Introducing outsiders to Marxism

[heiss93]

Does anyone have any tips for introducing friends and strangers to Marxism?
I will be working with some non-union workers this summer, and I'd like a way to quickly introduce them and anwser common questions.

The most reasonable way would be to introduce the concept of surplus value, and how part of their wages are unpaid.

Does anyone have any simple ways to introduce surplus value?

Then the question of the Soviet Union etc has to be addressed.

[Renewed Revolution]

First, address all stereotypes of Marxism and the left that have to do with the Soviet Union, China, Cambodia, etc. You can do this by exposing the whole idea of Marxist thought and how it actually wants the abolition of the states, one of the most important concepts that most of the world has seemed to ignore.

Once you get past the walls of stereotypes and misconceptions you can progress to actual Marxist thought, lend your friend Marx (Manifesto, Capital and other basics), Luxemburg, Trotsky, or whoever else you find to be good Marxist thinkers. Move on to complicated subjects such as wage slavery, centralized vs. decentralized collectivization, and surplus value as you previously mentioned.

Sorry, I am no expert, so simplifying surplus value is not really my forte.

[Sam_b]

Personally, I don't bomb people with Marx and theory, not at first anyway. From my experiences of organising amongst students and young people, I try to introduce the idea of socialism through questions people can relate to - why is the university rector on such a high wage, yet I have to leave uni with crippling debt? Why does my boss have so much money, yet I am on minimum wage?

[heiss93]

Thats kind of what I'd like to do with surplus value, not use any technical or Marxist terms. Just point out in concrete terms how they are not being paid their full wage.

[Coggeh]

Iraq , Global Warming and Health service, and tie all 3 together with capitalism showing that thats the source of all the problems . Then give him Marx for beginners , worked for me :) .............twice

[joe_the_red]

I would just sit down and have a drink with them, and just have a good chat. That's if you know them already. It wouldn't be a bad idea to start a discussion group where it states that others are allowed to come and listen in, but you'd have to make sure that there was plenty of people there that you trust, so some neo-nazi punk-asses don't show up to start trouble. You also have to be careful that fools that would use your words against you wouldn't show up either. But a discussion group is a good thing. It's a good thing to have anyways, regardless of whether or not you're introducing new people to Marxism. Setting up a booth for an organisation (student organisations at a university are pretty good for that) is another good way. Next time there is a vote of some sort, set up some Communist/Socialist party booths at the polls, as well. The important thing is that people listen up to what it's all about, and I know that when people hear the message, they will be convinced, unless they're fascist-imperialist-capitalist scum. -Joe

[chegitz guevara]

I think the best thing to do is to ask people questions and what they think. Engage with them, don't talk at them. Before addressing the myths abouts Marxism, which will tend to raise people's barriers to what you say, first find out what they agree with and work from there. Only after they begin to raise objections should you deal with it. Then you should do so honestly.

[ckaihatsu]

I say it's all about building consciousness.

Once people really understand the basis of how the world is as fucked up as it is -- (and, *no*, it's *not* "human nature", goddammit) -- then they have a responsibility to take some sort of action, as we class-conscious people all do. No one can, or should, police that -- we can encourage and give direction, but ultimately everyone has to decide for themselves on how best to involve themselves in struggle.

Given the social environment you're in, you can do something more leftward than the next person, which may also involve discussing politics with that person / people.

While you're still relatively new to all of this, don't worry too much about theory -- it's certainly important, but you can also easily feel overwhelmed. Use your enthusiasm to approach people and find out what their concerns are. Listen to them, and get to really know where they're coming from. Maybe channel brief excerpts from this board to them if you think it would be appropriate to where they're at, without being overbearing or imposing.

We're all basically providing a service by doing this stuff, so that's all there is to it -- ask yourself if you've been providing a service, or not. Once you get people to the place where you're at right now, you're done -- the rest is then up to them.

I made a few illustrations which may be helpful -- you're invited to take a look:


Ideologies & Operations
http://tinyurl.com/yqotq9


Affinity Group Workflow Tracker
http://tinyurl.com/yvn2xq


Chris




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[ckaihatsu]

Also, I made an illustration that may help people to picture what surplus value is, and where it goes, depending on society's policies. Please feel free to take a look:


G.U.T.S.U.C. The Grand Unified Theory of Society Under C_______
http://tinyurl.com/2c252w

[Schrödinger's Cat]

Depending on the setting, alloted time, and upbringings of the people, you would have to explain what Marxism is and what it isn't. I would also address Marxism not being just about socialism and communism: it's a scientific approach towards ethics and history.

[AGITprop]

I think the best thing to do is to ask people questions and what they think. Engage with them, don't talk at them. Before addressing the myths abouts Marxism, which will tend to raise people's barriers to what you say, first find out what they agree with and work from there. Only after they begin to raise objections should you deal with it. Then you should do so honestly.

I agree.

Go into it quite slowly. Raise points they can relate to in their immediate life.
For those who are already on the left, you can discuss more indepth, but for the regular joes/janes, don't bombard them with Marxist rhetoric.