How to build

[Pogue]

I can't make up my mind on what I should do today to help bring about for the world a bright socialist future free of poverty and suffering. What do I do to help!

[Sam_b]

Join a party/organisation, be out on the streets selling newspapers and leafleting (actively engaging with workers all the time). Become active in your trade union at work.

There's loads to do!

[ajs2007]

As well as getting active in whatever you decide to do - study theory. Just a suggestion.

[Black Sheep]

I would say, propagandise your views to as many people as you can ( but watch out to whom you do so)
Talk to your friends,give out leaflets with other same-thinkers (as mentioned above), make videos on youtube, post stuff in forums, etc.
But always making sure that you dont troll, or becoming tiring or seeming like a fanatic little weirdo.There is a lot of slander going around about the revolutionary left, so stay informed, debunk stupid myths about us, and keep informing and educating people in the revolutionary way.

That's what i am doing ,anyway...

[nuisance]

Don't just stand on street corners flogging papers because this does next to nothing, I've seen WRP's and SWP's have stalls in the centre of town for hours only drumming up minimal interest and this activity can alienate people from the group because they are not getting active on a personal level. So don't make this your main activity! By all means sell papers and put on stalls but the best way to do so is by geting invovled in local action groups, which will gives you a chance to put forward your ideas and then there could be a interest in your papers and literature.
Building community resistance is vitial for the revolutionary process and thus you should be active within creating it.
That said, it would be influential to join a national organisation, but only do so once you're sure you want to join it.

[Bilan]

Do you have a job?

[apathy maybe]

I can't make up my mind on what I should do today to help bring about for the world a bright socialist future free of poverty and suffering. What do I do to help!

Live your life as much in tune with your political beliefs as possible.

Educate (without preaching) those around you to that nature of the present system, and what the alternative is (watch not to alienate people from the discussion, don't push it too hard).

Don't get burned out by selling newspapers or turning up to protests with 10 other people. Selling newspapers isn't going to bring about a revolution. Protesting can be fun, but multiple protests with only small numbers generally isn't so much fun. (For awhile I used to turn up to a Critical Mass where 10 people was considered a good turn out, 15 was great! However, riding a bike is fun anyway, so the small numbers wasn't a problem. But chanting and walking around in circles is boring as shit, especially with only 10 people.)

Study theory is a good idea, but it isn't going to build anything. You have to apply that theory, and help educate others (discreetly if they don't want to obviously learn).

If you do work, being active in your union, organise workers rights. (But don't make the mistake of thinking that only workers have any power.)

Don't get suckered into thinking that voting* or promoting a reformist party is going to bring about the socialist future you desire. Voting* doesn't work, and can't work, and reformist parties can't bring about socialism, they can't do much at all.

* Voting at your local level can change things, especially if the population is small. You might be able to elect people to the local council on a socialist platform. You can then do many things, but it's only at a local level. At any higher level, however, voting isn't worth the bother, and it is better to advocate abstaining. There are too many people with a vested interest in not getting socialists elected. And even if socialists are elected to state or higher, they won't be able to do anything, and more likely will become just a different colour of capitalist.


Have fun. This is the most important one. If you are doing something, and it isn't fun, and you aren't enjoying it, then you will get burnt out and not want to continue. Don't loose hope, but selling papers isn't fun.

[rouchambeau]

What sorts of problems are there in your community? Do people have trouble affording food? Are there pollution issues? Is there a problem with racism? I would start with local, easy-to-get-involved-with issues in which you can personally engage. That's a good starting point.

From there you can network, discuss solutions to these problems, and push whatever you are doing even further.

[spice756]

I can't make up my mind on what I should do today to help bring about for the world a bright socialist future free of poverty and suffering. What do I do to help!

If you in the US or Canada nothing .They are imperialism that exploit other countries for their standard of living.If South America ,Central Amarica , Africa and Asia where to fight imperialism the standard of living will drop in the US and Canada .

Than you can bring a change .Has long has they remain imperialism nothing .

[Sentinel]

If you have a job, propagandise there. By this I don't mean raving about the world revolution etc, but pointing out class acts by the bosses and explaining why they do them, how the system works.

Subtly in the beginning, then gradually more when you find a receptive ear. If you find many likeminded people, try to organise them to stand up for their rights when it comes to everyday issues and safety at work.

Syndicalist unions can give great tips on workplace struggle, which we see as the most important form of class struggle, and give support. ;)

Also, I never thought I'd say these words, but great post rouchambeau. It's through the everyday issues which directly concern the workers that we have the best chance of radicalising them, also outside the workplace.

We must show them that our cause is theirs on every level.

[Red October]

Join a party (there's lots to pick from!) stand outside factories (more likely a university) pestering people with boring papers, split from your party, found a new one, reinvent the wheel, burn out.


Really, the best thing you can do is just engage people on a personal level about issues that affect them in their daily lives. It's tougher than hawking papers, but far better.

[apathy maybe]

If you in the US or Canada nothing .They are imperialism that exploit other countries for their standard of living.If South America ,Central Amarica , Africa and Asia where to fight imperialism the standard of living will drop in the US and Canada .

Than you can bring a change .Has long has they remain imperialism nothing .

What are you? A Maoist?

Surely those "in the belly of the Devil" have opportunities to attack that imperialism directly?

Indeed, I would suggest that this sort of bullshit is counter productive. Believing that those in the "imperialist" countries can't do anything about it, is simply wrong.

(I originally tried to post this about 10 hours ago, but couldn't. It's still relevant though I think.)

[spice756]

What are you? A Maoist?

Surely those "in the belly of the Devil" have opportunities to attack that imperialism directly?

Indeed, I would suggest that this sort of bullshit is counter productive. Believing that those in the "imperialist" countries can't do anything about it, is simply wrong.

(I originally tried to post this about 10 hours ago, but couldn't. It's still relevant though I think.)

sorry I take that statement back.Here is what I think.


Q.Can communist make change now
A. No ( Too imperialist)

Q.Can communist educate people about what communism is
A. yes

Q.If there where a depression or economic instability than would a revolution happen .

A.Only if communist educate people about what communism is.


My views are : educating people about what communism is.Clean up the propaganda coming out of ultra conservatives that is brainwashing people.

Can communist make change now ..No way too imperialist..

[apathy maybe]

OK, I understand your point. There doesn't look like there is going to be a revolution tomorrow. However, given the correct circumstances, of an educated populace, and an upset populace, a revolution could happen.

I don't say I totally agree with you, but it does make a heck of a lot more sense, then simply saying "you can't do anything, don't even bother".

[spice756]

I agree people have to be active and not sit at home and do nothing.Why because if depression or economic instability where to happen people will know nothing:( and well nothing will happen.And becuse the US state media will say nothing and spread propaganda .Nothing will happen..

There are lot of people like me who are just newbies and just read tin bits here and there.And you can't go to school :(elementary school, high school or college !! Why because it is state run and the republican is not going to allow teaching of communism in school.

Talk radio and TV are own by rich capitalists and will not allow teaching of communism and will spread propaganda so people get all confused of what communism is.

The only thing you can do is.
1 .hand out papers
2. door to door
3.public gathering
4.Seting up web sites and message boards
5.youtube and myspace
6.protests
7.Go to unions and work shops.
8 On the street talking to people.
9.Go to poor area of the city or where the workers are working.
10.Join a party

Has to when revolution will happen in the US , I say in 10 years from now or 20 tops.Looking at the economic instability now that is getting really bad .