Why is the Left Failing !?

[MYSTIC OWL]

A number of sacred cows are being slaughtered at the present time. The prevailing 'market fundamentalism' and the accompanying Washington Consensus that is built on it have collapsed - spectacularly.

The British PM Gordon Brown has acknowledged the failure of Capitalism and its paradigms. He has moved very quickly to throw up a 'smokescreen' by stating the present economic crisis is a prelude to a "New Capitalism" !?

However, this background of chaos has exposed (what I believe) to be the complete absense of a viable leftist programme in response to the failures of 21st Century Capitalism.

History presents a golden opportunity for other value systems and paradigms to step forward and take advantage of the Capitalist scelerosis, but, the left are clearly not in the race. No arguments have been forwarded (or won), no programmes presented and no mass movement generated that would, ultimately, lead to real change. Consequently, swathes of humanity are without an alternative. This is not only a shame, but, shameful . . . nay, sad and pathetic.

The window of history will not stay open for long . . .

[Dimentio]

There are a lot of economic alternatives to capitalism which does'nt need to mean central planning.

[Pogue]

We're split and tiny so we can't get the message out.

[Woland]

Its not about names. Its not about great leaders or parties here. The bourgeoisie will do anything to stay in power and use propaganda to undermine our case. Its natural. But the truth is always there, unchanged by this. The workers know how their life is.

[Woland]

There are a lot of economic alternatives to capitalism which does'nt need to mean central planning.

Like? Central planning is far superior to market economy and seems to be the only major alternative. It works perfectly for socialism and will develop in the future to become decentralized, etc.

[Kassad]

The bourgeoisie have been taking every precaution to stay in power for a long time. Since their corporations control the media, why do you think they would even present anything alternative to their plans for profit and hegemony?

[Kukulofori]

Because we haven't really had a first-world success story.

The West takes the USSR as evidence that communism is a dead failure, but if you go to Greece, Iceland, or even East Germany you'll see that we're doing a lot better than you think we are.

[Kwisatz Haderach]

The bourgeoisie have been taking every precaution to stay in power for a long time. Since their corporations control the media, why do you think they would even present anything alternative to their plans for profit and hegemony?
This is an important point. You can't judge the strength of the Left by its media coverage. Of course we don't get media coverage.

[RedAnarchist]

Because we haven't really had a first-world success story.

The West takes the USSR as evidence that communism is a dead failure, but if you go to Greece, Iceland, or even East Germany you'll see that we're doing a lot better than you think we are.

East Germany?

[Kukulofori]

Communism's catching on in a big way in East Germany, yeah.

[RedAnarchist]

Communism's catching on in a big way in East Germany, yeah.

You mean what used to be East Germany?

[Raúl Duke]

You mean what used to be East Germany?

I think he means people in east Germany right now, not the "socialist" government that was in placed.

Probably referring to the growing popularity (although I''m not sure if it is growing right now) of Die Linke and/or some news I read about east Germans buying Marx's books when the recession started.

[redarmyfaction38]

I think he means people in east Germany right now, not the "socialist" government that was in placed.

Probably referring to the growing popularity (although I''m not sure if it is growing right now) of Die Linke and/or some news I read about east Germans buying Marx's books when the recession started.

if east germany had still been an "independant nation" "die linke" (the left) would now be in power.
recent elections proppelled them to the position of the major party in the former east germany.
the former "communist party" is part of "die linke".
stalinism was obviously much more fun than capitallism i n east germany.

[Woland]

^^^ Yeah, its true. They are now the third-biggest party in Germany by polls, after the conservatives and social democrats. It will be interesting to see how the elections of 2009 will go. Considering they are a very new party (only took part in the last election) they have been gaining a lot of popularity. Berlin is currently governed by a coalition of Die Linke and SPD. But besides that, every party is against the Linke, always trying to keep them out of coalitions, so this is a lucky example. Anyway, I think its pretty clear that the left is making a killing out of this crisis, in almost every country, so its definitely not failing. BTW, yes, Marx is a best-seller everywhere right now ^ ^

[redarmyfaction38]

^^^ Yeah, its true. They are now the third-biggest party in Germany by polls, after the conservatives and social democrats. It will be interesting to see how the elections of 2009 will go. Considering they are a very new party (only took part in the last election) they have been gaining a lot of popularity. Berlin is currently governed by a coalition of Die Linke and SPD. But besides that, every party is against the Linke, always trying to keep them out of coalitions, so this is a lucky example. Anyway, I think its pretty clear that the left is making a killing out of this crisis, in almost every country, so its definitely not failing. BTW, yes, Marx is a best-seller everywhere right now ^ ^

right along the lines i was thinking.
i don't think we are "failing", i do think we need to sort our act out but that aint the same.
i do think the "anarchists" are putting us "more traditional" "revolutionary socialists" to shame though.

