they can fight for a better future, "make them want the whole goddamn thing" (Jack Reed). Always remember that the interests of a revolutionary do not differ from the interests of the workers.

[A Suvorov]

In line with the last post, I agree with the need to do things that civilians can relate to, and DEMONSTRATE that you're doing those things.

For instance, you might have a particular lot on the block that is choked with overgrowth or trash or whatever- if it's the city's responsibility to get it cleaned up it's not that hard to go door-to-door asking for petition signatures regarding the cleanup. Those who give their signatures are then tagged for later follow-up, possibly for invitation to a 'block meeting' or what have you in order to discuss the neighborhood's concerns. If the lot in question is simply abandoned or whatever, you might consider gettign up a clenaing crew to take care of the problem right away. You don't have to beat people over the head with red banners and old-school Soviet symbology- just make a point of showing that you're DOING something for their benefit; in time those who are interested will seek you out, and the proper placing of hints that you are seeking THEM will help speed that process if all goes well.

Regardless of the particular circumstances, it's of ultimate importance not to get bogged down in rhetoric and thundering tirades and whatnot- just figure out what needs to be done for the greater good and SHOW that you're working for their benefit.