kjodle/essays-ccs
1
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull Requests Actions Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity

Running prettier.

Browse Source
This commit is contained in:
Dessalines 2023-04-10 09:34:06 -04:00
parent d60ae7d8ad
commit d22960dd4b
31 changed files with 492 additions and 483 deletions
Show Stats Download Patch File Download Diff File Expand all files Collapse all files

3
acab.md
View File

@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Police are the armed enforcers of the owning / capitalist class, in the US havin
Instead of solving thefts of personal property for working class people, they are themselves active thieves, generating over [$12B USD / year in "civil forfeiture"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_forfeiture_in_the_United_States), and even more profit through traffic offenses and court costs. Since 2012, [cops have stolen more property than burglars](https://i.redd.it/5rdxigt5ndo31.jpg) ( asset forfeiture ). You can call them to come stand around and scratch their heads for an hour (if they don't decide to shoot you), but more likely they'll be at a protest being active agents of the [US police state](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#pervasive)([pic](https://i.imgur.com/KRbulxR.jpg)), where they collect a massive amount of data on "troublemakers" using [facial recognition](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/how-facial-recognition-became-routine-policing-tool-america-n1004251), and [military grade equipment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militarization_of_police), ([pic](https://i.imgur.com/9wj0OG4.jpg)) against the citizens they occupy. Many of the largest corporations in the US, [openly bankroll police departments](https://news.littlesis.org/2020/06/18/corporate-backers-of-the-blue-how-corporations-bankroll-u-s-police-foundations/), helping them buy surveillance equipment, defensive gear, and military weaponry. Instead of solving thefts of personal property for working class people, they are themselves active thieves, generating over [$12B USD / year in "civil forfeiture"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_forfeiture_in_the_United_States), and even more profit through traffic offenses and court costs. Since 2012, [cops have stolen more property than burglars](https://i.redd.it/5rdxigt5ndo31.jpg) ( asset forfeiture ). You can call them to come stand around and scratch their heads for an hour (if they don't decide to shoot you), but more likely they'll be at a protest being active agents of the [US police state](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#pervasive)([pic](https://i.imgur.com/KRbulxR.jpg)), where they collect a massive amount of data on "troublemakers" using [facial recognition](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/how-facial-recognition-became-routine-policing-tool-america-n1004251), and [military grade equipment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militarization_of_police), ([pic](https://i.imgur.com/9wj0OG4.jpg)) against the citizens they occupy. Many of the largest corporations in the US, [openly bankroll police departments](https://news.littlesis.org/2020/06/18/corporate-backers-of-the-blue-how-corporations-bankroll-u-s-police-foundations/), helping them buy surveillance equipment, defensive gear, and military weaponry.
Oh but who will imprison the rapists? Not the police: Less than [0.5% of rapists are in prison](https://www.rainn.org/statistics/criminal-justice-system), despite [1 out of every 5 women being raped in the US](https://www.nsvrc.org/about-sexual-assault). Perpetrators of sexual violence are *less likely* to go to prison than for any other crime, such as non-violent drug offenses. Police, when not [abducting and raping women themselves](https://twitter.com/rontkim/status/1130889246162804737)(over [1200 formally charged incidents over a 9 year period, many of them during traffic stops](https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/19/us/police-sexual-assaults-maryland-scope/index.html)), [or beating their wives and kids in high numbers](https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/09/police-officers-who-hit-their-wives-or-girlfriends/380329/), have been shown to [protect high-status sex traffic rings](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/26/jimmy-savile-given-free-rein-to-sexually-abuse-60-people-report-finds), and famous, well-connected predators. Oh but who will imprison the rapists? Not the police: Less than [0.5% of rapists are in prison](https://www.rainn.org/statistics/criminal-justice-system), despite [1 out of every 5 women being raped in the US](https://www.nsvrc.org/about-sexual-assault). Perpetrators of sexual violence are _less likely_ to go to prison than for any other crime, such as non-violent drug offenses. Police, when not [abducting and raping women themselves](https://twitter.com/rontkim/status/1130889246162804737)(over [1200 formally charged incidents over a 9 year period, many of them during traffic stops](https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/19/us/police-sexual-assaults-maryland-scope/index.html)), [or beating their wives and kids in high numbers](https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/09/police-officers-who-hit-their-wives-or-girlfriends/380329/), have been shown to [protect high-status sex traffic rings](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/26/jimmy-savile-given-free-rein-to-sexually-abuse-60-people-report-finds), and famous, well-connected predators.
[Cops have a long history of murdering workers organizing for better conditions. ](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#workers-and-the-poor) It's no accident that cops usually hold [pro police rallies](https://www.voanews.com/europe/may-day-2019-workers-demand-rights-respect) on [May Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_affair), where cops killed a bunch of workers striking for an 8 hour day in Chicago, that has since become an international day comemmorating worker's rights. [Cops have a long history of murdering workers organizing for better conditions. ](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#workers-and-the-poor) It's no accident that cops usually hold [pro police rallies](https://www.voanews.com/europe/may-day-2019-workers-demand-rights-respect) on [May Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_affair), where cops killed a bunch of workers striking for an 8 hour day in Chicago, that has since become an international day comemmorating worker's rights.
@ -35,4 +35,3 @@ Oh, and for anyone wondering what the alternative is, here are some things domes
- Worker strikes, when they happened, were left alone. - Worker strikes, when they happened, were left alone.
- Had minimal crime rates, since homelessness and joblessness were low. - Had minimal crime rates, since homelessness and joblessness were low.
- Focused on rehabilitation, not punishment. - Focused on rehabilitation, not punishment.

8
aimixin_transitions_to_socialism.md
View File

@ -8,17 +8,17 @@ What Lenin and Stalin had argued is that working with other classes is not inher
The reason Engels, Lenin, and Stalin all defended this viewpoint was because it made sense given their material conditions. They couldn't just wave a magic wand and abolish the peasantry because they were part of the material foundations of the economic system, and so you had to work with them when possible. Mao also defended working with the peasantry and the national bourgeoisie during socialist construction and was really only opposed to working with foreign bourgeoisie and landlords. The reason Engels, Lenin, and Stalin all defended this viewpoint was because it made sense given their material conditions. They couldn't just wave a magic wand and abolish the peasantry because they were part of the material foundations of the economic system, and so you had to work with them when possible. Mao also defended working with the peasantry and the national bourgeoisie during socialist construction and was really only opposed to working with foreign bourgeoisie and landlords.
Economic planning is founded on public ownership, public ownership is founded on incredibly large-scale production built by markets. When the proletarian revolution occurs, if the entire economy is not *already* under a giant private monopoly, then inevitably, the material foundations to transform the economy into a fully planned economy would not exist, and you'd still have a large market sector. You can only establish economic planning to a scale proportional to your level of economic development which means the economy would not be fully planned. Economic planning is founded on public ownership, public ownership is founded on incredibly large-scale production built by markets. When the proletarian revolution occurs, if the entire economy is not _already_ under a giant private monopoly, then inevitably, the material foundations to transform the economy into a fully planned economy would not exist, and you'd still have a large market sector. You can only establish economic planning to a scale proportional to your level of economic development which means the economy would not be fully planned.
This was something Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin were all very well aware of. The *Manifesto* does not argue for the immediate abolition of all private property but a gradual abolition alongside economic development. Engels specifically says in *The Principles of Communism* that private property can only be abolished in proportion to the level of the development of the productive forces. Lenin argued in *The Tax in Kind* that immediate abolition of small producers would be economically impossible and suicidal. While Stalin went the furthest trying to fully plan the economy, he also admits in *Economic Problems of Socialism in the USSR* that he found such a task to be fundamentally impossible to achieve because of the low level of development of the USSR and that some markets had to remain. This was something Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin were all very well aware of. The _Manifesto_ does not argue for the immediate abolition of all private property but a gradual abolition alongside economic development. Engels specifically says in _The Principles of Communism_ that private property can only be abolished in proportion to the level of the development of the productive forces. Lenin argued in _The Tax in Kind_ that immediate abolition of small producers would be economically impossible and suicidal. While Stalin went the furthest trying to fully plan the economy, he also admits in _Economic Problems of Socialism in the USSR_ that he found such a task to be fundamentally impossible to achieve because of the low level of development of the USSR and that some markets had to remain.
Stalin had the additional idea of taking those market elements and transforming them into worker co-operatives in order to get rid of bourgeois ownership. However, there really is no theoretical basis for this in Marxism but just a strategy Stalin thought was useful in the USSR at the time. Stalin had the additional idea of taking those market elements and transforming them into worker co-operatives in order to get rid of bourgeois ownership. However, there really is no theoretical basis for this in Marxism but just a strategy Stalin thought was useful in the USSR at the time.
Che Guevara wrote a good critique of this in his book *Apuntes Críticos a la Economía Política* where he criticizes the USSR's economic textbooks for conflating things the USSR did with socialism in general, that the USSR being the first socialist experiment often failed to separate between what was specific to the USSR's material conditions and what could be applied universally. Che Guevara wrote a good critique of this in his book _Apuntes Críticos a la Economía Política_ where he criticizes the USSR's economic textbooks for conflating things the USSR did with socialism in general, that the USSR being the first socialist experiment often failed to separate between what was specific to the USSR's material conditions and what could be applied universally.
He goes onto criticize how there is no theoretical basis in Marxism for replacing all private ownership with co-ops and that co-ops do not constitute a form a socialist property, and in fact goes onto argue that workers in co-ops have fundamentally different class interests than workers in the public sector. The public sector workers benefit from an expansion of it, the co-op workers benefit from shrinking it, handing more power to the co-ops, accumulating more wealth individually, etc, etc. He goes onto criticize how there is no theoretical basis in Marxism for replacing all private ownership with co-ops and that co-ops do not constitute a form a socialist property, and in fact goes onto argue that workers in co-ops have fundamentally different class interests than workers in the public sector. The public sector workers benefit from an expansion of it, the co-op workers benefit from shrinking it, handing more power to the co-ops, accumulating more wealth individually, etc, etc.
He actually speculated the USSR might return to capitalism because they didn't take this problem seriously, that they assumed co-op workers had the same class interests as public-sector workers, and were not really concerned with what potential dangers they could present to constructing socialism. He also provides a couple examples where the co-op sector (the "kolkhozian class") conflicted with the public sector and the conflicts were resolved in favor of the kolkhozians, leading to deregulation and the restoration of buying and selling of means of production, something Stalin feared would end up laying the basis for the dismantling of the kolkhoz system in *Economic Problems* and potentially even the restoration of capitalism in the long-run. He actually speculated the USSR might return to capitalism because they didn't take this problem seriously, that they assumed co-op workers had the same class interests as public-sector workers, and were not really concerned with what potential dangers they could present to constructing socialism. He also provides a couple examples where the co-op sector (the "kolkhozian class") conflicted with the public sector and the conflicts were resolved in favor of the kolkhozians, leading to deregulation and the restoration of buying and selling of means of production, something Stalin feared would end up laying the basis for the dismantling of the kolkhoz system in _Economic Problems_ and potentially even the restoration of capitalism in the long-run.
Transforming the market sector fully into a co-operative sector was something the Soviets experimented due to the particularities of their material conditions, but it is nowhere to be found in Marxism and cannot be universalized to all countries nor is there any reason to, and the insistence that we have to embrace such as thing or else we're "revisionist" makes absolutely no sense and is just a dogmatic application of everything the Soviet Union did into other countries. Transforming the market sector fully into a co-operative sector was something the Soviets experimented due to the particularities of their material conditions, but it is nowhere to be found in Marxism and cannot be universalized to all countries nor is there any reason to, and the insistence that we have to embrace such as thing or else we're "revisionist" makes absolutely no sense and is just a dogmatic application of everything the Soviet Union did into other countries.

