This 16-minute audio is me “just talking” off the top of my head about the chilling absence of serious revolutionary socialist and communist vision on what passes for a “radical left” in the USA, crippled by deeply embedded anti-communism.
Upon reading the other comments, mostly geared to idealogical concepts which most "common" people wouldn't understand even if they were forced to read them, reinforces my opinion stated below. Do "we want to change the world," or do we want to argue non-relevant points about idealogy?
I do have a better solution. I am a member of a Marxist-Leninist party you have dissed more than once in the past. Our work involves not only intensive study of theory and history, but an equal or greater per centage of time going out on the street, and educating the proles, as well as encouraging our members to join and form unions so that when, not if, the whole house of cards comes crashing down, we will be prepared what to do as experienced organizers.
Our members have started unions for Starbucks workers, for Gig Workers, for graduate students at universities, burdened by heavy, unpaid teaching schedules, etc. We have had a strong presence at antiwar protests for over twenty years. We reach out to both veterans active duty military, and get active duty military out.
We don't just sit around saying this is our leader read his books, and then maybe we might have a plan for some undetermined revolutionary event in the future. Which is why our party is growing. We have a central committee, we don't have a single leader. That is dangerous, and can become cult-like. The RCP seems to do little more than act as one big infomercial for Bob Avakian's books. How many branches do the Revcoms have around the country? What kind of open solidarity do you have with parties, and leaders, in the Global South?
Unless you get out in the streets and build a real proletariat movement, you can't really call yourself a party.
Paul, I deeply respect your open-mindedness and the intellectual depth of your work. Your invitation to explore diverse perspectives has inspired this response. While I hold no disdain for the Revcoms' content, nor do I assert the superiority of my viewpoints, I present them here for your thoughtful consideration.
Firstly, I propose that the use of '-isms' often acts as a barrier, diverting our attention from the fundamental issues. Terms like 'capitalism,' 'socialism,' or 'communism' tend to steer the discourse into the realm of ideology, a space where only the most well-versed readers can truly engage. Others have a conditioned response based upon their ingrained beliefs. This, I believe, calls for a deeper level of critical thinking.
Instead, I suggest we direct our focus to the underlying problem, which I perceive as a distorted value system that places money above life. Barring the most extreme narcissists this is a simple and universally acknowledged truth that resonates with most individuals. It doesn't necessitate any ideological allegiance. I sense a burgeoning awareness that, with a little more nurturing, could lead to a transformative shift, rather than a disruptive revolution.
Moment of Truth: Crucial Problems for The New Communism is a first-of-its-kind deep dive into ideological and political issues that are sabotaging the potential of the new synthesis of communism developed by Bob Avakian to truly become a “source of hope and daring.”
This polemic is authored by an informal collective of former members of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA.
2. Critical Notes on Raymond Lotta’s 2021 “Imperialist Parasitism and Class-Social Recomposition” PDF HTML
3. Additional Notes on Imperialist Parasitism and Bourgeoisification: A Legacy of “Ignore-Ance” by Avakian and The Revcoms on the Problem of Bourgeoisification PDF HTML
4. Wrong Diagnosis—Wrong Cure: Bob Avakian’s Serious Deviations on the Issue of Fascism and How to Fight It PDF HTML
5. Further Adventures in The Mass Line: Comments by Daunte Reed on the article SCIENTIFIC COMMUNIST THEORY AND THE PROBLEM WITH MASS LINE by Bob Avakian PDF HTML
6. Critique of Avakian’s “Now is a Rare Time When Revolution is Possible” Line PDF HTML
7. BA vs BA: BA’s Methodological Problems PDF HTML
8. Conclusion PDF HTML
Appendices
A. The Mass Line and the Struggle Over It, by Daunte Reed PDF HTML
B. Charting the Uncharted Course – Proletarian Revolution in the U.S.! by the RCP, 1980 PDF HTML
C. Polemical paper against the line and methodology of the RCP’s position on the question of world war in the 1980s, by an RCP member, 1986 with: 2024 Editors’ Note: Justification and Disclaimer
well that looks like hours if not days of reading, with the potential to tip my printer past its exhaustion point. LOL I hope it's not a reprise of the preposterous Kites assault and influenced by the buffoonish comrade Ajith. But I'll give it a look when time allows.
