I agree with you, but even for a self-identified leftist actively engaging and trying to learn, there is SO MUCH out there and I'm just now barely feeling like I have a slightly decent grasp on these key ML concepts - and that's after dozens of hours of reading, several books, and dozens of hours of podcasts.
I know my historical materialism is still very weak, and I haven't even begun to properly dig into the Cuban and Chinese revolutions.
My point is you can't expect the average person to spend hundreds of hours reading and listening to theory when Liberal/Conservative/Fascist viewpoints are so easily packaged and disseminated, backed by years of strong propaganda.
I think it can be extremely hard to understand and support socialist revolutions throughout history without that understanding when you're coming from a standard western Liberal point of view.
My point is you can’t expect the average person to spend hundreds of hours reading and listening ... I think it can be extremely hard to understand and support socialist revolutions throughout history without that understanding when you’re coming from a standard western Liberal point of view.
I would push back on this view a little in a few ways. First, I don't think the average person should have to delve deep into hundreds of hours of theory, that should be done mostly be members of a vanguard party who then make it their project to make the useful parts of this theory and history easily digestible in service of furthering their aims. If an average person thinks that North Korea is bad, but can be convinced that China is good and support an anti-war campaign, then that's a win because that is the issue relevant to your org. However, if a member in your cadre is saying these things, it is also understandable because we can't be expected to know everything, but that is where being part of an org helps because your comrades will help educate you when you speak from ignorance. Just keep an open mind an noticed when your comrades are trying to help you learn in good faith so you don't have to feel like you need the "perfect" view before being able to do anything at all.
I agree with you, but even for a self-identified leftist actively engaging and trying to learn, there is SO MUCH out there and I'm just now barely feeling like I have a slightly decent grasp on these key ML concepts - and that's after dozens of hours of reading, several books, and dozens of hours of podcasts.
I know my historical materialism is still very weak, and I haven't even begun to properly dig into the Cuban and Chinese revolutions.
My point is you can't expect the average person to spend hundreds of hours reading and listening to theory when Liberal/Conservative/Fascist viewpoints are so easily packaged and disseminated, backed by years of strong propaganda.
I think it can be extremely hard to understand and support socialist revolutions throughout history without that understanding when you're coming from a standard western Liberal point of view.
I would push back on this view a little in a few ways. First, I don't think the average person should have to delve deep into hundreds of hours of theory, that should be done mostly be members of a vanguard party who then make it their project to make the useful parts of this theory and history easily digestible in service of furthering their aims. If an average person thinks that North Korea is bad, but can be convinced that China is good and support an anti-war campaign, then that's a win because that is the issue relevant to your org. However, if a member in your cadre is saying these things, it is also understandable because we can't be expected to know everything, but that is where being part of an org helps because your comrades will help educate you when you speak from ignorance. Just keep an open mind an noticed when your comrades are trying to help you learn in good faith so you don't have to feel like you need the "perfect" view before being able to do anything at all.