14
anticapitalist_orgs.md
View File

@ -2,36 +2,34 @@
## What can we do? ## What can we do?
Many think that fighting against capitalism feels a lot like throwing pebbles at a tidal wave. How can *I, alone*, do anything to stop all of the [injustices I see being committed?](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md) We see our neighbors being picked up and [deported by ICE](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#latinos), [police murdering and imprisoning us](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#black-people), debts that lock us into [indentured servitude](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#workers-and-the-poor), [global surveillance of every minute detail of our lives](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#pervasive), endless [wars and imperialism](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#imperialism), ecological destruction, and [literal slave labor camps](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#prisoners). Our rents, food costs, and debts are going up, and our [incomes have stagnated.](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/capitalism_doesnt_work.md) The media, and everything around us seems apathetic, complacent, and oblivious. Eight men currently control about half the world's wealth. Their share is growing daily, and will reach a conclusion obvious to anyone who's played monopoly before. With only our labor to sell, and the demand for that labor decreasing, things seem oppressively bleak. Many think that fighting against capitalism feels a lot like throwing pebbles at a tidal wave. How can _I, alone_, do anything to stop all of the [injustices I see being committed?](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md) We see our neighbors being picked up and [deported by ICE](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#latinos), [police murdering and imprisoning us](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#black-people), debts that lock us into [indentured servitude](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#workers-and-the-poor), [global surveillance of every minute detail of our lives](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#pervasive), endless [wars and imperialism](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#imperialism), ecological destruction, and [literal slave labor camps](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#prisoners). Our rents, food costs, and debts are going up, and our [incomes have stagnated.](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/capitalism_doesnt_work.md) The media, and everything around us seems apathetic, complacent, and oblivious. Eight men currently control about half the world's wealth. Their share is growing daily, and will reach a conclusion obvious to anyone who's played monopoly before. With only our labor to sell, and the demand for that labor decreasing, things seem oppressively bleak.
Here's the thing: **You are not alone**. In fact, **we wage workers are the majority**. The ruling class of [absentee owners](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/crash_course_socialism.md) makes up a *tiny minority* of your city's population. Often invisible to us, is the fact that we as wage workers are *surrounded by comrades* who share our same basic interests. Some hold more prejudices than others, but all are deserving of a comfortable life, free from fears about our health and living situation. We are impoverished by an *imposed artificial scarcity*, a mal-allocation of the things we need to survive. World food production and housing *already surpasses global needs*, yet [1 out of every 7 US citizens needs to visit food banks to survive.](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/17/hunger-study-food/14195585/) In the [UK there are 10x more houses than homeless families.](http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/ampp3d/housing-crisis-10-empty-homes-5008151) Our healthcare and other social services, which are in some cases ample, are increasingly being privatized and gutted. We know that by simply organizing and planning for *human needs rather than private profit*, we can solve our societal problems. We have but to shake off these mooching, leeching, capitalist parasites, like a dog shaking off fleas. Here's the thing: **You are not alone**. In fact, **we wage workers are the majority**. The ruling class of [absentee owners](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/crash_course_socialism.md) makes up a _tiny minority_ of your city's population. Often invisible to us, is the fact that we as wage workers are _surrounded by comrades_ who share our same basic interests. Some hold more prejudices than others, but all are deserving of a comfortable life, free from fears about our health and living situation. We are impoverished by an _imposed artificial scarcity_, a mal-allocation of the things we need to survive. World food production and housing _already surpasses global needs_, yet [1 out of every 7 US citizens needs to visit food banks to survive.](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/17/hunger-study-food/14195585/) In the [UK there are 10x more houses than homeless families.](http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/ampp3d/housing-crisis-10-empty-homes-5008151) Our healthcare and other social services, which are in some cases ample, are increasingly being privatized and gutted. We know that by simply organizing and planning for _human needs rather than private profit_, we can solve our societal problems. We have but to shake off these mooching, leeching, capitalist parasites, like a dog shaking off fleas.
How do we get there, how do we win? **We join anti-capitalist organizations.** How do we get there, how do we win? **We join anti-capitalist organizations.**
Capitalists retain their power through the strategy of *divide and conquer.* [Scapegoating hasn't gone out of style;](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scapegoating) the tactic has always been to blame certain races, sexes, religions, activists, and transform them into demons causing all the world's problems, so people won't point their fingers upwards. The *isolating individualism* [upheld by them](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_hegemony) pervades all aspects of our lives: we often live in isolated housing, we're actively told not to organize or form unions, the news tells us to be afraid of our neighbors... everything (even human life) has value only as a unit of *individual consumption.* Their ruling-class worldview becomes the accepted, the natural, the inevitable norm that is *good for all*, rather than one them benefits the ruling minority only. Profit and the *entrepeneurial capitalist innovator* become our new Gods, hiding the truth about our material conditions. There is a **finite number of hours of labor that can be done in a given day,** and most of it is going to absentee owners. Or as Eugene Debs put it, that "millions of men and women work all the days of their lives and secure barely enough for a wretched existence." Capitalists retain their power through the strategy of _divide and conquer._ [Scapegoating hasn't gone out of style;](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scapegoating) the tactic has always been to blame certain races, sexes, religions, activists, and transform them into demons causing all the world's problems, so people won't point their fingers upwards. The _isolating individualism_ [upheld by them](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_hegemony) pervades all aspects of our lives: we often live in isolated housing, we're actively told not to organize or form unions, the news tells us to be afraid of our neighbors... everything (even human life) has value only as a unit of _individual consumption._ Their ruling-class worldview becomes the accepted, the natural, the inevitable norm that is _good for all_, rather than one them benefits the ruling minority only. Profit and the _entrepeneurial capitalist innovator_ become our new Gods, hiding the truth about our material conditions. There is a **finite number of hours of labor that can be done in a given day,** and most of it is going to absentee owners. Or as Eugene Debs put it, that "millions of men and women work all the days of their lives and secure barely enough for a wretched existence."
Anti-Capitalist organization always has, and always will be, our only hope, and the only real threat to Capitalism. Malcolm X keenly stated that the hand becomes a weapon only when our fingers are **joined together into a fist.** Anti-Capitalist organization always has, and always will be, our only hope, and the only real threat to Capitalism. Malcolm X keenly stated that the hand becomes a weapon only when our fingers are **joined together into a fist.**
Our task is the same as it always has been: to **agitate, educate, organize, and join leftist organizations in our cities.** Our task is the same as it always has been: to **agitate, educate, organize, and join leftist organizations in our cities.**
Our pessimism or optimism is irrelevant: *we have no choice but to organize* for the overthrow of Capitalism; anything less results in a [destruction of the environment and our lives.](https://pics.onsizzle.com/in-this-hour-socialism-is-the-only-salvation-for-humanity-12219484.png) We have no time to waste, capitalists prefer our pacification and death, to our organized resistance. [The police state is here](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#pervasive), and no amount of [pacifist resistance](https://theredphoenixapl.org/2011/08/11/pacifism-how-to-do-the-enemys-job-for-them/) will threaten it. Our pessimism or optimism is irrelevant: _we have no choice but to organize_ for the overthrow of Capitalism; anything less results in a [destruction of the environment and our lives.](https://pics.onsizzle.com/in-this-hour-socialism-is-the-only-salvation-for-humanity-12219484.png) We have no time to waste, capitalists prefer our pacification and death, to our organized resistance. [The police state is here](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md#pervasive), and no amount of [pacifist resistance](https://theredphoenixapl.org/2011/08/11/pacifism-how-to-do-the-enemys-job-for-them/) will threaten it.
### Notes ### Notes
Lastly, for those who think that broadcasting a list like this (potentially to our enemies) harms the cause of anti-capitalism. Note that: Lastly, for those who think that broadcasting a list like this (potentially to our enemies) harms the cause of anti-capitalism. Note that:
- All of these organizations have (or should have) vetting processes in place for new members. - All of these organizations have (or should have) vetting processes in place for new members.
- These are all completely legal, *above ground* organizations. Many of them even do armed organizing where it is legal to do so. - These are all completely legal, _above ground_ organizations. Many of them even do armed organizing where it is legal to do so.
- Socialists disdain to conceal our aims; Reactionaries are a vocal minority that are given a loudspeaker by the capitalist media, but workers and those that believe in worker power have always outnumbered them. - Socialists disdain to conceal our aims; Reactionaries are a vocal minority that are given a loudspeaker by the capitalist media, but workers and those that believe in worker power have always outnumbered them.
This list is a living document; it will be updated as necessary. Feel free to contact me to add to this, fork this list, or create your own versions. This list is a living document; it will be updated as necessary. Feel free to contact me to add to this, fork this list, or create your own versions.
## Organizations ## Organizations
| Name | Tendency | Contact | Locations | | Name | Tendency | Contact | Locations |
|:---:|:---:|:---:|---| | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :------------------------------: | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Party for Socialism and Liberation](http://www.pslweb.org/) | Marxist-Leninist | [FB](https://www.facebook.com/pslweb/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pslweb) | US - Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; Miami, Florida; New Haven, Connecticut New Paltz and New York City (Harlem), New York; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles and the Inland Empire in California; Phoenix, Arizona; Seattle, Washington; Austin, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and St. Louis, Missouri | | [Party for Socialism and Liberation](http://www.pslweb.org/) | Marxist-Leninist | [FB](https://www.facebook.com/pslweb/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pslweb) | US - Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; Miami, Florida; New Haven, Connecticut New Paltz and New York City (Harlem), New York; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles and the Inland Empire in California; Phoenix, Arizona; Seattle, Washington; Austin, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and St. Louis, Missouri |
| [Socialist Party USA](http://socialistparty-usa.net/) | Multi-tendency | [FB](https://www.facebook.com/SPUSofA/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/SPofUSA) | US - New York City, New York; Washington, DC; Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; Montclair, New Jersey; Carrboro, North Carolina; Memphis, Tennessee; Los Angeles, Moorpark, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Puget Sound Region, Washington; Jackson, Mississippi; Golden Crescent Area, Rio Grande Valley, Houston, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Green Bay Area, Wisconsin; St. Louis, Missouri; Red River Region, Minnesota; Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; Chicago, Sauk Valley, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; | | [Socialist Party USA](http://socialistparty-usa.net/) | Multi-tendency | [FB](https://www.facebook.com/SPUSofA/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/SPofUSA) | US - New York City, New York; Washington, DC; Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; Montclair, New Jersey; Carrboro, North Carolina; Memphis, Tennessee; Los Angeles, Moorpark, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Puget Sound Region, Washington; Jackson, Mississippi; Golden Crescent Area, Rio Grande Valley, Houston, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Green Bay Area, Wisconsin; St. Louis, Missouri; Red River Region, Minnesota; Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; Chicago, Sauk Valley, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; |
| [Socialist Alternative](http://www.socialistalternative.org/) | Trotskyist | [FB](https://www.facebook.com/SocialistAlternativeUSA/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/SocialistAlt) | US - New York City, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Tampa, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennslyvania; Oakland, California; Seattle, Washington; New Orleans, Louisiana; Madison, Mobile, Alabama; Austin, Texas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Chicago, Illinois | | [Socialist Alternative](http://www.socialistalternative.org/) | Trotskyist | [FB](https://www.facebook.com/SocialistAlternativeUSA/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/SocialistAlt) | US - New York City, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Tampa, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennslyvania; Oakland, California; Seattle, Washington; New Orleans, Louisiana; Madison, Mobile, Alabama; Austin, Texas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Chicago, Illinois |

3
arm_frontpage.md
View File

@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
# Anticapitalist Revolutionary Movement (ARM) # Anticapitalist Revolutionary Movement (ARM)
ARM is a revolutionary anticapitalist organization with a commitment to: ARM is a revolutionary anticapitalist organization with a commitment to:
- Revolutionary overthrow of capitalism. - Revolutionary overthrow of capitalism.
- Direct-democracy in decision-making. - Direct-democracy in decision-making.
- Community organization providing alternatives to capitalism for housing, transportation, food, electricity, medical treatment, and education, seizing existing means if necessary. - Community organization providing alternatives to capitalism for housing, transportation, food, electricity, medical treatment, and education, seizing existing means if necessary.
- Resistance to racism, sexism, LGBTQ-hate, religious bigotry. - Resistance to racism, sexism, LGBTQ-hate, religious bigotry.
- A unified front, which may include *temporary alliances* with broad leftist causes, in order to provide a platform for agitation. - A unified front, which may include _temporary alliances_ with broad leftist causes, in order to provide a platform for agitation.