[redguard2009]

Lots of reasons can be pulled out of one's ass that diverts blame for our failure on external factors. The bourgeoisie has suppressed us, Stalin was corrupt, the Nazis in Germany pwned us, revisionists took over China, etc etc, the Soviet Union collapsed, blah blah blah.

History is full of "what-ifs", but only one "what-did". We're not failing. We've already failed, hard. The Soviet Union is dead, internationalism is dead, socialism in China is dead, we have been comprehensively defeated and scattered, and now fall prey to infighting as the remnants of the international communist movement fight and squabble amongst themselves for the reigns of control, each dead-set on finding their own path or forcing others to capitulate.

We are still scattered. We will be unable to accomplish anything until that issue is settled. Currently the world is going through an immense period of social upheavel and economic disarray and I feel that, sadly, we may miss a golden oppurtunity.

[Woland]

Lots of reasons can be pulled out of one's ass that diverts blame for our failure on external factors. The bourgeoisie has suppressed us, Stalin was corrupt, the Nazis in Germany pwned us, revisionists took over China, etc etc, the Soviet Union collapsed, blah blah blah.

History is full of "what-ifs", but only one "what-did". We're not failing. We've already failed, hard. The Soviet Union is dead, internationalism is dead, socialism in China is dead, we have been comprehensively defeated and scattered, and now fall prey to infighting as the remnants of the international communist movement fight and squabble amongst themselves for the reigns of control, each dead-set on finding their own path or forcing others to capitulate.

We are still scattered. We will be unable to accomplish anything until that issue is settled. Currently the world is going through an immense period of social upheavel and economic disarray and I feel that, sadly, we may miss a golden oppurtunity.

So what is it gonna be? We will ''die out'' and some pseudo-communist groups will rise and take our place based on their own tweaked models? Or is this already the case? Either this or we will come out of this crisis stronger than ever, but now under a different name? We need a solid, united popular front, of course. I for one am willing to work with this...and in all honesty, I dont care about what happens next; for now, we need to bring down capitalism and its damn system. No what ifs or looking back. We really have nothing to lose anymore, but we have the world to win, as it always has been. Maybe revolutions will come but they wont be called communist, but as long as they want the same thing, what are we to do?

[FreeFocus]

The left has and is failing because it lacks truly comprehensive theories that can address the multitude of problems people face. The left is also walking the path it has traditionally walked, using the same strategy and everything that led to failure previously and will continue to lead to failure.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

The Marxist left has been split now for 150 or so years and shows no sign it is prepared to learn from history.

I examine some of the reasons for this here:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rosa.l/page%2009_02.htm

[rednordman]

Every so often a spanner is thrown into the works that no-one can see coming. Please people, do not feel too dishearted. After all, who says that this is going to be the last time, even within the next five years when capitalism collapses true and proper. Its anyones guess as to whether or not the next time could be even more spectacular than this time. Plus it is true what Behemoththecat is saying, so its not all a case of missed opportunities.

[rednordman]

Lots of reasons can be pulled out of one's ass that diverts blame for our failure on external factors. The bourgeoisie has suppressed us, Stalin was corrupt, the Nazis in Germany pwned us, revisionists took over China, etc etc, the Soviet Union collapsed, blah blah blah.

History is full of "what-ifs", but only one "what-did". We're not failing. We've already failed, hard. The Soviet Union is dead, internationalism is dead, socialism in China is dead, we have been comprehensively defeated and scattered, and now fall prey to infighting as the remnants of the international communist movement fight and squabble amongst themselves for the reigns of control, each dead-set on finding their own path or forcing others to capitulate.

