I am interested in politics, and even tho i am not a communist, i am interested in what can be learned from it and i also want to learn more about political ideologies as a whole, instead of speaking out of my ass whenever someone mentions communism and potentially say some bullshit. What do you think?
Read principles of communism instead, it is the same content but better formatted
Oh, and watch Luna Oi’s Marxism 101: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeaTLoy1C9rM
All of Marx’ writings are worth a read even if you’re a dumbass capitalist.
Yeah! Communism is one of the most important movements and ideologies in modern history. It has shaped the lives of everyone on the planet, whether you are one of billions living under socialism or in a state that represses labor movements. It’s one of the most read pieces of literature for a reason, and it’s a good idea to be informed of the demands communists aim for. Although it was a couple hundred years ago the demands are largely the same to this day, just slight modifications such as the 10 point plan of the black panther party
It’s always good to read more! Just like, in general. You should read the communist manifesto and then go on to read other things too, anything you fancy
Someone suggested critique of the gotha program and someone else said capital (four volumes!).
Those are good alternatives to the communist manifesto which is basically a handbill for convincing people to go learn more.
Of course they’re both super old and many people have written about their contents since their publication.
Being interested in politics is maybe not the best reason to be reading about communism.
The manifesto is just an ad for communism. You should read The Capital (part 1) if you want to interact with communism seriously.
Assigned reading in macroeconomics when I took it in college. Not a particularly left leaning course, nor cohort.
Back when I was still on reddit (and r/askreddit wasn’t a cesspool of AI ragebait) someone asked if there were books people recommended, everyone should read, and I came up with this list of 6 if you want a good basis for reasoned philosophical thought:
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Plato’s Republic
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Sun Tzu’s The Art of War
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Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations
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Machiavelli’s The Prince (Machiavelli also wrote an “Art of War” and that’s also worth reading)
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Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations
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Karl Marx’s The Communist Manifesto
The Republic defines what society’s goals should look like
The Art of War defines how to resolve conflict
Meditations teaches one how to remain objective under pressure
The Prince defines that what is OBJECTIVELY TRUE is not always what is MORALLY CORRECT
The Wealth of Nations lays out a case against Feudalism and how a functional economy should operate.
The Communist Manifesto details the natural rights of everyone to equality and shared prosperity.
Marxist Communism is a bit myopic as it really deals with factory work, and the failures of a Capitalist system to deliver on the promise of class mobility. He and Engels envisioned a classless society, and while that is a fine ideal, historically, achieving that though strictly amicable means is a bit pie in the sky, not to mention the arguments against it citing human ambition as a stumbling block aren’t without merit.
Marxism did not deal strictly with factory work, but with proletarianized labor, which persists today as the dominant form of labor. Further, I am really not sure what you mean by saying communism is “pie in the sky” or that human ambition is in opposition to communism. The manifesto is a pamphlet for agitation, it isn’t really the core of Marxism.
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Even if you don’t agree with an ideology it’s always best to read it’s basis so you can accurately identify what you don’t agree with.
curious_beetle, I hereby declare you can read whatever interests you
Yep, that would be great! I think a good place to start would be this reading list I put together. You can just check out the first couple sections:
1. Introduction [~1.5 hr]
Before beginning your studies, it’s important to learn how to best economize our time, and why we should study Marxism-Leninism in the first place.
- General Rules for Independent Study - N. Krupskaya (1934)
Webpage [~5 min]
Written by one of the founding Bolsheviks for students in the early USSR, this is a concise guide on how to best absorb the information to come as efficiently as possible by Nadezhda Krupskaya.
- Why Socialism? - A. Einstein (1949)
Webpage | Audiobook [~10 min / 22 min]
Wanting to persuade his contemporaries to pursue a path of intentional development in order to avoid nuclear war and escape the profit motive, Einstein argues the case for moving onto a planned and collectivized economy over the chaos of markets and the profit motive.
- Why Marxism? - R. Day (2020)
Webpage | Audiobook [~15 min / 21 min]
Roderic Day makes his case for why now, in the 21st century, Marxism-Leninism remains the strongest tool for working-class liberation, and why we should defend the achievements of actually existing socialism despite their real flaws.
- “Tankies” - N. Frome (2020)
Webpage | Audiobook [~5 min / 11 min]
Marxist-Leninists do not believe Stalin, Mao, etc. did no wrong, nor do we believe actually existing socialist states (AES) to be perfect and free from criticism. Proper appraisal of the genuine achievements and genuine shortcomings of socialism in real life requires brushing away capitalist mythologizing. Once the fact is separated from fiction, only then can we hope to build on the successes of our predecessors while avoiding repeating mistakes.
- US Interventionism, the Third World, and the USSR - M. Parenti (1986)
Webpage Transcription of Speech | Original Speech [~1 hr / 1 hr 33 min]
Dr. Michael Parenti delivers perhaps his most famous speech, discussing the predatory role of the US Empire and the progressive role played by socialist countries, including the necessary mechanisms of protection they develop against western imperialism.
- Why do we Have to Study Theory? - Ho Chi Minh (1957)
Webpage [~10 min]
As a hugely successful revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh explains why it is not enough to have good intentions, we must do our best to study revolutionary theory to guide revolutionary practice.
Checkpoint
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Why do you want to study Marxism-Leninism?
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How can it be helpful in your present life?
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Why should we establish a socialist society?
2. Fundamentals [~2.5 hr]
To start off your studies, a clear understanding of basic terminology, as well as the historical context that gave rise to Marxism, is necessary.
- Principles of Communism - F. Engels (1847)
Webpage/.epub | Audiobook [~30 min /48 min]
A glossary of terms and background information, in an FAQ format.
- Karl Marx: A Brief Biographical Sketch with an Exposition of Marxism - V.I. Lenin (1914)
Webpage | Audiobook [~1 hr / 1hr 28 min]
Lenin, as a part of his rigorous studies of Marx and his writings for application in the conditions particular to his contemporary conditions, came to know and understand Marx and his ideology at a deeper level.
- The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism - V.I. Lenin (1913)
Webpage | Audiobook [~5 min / 18 min]
Outlaying the 3 major components of Marxism, and a short history of how they came to be.
- Manifesto of the Communist Party - K. Marx & F. Engels (1848)
Webpage | Audiobook [~1hr / 1 hr 35 min]
Marx & Engels call the international proletariat to action using the in this overview of the aims of the communists.
Checkpoint
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What historical context gave rise to Marxism?
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What are the 3 major components of Marxism?
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In your country, what does the class makeup of society look like? Which can be aligned with the proletariat? Which cannot?
Of course, I recommend the whole thing. Alternatively, Prolewiki’s Marxism portal contains a fantastic short list of articles that help explain the absolute basics quickly.
Economical books of Lenin may also be of interest, Henri Ford studied them while he never was a communist. It is a bit harder to read than the manifesto of Marx and Engels, but it doesn’t require to be an economist.
Practical effects are more informative than theoretical readings. Study the countries that implemented it and how things ran. That gives the most practical and unbiased view.
You have to understand both. Understanding why communist parties took the actions they have and do today is critical for understanding the courses different socialist countries have gone through. Theory and practice mutually reinforce each other.
Of course, but i feel that knowing the premise and where those countries took their ideals from would be ideal to have a better view
