I’m an American Marxist-Leninist, so I know that it is materially possible for a privileged westerner to come around. But a few of us being able to unlearn the constant propaganda and overcome the horrific state of American education and the political climate isn’t enough.

The Overton window is so far to the right here in the United States that most don’t entertain the idea of a future beyond capitalism being possible or necessary. Even when Americans see this wretched system for what it is, they’d sooner turn to nihilism or accept whatever additional crumbs are thrown.

I know it’s important to maintain revolutionary optimism and always strive to be part of the solution, but it feels like an extra big battle to build a proper revolutionary left.

  • PostingMyJaggahog@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
    13·
    18 days ago

    It’s also important to remember there’s literally no historical precedence for the circumstances we find ourselves in. Sure some patterns repeat themselves but if you’re looking to apply a revolutionary template from history to the current moment you’re not gonna find it.

    Personally I’m of the opinion the only way out is through. There’s simply too much social and institutional inertia hurtling towards fascism for anything else to be the case. Three main conditions need to be met for a socialist project to get off the ground, and that’s

    -a population of discontented people frustrated with their lot in life who do not own capital

    -a vanguard party of committed ideologues who promise that populace a better vision of the future than what is currently on the table for them

    -the capacity of that party to defend it’s projects locally and at scale from capitalist/fascist intervention

    We’ve definitely got condition number one but the other two have yet to reveal themselves.

    I think if you’re looking for a way through, IMO it really does boil down to getting to know your neighbours and building dual power. The more community you can engender in your immediate vicinity the better off you’ll be when the ratchet clamps down.

    Eventually this shithole will balkanize and at that point it’s the new world struggling to be born. Everything will be up for grabs and whoever is better organized up to that point will have the advantage.