We are still scattered. We will be unable to accomplish anything until that issue is settled. Currently the world is going through an immense period of social upheavel and economic disarray and I feel that, sadly, we may miss a golden oppurtunity.
lol, that post nearly made me cry with sorrow. And i havent done that in a long time.

[The Intransigent Faction]

lol, that post nearly made me cry with sorrow. And i havent done that in a long time.

No kidding.

Honestly though, it's no big secret. I doubt I need to explain to anyone here what the "labour aristocracy" is.

I saw a news report the other day in which a small group of non-unionized workers stated that they would be willing to take a wage cut if necessary in order to keep the GM plant open.

In fact, I've heard numerous callers to news stations complain about the "greedy unions". Apparently, Canadian workers are demanding wages so high that they "hurt the ability of American companies to compete".

It's no longer considered a problem with the capitalist system of competition, but rather of 'extreme' groups like unions demanding more and more concessions from employers with all the reforms that have been forced in the form of medicare and 'social security'.

Western workers are not united in solidarity, but divided as to the proper course of action. as has been said, years of bourgeois propaganda have made the current system seem to be the only one imaginable that could actually "work". As has also been said, without an effective (large, united, and clear/concise in message) movement, Communists are considered obscure ultra-ideologues espousing a "failed" solution.

[Red October]

I don't think the left is failing. It is true that we're entering into a huge crisis of capitalism and the revolutionary left has pretty much been caught with it's pants down. We've spent too much time bickering and dealing with stuff like the fall of the USSR that no one really has their shit together going into this era. That said, it's pretty easy to see that the left is growing, including anarchists. It seems like every month or two there's a new federation popping up somewhere and declaring a commitment to class struggle. That's a hell of a lot better than the 90's.

[Kassad]

Regardless, this crisis is a key moment in our movement. Now is the best time to explain to people why the system is flawed and how capitalism is the root of the problem. This crisis is affecting just about everyone and the masses are wondering what is going on, how to solve the problem and how to prevent it. Ears are more open than they will ever be and we have to take advatage of that.

[cenv]

We have yet to find a compelling way to present the ideas behind our movement. Our "propaganda" comes across as detached and intellectual, so we can't reach out and unite a working class that is divided by bourgeois ideology. Hell, the truth is that we can't even get people to take us seriously. A lot of people desperately try to ascribe our failures to theoretical details and hang onto the idea that breaking into ever smaller sects will lead to a theoretically pure organization capable of leading a revolution. Some people simply claim that the working class is too stupid to lead a revolution. Other people will tell you that we aren't at the right moment in history, that we just need to wait for the revolution to happen.

But the fact remains that we are responsible for the failure of our "movement." It's our fault. We have completely failed in coherently explaining, much less popularizing, the principles behind our movement. As Mao More Than Ever said, we are missing a great opportunity right now, as we speak. Yes, it's fucking tragic, and things aren't going to change until we have the guts to completely rethink our approach to publicizing our ideas.

[Revy]

A number of sacred cows are being slaughtered at the present time. The prevailing 'market fundamentalism' and the accompanying Washington Consensus that is built on it have collapsed - spectacularly.

The British PM Gordon Brown has acknowledged the failure of Capitalism and its paradigms. He has moved very quickly to throw up a 'smokescreen' by stating the present economic crisis is a prelude to a "New Capitalism" !?

However, this background of chaos has exposed (what I believe) to be the complete absense of a viable leftist programme in response to the failures of 21st Century Capitalism.

History presents a golden opportunity for other value systems and paradigms to step forward and take advantage of the Capitalist scelerosis, but, the left are clearly not in the race. No arguments have been forwarded (or won), no programmes presented and no mass movement generated that would, ultimately, lead to real change. Consequently, swathes of humanity are without an alternative. This is not only a shame, but, shameful . . . nay, sad and pathetic.

The window of history will not stay open for long . . .

I predict an emergence of socialism. There's no such thing as a "window of history". What will happen will happen. Look at the Chicago workers. Look at Greece. Look at the leftward shift in Latin America. Why can't you appreciate this? I see a strong future for the revolutionary left.

