Persuade and gain support from workers

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

I have been thinking... a revolution will not happen without vast public support. So what is the best way to win support of fellow workers/students or any randoms? I have no experiance in this field at all and wondered what your ideas were?

[spartan]

you could bombard them with propoganda letting them know about the unfairness and unequalness in the workplace and in general society around them and that you aim to do something about it i guess.

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

Originally posted by [email protected] 06, 2007 02:20 pm
you could bombard them with propoganda letting them know about the unfairness and unequalness in the workplace and in general society around them and that you aim to do something about it i guess.
But to many this can just make them switch off. I suppose if it was relevant to them (like the workplace) then they may concentrate.

Maybe not to open with anything about communism, because years of bourguoise brainwashing makes them think its evil

[Tower of Bebel]

Involvement. whatever form of organisation you're active in, everyone should be a worker who's involved in daily struggle.

[Sentinel]

It's indeed daily struggle in relevant and current issues that is the key. When the workers organise to protect their interests as workers against those who buy their labour power, class consciousness grows as a natural result. And not only that, the workers learn to organise, plan actions and decide matters in a fashion directly equivalent to the federative direct democracy of communism -- decentralised, federative, from bottom up -- instead of putting their trust to representatives vulnerable to corruption.

Propaganda is important as well, but must always primarily concentrate on these issues instead more abstract ones. Generally, organisation on everyday issues first, and more indepth education later, is the superior strategy in my opinion if one wishes to appeal to the workers and organise a movement. Only through fervent, uncompromising struggle on issues directly concerning them can the proletariat realise how it is in it's direct material self interest to stick together as a class, eliminate the bourgeoisie as a class, and to progress society from capitalism to communism.

This is what the militant union organing of revolutionary syndicalism strives after. Generally, the question asked should not be how to get the support of the workers for the revolution, but how to get the proletariat to make a revolution of it's own. After the failures of the last century I very seriously doubt the workers will ever again support someone else 'tailoring' a revolution for them, which is a good thing. A 21st century communist revolution might just be a real one -- one totally organised, and led by the workers themselves!

[R_P_A_S]

I swear this question has been asked many times. even by my self. at times I was even pretty sure of an answer, but for some strange reason (and it pisses me off! :angry: ) I forgot.

which made me look like an idiot on a debate about this very issue: How do communist expect to persuade non leftist to take part in a revolution or in any radical event.

-petty bourgeoisie
-workers lacking time to read, learn and be active
-or any other person under the proletariat class who does not understand their position and or do not care. either because they want things to remain the same because they are "get by in life just fine"

Here are some examples I've encounter.


I know there are injustices going on in the world. American's government it self is corrupt, everyone knows that. But we live in middle class neighborhood in a town house. we worked most of our lives to have the things we have. I guess we lucked out. Why would I want to risk losing everything I've earn through hard work for a cause I don't understand?

[Sand Castle]

Present stats to the non-leftists. Persuade them gradually. This is a delicate matter and will take time. Many people are very stubborn. Convince the less stubborn people around them first, so there will be more leftists to help you. And that is all I can think of. I don't think much else can be said. I'm sure you already thought of this though.

[which doctor]

We don't persuade them. They have to come to the conclusion that proletarian revolution is necessary for themselves, which I'm sure we will. Just give it a little time.

[Sand Castle]

Originally posted by [email protected] 08, 2007 02:56 am
We don't persuade them. They have to come to the conclusion that proletarian revolution is necessary for themselves, which I'm sure we will. Just give it a little time.
I think the modern supporters of the current US capitalist system (I don't know about the people where you are) are too far gone to conclude for themselves. I'm sure I don't need to give you examples of the brainwashing crap they teach them in schools.

[Revolution Until Victory]

In my opnion, and especially in the "thirld world", the main thing that makes communism attractive is its vicious and extreme anti-imperialism. Communism is anti-imperialism. This simple fact will defenatly attract "thirld world" masses to communism, sense they are the no.1 victims of it. The no.1 enemy of those countries is imperialism, and so there is no reason not to adopt such an exteremly anti-imperialist ideology. Unlike political Islam, which is a foce that have emerged into the scene after the fall of the USSR, commusim, in its nature is anti-imperialis. Political Islam, however, is not. Political Islam might be anti-imperilaist coz of specific situations and conditions, and isn't a natural part of it. That's why we saw and continue to see political Islam allieing itself with imperialism. Of course, this is just one of the many attaractive aspects of communism, such as the salvation of the poor and being the idealogy of the workers, poor and opressed.

