Communist ideologies

[ZakeD]

I've read enough Marxist stuff to know that I'm for a communist society, but I haven't learned enough about the different communist ideologies to decide what I think is the best way to get there. I've heard about a lot of them - Leninism, Trotskyism, Maoism, Luxemburgism - but I've yet to find anything that clearly lays out all of their differences. Is there anywhere I could find something like that?

[Random Precision]

In an unbiased way? Not really. I suggest you read some things from each of those figures (Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Mao, Luxemburg) and figure out for yourself what those differences are.

[TheRedRevolutionary]

I've read enough Marxist stuff to know that I'm for a communist society, but I haven't learned enough about the different communist ideologies to decide what I think is the best way to get there. I've heard about a lot of them - Leninism, Trotskyism, Maoism, Luxemburgism - but I've yet to find anything that clearly lays out all of their differences. Is there anywhere I could find something like that?

Marxism-Leninism is the result of the synthesis of theories between Karl Marx, the founder of scientific socialism and VI Lenin who showed how Communists can take power and the importance of a revolutionary party.

Trotskyism - Is the degeneration or bastardization of Marxist theory; it is primarily a first world phenomena and is confined to a million different tiny sects. Its leaders have a tendency to shift more and more towards reformism.

Luxemburgism - too much influenced by left-communism/idealism/ultra leftism. Made many mistakes, deviates from the traditional Marxist-Leninist theories.

Maoism - Much closer to Marxism-Leninism than the last 2 but more geared towards societies with a huge peasant population like China that have not fully developed capitalism yet. Focuses on peasant rebellions and guerilla actions.

[trivas7]

In an unbiased way? Not really. I suggest you read some things from each of those figures (Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Mao, Luxemburg) and figure out for yourself what those differences are.
Ditto. Marxism is rife with human subjectivity and as such is subject to the foibles of the individual. This too is part of its scientific nature. Caveat emptor.

[GPDP]

May as well mention that most anarchists are communists as well. Why don't you give ol' Kropotkin a read if you're interested in a non-Marxist perspective on communism and how to achieve it?

[Gleb]

Trotskyism - Is the degeneration or bastardization of Marxist theory; it is primarily a first world phenomena and is confined to a million different tiny sects. Its leaders have a tendency to shift more and more towards reformism.

Now that's and unbiased and exact analysis! I mean, why even bother to tell anything about the Trotgoat swines as we all know they are bastards anyways?

[Decolonize The Left]

In an unbiased way? Not really. I suggest you read some things from each of those figures (Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Mao, Luxemburg) and figure out for yourself what those differences are.

Agreed. And if anyone doesn't think this is true, just keep reading:

Trotskyism - Is the degeneration or bastardization of Marxist theory; it is primarily a first world phenomena and is confined to a million different tiny sects. Its leaders have a tendency to shift more and more towards reformism.
Luxemburgism - too much influenced by left-communism/idealism/ultra leftism. Made many mistakes, deviates from the traditional Marxist-Leninist theories.


Yup, better off doing your own reading. If you don't feel like diving into all that material, scour the FAQs around here or check out wikipedia.org as last reference.

- August

[Mujer Libre]

I'd also suggest that you have a red of some of the political user-group forums, since they might offer an insight into what people from different groups/factions are thinking.

Also, be sceptical- don't just believe what people tell you, especially when they start talking, like TheRedRevolutionary, as though their view is the absolutely correct one. :lol:

[Decolonize The Left]

I'd also suggest that you have a red of some of the political user-group forums, since they might offer an insight into what people from different groups/factions are thinking.

Also, be sceptical- don't just believe what people tell you, especially when they start talking, like TheRedRevolutionary, as though their view is the absolutely correct one. :lol:

:thumbup1: Well said. I forgot about the user-groups. :blushing:

- August

[Q]

I've read enough Marxist stuff to know that I'm for a communist society, but I haven't learned enough about the different communist ideologies to decide what I think is the best way to get there. I've heard about a lot of them - Leninism, Trotskyism, Maoism, Luxemburgism - but I've yet to find anything that clearly lays out all of their differences. Is there anywhere I could find something like that?
First of all, welcome to the revolutionary scene!
I agree here with several posters that are stating that if you want it unbiased, you go back to the source. And what better source than the Marxists Internet Archive (http://marxists.org/) is there?

Also, if you want to read the opinions of the Commitee for a Workers' International (a Trotskyist organisation with sections in 40 countries all over the world) please have a read on our international website (http://www.socialistworld.net/).

Happy reading :)


Trotskyism - Is the degeneration or bastardization of Marxist theory; it is primarily a first world phenomena and is confined to a million different tiny sects. Its leaders have a tendency to shift more and more towards reformism.
lolstalinists :lol:

[Black Sheep]

Unfortunately your only option is to study a lot, and get involved and active with MANY leftist groups (just to hear their opinion by themselves)