[redguard2009]

Our failure is nothing to be sad about and nothing to lose hope over. The fact remains that whatever our past and current situation, whatever we have to deal with, we must deal with it. Giving up, losing hope, is simply not an option, not anymore. We have entered an epoch where the fate of our entire civilization may be threatened, where the human race has been set on a course towards a the edge of a cliff like a runaway horse cart by capitalism. If we don't wrestle ourselves back onto our feet and grab control of those reigns -- and we are the only ones capable of this -- then the entirety of human existence may come to a bloody, violent end. In short, if we don't succeed, we are all going to die.

[Revy]

I am confident humanity will choose socialism over capitalism as they will choose liberation over oppression.

Someone might point to the vote totals of the socialist parties in the recent U.S. presidential election. But I think that's just not really fair, since a lot of people that would be open to socialism were duped into voting for McKinney, Nader, even Obama.
I think the socialist movement is partly to blame (though obviously you can't heap all the blame on us), many groups becoming somewhat like insular cliques rather than revolutionary organizations.

[Kwisatz Haderach]

Capitalism has had crises like this one before, and it will continue to have them in the future. Yes, we've missed this opportunity, but there will be another one. And another. And another. They come around once every few decades or so.

[Kwisatz Haderach]

History is full of "what-ifs", but only one "what-did". We're not failing. We've already failed, hard. The Soviet Union is dead, internationalism is dead, socialism in China is dead, we have been comprehensively defeated and scattered...
Oh cry me a river. I can't believe how many revolutionary leftists, even those who loathed the Soviet system, act as if the fall of the Soviet Union was the fucking end of the world.

Get over it already. The enemy that defeated us back then in the 80s is crumbling into ruin as we speak.

[redguard2009]

Unfortunately, "enlightened" socialists have been predicting the imminent collapse of capitalism for.. well, since Marx. Sitting around believing that ultimate victory will be handed to us, refusing to recognize our shortcomings (in order to rectify them), and sucking our thumbs as we wait for the coming of the economic messiah is going to accomplish jack shit.

[Kwisatz Haderach]

Well yes, I completely agree with that sentiment.

It's just that your earlier posts sounded more like you were saying we are all doomed.

[KC]

The Marxist left has been split now for 150 or so years and shows no sign it is prepared to learn from history.

I completely agree with this. I have talked with so many "Marxists" regarding these types of issues, because it really is the heart of why we are so weak, and the response I always get is completely two-faced and hypocritical. First, they will say that they agree with me and with this notion; then, they will go on to promote their party and their reason for their division from the rest of the left. Sometimes they try to justify it by claiming that their organization works with other organizations, but we all know how that goes. On top of this, they play a numbers game, attempting to recruit "new leftists" by single digits, as if it matters. It's all petty sectism.

Recently I was reading about identity politics and realized how little the contemporary "Marxist" left has with actual Marxism and how much more it has in common with identity politics. It doesn't really have anything to do with the working class anymore; it's now focused on "radicals" generally recruited from universities, although there are certainly others that don't fit that category. The work, then, comes from outside of the working class, and so these little sects end up tail-ending the working class movement, while at the same time lowering themselves to the most extreme opportunism in order to politically posture themselves to gain marginal support. We see this every time when a significant action is taken by workers; the parties praise the action, attempt to dictate to those performing the action or don't really do much else besides that. There is no attempt to make a connection with the working class as a whole.

I don't know, I guess I'm ranting now. I just really don't have much hope for the current revolutionary left anymore, and am in a rather pessimistic state about the whole thing. It's really depressing.

[bcbm]

I just really don't have much hope for the current revolutionary left anymore, and am in a rather pessimistic state about the whole thing. It's really depressing.

So focus on your class and the activity within it instead? We've just seen a factory occupation for the first time since the 30's in this country, and the economic crisis seems to be pushing more radicalism- if we become active in key areas like foreclosures this will certainly be the case- and even groups like students are starting to pick it up as seen in the New School Occupation. Things seem depressing if you focus on where they're the shittiest but I think we could be on the verge of a major upsurge and we need to start working on seizing it instead of crying about a bunch of meaningless parties, etc.