14
burn_the_constitution.md
View File

@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
# Burn the Constitution # Burn the Constitution
To emphasize the commonality To emphasize the commonality
of the 99 percent, to declare deep enmity of interest with the 1 percent, is to do exactly what the of the 99 percent, to declare deep enmity of interest with the 1 percent, is to do exactly what the
governments of the United States, and the wealthy elite allied to them-from the Founding Fathers to governments of the United States, and the wealthy elite allied to them-from the Founding Fathers to
@ -10,14 +8,14 @@ Constitution would control it. He and his colleagues began the Preamble to the C
the words "We the people ...," pretending that the new government stood for everyone, and hoping the words "We the people ...," pretending that the new government stood for everyone, and hoping
that this myth, accepted as fact, would ensure "domestic tranquility." that this myth, accepted as fact, would ensure "domestic tranquility."
## What is the Constitution? ## What is the Constitution?
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles and precedents according to which a state or an organization is governed. As a **foundational document**, it outlines the relationship between its subsections, defines how laws are made, what A constitution is a set of fundamental principles and precedents according to which a state or an organization is governed. As a **foundational document**, it outlines the relationship between its subsections, defines how laws are made, what
## The problems ## The problems
- The cult of the constitution - The cult of the constitution
### Who were the framers? ### Who were the framers?
- There is an almost religious devotion to which most citizens hold up both the constitution, and the framers - There is an almost religious devotion to which most citizens hold up both the constitution, and the framers
@ -40,18 +38,10 @@ A constitution is a set of fundamental principles and precedents according to wh
- Stop glorifying the framers as enlightened beings, when in reality they were the class enemies of the workers then, just as much as now. - Stop glorifying the framers as enlightened beings, when in reality they were the class enemies of the workers then, just as much as now.
- Realize that bourgeois political processes cannot reform the constitution. Improvements only occur when politicians are threatened by violence and instability. - Realize that bourgeois political processes cannot reform the constitution. Improvements only occur when politicians are threatened by violence and instability.
## ##
## ##
Things that were legal, and enforced by the police: Things that were legal, and enforced by the police:
- Holocaust - Holocaust

2
capitalism_doesnt_work.md
View File

@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ Lets unpack the idea that "Capitalism works". In the US, the most developed Capi
- [Capitalist monopolies in media, food, energy, and transportation, mostly controlled by ~200 powerful shareholders.](https://imgur.com/a/xgnEp) - [Capitalist monopolies in media, food, energy, and transportation, mostly controlled by ~200 powerful shareholders.](https://imgur.com/a/xgnEp)
- [Billionaires made enough money in 2017 to end poverty 7 times over.](https://www.newsweek.com/billionaires-money-end-poverty-report-786675) - [Billionaires made enough money in 2017 to end poverty 7 times over.](https://www.newsweek.com/billionaires-money-end-poverty-report-786675)
- [A reduction in US military spending of just 3% per year could end world hunger.](https://www.sharing.org/information-centre/blogs/3-us-military-spending-could-end-starvation-earth) - [A reduction in US military spending of just 3% per year could end world hunger.](https://www.sharing.org/information-centre/blogs/3-us-military-spending-could-end-starvation-earth)
- [US Life expectancy peaked in 2014](https://i.redd.it/6zo861tkn0441.png), is on the decline, and [is now lower than in China.](https://www.businessinsider.com/china-boasts-that-its-healthy-life-expectancy-beats-the-us-is-correct-2018-5), [2](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-life-expectancy/us-life-expectancy-declining-due-to-more-deaths-in-middle-age-idUSKBN1Y02C7) - [US Life expectancy peaked in 2014](https://i.redd.it/6zo861tkn0441.png), is on the decline, and [is now lower than in China.](https://www.businessinsider.com/china-boasts-that-its-healthy-life-expectancy-beats-the-us-is-correct-2018-5), [2](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-life-expectancy/us-life-expectancy-declining-due-to-more-deaths-in-middle-age-idUSKBN1Y02C7). The average US citizen [has a worse life expectancy](https://nitter.net/jburnmurdoch/status/1641799698058035200) than a citizen in the most impoverished city in England as of 2023.
- Suicide rates have leaped more than [33% in the last 20 years.](https://politsturm.com/american-suicide-rate-up-33/) [2](https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/07/health/suicide-report-cdc/index.html), [3](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2018/06/07/u-s-suicide-rates-rise-sharply-across-the-country-new-report-shows/?utm_term=.18c1060e6b2f) [Teen suicides are on the rise and outpacing all other age groups.](http://archive.is/Ips7C) - Suicide rates have leaped more than [33% in the last 20 years.](https://politsturm.com/american-suicide-rate-up-33/) [2](https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/07/health/suicide-report-cdc/index.html), [3](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2018/06/07/u-s-suicide-rates-rise-sharply-across-the-country-new-report-shows/?utm_term=.18c1060e6b2f) [Teen suicides are on the rise and outpacing all other age groups.](http://archive.is/Ips7C)
- A [Drug overdose epidemic, and suicides](https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2019-11-26/life-expectancy-decline-deaths-of-despair) are fueling a decrease in life expectancy. - A [Drug overdose epidemic, and suicides](https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2019-11-26/life-expectancy-decline-deaths-of-despair) are fueling a decrease in life expectancy.
- [Committed countless atrocities](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md), killing millions directly and indirectly across the globe. Currently maintains an [imperialist network](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df4R-xdKvpM) of over [800 military bases in 70 countries.](https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/06/us-military-bases-around-the-world-119321) (For comparison, all the other countries combined have only 30 bases) - [Committed countless atrocities](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/us_atrocities.md), killing millions directly and indirectly across the globe. Currently maintains an [imperialist network](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df4R-xdKvpM) of over [800 military bases in 70 countries.](https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/06/us-military-bases-around-the-world-119321) (For comparison, all the other countries combined have only 30 bases)

4
firearms_torrents.md
View File

@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
# Firearms torrents
*This is a list of firearms torrents, due to youtube likely removing them.*

