Chomsky explains the cold war in 5 minutes

[xerx]

Been reading some Marxism (not that Chomsky's one!); Hobsbawm has the same views.

[Kill4Me]

Been reading some Marxism (not that Chomsky's one!); Hobsbawm has the same views.

heh. marxism is like ben franklin's mug...looks good on paper, but nowhere else.

[xerx]

heh. marxism is like ben franklin's mug...looks good on paper, but nowhere else.

I read anything I can get my hands on. But I'mma give it to 'em at least this once.

[Red Villain]

Been reading some Marxism (not that Chomsky's one!); Hobsbawm has the same views.

There's a tendency for people to gloss over the history of the Soviet Union as one economic system whereas in reality it went through many transitory stages. This is a very concise, easy to read exposition that goes over some of the economic changes that took place after Stalin's death. This is a more detailed account.

I've studied Marxism for about 7 years, so just let me know if you need any more recommendations or clarifications to compliment your reading.

[xerx]

There's a tendency for people to gloss over the history of the Soviet Union as one economic system whereas in reality it went through many transitory stages. This is a very concise, easy to read exposition that goes over some of the economic changes that took place after Stalin's death. This is a more detailed account.

I've studied Marxism for about 7 years, so just let me know if you need any more recommendations or clarifications to compliment your reading.

Thank you! Looks like I'm in for a crazy next few months.

I also have books from Samir Amin and and Ernest Mandel on my bookshelf. But I should probably read Das Kapital first, if anything. Too bad I don't have as much time as I'd like to devote myself to this stuff. Gotta slave away for my capitalist masters.

Say, what do you think of left-wing liberalism, which advocates a capitalist economy mixed with social programs for the poor? Do you see it as creating an unstable social contract that glosses over a fundamentally flawed market system?

[Kill4Me]

Say, what do you think of left-wing liberalism, which advocates a capitalist economy mixed with social programs for the poor?

It ain't capitalism unless them programs are voluntaristic, opt-in, opt-out. Otherwise you'd be advocating for government coercion: contribute to these social programs or else.

[Red Villain]

Thank you! Looks like I'm in for a crazy next few months.

I also have books from Samir Amin and and Ernest Mandel on my bookshelf. But I should probably read Das Kapital first, if anything. Too bad I don't have as much time as I'd like to devote myself to this stuff. Gotta slave away for my capitalist masters.

Say, what do you think of left-wing liberalism, which advocates a capitalist economy mixed with social programs for the poor? Do you see it as creating an unstable social contract that glosses over a fundamentally flawed market system?

The first three chapters of Capital are hard to get through, but it's worth. If you do decide to tackle it, I suggest picking up David Harvey's "A Companion To Marx's Capital". If reading a book while reading a book isn't your thing, you can find video lectures of the book here.

Concerning "Left-wing" liberalism;

Unlike the anarchists, the Marxists recognize struggle for reforms, i.e., for measures that improve the conditions of the working people without destroying the power of the ruling class. At the same time, however, the Marxists wage a most resolute struggle against the reformists, who, directly or indirectly, restrict the aims and activities of the working class to the winning of reforms. Reformism is bourgeois deception of the workers, who, despite individual improvements, will always remain wage-slaves, as long as there is the domination of capital.

The liberal bourgeoisie grant reforms with one hand, and with the other always take them back, reduce them to naught, use them to enslave the workers, to divide them into separate groups and perpetuate wage-slavery. For that reason reformism, even when quite sincere, in practice becomes a weapon by means of which the bourgeoisie corrupt and weaken the workers. The experience of all countries shows that the workers who put their trust in the reformists are always fooled.

[Scapegrace]

Yup. Chomp-ski is an idiot. Next.

[xerx]

The first three chapters of Capital are hard to get through, but it's worth. If you do decide to tackle it, I suggest picking up David Harvey's "A Companion To Marx's Capital". If reading a book while reading a book isn't your thing, you can find video lectures of the book here.

I'll look into it.