Communism 2.5: Social Communism | James Lindsay

Nov 17, 2024

Delve into the evolution of Communism as it morphs from Eastern failures to Western critiques. Discover how cultural and critical Marxism influence modern identity politics and grassroots activism. Explore the intricate ties between feminism, postmodernism, and the rise of woke ideologies. Analyze the implications of soft totalitarianism from Fabianism alongside Orwellian reflections. Unpack the philosophical roots of self-criticism and collective identity, emphasizing the need for a critical awareness in societal transformation.

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INSIGHT

Western Marxism's Origins

Western Marxism arose because traditional Marxism failed to predict capitalist societies.
Workers sought reforms and improved living conditions instead of revolution.

INSIGHT

Soft Totalitarianism

Western Marxism aims to control culture, then enforce conformity through social pressure.
This 'soft totalitarianism' manipulates values and norms, unlike Eastern Marxism's brute force.

ANECDOTE

Fabian Window

James Lindsay recounts visiting the London School of Economics to see the Fabian Window.
This window depicts Fabians reshaping the world, symbolizing their incrementalist socialist approach.

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The shape of things to come

H. G. Wells

Published in 1933, 'The Shape of Things to Come' is a speculative history that outlines future events up to the year 2106. The book is presented as the edited notes of Dr. Philip Raven, a diplomat who claims to have had dream visions of a future history textbook. It is divided into five sections, detailing a future that includes a Second World War, climatic disasters, and the eventual establishment of a world state. The narrative predicts significant cultural and technological changes, including the rise of a technocratic elite and the transformation of society into a utopian world state where humanity's material needs are satisfied and individual freedom is balanced with collective well-being[2][4][5].

Faust

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Faust, written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, is a two-part dramatic work that tells the story of a scholar named Faust who, dissatisfied with his life and seeking infinite knowledge and power, makes a pact with Mephistopheles, the Devil's representative. Part I focuses on Faust's despair, his pact with Mephistopheles, and his tragic love affair with Gretchen, which ends in her downfall. Part II is more allegorical and symbolic, following Faust through various experiences, including his life at court and his encounter with Helen of Troy, before his eventual salvation through God's grace and the intercession of Gretchen. The work is renowned for its blend of lyric, epic, dramatic, operatic, and balletic elements, and its exploration of theological, mythological, philosophical, and cultural themes[1][4][5].

Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Paulo Freire

Paulo Freire's "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" is a seminal work in education theory that critiques traditional, banking-style education and advocates for a more liberating approach. Freire argues that education should be a transformative process that empowers students to critically analyze their world and challenge oppressive structures. He emphasizes dialogue and participatory learning as essential tools for fostering critical consciousness and social change. The book's enduring influence lies in its challenge to traditional power dynamics in education and its call for a more just and equitable learning environment. Freire's work has inspired educators and activists around the world to rethink their approaches to teaching and learning.

The Authoritarian personality

Theodor Adorno

Essay on Liberation

Herbert Marcuse

Herbert Marcuse's "Essay on Liberation" is a significant work in critical theory, exploring the possibilities of social transformation in advanced industrial societies. Marcuse critiques the repressive aspects of modern society, arguing that it stifles individual freedom and critical thought. He introduces the concept of the "Great Refusal," a call for radical opposition to the existing social order. The essay emphasizes the importance of challenging established power structures and envisions a future liberated from domination and exploitation. Marcuse's work has been influential in shaping New Left thought and continues to inspire critical engagement with contemporary social and political issues.

Dialectic of Enlightenment

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Theodor Adorno

Max Horkheimer

Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno's "Dialectic of Enlightenment" is a complex and influential work of critical theory, exploring the relationship between reason, myth, and domination. The authors argue that the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason has paradoxically led to new forms of domination and control. They trace the development of instrumental reason, which reduces everything to means-ends calculations, and its role in shaping modern society. The book explores the interplay between reason and myth, arguing that myth is not simply irrational but can also be a source of critical insight. "Dialectic of Enlightenment" remains a challenging but rewarding read, offering profound insights into the complexities of modernity and the dangers of unchecked rationality.