[rednordman]

Recently I was reading about identity politics and realized how little the contemporary "Marxist" left has with actual Marxism and how much more it has in common with identity politics. It doesn't really have anything to do with the working class anymore; it's now focused on "radicals" generally recruited from universities, although there are certainly others that don't fit that category. The work, then, comes from outside of the working class, and so these little sects end up tail-ending the working class movement, while at the same time lowering themselves to the most extreme opportunism in order to politically posture themselves to gain marginal support. We see this every time when a significant action is taken by workers; the parties praise the action, attempt to dictate to those performing the action or don't really do much else besides that. There is no attempt to make a connection with the working class as a whole.
Now dear I say it, That is 100% true. I understand that this could even piss of a few people on this board (Not intended though) but one thing that stands out to me, as you have pointed out, is that alot of the left these days are simply student radicals, who though there hearts are definitly in the correct place, generally have no first hand experience of actually working in a manual working environment. This is not designed to sound elitist (because i do work in this kind of job), just when people go into the so-called 'shitty jobs' (manufacturing, labourer, and even some office jobs etc) They get a first hand account of exactly how difficult it is to successfully agitate. There are so many obsticles that are purpously put in the way. Some which are to be expected such as fear of prosecution (ie. outcasting, dissmissal, and blacklisting). Others that one really would not expect, such as how different parts of the workforce act in their own interests, even though they are usually the most vocal and keen.
If anything, the worst thing about the majority of the left getting recruited from students is that alot loose faith and end up jumping to the other side of the polical spectrum once they leave uni with 'qualifications' and get work that is paid 10 times more than a 'shitty job' yet is 10 times less physically knackering than one. Dont get me wrong here, getting qualifications is obviously a good thing and should be encouraged, but for me, even if you do want a high paid lucrative job as well as fighting for a left wing cause, it pays to get some actual experience (if only a little) of what its like in the 'shitty jobs' i.e manual and non-skilled. Sometimes it can be a real eye-opener. +it will supply you will solid ammunition against the 'enlightened':rolleyes: capitalists.

[FreeFocus]

Unfortunately, "enlightened" socialists have been predicting the imminent collapse of capitalism for.. well, since Marx. Sitting around believing that ultimate victory will be handed to us, refusing to recognize our shortcomings (in order to rectify them), and sucking our thumbs as we wait for the coming of the economic messiah is going to accomplish jack shit.

Agreed. Nothing fails on its own. If you're not there to push it over the cliff it'll climb back up.

[communard resolution]

We have yet to find a compelling way to present the ideas behind our movement.

Yes. Most people find leftist writing and propaganda dull, brainy, impractical, and bearing little relation to their everyday experience. Everything always evolves around past revolutions, or alternatively a revolution in some distant future is conjured up as the solution to everything, in very vague terms. Current, specific problems are not addressed enough, and few ideas what can be done right now are presented.

Most of my friends think that. I cannot truly blame them. If they had a look at revleft, they would find tons of threads along the lines of "Stalin - saviour or asshole?", but few ideas what to do about the current economic recession, for instance.

[Wanted Man]

What a pessimistic and depressing thread. I wonder, do the people who describe the left as "failing" or even "failed" have any experience of activity for "the left"? Or is it just an easy cop-out to avoid such activity in the first place, and just lament about how crappy the left is, and how the people are too stupid for our great ideas?

Nero: of course, but RevLeft is very unrepresentative of the left in real life (although not much worse in some instances...). The point about the recession is good, but it would be especially important to present a viable alternative. The crisis is already making the bourgeois newspapers in an incredibly inane way: "The car industry is suffering from the credit crisis, but the snack bars are doing well because people want to eat cheaper!" Or: "Republicans vote against bail-out because they're against big gub'mint." So just approaching people with yet another long article about it isn't going to help much.

How would you go about proposing such alternatives in a way that people can do something with? Luckily, people aren't idiots, when you look at Marx making it back to the bestseller's lists. So obviously there isn't complete apathy either, just frustration with the saturation-bombing of all the boring crisis news in the papers.

[MYSTIC OWL]

Some of the responses are honest, but, others seem to be gripped by dangerous complacency.

Matters are complicated by an idealism divorced from reality, failure to articulate ideas for ordinary working people concerned about their incomes, fear of poverty, education, healthcare and the crime in their communities.

The only real advantage Capitalism enjoys over the left is pragmatism. Capitalists are brilliant at moulding and shifting their paradigm to encompass the conditions of the age. The election of Barack Obama is a case in point . . . no (REAL) change, just a President with a natural tan and a sense of rythmn !?

