Socialism is a mode of production, characterized by public ownership as the principle aspect of the economy, and the working classes in charge of the state. It isn’t something to be “found,” or something already present in capitalist society, it’s something to be realized by overthrowing the capitalist state and replacing it with a socialist one. Even if every single working-class individual agreed that socialism is necessary, you still need to organize, and you still need to overthrow capitalism.
We aren’t at all saying the same thing. You’re saying that the system is fine, but workers need to simply realize their chains and it will all be good. I’m saying that that’s deliberate, and that even if everyone wanted socialism it wouldn’t happen without revolution.
Then I think our disagreement is how you define “the system”. There are many “systems” that people use for a lot of different things. Systems are neutral. They are tools. The only thing that makes them “good” or “bad” is how they’re used.
Capitalists have spent enormous amounts of money and a lot of time, turning those systems to their advantage. But, there’s nothing “wrong” with us using those same systems for our advantage. They are tools. They are meant to be used.
In the case of democracy, they function based on majority rule…which means that particular system is perfectly suited for the working class to use to our own advantage. We have the majority. That automatically should give us control over democracy. But it only works for us, if we all work together. If we aren’t unified, then we can’t change anything.
“Revolution” is just what happens when we finally get our shit together, and unify our efforts.
We cannot use the tools of capitalism for our advantage. Capitalist “democracy” is democracy for the capitalist class. The class that controls the means of production controls the state, and controls democracy. That is why the capitalist state needs to be smashed, and replaced with a socialist one.
Democracy is democracy. You may as well be saying, “We can’t use a Capitalist hammer. We need to smash all the Capitalist hammers, and make Socialist hammers, instead.” It’s absurd.
Nope, democracy depends on the class character of the state, which is not outside of the context of the economy but deeply embedded within it. Capitalists select the parties we can vote for, their representatives, and use the state to overturn any meaningful change.
You’re overthinking this, to the point where you aren’t listening to what I’m saying again. Systems are only “good” or “bad” because of how they are being used.
You are describing how they are being used, as a way of arguing against that point. How does that make sense to you?
I’m not even disagreeing with what you’re saying. I’m just wondering how you don’t understand what I’m saying. It’s like you’re saying the words, without actually thinking about what they mean.
I’m listening to what you’re saying, I just disagree with it. I’m not overthinking it, either. “Democracy” within the confines of a system where capitalists control the economy cannot be used to overturn their rule. You cannot ask them politely to give up their power, and they hold the state as well, even if the working classes were to win electorally, as Allende did in Chile and was coup’d shortly after for it. Revolution is necessary.
Socialism is a mode of production, characterized by public ownership as the principle aspect of the economy, and the working classes in charge of the state. It isn’t something to be “found,” or something already present in capitalist society, it’s something to be realized by overthrowing the capitalist state and replacing it with a socialist one. Even if every single working-class individual agreed that socialism is necessary, you still need to organize, and you still need to overthrow capitalism.
Lol! So, you’re saying the same thing I am, but downvoting me because you don’t understand what I’m saying. smh.
We aren’t at all saying the same thing. You’re saying that the system is fine, but workers need to simply realize their chains and it will all be good. I’m saying that that’s deliberate, and that even if everyone wanted socialism it wouldn’t happen without revolution.
Then I think our disagreement is how you define “the system”. There are many “systems” that people use for a lot of different things. Systems are neutral. They are tools. The only thing that makes them “good” or “bad” is how they’re used.
Capitalists have spent enormous amounts of money and a lot of time, turning those systems to their advantage. But, there’s nothing “wrong” with us using those same systems for our advantage. They are tools. They are meant to be used.
In the case of democracy, they function based on majority rule…which means that particular system is perfectly suited for the working class to use to our own advantage. We have the majority. That automatically should give us control over democracy. But it only works for us, if we all work together. If we aren’t unified, then we can’t change anything.
“Revolution” is just what happens when we finally get our shit together, and unify our efforts.
We cannot use the tools of capitalism for our advantage. Capitalist “democracy” is democracy for the capitalist class. The class that controls the means of production controls the state, and controls democracy. That is why the capitalist state needs to be smashed, and replaced with a socialist one.
Democracy is democracy. You may as well be saying, “We can’t use a Capitalist hammer. We need to smash all the Capitalist hammers, and make Socialist hammers, instead.” It’s absurd.
Nope, democracy depends on the class character of the state, which is not outside of the context of the economy but deeply embedded within it. Capitalists select the parties we can vote for, their representatives, and use the state to overturn any meaningful change.
You’re overthinking this, to the point where you aren’t listening to what I’m saying again. Systems are only “good” or “bad” because of how they are being used.
You are describing how they are being used, as a way of arguing against that point. How does that make sense to you?
I’m not even disagreeing with what you’re saying. I’m just wondering how you don’t understand what I’m saying. It’s like you’re saying the words, without actually thinking about what they mean.
I’m listening to what you’re saying, I just disagree with it. I’m not overthinking it, either. “Democracy” within the confines of a system where capitalists control the economy cannot be used to overturn their rule. You cannot ask them politely to give up their power, and they hold the state as well, even if the working classes were to win electorally, as Allende did in Chile and was coup’d shortly after for it. Revolution is necessary.