14
glossary_of_socialist_terms.md
View File

@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Notes:
## Terms ## Terms
| Term | Definition | | Term | Definition |
| ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Capitalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism) | A system that allows private individuals to own the means of production, with the goal of extracting a profit from the sale of commodities produced by wage workers. | | [Capitalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism) | A system that allows private individuals to own the means of production, with the goal of extracting a profit from the sale of commodities produced by wage workers. |
| [Profit / Surplus Value](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surplus_value) | The difference between the value a worker adds, and the value that they receive (such as a wage) and are able to use for themselves. This surplus value goes to another leeching party that controls production (capitalists, slavemaster, etc). <br>`Surplus Value = Worker Value Added - Wage Paid`.<br>Synonymous with unpaid labor, profit, exploitation, and wage theft. | | [Profit / Surplus Value](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surplus_value) | The difference between the value a worker adds, and the value that they receive (such as a wage) and are able to use for themselves. This surplus value goes to another leeching party that controls production (capitalists, slavemaster, etc). <br>`Surplus Value = Worker Value Added - Wage Paid`.<br>Synonymous with unpaid labor, profit, exploitation, and wage theft. |
| [Communism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism) | A stateless, moneyless, and classless system where the means of production are democratically owned and controlled by the community, for the benefit of all. Production is planned for human needs, rather than private profit. It can also refer to the movement towards communism. | | [Communism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism) | A stateless, moneyless, and classless system where the means of production are democratically owned and controlled by the community, for the benefit of all. Production is planned for human needs, rather than private profit. It can also refer to the movement towards communism. |
@ -35,20 +35,20 @@ Notes:
| [Labor Aristocracy](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/zak_cope_divided_favorites.md) | The section of the international working class whose privileged position in lucrative job markets opened up by imperialism guarantees its receipt of wages approaching or exceeding the per capita value created by the working class as a whole. The class interests of the labor aristocracy are bound up with those of the capitalist class, such that if the latter is unable to accumulate superprofits then the super-wages of the labor aristocracy must be reduced. | | [Labor Aristocracy](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/zak_cope_divided_favorites.md) | The section of the international working class whose privileged position in lucrative job markets opened up by imperialism guarantees its receipt of wages approaching or exceeding the per capita value created by the working class as a whole. The class interests of the labor aristocracy are bound up with those of the capitalist class, such that if the latter is unable to accumulate superprofits then the super-wages of the labor aristocracy must be reduced. |
| [Bourgeois Democracy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_in_Marxism) | The name that socialists use to refer to modern representative liberal democracies, criticized as being democracies for the rich only, since representatives and the media in capitalist countries are the puppets controlled by capitalists. | | [Bourgeois Democracy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_in_Marxism) | The name that socialists use to refer to modern representative liberal democracies, criticized as being democracies for the rich only, since representatives and the media in capitalist countries are the puppets controlled by capitalists. |
| [Reformism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformism) | A position that advocates gradually transforming a capitalist economy into a qualitatively different socialist system through political and economic reform, in contrast to revolutionary socialism. Synonymous with evolutionary socialism. | | [Reformism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformism) | A position that advocates gradually transforming a capitalist economy into a qualitatively different socialist system through political and economic reform, in contrast to revolutionary socialism. Synonymous with evolutionary socialism. |
| [Revisionism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revisionism_(Marxism)) | A pejorative term used by Marxists to refer to the common practice of "watering down", or blunting the revolutionary spirit of historical figures and theories, in order to make their ideas more *acceptable* to the ruling class. It often refers to bourgeois scholars transforming revolutionary icons into pacifists, or to socialist societies that have abandoned progress towards communism. | | [Revisionism](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revisionism_(Marxism)>) | A pejorative term used by Marxists to refer to the common practice of "watering down", or blunting the revolutionary spirit of historical figures and theories, in order to make their ideas more _acceptable_ to the ruling class. It often refers to bourgeois scholars transforming revolutionary icons into pacifists, or to socialist societies that have abandoned progress towards communism. |
| [Cultural Hegemony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_hegemony) | The domination of a culturally diverse society by the ruling class who manipulate the culture of that society—the beliefs, explanations, perceptions, values, and mores—so that their imposed, ruling-class worldview becomes the accepted cultural norm; the universally valid dominant ideology, which justifies the social, political, and economic status quo as natural and inevitable, perpetual and beneficial for everyone, rather than as artificial social constructs that benefit only the ruling class. | | [Cultural Hegemony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_hegemony) | The domination of a culturally diverse society by the ruling class who manipulate the culture of that society—the beliefs, explanations, perceptions, values, and mores—so that their imposed, ruling-class worldview becomes the accepted cultural norm; the universally valid dominant ideology, which justifies the social, political, and economic status quo as natural and inevitable, perpetual and beneficial for everyone, rather than as artificial social constructs that benefit only the ruling class. |
| [The State](https://theimmortalscience.wordpress.com/2017/02/27/the-state-and-revolution-an-overview/) | In Leninism, the state is a *special organization of force* used for the suppression of one class by another. Under capitalist society, the state upholds capitalism and wields force to suppress the working class. In socialism, state power is held by workers and uses force to suppress the capitalist class. In general terms, a state is any politically organized community under a single government. | | [The State](https://theimmortalscience.wordpress.com/2017/02/27/the-state-and-revolution-an-overview/) | In Leninism, the state is a _special organization of force_ used for the suppression of one class by another. Under capitalist society, the state upholds capitalism and wields force to suppress the working class. In socialism, state power is held by workers and uses force to suppress the capitalist class. In general terms, a state is any politically organized community under a single government. |
| [Imperialism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperialism) | The domination of a weaker country by a stronger one; referring primarily to the conquering and exploitation of the land, labor, and natural resources of the weaker country. In Leninism, imperialism is the final stage of capitalism, where finance capital is exported to undeveloped economies, resulting in the colonization and division of the world amongst capitalist monopolies. Geopolitical conflict ensues over this economic exploitation, and the resulting super-profits permit businessmen to bribe native politicians and labor leaders, and intervene militarily to suppress worker revolts. | | [Imperialism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperialism) | The domination of a weaker country by a stronger one; referring primarily to the conquering and exploitation of the land, labor, and natural resources of the weaker country. In Leninism, imperialism is the final stage of capitalism, where finance capital is exported to undeveloped economies, resulting in the colonization and division of the world amongst capitalist monopolies. Geopolitical conflict ensues over this economic exploitation, and the resulting super-profits permit businessmen to bribe native politicians and labor leaders, and intervene militarily to suppress worker revolts. |
| [Nationalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism) | An ideology which emphasizes nations (and often specific races living in those nations), self-governance, national identity, and patriotism over internationalism. Communists want working-class internationalism, but also defend the right of nations to be free from imperialism. | | [Nationalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism) | An ideology which emphasizes nations (and often specific races living in those nations), self-governance, national identity, and patriotism over internationalism. Communists want working-class internationalism, but also defend the right of nations to be free from imperialism. |
| [Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution) | A fundamental change in political power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time when the population rises up in revolt against the current authorities. In Marxism, a revolution is expropriation and smashing of existing property relations, with the proletariat being the only truly revolutionary class that can enact this social transformation. | | [Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution) | A fundamental change in political power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time when the population rises up in revolt against the current authorities. In Marxism, a revolution is expropriation and smashing of existing property relations, with the proletariat being the only truly revolutionary class that can enact this social transformation. |
| [Praxis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praxis_(process)) | The act of engaging, applying, exercising, realizing, or practicing ideas. Theory in action. | | [Praxis](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praxis_(process)>) | The act of engaging, applying, exercising, realizing, or practicing ideas. Theory in action. |
| [Dictatorship of the Proletariat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictatorship_of_the_proletariat) | A transitional state of affairs, between capitalism and communism, in which the working class holds political power, and is in the process of changing the means of production from private, to social ownership. Dictatorship doesn't refer to an autocracy, but rather that the working class now dictates what happens in society. | | [Dictatorship of the Proletariat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictatorship_of_the_proletariat) | A transitional state of affairs, between capitalism and communism, in which the working class holds political power, and is in the process of changing the means of production from private, to social ownership. Dictatorship doesn't refer to an autocracy, but rather that the working class now dictates what happens in society. |
| [Dialectical Materialism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectical_materialism) | The evolution of the natural world and the emergence of new qualities of being at new stages of evolution. It also recognizes that the mode of production is the main motive force of history, and contains contradictions (such as class struggle), whose resolution results in the development of new modes of production and social organization. | | [Dialectical Materialism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectical_materialism) | The evolution of the natural world and the emergence of new qualities of being at new stages of evolution. It also recognizes that the mode of production is the main motive force of history, and contains contradictions (such as class struggle), whose resolution results in the development of new modes of production and social organization. |
| [Labor theory of value](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_theory_of_value) | A theory of value that argues that the economic value of a good or service is determined by the total amount of average socially necessary labor required to produce it, rather than by the use or pleasure its owner gets from it. | | [Labor theory of value](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_theory_of_value) | A theory of value that argues that the economic value of a good or service is determined by the total amount of average socially necessary labor required to produce it, rather than by the use or pleasure its owner gets from it. |
| [Socialism in one country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism_in_One_Country) | A theory by Joseph Stalin and Nikolai Bukharin, that given the failure of the European revolutions of the early 1900s (except in Russia), that the Soviet Union should strengthen itself internally, and postpone exporting world-revolution. Also called siege socialism. | | [Socialism in one country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism_in_One_Country) | A theory by Joseph Stalin and Nikolai Bukharin, that given the failure of the European revolutions of the early 1900s (except in Russia), that the Soviet Union should strengthen itself internally, and postpone exporting world-revolution. Also called siege socialism. |
| [Permanent Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_revolution) | In Marxism, the strategy of a revolutionary class to continue to pursue its class interests independently and without compromise, despite overtures for political alliances, and despite the political dominance of opposing sections of society. In Trotskyism, PR holds that the only way to achieve world communism is to allow the revolution to spread unimpeded from nation to nation, the theory that a revolution in one nation would ignite revolutionary fervor worldwide, and that full scale working class revolution must be allowed to germinate. | | [Permanent Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_revolution) | In Marxism, the strategy of a revolutionary class to continue to pursue its class interests independently and without compromise, despite overtures for political alliances, and despite the political dominance of opposing sections of society. In Trotskyism, PR holds that the only way to achieve world communism is to allow the revolution to spread unimpeded from nation to nation, the theory that a revolution in one nation would ignite revolutionary fervor worldwide, and that full scale working class revolution must be allowed to germinate. |
| [Right of nations to self-determination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leninism#National_self-determination) | In Lenin's words: "The bourgeois nationalism of any oppressed nation has a general democratic content that is directed against oppression, and it is this content that we unconditionally support. At the same time, we strictly distinguish it from the tendency towards national exclusiveness." In short, its much easier to fight a one front war against local capitalists, than a two front war against much more powerful imperialists. | | [Right of nations to self-determination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leninism#National_self-determination) | In Lenin's words: "The bourgeois nationalism of any oppressed nation has a general democratic content that is directed against oppression, and it is this content that we unconditionally support. At the same time, we strictly distinguish it from the tendency towards national exclusiveness." In short, its much easier to fight a one front war against local capitalists, than a two front war against much more powerful imperialists. |
| [Democratic Centralism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_centralism) | A tenet of Leninism, described as, *diversity in discussion, unity in action.* After decisions are reached, they are followed by the group. | | [Democratic Centralism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_centralism) | A tenet of Leninism, described as, _diversity in discussion, unity in action._ After decisions are reached, they are followed by the group. |
| [Vanguardism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanguardism) | A strategy whereby the most class-conscious and politically advanced sections of the working class form organizations in order to draw larger sections of the workers towards revolutionary politics and serve as manifestations of proletarian political power against its class enemies. | | [Vanguardism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanguardism) | A strategy whereby the most class-conscious and politically advanced sections of the working class form organizations in order to draw larger sections of the workers towards revolutionary politics and serve as manifestations of proletarian political power against its class enemies. |
| [Two Stage Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-stage_theory) | Argues that underdeveloped countries, such as Tsarist Russia, must first pass through a stage of capitalism before moving to a socialist stage. | | [Two Stage Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-stage_theory) | Argues that underdeveloped countries, such as Tsarist Russia, must first pass through a stage of capitalism before moving to a socialist stage. |
| [Mass Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_line) | In Mao-Zedong-thought, a method of growing class consciousness and communism, where communists consult the masses, interpret their ideas and suggestions within the framework of Marxism-Leninism, decide how to best solve those problems through collective action, and then enforce those resulting policies. | | [Mass Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_line) | In Mao-Zedong-thought, a method of growing class consciousness and communism, where communists consult the masses, interpret their ideas and suggestions within the framework of Marxism-Leninism, decide how to best solve those problems through collective action, and then enforce those resulting policies. |
@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ Notes:
| [Cultural Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Revolution) | In Mao-Zedong-thought, the idea that capitalist values do constantly re-appear within the communist party, although not uniformly. It is up to the people, who are the real motive force in world history, to call out and denounce capitalist values and corrupt people in positions of authority, and "bombard the headquarters", to ensure the elimination of bourgeois values and cement proletarian power. In short, "it is always right to rebel." | | [Cultural Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Revolution) | In Mao-Zedong-thought, the idea that capitalist values do constantly re-appear within the communist party, although not uniformly. It is up to the people, who are the real motive force in world history, to call out and denounce capitalist values and corrupt people in positions of authority, and "bombard the headquarters", to ensure the elimination of bourgeois values and cement proletarian power. In short, "it is always right to rebel." |
| [United Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_front) | In Trotskyism, an initiative whereby communists propose to join with all workers belonging to other parties and groups and all unaligned workers in a common struggle to defend the immediate, basic interests of the working class against the bourgeoisie. Through united struggle, many workers can be won over to revolutionary socialism. | | [United Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_front) | In Trotskyism, an initiative whereby communists propose to join with all workers belonging to other parties and groups and all unaligned workers in a common struggle to defend the immediate, basic interests of the working class against the bourgeoisie. Through united struggle, many workers can be won over to revolutionary socialism. |
| [Transitional Demand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transitional_demand) | In Trotskyism, an agitational demand made by a socialist organization with the aim of linking the current situation to progress towards their goal of a socialist society. Transitional demands differ from calls for reform in that they call for things that governments and corporations are unwilling or unable to offer, and therefore, any progress towards obtaining a transitional demand is likely to weaken capitalism and strengthen the hand of the working class. Examples of transitional demands would be "Employment for all" or "Housing for all"; demands that sound reasonable to the average citizen, but are practically impossible for capitalism to deliver on. | | [Transitional Demand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transitional_demand) | In Trotskyism, an agitational demand made by a socialist organization with the aim of linking the current situation to progress towards their goal of a socialist society. Transitional demands differ from calls for reform in that they call for things that governments and corporations are unwilling or unable to offer, and therefore, any progress towards obtaining a transitional demand is likely to weaken capitalism and strengthen the hand of the working class. Examples of transitional demands would be "Employment for all" or "Housing for all"; demands that sound reasonable to the average citizen, but are practically impossible for capitalism to deliver on. |
| [Dual Power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_power_(Russian_Revolution)) | A tenet of Leninism, in which two powers, one proletarian (workers' councils / direct democratic organizations) and one capitalist (the official state apparatus) coexist and compete for legitimacy, during the transition away from capitalism. | | [Dual Power](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_power_(Russian_Revolution)>) | A tenet of Leninism, in which two powers, one proletarian (workers' councils / direct democratic organizations) and one capitalist (the official state apparatus) coexist and compete for legitimacy, during the transition away from capitalism. |
| [Protracted Peoples War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxism%E2%80%93Leninism%E2%80%93Maoism#People.27s_War) | In Mao-Zedong-thought, a strategy for achieving communism that includes winning the support of the locals (usually the peasantry) in areas away from capitalist strongholds, waging unconventional guerrilla warfare, and building institutions of dual power to replace capitalist ones. | | [Protracted Peoples War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxism%E2%80%93Leninism%E2%80%93Maoism#People.27s_War) | In Mao-Zedong-thought, a strategy for achieving communism that includes winning the support of the locals (usually the peasantry) in areas away from capitalist strongholds, waging unconventional guerrilla warfare, and building institutions of dual power to replace capitalist ones. |
| Workers Militia | An important focus of Trotskyism, where local, self-organized working-class militias, fighting for their class interests, are the primary vehicle to achieve socialism. | | Workers Militia | An important focus of Trotskyism, where local, self-organized working-class militias, fighting for their class interests, are the primary vehicle to achieve socialism. |
| [Accelerationism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerationism) | The support for increasing the oppression of capitalism in the hope that class contradictions will reach a point that revolution will become more likely. Accelerationists might view our current situation as boiling a frog in water slowly, while a stark uptick in oppression will cause workers to revolt. Few communists support it, because it harms working people, and historically increased oppression hasn't lead to increased chance of revolt. What leads to revolution is actually socialist organization efforts, and a growth in class conciousness. | | [Accelerationism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerationism) | The support for increasing the oppression of capitalism in the hope that class contradictions will reach a point that revolution will become more likely. Accelerationists might view our current situation as boiling a frog in water slowly, while a stark uptick in oppression will cause workers to revolt. Few communists support it, because it harms working people, and historically increased oppression hasn't lead to increased chance of revolt. What leads to revolution is actually socialist organization efforts, and a growth in class conciousness. |
@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ Notes:
## Branches ## Branches
| Branch | Description | | Branch | Description |
| ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Marxism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxism) | A socialist tradition created by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, that places emphasis on the means of production, your relation to them, and the inherent class struggle involved between those who control production, and those who don't. | | [Marxism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxism) | A socialist tradition created by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, that places emphasis on the means of production, your relation to them, and the inherent class struggle involved between those who control production, and those who don't. |
| [Leninism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leninism) | A branch of Marxism developed by Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks drawn from their experiences in early 20th century Russia. Important concepts include vanguardism, dictatorship of the proletariat (and how to transition to communism), dual power, the right of nations to self-determination, imperialism, and democratic centralism. The goal of Leninism is the development of a worker state capable of withstanding capitalist encirclement (often called siege socialism), in order to protect and continue the transition to communism, as well as aid other anti-imperialist nations. | | [Leninism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leninism) | A branch of Marxism developed by Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks drawn from their experiences in early 20th century Russia. Important concepts include vanguardism, dictatorship of the proletariat (and how to transition to communism), dual power, the right of nations to self-determination, imperialism, and democratic centralism. The goal of Leninism is the development of a worker state capable of withstanding capitalist encirclement (often called siege socialism), in order to protect and continue the transition to communism, as well as aid other anti-imperialist nations. |
| [Marxism-Leninism (ML)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxism%E2%80%93Leninism) | A term created by Joseph Stalin to refer to the ideology of the USSR, generally synonymous with Leninism. | | [Marxism-Leninism (ML)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxism%E2%80%93Leninism) | A term created by Joseph Stalin to refer to the ideology of the USSR, generally synonymous with Leninism. |

