YOU are speaking!
Have you made any poignant commentary on the recent election in the U.S.? Do you have a good response to liberals who are upset with the results or process of the election? Have you written or seen something as a comment reply/post that you think has standalone value? Did you see a new take or analysis you hadn’t previously considered?
Whether it’s a long idea with lots of context, or a short and sweet one liner, we want those thoughts aggregated here. This post is intended to be a resource for comrades to draw from when having actual discussions outside of Hexbear both online or IRL regarding the election.
Consider this a mini-effortpost aggregator. This is not for shitposts, but humor is completely acceptable if it helps make the point.
"Without Revolutionary theory, there can be no Revolutionary Movement."
It's time to read theory, comrades! As Lenin says, "Despair is typical of those who do not understand the causes of evil, see no way out, and are incapable of struggle." Reading theory helps us identify the core contradictions within modern society, analyze their trajectories, and gives us the tools to break free. Marxism-Leninism is broken into 3 major components, as noted by Lenin in his pamphlet The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism: | Audiobook
Dialectical and Historical Materialism
Critique of Capitalism along the lines of Marx's Law of Value
Advocacy for Revolutionary and Scientific Socialism
As such, I created the following list to take you from no knowledge whatsoever of Leftist theory, and leave you with a strong understanding of the critical fundamentals of Marxism-Leninism in an order that builds up as you read. Let's get started!
Section I: Getting Started
What the heck is Communism, anyways? For that matter, what is fascism?
The FAQ of Communism, written by the Luigi of the Marx & Engels duo. Quick to read, and easy to reference, this is the perfect start to your journey.
Breaks down fascism and its mortal enemy, Communism, as well as their antagonistic relationship. Understanding what fascism is, where and when it rises, why it does so, and how to banish it forever is critical. Parenti also helps debunk common anti-Communist myths. You can also watch the famous "Yellow Parenti" speech.
Section II: Historical and Dialectical Materialism
Ugh, philosophy? Really? YES!
By far my favorite primer on Marxist philosophy. By understanding Dialectical and Historical Materialism first, you make it easier to understand the rest of Marxism-Leninism. Don't be intimidated!
Further reading on Dialectical and Historical Materialism, but crucially introduces the why of Scientific Socialism, explaining how Capitalism itself prepares the conditions for public ownership and planning by centralizing itself into monopolist syndicates. This is also where Engels talks about the failures of previous "Utopian" Socialists.
Section III: Political Economy
That's right, it's time for the Law of Value and a deep-dive into Imperialism. If we are to defeat Capitalism, we must learn it's mechanisms, tendencies, contradictions, and laws.
Best taken as a pair, these essays simplify the most important parts of the Law of Value. Marx is targetting those not trained in economics here, but you might want to keep a pen and some paper to follow along if you are a visual person.
Absolutely crucial and the most important work for understanding the modern era and its primary contradictions. Marxist-Leninists understand that Imperialism is the greatest contradiction in the modern era, which cascades downward into all manner of related contradictions. Knowing what dying Capitalism looks like, and how it behaves, means we can kill it.
Section IV: Revolutionary and Scientific Socialism
Can we defeat Capitalism at the ballot box? What about just defeating fascism? What about the role of the state?
If Marxists believed reforming Capitalist society was possible, we would be the first in line for it. Sadly, it isn't possible, which Luxemburg proves in this monumental writing.
Excellent refutation of revisionists and Social Democrats who think the State can be reformed, without needing to be replaced with one that is run by the workers, in their own interests.
Section V: Intersectionality and Solidarity
The revolution will not be fought by atomized individuals, but by an intersectional, international working class movement. Intersectionality is critical, because it allows different marginalized groups to work together in collective interest, unifying into a broad movement.
Critical reading on understanding misogyny, transphobia, enbyphobia, pluralphobia, and homophobia, as well as how to move beyond the base subject of "gender." Uses the foundations built up in the previous works to analyze gender theory from a Historical Materialist perspective.
De-colonialism is essential to Marxism. Without having a strong, de-colonial, internationalist stance, we have no path to victory nor a path to justice. Fanon analyzes Colonialism's dehumanizing effects, and lays out how to form a de-colonial movement, as well as its necessity.
Solidarity and intersectionality are the key to any social movement. When different social groups fight for liberation together along intersectional lines, the movements are emboldened and empowered ever-further.
Section VI: Putting it into Practice!