Thanks Paul! You can read it all online if your eyeballs can take it!
But no-- This is not like the Kites or Ajith stuff. It first of all supports the basic tenets of BA's new synthesis of communism. But it also does a deep-dive analysis of major shortcomings in BA line that are not in conformity with the crucial basics of the new communism. This is demonstrated in the articles.
I am sure you may strongly disagree with the conclusions. But it is important to wrangle with the analysis. Which is something the revcoms are loath to do. Avakian has refused to apply to his own work the scientific critical thinking he has applied to the achievements and shortcomings of the first wave of communist revolutions.
Paul, if your readers/ listeners have one, I doubt they could lay out a serious revolutionary alternative to the RCP without risking entrapment!
Since legislators are unwilling to defend the US constitution I propose the Revcoms hold a fundraiser to send every Rep, Senator, Biden, and Trump a copy of Avakian’s draft proposal for The New Socialist Republic of North America. Give them more to think about.
In the meantime, I do not oppose or dismiss reformists any more than I oppose or dismiss Revcoms. Election reform, campaign reform, removal of the electoral college, a Senate based on representation of population rather than state boundaries — I will not dismiss or ignore these possibilities and more.
Moment of Truth: Crucial Problems for The New Communism is a first-of-its-kind deep dive into ideological and political issues that are sabotaging the potential of the new synthesis of communism developed by Bob Avakian to truly become a “source of hope and daring.”
This polemic is authored by an informal collective of former members of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA.
2. Critical Notes on Raymond Lotta’s 2021 “Imperialist Parasitism and Class-Social Recomposition” PDF HTML
3. Additional Notes on Imperialist Parasitism and Bourgeoisification: A Legacy of “Ignore-Ance” by Avakian and The Revcoms on the Problem of Bourgeoisification PDF HTML
4. Wrong Diagnosis—Wrong Cure: Bob Avakian’s Serious Deviations on the Issue of Fascism and How to Fight It PDF HTML
5. Further Adventures in The Mass Line: Comments by Daunte Reed on the article SCIENTIFIC COMMUNIST THEORY AND THE PROBLEM WITH MASS LINE by Bob Avakian PDF HTML
6. Critique of Avakian’s “Now is a Rare Time When Revolution is Possible” Line PDF HTML
7. BA vs BA: BA’s Methodological Problems PDF HTML
8. Conclusion PDF HTML
Appendices
A. The Mass Line and the Struggle Over It, by Daunte Reed PDF HTML
B. Charting the Uncharted Course – Proletarian Revolution in the U.S.! by the RCP, 1980 PDF HTML
C. Polemical paper against the line and methodology of the RCP’s position on the question of world war in the 1980s, by an RCP member, 1986 with: 2024 Editors’ Note: Justification and Disclaimer
It explains a lot about BA and the RCP. But it misses a key point: communists are always a minority, even in Mao's China. But who makes history? The masses, in their millions, most of who are not communists, and most even unlikely to become communists. This is where the 'magic weapon' of the united front comes in as a bridge to these masses and their thinking. And to do united front work well requires 'the mass line.' All consciousness is conflicted, and the mass line is a method of pedagogy, of learning and teaching, wherein the actual thinking, or the many ways of thinking, of the masses, and how we can connect with them and engage in revolutionary education. In the beginning, Lincoln's army was mostly racist and only a few were abolitionists. By the war's end, most troops were anti-slavery and marched to 'John Brown's Body.' Their ideas were still in conflict, but the militant minority of the 'Wide Awakes,' and the Germans of 1848 had done some education among them, not to mention the Black soldiers as well. Black freedmen and white 'scalawags' learned to unite in the 'abolition democracies' of Black Reconstruction. They were our 'Paris Communes' only they lasted longer and id more. But still not enough.
Upon reading the other comments, mostly geared to idealogical concepts which most "common" people wouldn't understand even if they were forced to read them, reinforces my opinion stated below. Do "we want to change the world," or do we want to argue non-relevant points about idealogy?
Taylor is awesome.