40
how_to_win_a_revolution.md
View File

@ -14,62 +14,98 @@ Look at the lives of successful revolutionaries.
- Like the anarchists cookbook, or how to win a revolution - Like the anarchists cookbook, or how to win a revolution
# Table of Contents # Table of Contents
1. [What is a Revolution?](#what-is-a-revolution) 1. [What is a Revolution?](#what-is-a-revolution)
1.1. [The Ruling Class](#the-ruling-class) 1.1. [The Ruling Class](#the-ruling-class)
2. [Example2](#example2) 2. [Example2](#example2)
3. [Third Example](#third-example) 3. [Third Example](#third-example)
## The Crisis ## The Crisis
Short description of why capitalism is bad, why reformism doesn't work, and why revolution is necessary. A short description also of the path, as given in Lenin's S+R. We won't know how the world will exactly look without wage slavery, whether it will be a bookchin-like communalism, or TODO include picture fully automated luxury gay space communism. Short description of why capitalism is bad, why reformism doesn't work, and why revolution is necessary. A short description also of the path, as given in Lenin's S+R. We won't know how the world will exactly look without wage slavery, whether it will be a bookchin-like communalism, or TODO include picture fully automated luxury gay space communism.
## ##
## What is a Revolution? ## What is a Revolution?
### The Ruling, and the Ruled ### The Ruling, and the Ruled
Property relations. Who controls the means of production, and how this is organized. Property relations. Who controls the means of production, and how this is organized.
When one group of people overthrows another, to become the new dominant, ruling class. "Political Revolutions" and "Coups" are often not revolutions at all. Replacing one military dictator, with another, without changing the class-nature of the power structure, isn't a revolution. When one group of people overthrows another, to become the new dominant, ruling class. "Political Revolutions" and "Coups" are often not revolutions at all. Replacing one military dictator, with another, without changing the class-nature of the power structure, isn't a revolution.
## Conditions ## Conditions
### Dissatisfaction ### Dissatisfaction
What is this pointed at? Minorities? The ruling class? Where is the rage directed at? Where the rage gets directed, is where the guns get pointed. What is this pointed at? Minorities? The ruling class? Where is the rage directed at? Where the rage gets directed, is where the guns get pointed.
### Solidarity / Class Conciousness ### Solidarity / Class Conciousness
#### Unified class interests #### Unified class interests
#### Comradery, and friendship #### Comradery, and friendship
#### Social Justice #### Social Justice
### Armed population ### Armed population
### Leadership ### Leadership
#### Organization #### Organization
#### Decision-making #### Decision-making
## Strategy ## Strategy
### Organizing ### Organizing
Why organizing is necessary. Use trotskys article on why individual terrorism is bad. Need class nature. Why organizing is necessary. Use trotskys article on why individual terrorism is bad. Need class nature.
#### Political Parties #### Political Parties
#### Unionism in the 21st century #### Unionism in the 21st century
#### Spreading the message #### Spreading the message
Pablo iglesias video, language and propaganda. Agitprop. Memes. Pablo iglesias video, language and propaganda. Agitprop. Memes.
### Location ### Location
Why the countryside / forests is no longer a viable 'cover' for guerilla warfare. Guerillas need safety, and protection, IE, cover, can't have meetings and organize, no rifle practice. David Kilcullen video, 45:45. Max Boot on guerilla warfare. Traditionally guerillas weren't successful in cities. Today we have foliage penetrating radar that can see through forests, Drones that can surveil mountain ranges 24 hours a day. No more cover in the rural environment anymore, the cover is in the cities. Governments try to understand the information about cities, knowing who people are, where they live, where they go. These pieces of information can be obfuscated and made confusing. Why the countryside / forests is no longer a viable 'cover' for guerilla warfare. Guerillas need safety, and protection, IE, cover, can't have meetings and organize, no rifle practice. David Kilcullen video, 45:45. Max Boot on guerilla warfare. Traditionally guerillas weren't successful in cities. Today we have foliage penetrating radar that can see through forests, Drones that can surveil mountain ranges 24 hours a day. No more cover in the rural environment anymore, the cover is in the cities. Governments try to understand the information about cities, knowing who people are, where they live, where they go. These pieces of information can be obfuscated and made confusing.
The cover areas must be in slums, or 'illegible' territory, IE areas where capital has no vision. The cover areas must be in slums, or 'illegible' territory, IE areas where capital has no vision.
### Strikes ### Strikes
Workers councils in the 21st century don't have the same power as they did in earlier times. Automation, and a labor surplus means that workers tactics like strikes, sit-ins, aren't as effective as in earlier times. Workers councils in the 21st century don't have the same power as they did in earlier times. Automation, and a labor surplus means that workers tactics like strikes, sit-ins, aren't as effective as in earlier times.
### Arming ### Arming
### Fighting ### Fighting
#### Tech #### Tech
Syrian rebels using android phones to control mortars. Drones. Self-created armored vehicles, alshams, miniature lightweight, home-made tank. Remote controlled machine gun, with armored video cameras. Consumer electronics, urban environment, democratized military tech. David kilcullen out of the mountains youtube, 26:21. OpenStreetMaps for strategy. Syrian rebels using android phones to control mortars. Drones. Self-created armored vehicles, alshams, miniature lightweight, home-made tank. Remote controlled machine gun, with armored video cameras. Consumer electronics, urban environment, democratized military tech. David kilcullen out of the mountains youtube, 26:21. OpenStreetMaps for strategy.
### Winning the battle of public opinion ### Winning the battle of public opinion
In 2010, Kilcullen brought together his writings in his book Counterinsurgency and developed his understanding of counterinsurgency to address the globalized threat of radical Islam. He argues that successful counterinsurgency is about out-governing the enemy and winning the adaptation battle to provide integrated measures to defeat insurgent tactics through political, administrative, military, economic, psychological and informational means. In 2010, Kilcullen brought together his writings in his book Counterinsurgency and developed his understanding of counterinsurgency to address the globalized threat of radical Islam. He argues that successful counterinsurgency is about out-governing the enemy and winning the adaptation battle to provide integrated measures to defeat insurgent tactics through political, administrative, military, economic, psychological and informational means.
Everything that the city/government does, you have to provide an alternative to do better. Free breakfast, etc. Everything that the city/government does, you have to provide an alternative to do better. Free breakfast, etc.
Che teaching people how to read, giving health care to the campesinos. Che teaching people how to read, giving health care to the campesinos.
### Seizing power ### Seizing power
#### When is the right time? #### When is the right time?
Too early, and you'll blow it, or be destroyed. Too early, and you'll blow it, or be destroyed.
### Defeating the counter-revolution ### Defeating the counter-revolution
### Compromises ### Compromises
## What to do next? ## What to do next?
Extra: Extra:
- Talk about how in russia, the conscripted soldiers aligned with the workers, and the army was pissed off at the government. Conversely in Cuba, the army actively suppressed the people, and an insurgency was necessary. - Talk about how in russia, the conscripted soldiers aligned with the workers, and the army was pissed off at the government. Conversely in Cuba, the army actively suppressed the people, and an insurgency was necessary.