Its insufficient for the left to prey on Capitalist weaknesses via their periodic crises, especially, as recent history shows that they've been incapable of taking advantage of them.
Nor can the left assume that they will be the only ones that history will entrust to destroy Capitalism. Political Islam is a bigger threat to the Capitalist global order than anything the left can throw at it.

Energy, purpose and work are vital . . . time cannot be relied upon to be an ally in the leftist cause.

[Hessian Peel]

Look at the Chicago workers. A small group of workers who managed to hang on to their jobs. Hardly the death bell of capitalism.


Look at Greece.If you mean the anarchists in Greece their actions are counter-productive in my humble opinion.


Look at the leftward shift in Latin America. That's all it is though: a shift, a shift to the left within the framework of capitalistic imperialism.

The revolutions in Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia all need a kick up the arse.


Why can't you appreciate this? I see a strong future for the revolutionary left.So do I, but not in the West.

[Red October]

If you mean the anarchists in Greece their actions are counter-productive in my humble opinion.

Police stations attacked, schools taken over, town halls occupied, media channels seized, and more escalation all the time: completely counter-productive! :lol::rolleyes:

[Hessian Peel]

Police stations attacked, schools taken over, town halls occupied, media channels seized, and more escalation all the time: completely counter-productive! :lol::rolleyes:

Well how long do you think they'll last? None of that amounts to anything if the working class do not seize the means of production, all the assets of capitalism etc. and begin the process of socialisation by means of a workers state ("Without state power, all is illusion" ~ VI Lenin). Do you honestly think those actions seriously threaten the Greek bourgeoisie and international capital?

[Red October]

Well how long do you think they'll last? None of that amounts to anything if the working class do not seize the means of production, all the assets of capitalism etc. and begin the process of socialisation by means of a workers state ("Without state power, all is illusion" ~ VI Lenin). Do you honestly think those actions seriously threaten the Greek bourgeoisie and international capital?

It could very well lead to workers seizing their factories and workplaces. We've already seen militancy among Greek workers that's almost unheard of in other parts of the west. But I forgot that old dogma that you just can't have a decent revolution if you don't get a new "worker's state".

[Revy]

A small group of workers who managed to hang on to their jobs. Hardly the death bell of capitalism.

If you mean the anarchists in Greece their actions are counter-productive in my humble opinion.

That's all it is though: a shift, a shift to the left within the framework of capitalistic imperialism.

The revolutions in Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia all need a kick up the arse.

So do I, but not in the West.

It is significant because this is a labor tactic not seen seen since the 1930s.

It's not just anarchists in Greece, and it's not counter-productive, you see Greece rising up and how is that counter-productive?

Sure, it is a shift but it represents the true demand for socialism among the working class of Latin America.

There needs to revolutions in the West or socialism will never happen. This is a FACT, which both Marx and Lenin would agree with. It's not chauvinistic, or anti-3rd world. It's just a reality. It is why the Bolsheviks wanted so bad for there to be a revolution in Germany.

Think of all the coups all over the world that were orchestrated by the U.S. and all the invasions and imperialism. If a socialist revolution occurs in the U.S. there will be so much gained especially for third world revolutions.

[RadioRaheem84]

How can there ever be any type of social revolution in the US if the US is saturated in capitalist thought. It is ingrained in the very philosophy of the average American. I travel between the North and the South several times a year and while I see two different countries, I still the same insular naiveté toward social progress. In the North, it is very liberal in the sense that all people want is mild reform without questioning or compromising the existing social structure. In the South where its conservative, maintaining the social structure is the most important aspect to the average citizen. Both I feel are incapable of understanding the inherent flaws in the system. They also fear social change because they don't want to give up the little they have "gained".
I don't know if you have noticed this, but the people thrive off of this society. They love the outright subjugation/subordination paradigm that runs this nation! They are willing to suffer it if means that one day they too will become one of the "elite". They are willing to gamble with their lives, their children's lives, if it means that one day they too can subjugate. That is the essence of the American dream. To negate them that would lead to revolution!

This nation cannot be saved.

[RedScare]

I can only really speak from an American perspective, because that's really all I've experienced. I believe the Left has failed because for a myriad number of reasons.

