Hello everynyan, we’re studying Marxism-Leninism. Here is a link to the list

This week we’re reading:

  1. Why Socialism? - A. Einstein (1949)
    Webpage | Audiobook [~10 min / 22 min]

  2. Why Marxism? - R. Day (2020)
    Webpage | Audiobook [~15 min / 21 min]

  3. Why do we Have to Study Theory? - Ho Chi Minh (1957)
    Webpage | Audio book [~10 min / 11 min]

  4. General Rules for Independent Study - N. Krupskaya (1934)
    Webpage [~5 min]

  5. “Tankies” - N. Frome (2020)
    Webpage | Audiobook [~5 min / 11 min]

Next week we will be watching 6. US Interventionism, the Third World, and the USSR - M. Parenti (1986)

Webpage Transcription of Speech | Original Speech [~1 hr / 1 hr 33 min]

  • CommiePoutine@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
    4·
    1 day ago

    I’ve already read this first portion of the list, but I’m happy to revisit it. I still haven’t made it very far into it.

    Why Socialism - I really like this piece. I think Einstein poses some really interesting questions about our relation with society and how capitalism acts as a barrier to our very nature. This passage is especially striking:

    All human beings, whatever their position in society, are suffering from this process of deterioration. Unknowingly prisoners of their own egotism, they feel insecure, lonely, and deprived of the naive, simple, and unsophisticated enjoyment of life. Man can find meaning in life, short and perilous as it is, only through devoting himself to society.

    I think this essay acts as a good and short introduction to the problem of capitalism vs socialism. As others have stated, the fact that it’s written by Einstein is certainly a plus.

    Why Marxism - I like Day’s arguments in this one. He writes for a modern audience, using examples that clearly show what marxism looks like today. I like how he addresses the pitfalls of anarchism / social democracy.

    Why Do We Have To Study Theory? - I think there are a few good tidbits in there, but overall it’s too anchored in Vietnam’s history to be that useful to us. I wouldn’t mind this being cut.

    General Rules for Independent Study - A general overview of what studying entails. Old-fashioned, but still sound.

    Tankies - I think this is a wonderful, succinct closing piece. It sets up what it means to a ML and why we believe what we do. Frome expertly rebukes the propaganda about AES. The closing statements about having powerful enemies is very well put.

    Overall, I don’t think this section needs much change. I think the goal was to show the reader, who is potentially a liberal, that the lies about communism run far and wide and that the ML alternative is sound and viable. It introduces the reader to the basic idea of communism, without getting too deep into theory just yet. This week and next week’s piece really hype you for proper theory.