It's not enough to endlessly read, you must put theory to practice. That is how you can improve yourself and the movements you support. Touch grass!
Mao wrote simply and directly, targeting peasant soldiers during the Revolutionary War in China. This pair of essays equip the reader with the ability to apply the analytical tools of Dialectical Materialism to their every day practice, and better understand problems.
Congratulations, you completed your introductory reading course!
With your new understanding and knowledge of Marxism-Leninism, here is a mini What is to be Done? of your own to follow, and take with you as practical advice.
Get organized. Join a Leftist org, find solidarity with fellow comrades, and protect each other. The Dems will not save you, it is up to us to protect ourselves. The Party for Socialism and Liberation and Freedom Road Socialist Organization both organize year round, every year, because the battle for progress is a constant struggle, not a single election. See if there is a chapter near you, or start one! Or, see if there's an org you like more near you and join it.
Read theory. Don't think that you are done now! Just because you have the basics, doesn't mean you know more than you do. If you have not investigated a subject, don't speak on it! Don't speak nonsense, but listen!
Aggressively combat white supremacy, misogyny, queerphobia, and other attacks on marginalized communities. Cede no ground, let nobody be forgotten or left behind. There is strength in numbers, when one marginalized group is targeted, many more are sure to follow.
Be industrious, and self-sufficient. Take up gardening, home repair, tinkering. It is through practice that you elevate your problem-solving capabilities. Not only will you improve your skill at one subject, but your general problem-solving muscles get strengthened as well.
Learn self-defense. Get armed, if practical. Be ready to protect yourself and others. The Democrats will not save us, we must save each other.
Be persistent. If you feel like a single water droplet against a mountain, think of the Grand Canyon. Oh, how our efforts pile up! With consistency, every rock, boulder, even mountain, can be drilled through with nothing but steady and persistent water droplets.
"Everything under heaven is in utter chaos; the situation is excellent."
(It wasn't me that thought of it, a certain comrade sent them to me and I don't know if they wish to remain anonymous since it was over DMs) but thanks!
maybe for 6. you could add foundations of leninism i thought it was pretty good as an summary of lenin, maybe add one that focuses on colonialism like Wretched of the Earth
Leaning heavily towards Fanon, need to read it myself first but additionally I am trying to find a good, easy link for it that isn't just anna's archive. Epubs and online versions are much nicer for quick agitprop IMO.
Foundations of Leninism is good, but I do think the rest of the works thus far touch the same bases. Plus, since this is directed at libs, I fear linking Stalin may scare too many away, when the primary purpose is churning out MLs who will read Stalin at some point anyways, still going back and forth on that one in my head. Trying to capture the radical sentiment of disillusioned American libs in the aftermath of having their worldview rocked, not existing comrades. (Don't want to create ultras, but if you ask me reading the works listed should logically prevent ultrafication due to the inclusion of Blackshirts)
If you get Fanon, that would be fantastic. Feinberg and maybe Bell Hooks are also on my radar for reading, though other comrades can make more specific recommendations as I am working through intersectional theory right now (and these books are long).
Go to sleep!
I have slept. Now I shall mirror marx2mao.
One day I'll get to Fanon and Feinberg and others like that. One day... With the speed I am going at now, that means in a few years.
Hell yea, comrade! I like the marx2mao versions more than marxists.org, but they are harder to read and no epubs, so that's fantastic. Don't sweat taking the time you need to get it done!
Oh... I meant just downloading the website and uploading it to https://mirror.comlib.encryptionin.space/marx2mao/ (still downloading)
Oh, gotcha! My computer literacy isn't that high...
God, it's been 1h 35 minutes and I have downloaded just 154 MiB.
Oh wow, that's awful. How large is the total?
Not sure. I have to download each page to know how big it is.
Ah, gotcha. Godspeed!
It's done! https://mirror.comlib.encryptionin.space/marx2mao/
Hell yea!
I'm finding that there are (some weird folders, which comes from there being) a few links in M2M that don't work, I'll edit my mirror to correct them.
Huh, that's interesting. Good work!
I use it for my EPUBs, and I'll make more of course.
Nice, great work! Take all the time you need!
cowbee i remembered that our comrades at ChunkaLutaNetwork had an online archive-library maybe there are some good book pdfs about decolonial stuff
Oh shit, forgot about that! Gotta dig into that, I don't feel right not including decolonial theory in an American-targeted list. I'll give it a dig, thanks!
Black Belt Thesis Reader is a great add
Will look into that, thanks!