9
js_imperialism_favorites.md
View File

@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ Neoliberal globalization has transformed the production of all commodities, incl
1. Outsourcing enables capitalists to replace higher-paid domestic labor with low-wage Southern labor, exposing workers in imperialist nations to direct competition with similarly skilled but much lower paid workers in Southern nations, 1. Outsourcing enables capitalists to replace higher-paid domestic labor with low-wage Southern labor, exposing workers in imperialist nations to direct competition with similarly skilled but much lower paid workers in Southern nations,
1. While falling prices of clothing, food, and other articles of mass consumption protects consumption levels from falling wages and magnifies the effect of wage increases. 1. While falling prices of clothing, food, and other articles of mass consumption protects consumption levels from falling wages and magnifies the effect of wage increases.
The IMF’s *World Economic Outlook 2007* attempted to weigh these two effects, concluding: “Although the labor share [of GDP] went down, globalization of labor as manifested in cheaper imports in advanced economies has increased the ‘size of the pie’ to be shared among all citizens, resulting in a net gain in total workers’ compensation in real terms.” The IMF’s _World Economic Outlook 2007_ attempted to weigh these two effects, concluding: “Although the labor share [of GDP] went down, globalization of labor as manifested in cheaper imports in advanced economies has increased the ‘size of the pie’ to be shared among all citizens, resulting in a net gain in total workers’ compensation in real terms.”
In his study of Walmart, Nelson Lichtenstein reports: “Wal-Mart argues that the company’s downward squeeze on prices raises the standard of living of the entire U.S. population, saving consumers upwards of $100bn each year, **perhaps as much as $600 a year at the checkout counter for the average [US] family…**. ‘These savings are a lifeline for millions of middle- and lower-income families who live from payday to payday,’ argues Wal-Mart CEO H. Lee Scott. ‘In effect, it gives them a raise every time they shop with us.’” Lichtenstein, 2005, Wal-Mart: The Face of Twenty-First-Century Capitalism (New York: New Press). In his study of Walmart, Nelson Lichtenstein reports: “Wal-Mart argues that the company’s downward squeeze on prices raises the standard of living of the entire U.S. population, saving consumers upwards of $100bn each year, **perhaps as much as $600 a year at the checkout counter for the average [US] family…**. ‘These savings are a lifeline for millions of middle- and lower-income families who live from payday to payday,’ argues Wal-Mart CEO H. Lee Scott. ‘In effect, it gives them a raise every time they shop with us.’” Lichtenstein, 2005, Wal-Mart: The Face of Twenty-First-Century Capitalism (New York: New Press).
@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ Perhaps the most in-depth research into this effect was conducted by two Chicago
## Second version of this above: ## Second version of this above:
Neoliberal globalization has transformed the production of all commodities, *including labor-power*, as more and more of the manufactured consumer goods that reproduce labor-power in imperialist countries are produced by super-exploited workers in low-wage nations. The globalization of production processes impacts workers in imperialist nations in two fundamental ways. Outsourcing enables capitalists to replace higher-paid domestic labor with low-wage Southern labor, exposing workers in imperialist nations to direct competition with similarly skilled but much lower paid workers in Southern nations, while falling prices of clothing, food, and other articles of mass consumption protects consumption levels from falling wages and magnifies the effect of wage increases. The IMF's *World Economic Outlook 2007* attempted to weigh these two effects, concluding: "Although the labor share \[of GDP\] went down, globalization of labor as manifested in cheaper imports in advanced economies has increased the 'size of the pie' to be shared among all citizens, resulting in a net gain in total workers' compensation in real terms. Neoliberal globalization has transformed the production of all commodities, _including labor-power_, as more and more of the manufactured consumer goods that reproduce labor-power in imperialist countries are produced by super-exploited workers in low-wage nations. The globalization of production processes impacts workers in imperialist nations in two fundamental ways. Outsourcing enables capitalists to replace higher-paid domestic labor with low-wage Southern labor, exposing workers in imperialist nations to direct competition with similarly skilled but much lower paid workers in Southern nations, while falling prices of clothing, food, and other articles of mass consumption protects consumption levels from falling wages and magnifies the effect of wage increases. The IMF's _World Economic Outlook 2007_ attempted to weigh these two effects, concluding: "Although the labor share \[of GDP\] went down, globalization of labor as manifested in cheaper imports in advanced economies has increased the 'size of the pie' to be shared among all citizens, resulting in a net gain in total workers' compensation in real terms.
In other words, cost savings resulting from outsourcing are shared with workers in imperialist countries. This is both an economic imperative and a conscious strategy of the employing class and their political representatives that is crucial to maintaining domestic class peace. Wage repression at home, rather than abroad, would reduce demand and unleash latent recessionary forces. Competition in markets for workers' consumer goods forces some of the cost reductions resulting from greater use of low-wage labor to be passed on to them. In other words, cost savings resulting from outsourcing are shared with workers in imperialist countries. This is both an economic imperative and a conscious strategy of the employing class and their political representatives that is crucial to maintaining domestic class peace. Wage repression at home, rather than abroad, would reduce demand and unleash latent recessionary forces. Competition in markets for workers' consumer goods forces some of the cost reductions resulting from greater use of low-wage labor to be passed on to them.
In his study of Walmart, Nelson Lichtenstein reports: "Wal-Mart argues that the company's downward squeeze on prices raises the standard of living of the entire U.S. population, saving consumers upwards of \$100bn each year, perhaps as much as \$600 a year at the checkout counter for the average family.... 'These savings are a lifeline for millions of middle- and lower-income families who live from payday to payday,' argues Wal-Mart CEO H. Lee Scott. 'In effect, it gives them a raise every time they shop with us.'" Lichtenstein, 2005, *Wal-Mart: The Face of Twenty-First-Century Capitalism* (New York: New Press). In his study of Walmart, Nelson Lichtenstein reports: "Wal-Mart argues that the company's downward squeeze on prices raises the standard of living of the entire U.S. population, saving consumers upwards of \$100bn each year, perhaps as much as \$600 a year at the checkout counter for the average family.... 'These savings are a lifeline for millions of middle- and lower-income families who live from payday to payday,' argues Wal-Mart CEO H. Lee Scott. 'In effect, it gives them a raise every time they shop with us.'" Lichtenstein, 2005, _Wal-Mart: The Face of Twenty-First-Century Capitalism_ (New York: New Press).
Perhaps the most in-depth research into this effect was conducted by two Chicago professors, Christian Broda and John Romalis, who established a "concordance" between two giant databases, one tracking the quantities and price movements between 1994 and 2005 of hundreds of thousands of different goods consumed by 55,000 U.S. households, the other of imports classified into 16,800 different product categories. Their central conclusion: "While the expansion of trade with low wage countries triggers a fall in relative wages for the unskilled in the United States, it also leads to a fall in the price of goods that are heavily consumed by the poor. We show that this beneficial price effect can potentially more than offset the standard negative relative wage effect." They calculate that China by itself accounted for four-fifths of the total inflation-lowering effect of cheap imports, its share of total U.S. imports having risen during the decade from 6 to 17 percent, and that "the rise of Chinese trade ... alone can offset around a third of the rise in official inequality we have seen over this period." Perhaps the most in-depth research into this effect was conducted by two Chicago professors, Christian Broda and John Romalis, who established a "concordance" between two giant databases, one tracking the quantities and price movements between 1994 and 2005 of hundreds of thousands of different goods consumed by 55,000 U.S. households, the other of imports classified into 16,800 different product categories. Their central conclusion: "While the expansion of trade with low wage countries triggers a fall in relative wages for the unskilled in the United States, it also leads to a fall in the price of goods that are heavily consumed by the poor. We show that this beneficial price effect can potentially more than offset the standard negative relative wage effect." They calculate that China by itself accounted for four-fifths of the total inflation-lowering effect of cheap imports, its share of total U.S. imports having risen during the decade from 6 to 17 percent, and that "the rise of Chinese trade ... alone can offset around a third of the rise in official inequality we have seen over this period."
@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ Squeezing wages allows markups to increase. Thus UNCTAD reports that “clothing
Milberg's recognition of outsourcing's growing preponderance leads him to rhetorically ask, "Why should arm's-length outsourcing be of increasing importance in a world where transnational corporations play such a large role? ... Why should cost reductions be increasingly prevalent externally rather than within firms?" He answers, "The growing tendency toward externalization implies that the return on external outsourcing---implied by the cost reduction it brings to the buyer firm---must exceed that on internal vertical operations.... These cost savings constitute rents accruing abroad in the same sense that internal profit generation does for a multinational enterprise." This is a crucial insight, yet it poses a perplexing puzzle. As the three global commodities discussed in [chapter 1](#08_Chapter01.xhtml) illustrate, "rents accruing abroad" appear, in company and national accounts, to accrue instead from the domestic design, branding, and marketing activities of the lead firm. We will return to this puzzle a few pages hence, but first we'll consider some reasons why the arm's-length relationship might be increasingly favored over FDI. Milberg's recognition of outsourcing's growing preponderance leads him to rhetorically ask, "Why should arm's-length outsourcing be of increasing importance in a world where transnational corporations play such a large role? ... Why should cost reductions be increasingly prevalent externally rather than within firms?" He answers, "The growing tendency toward externalization implies that the return on external outsourcing---implied by the cost reduction it brings to the buyer firm---must exceed that on internal vertical operations.... These cost savings constitute rents accruing abroad in the same sense that internal profit generation does for a multinational enterprise." This is a crucial insight, yet it poses a perplexing puzzle. As the three global commodities discussed in [chapter 1](#08_Chapter01.xhtml) illustrate, "rents accruing abroad" appear, in company and national accounts, to accrue instead from the domestic design, branding, and marketing activities of the lead firm. We will return to this puzzle a few pages hence, but first we'll consider some reasons why the arm's-length relationship might be increasingly favored over FDI.
One reason why arm's-length outsourcing may be more profitable than FDI is that, as Martin Wolf notes, "transnational companies []{#10_Chapter03.xhtml#page_81}pay more---and treat their workers better---than local companies do." Citing "detailed econometric evaluation" that takes into account "the educational levels of employees, plant size, location, and capital- and energy-intensity ... the premium is 12 percent for 'blue-collar' workers and about 22 percent for the 'white-collar' workers." Jagdish Bhagwati also reports that TNCs "pay an average wage that exceeds the going rate, mostly up to 10 percent and exceeding it in some cases." Writing in *The Economist*, Clive Crook gives much higher estimates: he claims that wages in the affiliates of TNCs in "middle-income countries" are 80 percent higher than those paid by local employers, and in "low-income countries" their wages are 100 percent higher. Thus one reason why TNCs increasingly prefer to externalize their operations is that forcing outsourced producers into intense competition with one another is a more effective way of driving down wages and intensifying labor than doing so in-house through appointed managers. One reason why arm's-length outsourcing may be more profitable than FDI is that, as Martin Wolf notes, "transnational companies []{#10*Chapter03.xhtml#page_81}pay more---and treat their workers better---than local companies do." Citing "detailed econometric evaluation" that takes into account "the educational levels of employees, plant size, location, and capital- and energy-intensity ... the premium is 12 percent for 'blue-collar' workers and about 22 percent for the 'white-collar' workers." Jagdish Bhagwati also reports that TNCs "pay an average wage that exceeds the going rate, mostly up to 10 percent and exceeding it in some cases." Writing in \_The Economist*, Clive Crook gives much higher estimates: he claims that wages in the affiliates of TNCs in "middle-income countries" are 80 percent higher than those paid by local employers, and in "low-income countries" their wages are 100 percent higher. Thus one reason why TNCs increasingly prefer to externalize their operations is that forcing outsourced producers into intense competition with one another is a more effective way of driving down wages and intensifying labor than doing so in-house through appointed managers.
A further incentive to "deverticalize"---that is, to move from a vertical parent-subsidiary relationship to a horizontal contractual relation between formally equal partners---is that arm's length also means "hands clean"---the outsourcing firm externalizes not only commercial risk and low value-added production processes, it also externalizes direct responsibility for pollution, poverty wages, and suppression of trade unions. One notorious example is Coca-Cola's operations in Colombia, the hub of its Latin American soft drinks empire, where the food workers' union, SINALTRAINAL, accuses company management of colluding with death squads who have assassinated nine union members and leaders since 1990 and forced many others into exile. "Eighty percent of the Coca-Cola workforce is now composed of non-union, temporary workers, and wages for these individuals are only a quarter of those earned by their unionized counterparts.... Coca-Cola is in fact a stridently anti-union company, and the destruction of SINALTRAINAL, as well as the capacity to drive wages into the ground, is one of the primary goals of the extra-judicial violence directed against workers." Coca-Cola's Atlanta-based international directors wash their hands of any responsibility either for the poverty wages paid to their workers or for the violent repression of their efforts to remedy this, on the grounds that its Colombian bottling plants are independent companies operating under a franchise, enabling it to make the legally precise claim that "Coca-Cola does not own or operate any bottling plants in Colombia." Mark Thomas, an investigative journalist, commented that this is A further incentive to "deverticalize"---that is, to move from a vertical parent-subsidiary relationship to a horizontal contractual relation between formally equal partners---is that arm's length also means "hands clean"---the outsourcing firm externalizes not only commercial risk and low value-added production processes, it also externalizes direct responsibility for pollution, poverty wages, and suppression of trade unions. One notorious example is Coca-Cola's operations in Colombia, the hub of its Latin American soft drinks empire, where the food workers' union, SINALTRAINAL, accuses company management of colluding with death squads who have assassinated nine union members and leaders since 1990 and forced many others into exile. "Eighty percent of the Coca-Cola workforce is now composed of non-union, temporary workers, and wages for these individuals are only a quarter of those earned by their unionized counterparts.... Coca-Cola is in fact a stridently anti-union company, and the destruction of SINALTRAINAL, as well as the capacity to drive wages into the ground, is one of the primary goals of the extra-judicial violence directed against workers." Coca-Cola's Atlanta-based international directors wash their hands of any responsibility either for the poverty wages paid to their workers or for the violent repression of their efforts to remedy this, on the grounds that its Colombian bottling plants are independent companies operating under a franchise, enabling it to make the legally precise claim that "Coca-Cola does not own or operate any bottling plants in Colombia." Mark Thomas, an investigative journalist, commented that this is
@ -60,4 +60,3 @@ In sum, it is possible to identify four major reasons why outsourcing firms migh
The puzzle posed by Milberg's insight that a large portion of the profits of firms in imperialist countries (he does not call them this) is accrued []{#10_Chapter03.xhtml#page_83}in distant production processes can be restated as follows. The foreign direct investments of northern TNCs generate a gigantic S-N flow of repatriated profits, but in complete contrast, between Southern firms and Northern lead firms there is, in the data on financial flows, neither sign nor shadow of any S-N profit flows or value transfers. Furthermore, the various subterfuges indulged in by transnational corporations to conceal part of this flow from tax authorities (transfer pricing, under-invoicing, etc.) are not available in arm's-length relationships. These are large benefits to forgo---yet TNCs increasingly find the arm's-length relationship to be more profitable than in-house FDI. Does the fact that the S-N flow of value and profit is invisible mean that this flow doesn't exist? If not, what becomes of the profit-flows that are visible in the case of an in-house relationship but completely disappear when this is replaced by an outsourcing relationship? The puzzle posed by Milberg's insight that a large portion of the profits of firms in imperialist countries (he does not call them this) is accrued []{#10_Chapter03.xhtml#page_83}in distant production processes can be restated as follows. The foreign direct investments of northern TNCs generate a gigantic S-N flow of repatriated profits, but in complete contrast, between Southern firms and Northern lead firms there is, in the data on financial flows, neither sign nor shadow of any S-N profit flows or value transfers. Furthermore, the various subterfuges indulged in by transnational corporations to conceal part of this flow from tax authorities (transfer pricing, under-invoicing, etc.) are not available in arm's-length relationships. These are large benefits to forgo---yet TNCs increasingly find the arm's-length relationship to be more profitable than in-house FDI. Does the fact that the S-N flow of value and profit is invisible mean that this flow doesn't exist? If not, what becomes of the profit-flows that are visible in the case of an in-house relationship but completely disappear when this is replaced by an outsourcing relationship?
This is the question left unanswered by Milberg, Gereffi, etc., a conundrum that cannot be resolved without breaking free of the neoclassical framework, which presumes markets to be the "ultimate arbiter of value" and price to be its ideal measure, precluding the possibility of hidden flows or transfers of values between capitals prior to their condensation as prices. This calls to mind the physical phenomenon known as sublimation---when the application of heat to a visible solid turns it into a flow of invisible vapor, only for it to rematerialize as a visible solid at a different relocation. Similarly, the flow of value from Southern producers to Northern capitalists is invisible---that is, there's no sign of it in standard data on global capital and commodity flows. According to the bourgeois economists, if it's not visible it doesn't exist; and since value can only appear in the form of price, this, to positivist economics, is its measure. This, the central premise of neoclassical economics, crassly precludes the possibility that value is transferred or redistributed between capitals in order to achieve equilibrium prices that equalize profits. Conversely, to recognize the existence of such flows is to dislodge the keystone of the ruling economic theory, causing the entire edifice to collapse. Renaming "profit' as "rent," as do Milberg, Kaplinsky, Gereffi, and others studying this phenomenon, does not clarify this question. In fact, it blurs the important distinction between profit and rent. Milberg's notion of "rents accruing abroad" implies that the South-North flow continues; and simply calling it rent says nothing about a really interesting implication of this. These "rents accruing abroad" appear in the GDP---the gross domestic product---of the importing nation---even though they were "accrued abroad." The solution of this paradox, which we have been hinting at so far, will be presented in [chapter 9](#16_Chapter09.xhtml), "The GDP Illusion." This is the question left unanswered by Milberg, Gereffi, etc., a conundrum that cannot be resolved without breaking free of the neoclassical framework, which presumes markets to be the "ultimate arbiter of value" and price to be its ideal measure, precluding the possibility of hidden flows or transfers of values between capitals prior to their condensation as prices. This calls to mind the physical phenomenon known as sublimation---when the application of heat to a visible solid turns it into a flow of invisible vapor, only for it to rematerialize as a visible solid at a different relocation. Similarly, the flow of value from Southern producers to Northern capitalists is invisible---that is, there's no sign of it in standard data on global capital and commodity flows. According to the bourgeois economists, if it's not visible it doesn't exist; and since value can only appear in the form of price, this, to positivist economics, is its measure. This, the central premise of neoclassical economics, crassly precludes the possibility that value is transferred or redistributed between capitals in order to achieve equilibrium prices that equalize profits. Conversely, to recognize the existence of such flows is to dislodge the keystone of the ruling economic theory, causing the entire edifice to collapse. Renaming "profit' as "rent," as do Milberg, Kaplinsky, Gereffi, and others studying this phenomenon, does not clarify this question. In fact, it blurs the important distinction between profit and rent. Milberg's notion of "rents accruing abroad" implies that the South-North flow continues; and simply calling it rent says nothing about a really interesting implication of this. These "rents accruing abroad" appear in the GDP---the gross domestic product---of the importing nation---even though they were "accrued abroad." The solution of this paradox, which we have been hinting at so far, will be presented in [chapter 9](#16_Chapter09.xhtml), "The GDP Illusion."

