Change the people, change the rules

I'm with Coyoteman, suck it up, then spit it out!

but-but-but

"it has to be shaped by our working class experience and practise within capitalism, and over the course of overthrowing or "replacing" it."

When the Danish union man (he came from 'the metal') Anker Jorgensen was elected Prime Minister, one of his former union brothers/voters/supporters confronted him with the words: "Cngrats, Anker. Now remember who you are!"

I think he actually did. But his governance was seen by some to be stolid and lackluster, for which reason he was in and out of office, alternating with some conservative guy. But I think my query here is: why do you think that changing the people will change the game? For those not getting elevated to political office, isn't one set of dudes pretty much the same as any other? Isn't it better to follow Buckminster Fuller's idea of building a new model that makes the old one obsolete?

I know that the specifics of the new model is forever the sticking point. Isn't it getting a bit embarrassing that the best we can come up with is replacing the bobbleheads with some of our own? Should we not get visionary and work on the better model, and do it real soon? How about starting with Ed deak's paradigm that includes thermodynamic parameters as economic entities, and the total change of perspective that would give? I saw a diagram some years ago, from, I think, some outfit called the center or institute or some such thing, for sustainability. It compared the old economic model with one that incorporated some new feedback mechanisms to do with sustainability, and it was pretty riveting, but I never saw a whole discussion evolving from it, for we always come back to this tired old idea of let's just jettison the old tyrants and then put in our own, er, tyrants (of a better sort, mind). The drawing table is an inescapable idea somehow...I also think it might serve to 'motivate' a few working Joes and Janes better. The metaphor of horses fleeing into the burning stable is not far off...

Dorothy

With Ed deak's paradigm, people can't get rich and powerful. Bit of a bummer, don't ya think?

Text books and reality I...

Capitalism took shape, not out of any text books particularly defining its detailed outlines, which came later in the works of such as Smith and Marx, but out of the popular risings, typically led or usurped by the new wealthy merchant classes, such Cromwell's Roundheads in England, against the monarchist feudal systems of Europe. Which, needless to say, over a convoluted historical events course, first succeeded in England, over the time frame of the 17th and Th centuries. The shape of this capitalism was less "theoretically" driven, than it was molded into its more or less current form by the ebb and flow of the struggle, and the comparative strengths of the peasant/artisan and wealthy merchant classes forces that engaged in the great revolt against feudalism. (Which ended, more or less, with the great historical compromise, at least in England, that gave real power to the rising new merchant and industrial ruling class, and figure head power and participation opportunity to the old ruling nobility... resulting in the parliamentary House of Commons and House of Lords system, such as we have a "modification" of ourselves.)

And while some folks, especially of limited intellectual grasp of the complexity of the revolutionary process, would have us tied up in the knots of dotting every i and crossing every t, into a blind alley infinity, the "flawed" and "more clumsily complex reality" is, that this is not how it will begin, or likely evolve. It will of greater likelihood be a more down in the mud, the blood and the beer course that gives the new order structure and shape.

(Which should not prevent those of greater or different intellectual skills than I, and time, from attempting to create the great works that will be needed, carrying the works of Ricardo, Smith and especially Marx forward-, laying the "theoretical foundations" for the new working class centred democratic socio-economic system. They are of greater likelihood however, to follow real developments on the ground, as to illuminate it greatly in advance.Which is NOT to say, they will be valueless. Far from it.)

Continued next post...

Text Books and Reality II...

From previous post...

As I say, typically it is small minds of little reach and less preparedness to engage in the nit and grit of real struggle to transform society, and shape it over the course of that, who feel the need for the soother sucking comfort of something "written down" in advance of doing very much of anything. Even then, there is always other excuses for failing to act which keep them in the place from which they never ever move. Nothing is ever quite good enough for them.

Whereas, I think, the essential shape of what is needed is already by now clear: A democratic social and economic order that includes, nay is centred around the needs of the overwhelming majority working class, which includes working intellectuals, and places all power, in the final analysis, into their hands... starting with control of their work places (economic enterprises) and communities. And from there, evolving such a democratically controlled national political system as is needed.... based upon the principles of party/non-party proportional representation.

The key though, is a popular based system of working class control over the management, direction, priorities, and distribution of share of/from economic activity. For the real source of ruling class power currently is, their ownership and control of the economy, regardless of who or which group is in power. Which brings them all to bend the knee to them.

What's needed is less theory at this point, than mobilization, organization and engagement in the coming revolutionary struggle. The "great theories" will flow out of this as an after product.

You and Matthew

“…The shape of this capitalism was less "theoretically" driven, than it was molded into its more or less current form by the ebb and flow of the struggle, and the comparative strengths of the peasant/artisan and wealthy merchant classes forces that engaged in the great revolt against feudalism. “

- And what a great success that was!