I do have a better solution. I am a member of a Marxist-Leninist party you have dissed more than once in the past. Our work involves not only intensive study of theory and history, but an equal or greater per centage of time going out on the street, and educating the proles, as well as encouraging our members to join and form unions so that when, not if, the whole house of cards comes crashing down, we will be prepared what to do as experienced organizers.
Our members have started unions for Starbucks workers, for Gig Workers, for graduate students at universities, burdened by heavy, unpaid teaching schedules, etc. We have had a strong presence at antiwar protests for over twenty years. We reach out to both veterans active duty military, and get active duty military out.
We don't just sit around saying this is our leader read his books, and then maybe we might have a plan for some undetermined revolutionary event in the future. Which is why our party is growing. We have a central committee, we don't have a single leader. That is dangerous, and can become cult-like. The RCP seems to do little more than act as one big infomercial for Bob Avakian's books. How many branches do the Revcoms have around the country? What kind of open solidarity do you have with parties, and leaders, in the Global South?
Unless you get out in the streets and build a real proletariat movement, you can't really call yourself a party.
Paul, I deeply respect your open-mindedness and the intellectual depth of your work. Your invitation to explore diverse perspectives has inspired this response. While I hold no disdain for the Revcoms' content, nor do I assert the superiority of my viewpoints, I present them here for your thoughtful consideration.
Firstly, I propose that the use of '-isms' often acts as a barrier, diverting our attention from the fundamental issues. Terms like 'capitalism,' 'socialism,' or 'communism' tend to steer the discourse into the realm of ideology, a space where only the most well-versed readers can truly engage. Others have a conditioned response based upon their ingrained beliefs. This, I believe, calls for a deeper level of critical thinking.
Instead, I suggest we direct our focus to the underlying problem, which I perceive as a distorted value system that places money above life. Barring the most extreme narcissists this is a simple and universally acknowledged truth that resonates with most individuals. It doesn't necessitate any ideological allegiance. I sense a burgeoning awareness that, with a little more nurturing, could lead to a transformative shift, rather than a disruptive revolution.
Thank you again for your stimulating words.
https://Fresh-Look.net
Moment of Truth:
Crucial Problems for The New Communism
Moment of Truth: Crucial Problems for The New Communism is a first-of-its-kind deep dive into ideological and political issues that are sabotaging the potential of the new synthesis of communism developed by Bob Avakian to truly become a “source of hope and daring.”
This polemic is authored by an informal collective of former members of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA.
Table of Contents
©2024 Fresh Look
1. Introduction PDF HTML
2. Critical Notes on Raymond Lotta’s 2021 “Imperialist Parasitism and Class-Social Recomposition” PDF HTML
3. Additional Notes on Imperialist Parasitism and Bourgeoisification: A Legacy of “Ignore-Ance” by Avakian and The Revcoms on the Problem of Bourgeoisification PDF HTML
4. Wrong Diagnosis—Wrong Cure: Bob Avakian’s Serious Deviations on the Issue of Fascism and How to Fight It PDF HTML
5. Further Adventures in The Mass Line: Comments by Daunte Reed on the article SCIENTIFIC COMMUNIST THEORY AND THE PROBLEM WITH MASS LINE by Bob Avakian PDF HTML
6. Critique of Avakian’s “Now is a Rare Time When Revolution is Possible” Line PDF HTML
7. BA vs BA: BA’s Methodological Problems PDF HTML
8. Conclusion PDF HTML
Appendices
A. The Mass Line and the Struggle Over It, by Daunte Reed PDF HTML
B. Charting the Uncharted Course – Proletarian Revolution in the U.S.! by the RCP, 1980 PDF HTML
C. Polemical paper against the line and methodology of the RCP’s position on the question of world war in the 1980s, by an RCP member, 1986 with: 2024 Editors’ Note: Justification and Disclaimer
well that looks like hours if not days of reading, with the potential to tip my printer past its exhaustion point. LOL I hope it's not a reprise of the preposterous Kites assault and influenced by the buffoonish comrade Ajith. But I'll give it a look when time allows.
Thanks Paul! You can read it all online if your eyeballs can take it!
