wow, that sounds like a good attendance. 50-100 is the sort of branch the sects here could only dream of! Glad it's going well! And no, i'm not having doubts about Socialism, but merely about some theoretical questions re: the role of the party, the form/content of proletarian democracy etc. But I guess that's not really that relevant to current struggles, but probably is relevant to the thread in question in the Economics sub-forum, that's all! What do you study at University again?
(cont.): Stupid post/character limit - I had to cut my original post in half. I'm really excited about our focus and direction for the coming months. We'll see where it all takes us; there's been a general groundswell of support and interest in socialism and our organization in the Bay Area, so hopefully we'll be able to build off that while also helping these people develop politically and theoretically. Anyway, that's me. How're you?
Yeah, I'll post what I can when time allows. I've returned to university in the last week, and classes started last thursday so I'm currently swamped, but when I have a little more free time I'll put something up. What do you mean you're at a "crossroads politically"? Not abandoning socialism I hope. I've been great, albeit busy. I've been doing a lot since I arrived back at Berkeley, including doing some tabling for the ISO and talking to people about attending our branch's launch meeting in a couple weeks. Our branch managed to acquire somewhere to 50-100 contacts in a single day alone (although, this was during a big "welcome back" event put on by the school, so we were bound to get a lot of foot traffic anyway), and we can hopefully get some of them to attend the meeting and see whether they're interested in doing more with us (if not join the organization).
Hey bud, fancy answering a few questions in teh Economics 101 thread? Don't want it to run out of steam and i'm kinda busy at the moment to put good answers in myself. Plus i'm at a bit of a crossroads politically and don't want to give confused answers. Also how's shit going with you? Up to much politically atm? Fucking dead here right now, in general
If it is, then he can continue thinking so. I chose it because I've come to agree with various analyses put forward by Marx, while also gaining an appreciation for some of the contributions made to his theories after he passed away. It's strange, but a lot of what I came up against in terms of Occupy, basic outreach, and my time with different groups and organizations moved me to reassess and evaluate my earlier beliefs (I hate using that word, but whatever). I started reading up on various theoretical topics ranging from the party to economics, and found that I agreed more so with Marx and Engels than I did before (including various others).
I thought that the revolutionary marxists tendency was a front for DNZ/Kautsky and that sort of odd politics, no? Also cheers. If we can get a few more posters in there it could become a good little sub-forum.
On a separate note, great job trying to rejuvenate the economics sub forum. It desperately needs a shot in the arm. I'm going to try and post more to your 'Economics 101' thread when I have time.
Lol, I've had this as my 'tendency' for over a couple months now! I'm surprised you're just now noticing. As for why? Chalk it up to a combination of experiences and a renewed interest in the work(s) of Marx and Engels. I identify, first and foremost, with their methods of analysis - as well as their conclusions. Why?
You've joined the Revolutionary Marxists tendency?? How come?? :S
Just finished "Revolutionary Rehearsals" by Ian Birchall, Mike Gonzalez, Peter Robinson, Maryam Poya, and Colin Barker. Gonna start on "Party and Class" pretty soon. Before that I was reading "Pedagogy of the Oppressed," "The Meaning of Marxism," "Ecology and Socialism," and various works from my Marx-Engels reader. My mind's fried (in a good way).