37
left_anticommunism_parenti.md
View File

@ -8,15 +8,14 @@ By Michael Parenti.
This article is being reposted by readers’ request. This essay first ran in the 1990s, and was first republished on May 23, 2015 on TGP. It is reposted here again due to the upsurge in McCarthyism from “the left”, spearheaded by the usual suspects, mainly CIA-influenced liberals in the Democratic party and numerous media assets, plus their legions of clueless followers. This article is being reposted by readers’ request. This essay first ran in the 1990s, and was first republished on May 23, 2015 on TGP. It is reposted here again due to the upsurge in McCarthyism from “the left”, spearheaded by the usual suspects, mainly CIA-influenced liberals in the Democratic party and numerous media assets, plus their legions of clueless followers.
* * * ---
[![](https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/noamChomsky.jpg "noamChomsky")](https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/noamChomsky.jpg) [![](https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/noamChomsky.jpg "noamChomsky")](https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/noamChomsky.jpg)
*Despite a lifetime of “shaming” the system, NOAM CHOMSKY, America’s foremost “engagé” intellectual, remains an unrepentant left anticommunist.* _Despite a lifetime of “shaming” the system, NOAM CHOMSKY, America’s foremost “engagé” intellectual, remains an unrepentant left anticommunist._
In the United States, for over a hundred years, the ruling interests tirelessly propagated anticommunism among the populace, until it became more like a religious orthodoxy than a political analysis. During the Cold War, the anticommunist ideological framework could transform any data about existing communist societies into hostile evidence. If the Soviets refused to negotiate a point, they were intransigent and belligerent; if they appeared willing to make concessions, this was but a skillful ploy to put us off our guard. By opposing arms limitations, they would have demonstrated their aggressive intent; but when in fact they supported most armament treaties, it was because they were mendacious and manipulative. If the churches in the USSR were empty, this demonstrated that religion was suppressed; but if the churches were full, this meant the people were rejecting the regime’s atheistic ideology. If the workers went on strike (as happened on infrequent occasions), this was evidence of their alienation from the collectivist system; if they didn’t go on strike, this was because they were intimidated and lacked freedom. A scarcity of consumer goods demonstrated the failure of the economic system; an improvement in consumer supplies meant only that the leaders were attempting to placate a restive population and so maintain a firmer hold over them. If communists in the United States played an important role struggling for the rights of workers, the poor, African-Americans, women, and others, this was only their guileful way of gathering support among disfranchised groups and gaining power for themselves. How one gained power by fighting for the rights of powerless groups was never explained. What we are dealing with is a nonfalsifiable orthodoxy, so assiduously marketed by the ruling interests that it affected people across the entire political spectrum. In the United States, for over a hundred years, the ruling interests tirelessly propagated anticommunism among the populace, until it became more like a religious orthodoxy than a political analysis. During the Cold War, the anticommunist ideological framework could transform any data about existing communist societies into hostile evidence. If the Soviets refused to negotiate a point, they were intransigent and belligerent; if they appeared willing to make concessions, this was but a skillful ploy to put us off our guard. By opposing arms limitations, they would have demonstrated their aggressive intent; but when in fact they supported most armament treaties, it was because they were mendacious and manipulative. If the churches in the USSR were empty, this demonstrated that religion was suppressed; but if the churches were full, this meant the people were rejecting the regime’s atheistic ideology. If the workers went on strike (as happened on infrequent occasions), this was evidence of their alienation from the collectivist system; if they didn’t go on strike, this was because they were intimidated and lacked freedom. A scarcity of consumer goods demonstrated the failure of the economic system; an improvement in consumer supplies meant only that the leaders were attempting to placate a restive population and so maintain a firmer hold over them. If communists in the United States played an important role struggling for the rights of workers, the poor, African-Americans, women, and others, this was only their guileful way of gathering support among disfranchised groups and gaining power for themselves. How one gained power by fighting for the rights of powerless groups was never explained. What we are dealing with is a nonfalsifiable orthodoxy, so assiduously marketed by the ruling interests that it affected people across the entire political spectrum.
## Genuflection to Orthodoxy ## Genuflection to Orthodoxy
Many on the U.S. Left have exhibited a Soviet bashing and Red baiting that matches anything on the Right in its enmity and crudity. Listen to Noam Chomsky holding forth about “left intellectuals” who try to “rise to power on the backs of mass popular movements” and “then beat the people into submission. . . . You start off as basically a Leninist who is going to be part of the Red bureaucracy. You see later that power doesn’t lie that way, and you very quickly become an ideologist of the right. . . . We’re seeing it right now in the \[former\] Soviet Union. The same guys who were communist thugs two years back, are now running banks and \[are\] enthusiastic free marketeers and praising Americans” (Z Magazine, 10/95). Many on the U.S. Left have exhibited a Soviet bashing and Red baiting that matches anything on the Right in its enmity and crudity. Listen to Noam Chomsky holding forth about “left intellectuals” who try to “rise to power on the backs of mass popular movements” and “then beat the people into submission. . . . You start off as basically a Leninist who is going to be part of the Red bureaucracy. You see later that power doesn’t lie that way, and you very quickly become an ideologist of the right. . . . We’re seeing it right now in the \[former\] Soviet Union. The same guys who were communist thugs two years back, are now running banks and \[are\] enthusiastic free marketeers and praising Americans” (Z Magazine, 10/95).
@ -113,7 +112,7 @@ All this is not to say that everything Stalin did was of historical necessity. T
The transforming effects of counterrevolutionary attack have been felt in other countries. A Sandinista military officer I met in Vienna in 1986 noted that Nicaraguans were “not a warrior people” but they had to learn to fight because they faced a destructive, U.S.-sponsored mercenary war. She bemoaned the fact that war and embargo forced her country to postpone much of its socio-economic agenda. As with Nicaragua, so with Mozambique, Angola and numerous other countries in which U.S.-financed mercenary forces destroyed farmlands, villages, health centers, and power stations, while killing or starving hundreds of thousands–the revolutionary baby was strangled in its crib or mercilessly bled beyond recognition. This reality ought to earn at least as much recognition as the suppression of dissidents in this or that revolutionary society. The transforming effects of counterrevolutionary attack have been felt in other countries. A Sandinista military officer I met in Vienna in 1986 noted that Nicaraguans were “not a warrior people” but they had to learn to fight because they faced a destructive, U.S.-sponsored mercenary war. She bemoaned the fact that war and embargo forced her country to postpone much of its socio-economic agenda. As with Nicaragua, so with Mozambique, Angola and numerous other countries in which U.S.-financed mercenary forces destroyed farmlands, villages, health centers, and power stations, while killing or starving hundreds of thousands–the revolutionary baby was strangled in its crib or mercilessly bled beyond recognition. This reality ought to earn at least as much recognition as the suppression of dissidents in this or that revolutionary society.
* * * ---
[![Richard Lichtman, an otherwise capable theorist and activist, was among those on the Marxian left who applauded the downfall of the Eastern bloc nations and the USSR itself. ](https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/richard_lichtman.jpg)](https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/richard_lichtman.jpg) [![Richard Lichtman, an otherwise capable theorist and activist, was among those on the Marxian left who applauded the downfall of the Eastern bloc nations and the USSR itself. ](https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/richard_lichtman.jpg)](https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/richard_lichtman.jpg)
@ -127,7 +126,7 @@ In addition, the overthrow of communism gave the green light to the unbridled ex
Having never understood the role that existing communist powers played in tempering the worst impulses of Western capitalism, and having perceived communism as nothing but an unmitigated evil, the left anticommunists did not anticipate the losses that were to come. Some of them still don’t get it. Having never understood the role that existing communist powers played in tempering the worst impulses of Western capitalism, and having perceived communism as nothing but an unmitigated evil, the left anticommunists did not anticipate the losses that were to come. Some of them still don’t get it.
* * * ---
## ABOUT THE AUTHOR ## ABOUT THE AUTHOR
@ -139,18 +138,18 @@ Having never understood the role that existing communist powers played in temper
PARENTI is the author of twenty-three books, among which: PARENTI is the author of twenty-three books, among which:
* [The Face of Imperialism](http://www.michaelparenti.org/the_face_of_imperialism.html) (Paradigm, 2011) - [The Face of Imperialism](http://www.michaelparenti.org/the_face_of_imperialism.html) (Paradigm, 2011)
* [God and His Demons](http://www.michaelparenti.org/goadandhisdemons.html) (Prometheus Books, 2010) - [God and His Demons](http://www.michaelparenti.org/goadandhisdemons.html) (Prometheus Books, 2010)
* [Democracy for the Few](http://www.michaelparenti.org/DemocracyForFew.html) (Wadsworth, 9th edition, 2011) - [Democracy for the Few](http://www.michaelparenti.org/DemocracyForFew.html) (Wadsworth, 9th edition, 2011)
* [Contrary Notions: The Michael Parenti Reader](http://www.michaelparenti.org/contrarynotions.html) (City Lights Books, 2007) - [Contrary Notions: The Michael Parenti Reader](http://www.michaelparenti.org/contrarynotions.html) (City Lights Books, 2007)
* [Democracy for the Few](http://www.michaelparenti.org/DemocracyForFew.html) (Wadsworth, 8th edition, 2007) - [Democracy for the Few](http://www.michaelparenti.org/DemocracyForFew.html) (Wadsworth, 8th edition, 2007)
* [The Culture Struggle](http://www.michaelparenti.org/CultureStruggle.html) (Seven Stories Press, 2006) - [The Culture Struggle](http://www.michaelparenti.org/CultureStruggle.html) (Seven Stories Press, 2006)
* [Superpatriotism](http://www.michaelparenti.org/superpatriotism.html) (City Lights Books, 2004) - [Superpatriotism](http://www.michaelparenti.org/superpatriotism.html) (City Lights Books, 2004)
* [The Assassination of Julius Caesar](http://www.michaelparenti.org/Caesar.html) (The New Press, 2003) - [The Assassination of Julius Caesar](http://www.michaelparenti.org/Caesar.html) (The New Press, 2003)
* [The Terrorism Trap](http://www.michaelparenti.org/TerrorismTrap.html) (City Lights Books, 2002) - [The Terrorism Trap](http://www.michaelparenti.org/TerrorismTrap.html) (City Lights Books, 2002)
* [To Kill a Nation](http://www.michaelparenti.org/ToKillANation.html) (Verso Books, 2001) - [To Kill a Nation](http://www.michaelparenti.org/ToKillANation.html) (Verso Books, 2001)
* [History as Mystery](http://www.michaelparenti.org/HistoryAsMystery.html) (City Lights Books, 1999) - [History as Mystery](http://www.michaelparenti.org/HistoryAsMystery.html) (City Lights Books, 1999)
* [Blackshirts and Reds](http://www.michaelparenti.org/BlackShirts.html) (City Lights Books, 1997) - [Blackshirts and Reds](http://www.michaelparenti.org/BlackShirts.html) (City Lights Books, 1997)
* [Dirty Truths](http://www.michaelparenti.org/DirtyTruths.html) (City Lights Books, 1996) - [Dirty Truths](http://www.michaelparenti.org/DirtyTruths.html) (City Lights Books, 1996)
* [Inventing Reality](http://www.michaelparenti.org/InventingReality.html) (Wadsworth, second edition, 1993) - [Inventing Reality](http://www.michaelparenti.org/InventingReality.html) (Wadsworth, second edition, 1993)
are duly regarded as classic. are duly regarded as classic.

5
lenin_lwc.md
View File

@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
# Lenin's Revolutionary Strategy # Lenin's Revolutionary Strategy
*From Left-Wing Communism: An Infantile disorder, and other works.* _From Left-Wing Communism: An Infantile disorder, and other works._
*WIP* _WIP_
## Steps ## Steps
@ -61,4 +61,3 @@
- Communist vanguard parties emerge as a stable, disciplined alternative to capitalist political parties. - Communist vanguard parties emerge as a stable, disciplined alternative to capitalist political parties.
- A revolutionary situation is reached, militant unions begin socializing workplaces, communities engage in rent strikes. Armed communists dissolve local and national capitalist parliaments, stock markets, and centers of financial imperialism. - A revolutionary situation is reached, militant unions begin socializing workplaces, communities engage in rent strikes. Armed communists dissolve local and national capitalist parliaments, stock markets, and centers of financial imperialism.
- A civil war ensues between the capitalists and their petty-bourgeois defenders, and those committed to revolution. - A civil war ensues between the capitalists and their petty-bourgeois defenders, and those committed to revolution.

