From: mim3-AT-mim.org
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 1998 22:48:21 -0500 (EST)
Subject: M-G: Re: Communism vs. Socialism


[Original comment]
I'm new to this list, have only recently discovered Marxism (I'm 
self-educating as best I can) and have an observation of Marxist 
internet links and a question I'd like to hear some discussion of:  
In 4 months of spending lunch-hours and after-hours eagerly
searching the internet for Marxist essays, propoganda, and 
organizations, I'm still perplexed that there's only one organization 
I could find (the Progressive Labor Party) believes in "fighting 
directly for  communism"!   Why are all the other revolutionary 
movements promoting socialism?  To me, the PLP's view  makes
sense  - that socialism naturally leads to capitalism (maybe 
even "perfects" capitalism so that it appears to be the best way to 
go?  - that my suspicion).  Anyway,  I'm surprised that no other
communist organizations have that view.  I know that many 
socialists believe that moving directly to communism would be
too drastic, and I can understand that some peope would feel
that way.  However, we're talking about people and organizations
that believe that the world is otherwise capable of adapting to 
enormous fundamental changes that a successful revolution would 
implement   - why do such people and organizations see real 
communism as too revolutionary?  Wouldn't the difficulties of 
instituting Marxist socialism be every bit as daunting as creating
a communist government?  Etc.   Thanks to anyone who gives
me feedback!

MIM3 replies: How refreshing to read something from someone open about
their studies. There are other organizations fighting directly for
communism as you say. They are anarchists. However, I will agree with Rolf
at least that communism involves no state. 

I believe if you ask them, the PLP will say it is for a dictatorship of
the proletariat as a state, but it really only wants communism in economic
policy.  If they say no that's not accurate, come back and I'll prove it
from their writings. 

They want war communism like in the early period of the Bolshevik
Revolution. 

You have opened a very important question and I hope that you
will follow it through to the end --including PLP's views.

The real problem with PLP's views is that they lack materialist method. 
Formulating strategy and principles for struggle is not just a matter of
coming up with the nicest list of poetry. I wish I could fly in space
unaided by mechanical devices.  I really do. That does not mean others who
are studying rocket science are not serious about getting into space while
I am.  That's the difference between materialist science and moralizing
idealism. Studying and work through the details of rocket science
will be much quicker to get someone into space than my wish
to get there.

Now PLP says socialism leads to capitalism. How stupid! Then we can say
that primitive communism leads to slavery! Oh sure, the PLP publishes
articles about primitive communism, but do they print them to make a
religion out of communism or to actually get to communism? Alternatively
we can say that PLP's idea of communism leads to capitalism--because where
has PLP's stuff led to communism? In practice, their ideas are part
of the status quo.

You need to decide for yourself if liberation of nations is a step
forward. PLP says no.

Then what about eradicating "to each according to his coupons (deeds,
stocks etc)"--is that progress or not? Who achieved this progress in
history? Not the PLP or its line anywhere.  Sure it was set back in China,
but does that excuse PLPism for never getting that far? You need a
concrete yardstick. It's not a matter of formulating the highest sounding
principles. History is full of people that made all high and mighty
pronouncements who never contributed anything to a successful struggle.

One last thing--MIM is actually the contemporary successor
to the original PLP, ideologically. The PLP started out as a 
Maoist party and then decided to careen into idealist
oblivion. More on that if you are interested later.





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