Mainly, it's culture. From Reagan to Bush, there has a been a pretty big social stigma attached to the words "communism" and "socialism". Once you've identified yourself as that in your social group, unless it's other radical leftists, people will not take you seriously. There's a strong idea in the US with associating communism with Stalin and totalitarianism, and the end of all personal freedom and the complete subservience of the individual to the state. Many also seem to have this notion in their head that some how their personal possessions would be completely redistributed, and that everyone would live in equally shitty conditions. That's one of the most serious problems, and can only really by changed slowly.

Also, the leftist groups, at least in my area and where my friends go to school, have no real presence. On the University campus my sister go to, which I've visited quite a few times, the Young Democrats reign supreme, and the socialist/communist/anarchist groups are tiny and don't do much at all. Leftist groups need to be more active, do more to help their communities, and try to make the failings of capitalism more clear, more easily.

[DirectAction]

The left has and is failing because it lacks truly comprehensive theories that can address the multitude of problems people face. The left is also walking the path it has traditionally walked, using the same strategy and everything that led to failure previously and will continue to lead to failure.
This is true and needs building on. The opposition have things like hegemony, having one key class battles in the 80's and having a working economic model while 'the left' have lots of tried and tested formulaes which havent seen them break out beyond social democracy. The core problem being their orthodoxy, priroritising identity politics above class, fetishes over party building, sectarianism, in ability to relate to the centre left, oppurtunism, etc.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Wanted Man:


I wonder, do the people who describe the left as "failing" or even "failed" have any experience of activity for "the left"? Or is it just an easy cop-out to avoid such activity in the first place, and just lament about how crappy the left is, and how the people are too stupid for our great ideas?

Headless chickens are 'active'. The point is, of course, as I am sure you know: activity to what end? If it is simply to recruit members to this 150 year long train wreck, then what has been gained?

Unless we apply Historical Materialism to ourselves, and ask where our core ideas came from, and what damage they have done, then this wreck with stretch across another 150...

[Die Neue Zeit]

Capitalism has had crises like this one before, and it will continue to have them in the future. Yes, we've missed this opportunity, but there will be another one. And another. And another. They come around once every few decades or so.

The point, comrade, is to build the party as the primary organ of workers' power BEFORE the revolutionary crisis, not settle for circle-sects and bet on "spontaneity" like Rosa Luxemburg did (http://www.revleft.com/vb/rosa-luxemburg-sectarian-t92161/index.html):

http://z11.invisionfree.com/Kasama_Threads/index.php?showtopic=366

[redguard2009]

What a pessimistic and depressing threadYes, but it is a necessary thread and a necessary expression. The left in general has been ignorant of its own failings for far too long. What we need is a good "crying out" where we can express the frustration a lot of us inevitably feel when we see our efforts, however large or small, amount to so very little. We've got to come to grips with the fact that we're in a bad spot. Doing so is not admitting defeat. Being ignorant of our failures and the necessary steps to rectify them is admitting defeat. The left has for decades scrambled around itself trying to tack a label and a name and a face to the cause of our repeated defeats with each and every group facing off against each other, none willing to admit it had a part to play.

We've all fucked up. Collectively. Individually is another matter, but collectively, we've screwed ourselves so hard that sometimes I wonder if our assholes will ever be able to be unwound. But one thing's for sure. Despite every single setback we've faced over the past 100 years -- and there have been a god-awful lot -- leftists are still willing to fight. In some respects, it's amazing that the left has survived the past two decades. Despite the collapse of the USSR, despite the rebirth of capitalism in China, despite the gradual destruction or reformation of nearly every socialist endeavour since the 1980s, we're still here fighting the good fight.

It's almost ironic; individually, most of us are very strong, very determined. Collectively, we are weak, fractured, aimless.

[Robespierre2.0]

Remember, Imperial Russia was the 'weakest link' in the chain of capitalism- The United States and Western Europe (where most of the people on this website hail from) are hardly the weakest links these days. I'd like to think that we'll see a resurgence of socialist states in the near future, but I expect them to be in Asia, Africa, or South America, and not in the West.

That's not to say that we should sit on our hands- We ought to still do our part, and attempt to raise the class consciousness of the people that surround us, but we shouldn't let the piss-poor state of our immediate surroundings dishearten us. This economic crisis is far from over, and it's far too soon to claim that we're losing our 'window of opportunity'.