The postmodern condition

Jean-Francois Lyotard

Jean-François Lyotard's "The Postmodern Condition" is a seminal work in postmodern thought, exploring the nature of knowledge and its relationship to power in contemporary society. Lyotard argues that postmodernity is characterized by a decline of grand narratives and a proliferation of localized knowledge systems. He introduces the concept of legitimation by paralogy, suggesting that knowledge is increasingly validated through consensus rather than objective truth. The book examines the impact of technology and information on knowledge production and dissemination. Lyotard's work has had a significant influence on various fields, including critical theory, cultural studies, and education.

TRADITIONAL AND CRITICAL THEORY

Max Horkheimer

Max Horkheimer's "Traditional and Critical Theory" is a seminal work in critical theory, contrasting traditional and critical approaches to social analysis. Horkheimer argues that traditional theory is limited by its acceptance of the existing social order, while critical theory seeks to expose and challenge its inherent contradictions. The essay explores the limitations of positivism and the need for a more self-reflective and transformative approach to understanding society. Horkheimer's work emphasizes the interconnectedness of theory and practice, arguing that critical theory must be actively engaged in the struggle for social change. His ideas have profoundly influenced subsequent generations of critical theorists and activists.

History and Class Consciousness

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Georg Lukács

Georg Lukács's "History and Class Consciousness" is a landmark work in Western Marxism, exploring the relationship between history, class consciousness, and revolutionary praxis. Lukács introduces the concept of reification, arguing that capitalist society transforms social relations into seemingly objective things, obscuring their true nature. He emphasizes the importance of achieving class consciousness, a transformative understanding of one's position within the capitalist system. Lukács's work challenges traditional Marxist interpretations of history and emphasizes the role of subjective experience in shaping social reality. His ideas have had a lasting impact on critical theory and Marxist thought.

Nineteen Eighty-Four

George Orwell

Published in 1949, 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' is a cautionary tale set in a future where the world is divided into three totalitarian super-states: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. The novel follows Winston Smith, a minor functionary in the Ministry of Truth in Oceania, who begins to question the all-pervasive authority of the Party and its leader, Big Brother. Winston's rebellion, fueled by his forbidden love affair with Julia and his interest in the mysterious Brotherhood, ultimately leads to his capture and brutal reeducation by the Thought Police. The novel explores themes of mass surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth, serving as a powerful warning about the dangers of unaccountable governments and the erosion of individual freedom and dignity.

Prison Notebooks

Antonio Gramsci

Joseph Buttigieg

The EVILution of Communism Workshop, Session 3 Communism is a religious view that has evolved and adapted over the last two centuries, including right up to the present day. Understanding the developments and threats in our present world requires understanding what Communism really is, especially in its Marxist variants, and how it has developed and changed over the years. In response to this need, James Lindsay of New Discourses held a four-lecture workshop series on the EVILution of Communism in Dallas, Texas, at the start of August 2024. In this third lecture in the series, Lindsay continues discussing the development of twentieth-century Communism along its second track: Western Marxism. The Western Marxist tradition contains many threads, virtually all of which start with either the Fabian Socialist Society in the UK or, more infamously, with Cultural Marxism elsewhere throughout the Western world. Cultural Marxism itself gives way to Critical Marxism (that is, Critical Theory) through the middle of the twentieth century, particularly in America, and informs other movements such as feminism, radical racial movements, critical education theories, and eventually the development of an intersectional "Woke" Marxism we're dealing with today. Understanding this requires understanding the influences of many Marxist thinkers including Mao Zedong, whose most culturally destructive ideas were imported by the Critical Marxists and Critical Pedagogues. This in-depth lecture describes the development of a whole new "Social" Communism that sought to find ways to penetrate Western Civilization to make it soft to socialism and Communism. Notes (PDF): https://newdiscourses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DallasWorkshop24-Evilution-of-Communism.pdf The other three lectures in this series can be found here: Session 1: Communism 1.0: Theoretical Communism: https://newdiscourses.com/2024/10/communism-1-0-theoretical-communism/ Session 2: Communism 2.0: Industrial Communism: https://newdiscourses.com/2024/11/communism-2-0-industrial-communism-james-lindsay/ Session 4: Communism 3.0: Corporate Communism: https://newdiscourses.com/2024/12/communism-3-0-corporate-communism/ New book! The Queering of the American Child: https://queeringbook.com/ Support New Discourses: https://newdiscourses.com/support Follow New Discourses on other platforms: https://newdiscourses.com/subscribe Follow James Lindsay: https://linktr.ee/conceptualjames © 2024 New Discourses. All rights reserved. #NewDiscourses #JamesLindsay #communism