That's why, I think the anti-imperialist side of communism should be stressed.

[R_P_A_S]

Originally posted by [email protected] 08, 2007 02:56 am
We don't persuade them. They have to come to the conclusion that proletarian revolution is necessary for themselves, which I'm sure we will. Just give it a little time.
read the question in the quote box in my initial post. what makes you think the average middle class family is going to "eventually realize" if they are like they claim, "getting by just fine"

[Saint Street Revolution]

Originally posted by sultan+September 08, 2007 03:02 am--> (sultan @ September 08, 2007 03:02 am)
[email protected] 08, 2007 02:56 am
We don't persuade them. They have to come to the conclusion that proletarian revolution is necessary for themselves, which I'm sure we will. Just give it a little time.
I think the modern supporters of the current US capitalist system (I don't know about the people where you are) are too far gone to conclude for themselves. I'm sure I don't need to give you examples of the brainwashing crap they teach them in schools. [/b]
Exactly. For example, my dead is a steadfast Capitalist though they cheat and lie to him. They are convinced it's the only way. Especially the image the American System has stuck to Communism.

[which doctor]

Originally posted by R_P_A_S+September 07, 2007 10:05 pm--> (R_P_A_S @ September 07, 2007 10:05 pm)
[email protected] 08, 2007 02:56 am
We don't persuade them. They have to come to the conclusion that proletarian revolution is necessary for themselves, which I'm sure we will. Just give it a little time.
read the question in the quote box in my initial post. what makes you think the average middle class family is going to "eventually realize" if they are like they claim, "getting by just fine" [/b]
Their luck will run out sooner or later. Capitalism consolidates wealth, leading to a shrinking "middle-class" and larger "lower class."

With time, comes change.

[Bilan]

Originally posted by [email protected] 08, 2007 12:34 pm
I swear this question has been asked many times. even by my self. at times I was even pretty sure of an answer, but for some strange reason (and it pisses me off! :angry: ) I forgot.

which made me look like an idiot on a debate about this very issue: How do communist expect to persuade non leftist to take part in a revolution or in any radical event.

-petty bourgeoisie
-workers lacking time to read, learn and be active
-or any other person under the proletariat class who does not understand their position and or do not care. either because they want things to remain the same because they are "get by in life just fine"

Here are some examples I've encounter.


I know there are injustices going on in the world. American's government it self is corrupt, everyone knows that. But we live in middle class neighborhood in a town house. we worked most of our lives to have the things we have. I guess we lucked out. Why would I want to risk losing everything I've earn through hard work for a cause I don't understand?
If that's the response you're getting, then you're clearly not articulating your points properley, that and or you're not properly explaining what communism is in a way that people can understand.
If you're using words like "bourgeois" and so forth, people are not going to want to listen. simple as that.

[Edgar]

Originally posted by [email protected] 08, 2007 03:34 am
Their luck will run out sooner or later. Capitalism consolidates wealth, leading to a shrinking "middle-class" and larger "lower class."

With time, comes change.
Exactly. By the time a revolutionary situation has opened up in North America, the middle class will have shrunk to almost nothing, leading to a radicalization of large sections of the public. As the material conditions of the middle-class deteriorate, as they find themselves less and less able to afford the things - car, house, university education - that they've come to associate with a middle-class lifestyle, their minds will open up to more radical solutions to the crisis.

When the capitalist system is in crisis, however, some sections of the middle-class will radicalize to the right rather than the left, embracing patriotism, nativism, racism and even fascism.

[Schrödinger's Cat]

We could start with ending the sectarianism that poisons the image of the Left. Maoists vs Lenninists vs democratic socialists vs anarchists vs Trotskyists -- I say KISS works best. Say you trust the people to make the right decision once they become aware of the fact they're being exploited through the current system.

I know this won't please many to hear, but stop the attack on religion would be another good solution.

