The Socialist Thread

The purpose of this thread is to serve as a discussion area for socialists of all forms. This thread will cover any topics appropriate for the coffee house. Rules are basically, that any posts by non-socialists will be deleted. I don't want to segregate our community, but I figured it's fair that we should be able to discuss things in a more friendly environment. Also, don't use this thread as an opportunity to insult other non-socialist members. All global forum rules apply here.

If you aren't a Socialist, I'd advise ignoring this thread. If you feel compelled, feel free to create your own for Capitalism, or whatever other ideology you follow.

Now, who wants to kickstart us with a topic?

Well, I will start it off by saying that my good friend Viking Socrates asked me what my stance was on Mao and Maoism, but as I might use this as a kick starting topic, what is your stance on Mao and Maoism?

I personally think Mao was a great leader and Maoism as a critical ideology was and still will be applied to the third world, but do you think Maoism can be applied in the industrialized first world countries or is that simply Marxism we need to apply in the first world?

Regarding Mao, I believe most of what we're told about him is lies/propaganda. Regarding Maoist theory theory, to be honest, I don't know that much about it. Speaking on Authoritarian socialism though, I do believe that some form of transitional stage is needed to reach a stateless society. As to whether the Dictatorship of the Proletarian serves that cause, I don't know.

I'm curious as to your opinion on more libertarian socialism - Do you think that Anarchism, or a stateless society without transition could work?

The transitional stage is essential for the communists and the proletariat. But what is also essential is that all socialist leaders need to follow the principles of Marxism, but some (Revisionists) will adopt some tenets of capitalism in a workers socialist state. However, I do kind of think it's a bad idea just because of the key examples of the Soviet Union which in the end adopted this right-wing policies.

I Personally wouldn't see it working. Jumping from a state to a stateless society is pretty difficult in the first place, but to do this in a quick amount of time, instead of not having any transitional period is asking for a lot. I believe the state is reliable in my course of completing the final transition to communism. It might not be in your perception to think that because your a libertarian socialist. Having a transitional period is significantly decisive, and just to keep on track with the principles of Marxism. Well, I mean there is always different ways of achieving communism, however for me, anarcho-communism is a good idea, but would it work. Maybe for you, but I (for the dozen time now) think it wouldn't successfully go down that well, but that's my opinion on libertarian socialism.

I consider myself a social democrat, and reside somewhere in the center-left politically. But I personally abhor totalitarianism in any guise, whether from the Right or Left.

Jesus Communist Christ?

Would you let a National Socialist in?
Sorry, but someone had to say it. Thingy's law.

You have to give us a big excuse why you and your national socialism views should be apart of the socialist internationale crowed here?

Note: I'm not being a complete douche to you because it's just how the fact that national socialism is normally viewed as different ethnic of fascism but in Germanic form. But that does go to question weather you view fascism on the left-wing or right-wing. Fascism has some correlations with yellow socialism.

Greatings, Aye' up Ducks and Chimchimeny. Regarding Mao, Personally I am not a fan of Mao mainly as I am a social Democrat, I belive In free speech and almost complete equality so yeah.

Yeah, I do believe in free enterprise. But I don't believe in rampant capitalism. I do believe that the free market should stay out of health care, the wealthy and corporations should be taxed greater, labor union representatives should have the right to sit in corporate board rooms to decide company decisions, a secular society, a strong social safety net must be in place, and there should be strong state support for public broadcasting and encouraging the arts (though without editorial or content interference), to name just a few things. In other words, I support a mixed economy.

But I am not a Marxist, Stalinist, Maoist or Trotskyist. I absolutely reject the more totalitarian and statist forms of socialism. I'll take a Clement Attlee, Willy Brandt, Lula de Silva any day over a Stalin, Mao, Hoxha, Gottwald, Ceausescu...

In regards to communism in the modern day, I can quote Slavoj Zizek (a radical himself), which goes something like this: "doesn't it worry you that the best managers of modern capitalism are Chinese communists instead of liberal democracies? That worries me."

If you want capitalism of any sort, sorry, your not a socialist.

If you want Capitalism go to Somalia. Considered to be the heaven of the free market and the true capitalist country. (right now im watching Maoist rebels YouTube channle and its amazing)

"In my view Ronald Reagan was not conservative enough nor did he every support the views of capitalism enough,--my teacher.

Lot of Social democrats here, It probably pisses of you True Communists.

When the revolution comes then we will all band together in the destruction of capitalism.

"True Communism" = Communism.

Ha, good luck with that.

Sorry dude. It doesn't work like that. Stop saying there can only be one brand of socialism. As someone who lives and works in Europe, all I can say is that viewpoint is narrow-minded, antiquated, and quite frankly, a load of shit. There are plenty of successful, social democratic countries in the world today, including this one (Germany). And I'm willing to bet most people who would be considered Left here in Europe would define themselves as social democrats, not firebrand Marxists.

Saying their's one brand of socialism is like saying there's one brand of libertarianism. As demonstrated from previous political arguments here on the forums, we know that's simply not true.

Exactly, man. I'd buy you a beer for that.

There are plenty of forms of socialism, but social democracy is not one of them. Guess what? I am not a Marxist(in the traditional sense atleast). Mutualism, Communism, Market Socialism, Egoism, Democratic Socialism, State Socialism, Syndicalism...

All these are socialist because they want common or workers ownership of the means of production, thats what socialism is.