Marxist Basics

First off hooray, we all have our own board!

Now moving on, Marxism is probably one of the most misrepresented ideologies of our common time. Through things such as the cold war and the Soviet Union most of what actual communism is has been lost or brutally distorted. I am making this thread for any who would like to learn about the basics of Marxism or build upon their previous knowledge.


First and foremost...

Manifesto of the Communist Party
By Karl Marx and Frederick Engels
www.newyouth.com... sto.html
-You know what this is...


Books (for those with a lot of time and intrest)

Reason in Revolt: Marxism and Modern Science
By Alan Woods and Ted Grant
www.marxist.com...
-All about Marxist theory and the modern world.


Russia: from Revolution to Counter-Revolution
By Ted Grant
www.marxist.com...
-All about the events before, during, and preceding the October revolution and the Soviet Union. Shows the origional ideals and plans with which the revolution was set, the betraying of the revolution, the left opposition, etc. A very good read.


The State and Revolution
by V.I. Lenin
www.marxist.com...
-The Marxist Theory of the State and the Tasks of the Proletariat in the Revolution.


Revolution Betrayed
by Leon Trotsky
www.marxists.org...
-Stalinism, October revolution, the Bolsheviks, yadda yadda...


Shorties(for those who want to get the basics)

Basic points of Dialectical Materialism
by John Pickard
www.marxist.com...
-the above book, but shorter

Socialism and Religion
V. I. Lenin
www.newyouth.com... n.html
-Ever wonder what role religion would play under communism if its the "opiate of the masses?" Heres a chance to find out.


Theory of Alienation
by Karl Marx
www.marxists.org...
-Marxist view on human nature under capitalism.

Nice library.

Why do you opine that Marxism is "misrepresented"?

Is it because Marxist education is the single largest threat to the fat cats and aristocrats and those who live off the back of the labor pool, that Marx's stuff and communism are presented in the west as "evil"?

Is that why it is taught that Marxist philosophies cannot work, as if it they been proven not to work?

Is that why foreigners travelling to the US still have to attest whether they have ever been a member of a Communist Party?

Capital... it fails us now. It is time for good men to come to the aid of the party. Viva la revolution... and other battle cries. And yeah, g'day. Enjoy.

Aaah double post son!

All in the name of refrence and education.


And thumbs up for answering your own question.

Now a question for you, when you say this...

Do you mean Capital as in the book Das Kapital or as in Capital/Capitalism/Money?

I think he (i'm assuming its a he) means capital as in money and the ideals of capitalism.

to the point: Marxism is indeed heavily misunderstood. A lot of intelligent people who would normally be interested in new ideas tend to shy away from Marxism because it has been vilified as evil in capitalist countries. In the US, the witchhunt is still on. Many who would normally be revolutionary marxists take a more moderate reformist stance, and try to work within the framework of power structures in our capitalist government (elections, parliament, etc). This is the first stumbling block. For true revolution to overcome the oppression of our current system, its loyalists cannot falter and stray towards reformist marxism. Revolution is the only way.

Go start your own Communist country... Or move to Finland... I'm enjoying living off the backs of the oppressed in my great Capitalist country right now.

It'll never happen in the U.S., to many people believe in a higher being. A being more poweful then their government. Although I see the ACLU (admittingly founded by commies) is really doing their best to rid the country of that belief as I type this post.

Best of luck

Finland is communist?

We need an idiocy tamer around here. Never mind a "liberal" tamer.


I know quite a few people living in Finland who are happy citizens. They have access to near free education, work standard 40 hours, get good quality health care, overall seem to be a lot more.. I should say less stressed than the American people.


The only one who is living off the back of anyone is the multibillionare CEO's and there lackeys. They live pefectly in the greatest conditions while the worker who ensures that his company will continue to run is paid a pitiful pittance or has his job outsourced in favor of cheap slave labor for $.2 cents an hour elsewhere.

Sure the worker is replacable.. but without the worker the CEO is done for. It is the worker who makes up the backbone of society.

[edit on 18-12-2004 by RedOctober90]

You obviously aren’t that quick in catching the subtle humor of my post. I know Finland isn’t Communist country. Socialism in the U.S. will never work though. Comparing Finland or any other European country to the U.S. for that matter is “idiotic.” It may work fine in smaller countries like “Finland,” but they have nowhere near the population, population diversity, economic value, etc. of the U.S.

You’re rewarded in this country for being a value to society. If you try, you can and will succeed. If you want to live in a stress free utopia try buying a gun or move to Finland.

I am studying Marxism in a Social Inequality course now; and comparing him to Weber and Durkheim and all of the other influential thinkers of their time, I would take Karl in a second.

I am new to his ideas and am just piercing the skin now; I love his optimism in the lonely factory worker and his hate for the fat kat captitalist. If only his thoughts were even possible I believe we would live in a better world. Those with power are deemed to abuse it, damn you capitalists.

To be honest mate, I have this done already here and in a fair bit more detail than is on here.

Good job son, and only six months after this was created, kudos.