[Bilan]

Originally posted by [email protected] 08, 2007 04:01 pm
We could start with ending the sectarianism that poisons the image of the Left. Maoists vs Lenninists vs democratic socialists vs anarchists vs Trotskyists -- I say KISS works best. Say you trust the people to make the right decision once they become aware of the fact they're being exploited through the current system.
It's a nice thought.
Dialogue and solidarity between groups would be awesome. I'm yet to see it though.

[Jazzratt]

If sitting on your arse and waiting as FoB seems to be suggesting doesn't seem attractive to you there are many other ways:
First, and most important, organise. Join a Union, become part of a large group and help those not already class consciouss to become so.
Spend time with ordinary people, after work go to the pub or something and start talking to people. It's not as effective as organising but it can help spread comunism on a grass roots level.
Write and distribute propaganda, engage in street art that makes people question the system they live in

Whatever happens, remember that a revolution will not be made by scholars in ivory towers.

[which doctor]

Originally posted by [email protected] 08, 2007 07:15 am
If sitting on your arse and waiting as FoB seems to be suggesting doesn't seem attractive to you there are many other ways:
Where did I say that? Oh wait, I didn't.

[Jazzratt]

Originally posted by FoB+September 08, 2007 08:16 pm--> (FoB @ September 08, 2007 08:16 pm)
Originally posted by [email protected] 08, 2007 07:15 am
If sitting on your arse and waiting as FoB seems to be suggesting doesn't seem attractive to you there are many other ways:
Where did I say that? Oh wait, I didn't. [/b]
Let's examine the bit of my post you quoted more thoroughly:


[email protected] 08, 2007 07:15 am
If sitting on your arse and waiting as FoB seems to be suggesting doesn't seem attractive to you there are many other ways:

Read the bold text. I wasn't making any statements about you explicitly calling for a policy of arse sitting but I felt that such a policy was implicit in your posts.

Don't get your panties into such a big fucking knot just because you fail at comprehending basic written english.

[bootleg42]

Originally posted by [email protected] 08, 2007 06:01 am
I know this won't please many to hear, but stop the attack on religion would be another good solution.
I agree with this one and I don't believe in religion or god or any of that stuff.

We have to admit that most of the working class poor still believe in religion or at least in god to an important extent. This does not mean we should allow religious reactionary forces to direct and take charge any revolutionary situation but it must also mean that we should respect other people's beliefs on god, etc.

Remember, if religion dies, it will be an act of the masses, from the "bottom-up", not from us trying to bash them and alienate people who may not even listen to us just for that silly reason. Yes, to us it's a silly reason but to others it's not. Strategy people!!!

This also doesn't mean don't debate people about religion or god. But debate it when it's relevant and when it's the right time.

[Janus]

So what is the best way to win support of fellow workers/students or any randoms? I have no experiance in this field at all and wondered what your ideas were?
This is a very broad questions and we actually have an entire forum (Practice) dedicated to this.

Different strategies apply to different groups but overall, agitation and workshop organizing are the key to building a politically conscious, mass worker's movement.

[Social Scum]

I think this could be merged with "how do we persuade non-leftist?" in Politics.

[Social Scum]

Originally posted by [email protected] 06, 2007 02:20 pm
you could bombard them with propoganda letting them know about the unfairness and unequalness in the workplace and in general society around them and that you aim to do something about it i guess.
Not "bombarding" them with it but the people will have to known what the Revolutionaries really stand for.

[Janus]

-workers lacking time to read, learn and be active
These types of problems are much easier to solve than attempting to persuade those who are unreceptive or are ideologically opposed to us. Providing short sessions for those who lack the time but are interested isn't much of a problem.


-or any other person under the proletariat class who does not understand their position and or do not care. either because they want things to remain the same because they are "get by in life just fine"
Discuss and talk but it may take much more of a catalyst to drive these people so patience is necessary in this regard.

[Chocobo]

Persuading people is a tool I think worn out. Were not going to persuade the masses. Hell, will be lucky if we persuade three. What's really important is just making people recognize the environment around them, something you can do by Unionizing.

All in all I think the aspect of trying to persuade in, as said above, places benefiting from capitalism, is a job not worth doing unless your that lonely and want someone to vent with. Conditions will change, be it in third-world or even developed nations, and when the conditions present themselves fully unappeasing to the proletariat they will act. When the workers are riled and ready to listen then that is the time to speak, until then, study.

[Janus]

Merged.