But no-- This is not like the Kites or Ajith stuff. It first of all supports the basic tenets of BA's new synthesis of communism. But it also does a deep-dive analysis of major shortcomings in BA line that are not in conformity with the crucial basics of the new communism. This is demonstrated in the articles.
I am sure you may strongly disagree with the conclusions. But it is important to wrangle with the analysis. Which is something the revcoms are loath to do. Avakian has refused to apply to his own work the scientific critical thinking he has applied to the achievements and shortcomings of the first wave of communist revolutions.
Cheers!
Paul, if your readers/ listeners have one, I doubt they could lay out a serious revolutionary alternative to the RCP without risking entrapment!
Since legislators are unwilling to defend the US constitution I propose the Revcoms hold a fundraiser to send every Rep, Senator, Biden, and Trump a copy of Avakian’s draft proposal for The New Socialist Republic of North America. Give them more to think about.
In the meantime, I do not oppose or dismiss reformists any more than I oppose or dismiss Revcoms. Election reform, campaign reform, removal of the electoral college, a Senate based on representation of population rather than state boundaries — I will not dismiss or ignore these possibilities and more.
Where is 'the mass line' in all of this? How do we assess 'the advanced,' the 'middle', the 'backward'? Here's my two cents: https://carldavidson.substack.com/p/on-natural-vanguards
You won't find "the mass line," and here's why: https://revcom.us/en/bob_avakian/scientific-communist-theoryand-problem-mass-line
Critical analysis of the ideological and political line of Bob Avakian and the Revoms [including on The Mass line] can be found in:
https://Fresh-Look.net
Moment of Truth:
Crucial Problems for The New Communism
Moment of Truth: Crucial Problems for The New Communism is a first-of-its-kind deep dive into ideological and political issues that are sabotaging the potential of the new synthesis of communism developed by Bob Avakian to truly become a “source of hope and daring.”
This polemic is authored by an informal collective of former members of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA.
Table of Contents
©2024 Fresh Look
1. Introduction PDF HTML
2. Critical Notes on Raymond Lotta’s 2021 “Imperialist Parasitism and Class-Social Recomposition” PDF HTML
3. Additional Notes on Imperialist Parasitism and Bourgeoisification: A Legacy of “Ignore-Ance” by Avakian and The Revcoms on the Problem of Bourgeoisification PDF HTML
4. Wrong Diagnosis—Wrong Cure: Bob Avakian’s Serious Deviations on the Issue of Fascism and How to Fight It PDF HTML
5. Further Adventures in The Mass Line: Comments by Daunte Reed on the article SCIENTIFIC COMMUNIST THEORY AND THE PROBLEM WITH MASS LINE by Bob Avakian PDF HTML
6. Critique of Avakian’s “Now is a Rare Time When Revolution is Possible” Line PDF HTML
7. BA vs BA: BA’s Methodological Problems PDF HTML
8. Conclusion PDF HTML
Appendices
A. The Mass Line and the Struggle Over It, by Daunte Reed PDF HTML
B. Charting the Uncharted Course – Proletarian Revolution in the U.S.! by the RCP, 1980 PDF HTML
C. Polemical paper against the line and methodology of the RCP’s position on the question of world war in the 1980s, by an RCP member, 1986 with: 2024 Editors’ Note: Justification and Disclaimer
It explains a lot about BA and the RCP. But it misses a key point: communists are always a minority, even in Mao's China. But who makes history? The masses, in their millions, most of who are not communists, and most even unlikely to become communists. This is where the 'magic weapon' of the united front comes in as a bridge to these masses and their thinking. And to do united front work well requires 'the mass line.' All consciousness is conflicted, and the mass line is a method of pedagogy, of learning and teaching, wherein the actual thinking, or the many ways of thinking, of the masses, and how we can connect with them and engage in revolutionary education. In the beginning, Lincoln's army was mostly racist and only a few were abolitionists. By the war's end, most troops were anti-slavery and marched to 'John Brown's Body.' Their ideas were still in conflict, but the militant minority of the 'Wide Awakes,' and the Germans of 1848 had done some education among them, not to mention the Black soldiers as well. Black freedmen and white 'scalawags' learned to unite in the 'abolition democracies' of Black Reconstruction. They were our 'Paris Communes' only they lasted longer and id more. But still not enough.