#88 - Close Reading: "Principles of Communism" (Part 3)
Mar 11, 2019
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This podcast episode continues the close reading of Engels' "Principles of Communism" and discusses topics such as nationalization, the impact of communism on a global scale, Eastern and Western Germany's relationship dynamics, Marxist feminism and sex work, unintended consequences of socialism, and the advantages and role of the bourgeoisie in the social revolution.
There are three categories of people that communists oppose - feudal and patriarchal society adherents, present-day society supporters, and socialists seeking to restore aristocracy.
Communists can cooperate with democratic socialists and have common policies as long as they don't attack the communists.
Communists have different strategies for political parties depending on the country they are in, such as cooperating with democratic parties or supporting radical liberal parties.
The bourgeoisie coming to power can bring temporary advantages for the proletariat in terms of unification, but communists must not fall for promises and continue supporting the radical liberal party.
Communists aim to dismantle the armed forces, but certain aspects may need to be retained temporarily in certain circumstances.
Deep dives
Reactionary socialists
The first category consists of adherents of a feudal and patriarchal society, which have already been destroyed and is still daily being destroyed; seek to establish the rule of the aristocracy and small producers; oppose the communists; strive for something impossible.
Bourgeois socialists
The second category consists of adherents of present-day society who want to maintain it while getting rid of its evils; propose welfare measures or grandiose reform systems; communists must struggle against them as they protect the existing society.
Democratic socialists
The third category consists of those who advocate measures similar to the communists, but as a solution sufficient to abolish the misery and evils; communists cooperate with them when possible, but continue to discuss differences.
Reactionist socialists
The so-called socialists who want to restore feudal and patriarchal society, strive for the rule of the aristocracy, oppose the proletariat, and make common cause with the bourgeoisie.
Bourgeois socialists
The socialists who seek to maintain present-day society while eliminating its inherent evils and protect the society the communists aim to overthrow.
Democratic socialists
The socialists who advocate similar measures to the communists, but believe they will be sufficient to abolish the misery and evils of existing society.
Communist attitude to socialists
Communists oppose the reactionary and bourgeois socialists, but recognize the possibility of cooperating with democratic socialists and having common policy, provided they do not attack the communists.
Different political parties and the communists' attitude towards them
The communists have different attitudes towards political parties depending on the country. In countries like England, France, and Belgium where the bourgeoisie rule, the communists have common interests with democratic parties that champion socialistic measures and represent the interests of the proletariat. In America, the communists must make common cause with a party that will turn the democratic constitution against the bourgeoisie and use it for the interests of the proletariat. In Switzerland, the radicals are the only group the communists can cooperate with. In Germany, the communists support the radical liberal party against the government until the bourgeoisie is in power, as they believe it is in their interest to help the bourgeoisie come to power so they can sooner overthrow it.
The implementation of a minimum program and the dismantling of the armed forces
The communists believe that once the bourgeoisie is in power, the proletariat will derive certain advantages from a bourgeois victory, such as concessions that would facilitate the unification of the proletariat as a battle-worthy class. The communists must continually support the radical liberal party against the government and avoid falling for the enticing promises of benefits that a bourgeoisie victory would allegedly bring. The communists aim to dismantle the armed forces as an institution, which would be necessary to fully achieve the smashing of the bourgeois state. However, they acknowledge that in certain circumstances, such as in the United States with its existing nuclear weapons, some aspects of the armed forces may need to be retained temporarily until the global revolution is accomplished.
The Gang continues our first Close Reading of Friedrich Engels' 1847 communist FAQ "The Principles of Communism". Part 3 of 3
Uphold the teachings of Engels senpai!
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