“As I say, typically it is small minds of little reach and less preparedness to engage in the nit and grit of real struggle to transform society, and shape it over the course of that, who feel the need for the soother sucking comfort of something "written down" in advance of doing very much of anything. Even then, there is always other excuses for failing to act which keep them in the place from which they never ever move. Nothing is ever quite good enough for them.”

Maybe they think we got burned once and should be twice shy…?

“…the essential shape of what is needed is already by now clear: A democratic social and economic order that includes, nay is centred around the needs of the overwhelming majority working class, which includes working intellectuals, and places all power, in the final analysis, into their hands... starting with control of their work places (economic enterprises) and communities.”

“a popular based system of working class control over the management, direction, priorities, and distribution of share of/from economic activity. For the real source of ruling class power currently is, their ownership and control of the economy, regardless of who or which group is in power. Which brings them all to bend the knee to them.”

less theory at this point, than mobilization, organization and engagement in the coming revolutionary struggle. The "great theories" will flow out of this as an after product.

But one thing is sure: The dictatorship of the proletariat. Some people still want to tag my neighborhood, even if they don’t live here and pay taxes…

Matthew, chapter 6:

6:25 Therefore, I tell you, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
6:26 See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they?
6:27 "Which of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to the measure of his life?
6:28 Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, [compare]
6:29 yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.

You and Marx

Ah, maybe the capitalists DID have the right approach? And the fact that we are now supposed to mount a revolution we haven’t bothered to engineer too much in advance (just jump right in!), well we’re on the right track here, endorsed by both the Bible and the present holders of power, which of course they won’t be for much longer. Er, logic in that? Not necessarily, but who cares, we can’t just sit there. That would put us in the same class with lazy wimps like Dorothy. But wait, there’s more:

Quote from Wikipedia:

http://atheism.about.com/od/philosophyofreligion/a/marx.htm

‘According to Marx, religion is an expression of material realities and economic injustice. Thus, problems in religion are ultimately problems in society. Religion is not the disease, but merely a symptom. It is used by oppressors to make people feel better about the distress they experience due to being poor and exploited. This is the origin of his comment that religion is the “opium of the masses” — but as shall see, his thoughts are much more complex than commonly portrayed.

For Marx, economics are what constitute the base of all of human life and history — generating division of labor, class struggle, and all the social institutions which are supposed to maintain the status quo. Those social institutions are a superstructure built upon the base of economics, totally dependent upon material and economic realities but nothing else. All of the institutions which are prominent in our daily lives — marriage, church, government, arts, etc. — can only be truly understood when examined in relation to economic forces.

According to Marx, religion is one of those social institutions which are dependent upon the material and economic realities in a given society. It has no independent history but is instead the creature of productive forces. As Marx wrote, “The religious world is but the reflex of the real world.” ‘

So, we come full circle here. Capitalist reality to religious philosophy to political strategy to “new reality” that will somehow in the process be magically transformed into something fabulous even though we are putting further details on the intellectual backburner for the great minds to work on, when we have procured suitable office space by giving the present wrongful occupants the boot.

“Just get in there and take over, clear the territory by whatever means necessary and at hand, and then, once it’s ours, we can work out the details? As spoken by all the corporations, beginning with the East Asiatic company!

http://www.gangsofamerica.com/gangsofamerica.pdf

I’m still, as a member of that ‘working class’, wondering what the deuce is in it for me?? Are you not getting through your head that I’m one of those you will try to ‘motivate and mobilize’??

Embrace It...

I suspect most of you folks are doing precisely what I am: watching the new revolutionary period unfold in shifting winds of reality at the G20. (It matters not what bible thumpers and/or others may think "theoretically". There it is. Stark. Naked. Real.Physical, rather than intellectual.)

Don't kid yourselves, beyond the circle of goon squad phalanx lines (cops) of the ruling class and its State power, those who are directing it know very well what they are doing. Only some of us will have any doubts. They are sending a message, and "THEY" know it.

They don't give a rat's ass what you think, or what your sense of morality or belief system is.

Whether or not you are part of the "Black Block", violent or peaceful, we don't give a fuck. If you dare stand in opposition to us, we will crush you.

"Thank you.", though that is more tongue in cheek said than not. You of the system's goon squad sensibilities did more to advance the revolutionary cause today, than we, of the serious left, could have ever done without you.

Welcome to the new socio-economic period, in all its consequences. Welcome to the new period of revolutionary struggle for a new democratic reality, and for the re-assertion of working class rights and dreams.

The future is no doubt unfolding as it is anyway... even should. Embrace it.