15
market_socialism.md
View File

@ -6,14 +6,14 @@ Remember that this is a **distributional** problem : we have a bunch of goods an
Markets are **one way** to do that, and the primary way under capitalism. Markets are based on two things: Markets are **one way** to do that, and the primary way under capitalism. Markets are based on two things:
* **Individual profit**: IE, buying low, selling high, and ignoring the effect of the transaction on others (externalities). - **Individual profit**: IE, buying low, selling high, and ignoring the effect of the transaction on others (externalities).
* **Commodification of every resource** (even people). - **Commodification of every resource** (even people).
Labor is one such commodity, that is bought for cheap, and it's results sold for high (IE profit). Labor is one such commodity, that is bought for cheap, and it's results sold for high (IE profit).
### History of markets Yes, markets are oppressive. ### History of markets Yes, markets are oppressive.
Markets only became the primary way to distribute goods *within the last 500 years*. For the vast majority of human history, rituals, harvest festivals, a group of elders deciding fair distribution, or communal decision-making accomplished what the market does today. Writers like Plato and Aristotle detested markets (small-scale trade within cities and between nation-states at that time), because they witnessed how the individualistic profit motive worked to **destroy the community**. Markets only became the primary way to distribute goods _within the last 500 years_. For the vast majority of human history, rituals, harvest festivals, a group of elders deciding fair distribution, or communal decision-making accomplished what the market does today. Writers like Plato and Aristotle detested markets (small-scale trade within cities and between nation-states at that time), because they witnessed how the individualistic profit motive worked to **destroy the community**.
Markets, through the **commodification of every resource** (including human beings), destroy the community in the following ways: they promote generational wealth hoarding, increasing inequality, treating people as objects, monopolistic practices (price-fixing, dumping, colluding), rent-seeking, informational failure (over/under production), booms/busts/business cycles, negative externalities (affecting the environment and third parties), unpaid labor (such as housework, and childcare), human exploitation (slavery and wage-slavery, prostitution), large-scale imperialism (Such as in Africa, South America, and Asia post 1700s) demerit goods (encouraging for-profit drug use, see Opium wars), inefficient and incorrect valuation, artificially high barriers to entry for many sectors.... in short, they result in an antagonistic relationship between a working class, and an owning/wealth hoarding class. Markets, through the **commodification of every resource** (including human beings), destroy the community in the following ways: they promote generational wealth hoarding, increasing inequality, treating people as objects, monopolistic practices (price-fixing, dumping, colluding), rent-seeking, informational failure (over/under production), booms/busts/business cycles, negative externalities (affecting the environment and third parties), unpaid labor (such as housework, and childcare), human exploitation (slavery and wage-slavery, prostitution), large-scale imperialism (Such as in Africa, South America, and Asia post 1700s) demerit goods (encouraging for-profit drug use, see Opium wars), inefficient and incorrect valuation, artificially high barriers to entry for many sectors.... in short, they result in an antagonistic relationship between a working class, and an owning/wealth hoarding class.
@ -25,15 +25,15 @@ You'll hardly see any Socialist advocating markets as a distribution system, bec
### What about market socialism? ### What about market socialism?
The argument for market socialism states that we outlaw the commodification of labor, but retain markets. This completely ignores the incentive structures associated with market transactions, by which the profit motive demands the commodification of everything, including labor. Even if the market were socially controlled and commodification of labor were *somehow* outlawed, it would still allow hoarding of wealth, **individual profit motive over collective good**, and emphasize monetary incentives over human ones. The argument for market socialism states that we outlaw the commodification of labor, but retain markets. This completely ignores the incentive structures associated with market transactions, by which the profit motive demands the commodification of everything, including labor. Even if the market were socially controlled and commodification of labor were _somehow_ outlawed, it would still allow hoarding of wealth, **individual profit motive over collective good**, and emphasize monetary incentives over human ones.
Market enterprises have one goal, increasing profit and market share, in isolated transactions. What would prevent a coop from **polluting a river** that people use, if they're able to cut corners and extract a larger profit? Market enterprises have one goal, increasing profit and market share, in isolated transactions. What would prevent a coop from **polluting a river** that people use, if they're able to cut corners and extract a larger profit?
What would prevent a small group of people from accumulating wealth and using it for individualistic motives? Maybe they won't be legally able to exploit a labor force, but they will still try to get away with it to satisfy the profit motive, which is unavoidable and systemically inherent to a market system. What would prevent a small group of people from accumulating wealth and using it for individualistic motives? Maybe they won't be legally able to exploit a labor force, but they will still try to get away with it to satisfy the profit motive, which is unavoidable and systemically inherent to a market system.
Finally, there is the market socialist principle that somehow we stop treating labor as a commodity, but we continue to treat *everything else* like one. Natural resources, health care, living spaces, and food security are things we should **not** be treating as a commodity, which they would be under a market system. Finally, there is the market socialist principle that somehow we stop treating labor as a commodity, but we continue to treat _everything else_ like one. Natural resources, health care, living spaces, and food security are things we should **not** be treating as a commodity, which they would be under a market system.
Market socialism in a predominantly capitalist society has a historical name: **utopian socialism**, or the cooperative movement. Engels, in [Socialism: Utopian and Scientific](https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1880/soc-utop/index.htm), explained how a few of the early socialist reformers such as Fourier and Owen nobly tried to set up idealistic isolated islands of socialism, known as worker cooperatives, in the early stages of the industrial revolution. These all failed in the long run, both because they relied on capitalist enterprises for materials and means, and because they were out-competed by capitalists who did a better job of extracting a higher profit from their workforce. Engels stated that as the class contradictions become more absurd, *The mode of production rises in rebellion against the form of exchange*, IE, the socialized force of production (the united working class) rises up against the individualism of the market. Market socialism in a predominantly capitalist society has a historical name: **utopian socialism**, or the cooperative movement. Engels, in [Socialism: Utopian and Scientific](https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1880/soc-utop/index.htm), explained how a few of the early socialist reformers such as Fourier and Owen nobly tried to set up idealistic isolated islands of socialism, known as worker cooperatives, in the early stages of the industrial revolution. These all failed in the long run, both because they relied on capitalist enterprises for materials and means, and because they were out-competed by capitalists who did a better job of extracting a higher profit from their workforce. Engels stated that as the class contradictions become more absurd, _The mode of production rises in rebellion against the form of exchange_, IE, the socialized force of production (the united working class) rises up against the individualism of the market.
## How do we get to Fully Automated Luxury Queer Space Communism? ## How do we get to Fully Automated Luxury Queer Space Communism?
@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ Labor vouchers are different from money in that:
3. They are destroyed after they're exchanged for goods/services from the democratic workers council organization (I usually call it the pool) 3. They are destroyed after they're exchanged for goods/services from the democratic workers council organization (I usually call it the pool)
4. They optionally have expiration dates (to prevent wealth hoarding, and inter-generational conflict) 4. They optionally have expiration dates (to prevent wealth hoarding, and inter-generational conflict)
In books like I like linked above, goods/services are valued and labor vouchers are based on **labor time**, and that book provides good calculations for how to value labor time for various things. Instead of getting paid a certain amount per hour, you would receive something that proves your *hours worked*. Goods and services are then valued based on all the constituent labor time necessary (including all the sub-parts) to produce them. For example, a door might cost 2 Labor hours (LH), after adding in the time costs to harvest all the materials for the wood frame, metal handle, lock, hinges, etc, and assemble them. Large input-output tables (and some linear algebra) could be used to calculate the labor time values of every good and service in an economy. In books like I like linked above, goods/services are valued and labor vouchers are based on **labor time**, and that book provides good calculations for how to value labor time for various things. Instead of getting paid a certain amount per hour, you would receive something that proves your _hours worked_. Goods and services are then valued based on all the constituent labor time necessary (including all the sub-parts) to produce them. For example, a door might cost 2 Labor hours (LH), after adding in the time costs to harvest all the materials for the wood frame, metal handle, lock, hinges, etc, and assemble them. Large input-output tables (and some linear algebra) could be used to calculate the labor time values of every good and service in an economy.
As technological improvements decrease the labor time cost of goods and services to nearly zero, that good becomes an abundant good. Many food products and consumer items could already be considered abundant. When nearly all goods are abundant, then we could say that we've reached full communism. As technological improvements decrease the labor time cost of goods and services to nearly zero, that good becomes an abundant good. Many food products and consumer items could already be considered abundant. When nearly all goods are abundant, then we could say that we've reached full communism.
@ -59,4 +59,3 @@ With regards to moderating demand for goods, grocery stores **can currently** fu
Unlike a capitalist economy, where the goal is individualistic profit, in a labor-time economy the goal is **minimizing the labor-time-cost** of all goods and services, to improve the well-being of the community. Unlike a capitalist economy, where the goal is individualistic profit, in a labor-time economy the goal is **minimizing the labor-time-cost** of all goods and services, to improve the well-being of the community.
Likely there would also be a kind of basic income of labor vouchers, to make sure everyone gets a fair share of the distribution of food and housing and such (this could be seen as accounting for unpaid labor done in the home). Since they are attached to a person/family, labor vouchers prevent wealth accumulation being handed down to further generations. Likely there would also be a kind of basic income of labor vouchers, to make sure everyone gets a fair share of the distribution of food and housing and such (this could be seen as accounting for unpaid labor done in the home). Since they are attached to a person/family, labor vouchers prevent wealth accumulation being handed down to further generations.

5
microsoft.md
View File

@ -4,8 +4,9 @@
- Read and store all outlook service emails. - Read and store all outlook service emails.
- Read all your OneDrive files. - Read all your OneDrive files.
- NSA recorded all Skype calls. - NSA recorded all Skype calls.
- [Windows 10 watches everything you type and sends it to Microsoft.](http://www.newsweek.com/windows-10-recording-users-every-move-358952) Branded by microsoft as telemetry, its stated purpose is to provide you a *personalized user dictionary*, and provide you with text suggestions as you type. Even after turned off, [it still collects data and sends to microsoft.](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/even-when-told-not-to-windows-10-just-cant-stop-talking-to-microsoft/) Microsoft retroactively added Windows 10 spying to [Windows 7 and 8. ](https://www.pcworld.com/article/2978239/windows/microsoft-slips-user-tracking-tools-into-windows-7-8-amidst-windows-10-privacy-storm.html) - [Windows 10 watches everything you type and sends it to Microsoft.](http://www.newsweek.com/windows-10-recording-users-every-move-358952) Branded by microsoft as telemetry, its stated purpose is to provide you a _personalized user dictionary_, and provide you with text suggestions as you type. Even after turned off, [it still collects data and sends to microsoft.](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/even-when-told-not-to-windows-10-just-cant-stop-talking-to-microsoft/) Microsoft retroactively added Windows 10 spying to [Windows 7 and 8. ](https://www.pcworld.com/article/2978239/windows/microsoft-slips-user-tracking-tools-into-windows-7-8-amidst-windows-10-privacy-storm.html)
- [Microsoft has a long history of buying up and killing small companies to stifle competition and innovation.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Microsoft) The US Department of Justice launched an anti-trust suit against Microsoft in 2001. Documents on microsoft found that they referred to a policy called [Embrace, Extend, Extinguish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embrace,_extend,_and_extinguish), to describe its strategy for entering product categories involving widely used standards, extending those standards with [proprietary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software) capabilities, and then using those differences to strongly disadvantage its competitors. This policy was either attempted or successfully carried out via: - [Microsoft has a long history of buying up and killing small companies to stifle competition and innovation.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Microsoft) The US Department of Justice launched an anti-trust suit against Microsoft in 2001. Documents on microsoft found that they referred to a policy called [Embrace, Extend, Extinguish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embrace,_extend,_and_extinguish), to describe its strategy for entering product categories involving widely used standards, extending those standards with [proprietary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software) capabilities, and then using those differences to strongly disadvantage its competitors. This policy was either attempted or successfully carried out via:
- After Microsoft crushed browser competition with its operating system monopoly, a [web dark ages stalled browser development for 2 years.](https://www.reddit.com/r/ragecomics/comments/11c1t1/internet_explorer_rfunny_said_i_should_post_it/c6lbhu2/) - After Microsoft crushed browser competition with its operating system monopoly, a [web dark ages stalled browser development for 2 years.](https://www.reddit.com/r/ragecomics/comments/11c1t1/internet_explorer_rfunny_said_i_should_post_it/c6lbhu2/)
- Browser incompatibilities: Killing Netscape via incompatible Java, CSS, and ActiveX incompatibilies. - Browser incompatibilities: Killing Netscape via incompatible Java, CSS, and ActiveX incompatibilies.
- Office incompatibilities: Bill gates : "One thing we have got to change in our strategy—allowing Office documents to be rendered very well by other peoples [*sic*] browsers is one of the most destructive things we could do to the company." - Office incompatibilities: Bill gates : "One thing we have got to change in our strategy—allowing Office documents to be rendered very well by other peoples [*sic*] browsers is one of the most destructive things we could do to the company."
@ -15,7 +16,7 @@
- [Microsoft acquires Skype, it becomes bloated and users flee to other platforms.](https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/736tfh/skype_is_officially_bloatware_uninstalled_it/) - [Microsoft acquires Skype, it becomes bloated and users flee to other platforms.](https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/736tfh/skype_is_officially_bloatware_uninstalled_it/)
- [Bill Gates alternating between acting like a child, and a sociopath during his anti-trust deposition.](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/09/revisiting-the-spectacular-failure-that-was-the-bill-gates-deposition/) - [Bill Gates alternating between acting like a child, and a sociopath during his anti-trust deposition.](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/09/revisiting-the-spectacular-failure-that-was-the-bill-gates-deposition/)
- Its [workers often suffer burnout](https://archive.is/20120629191556/http://www.krsaborio.net/research/1980s/89/890423.htm), and has been called a *velvet sweatshop*. Microsoft lost a lawsuit for $93 million for using "permatemp" employees, which were worked as hard as ordinary employees, yet received none of the benefits. Microsoft is the largest American corporate user of H-1B guest worker visas in order to pay them less. Microsoft has also come under criticism for developing software capable of analyzing the output of remote sensors in order to [measure the competence and productivity of workers based on their physical responses.](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/microsoft-seeks-patent-for-office-spy-software-h0dd5zmtfnt) - Its [workers often suffer burnout](https://archive.is/20120629191556/http://www.krsaborio.net/research/1980s/89/890423.htm), and has been called a _velvet sweatshop_. Microsoft lost a lawsuit for $93 million for using "permatemp" employees, which were worked as hard as ordinary employees, yet received none of the benefits. Microsoft is the largest American corporate user of H-1B guest worker visas in order to pay them less. Microsoft has also come under criticism for developing software capable of analyzing the output of remote sensors in order to [measure the competence and productivity of workers based on their physical responses.](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/microsoft-seeks-patent-for-office-spy-software-h0dd5zmtfnt)
- Github, now owned by microsoft, begins [blocking developers from countries antagonistic to the US](https://www.zdnet.com/article/github-starts-blocking-developers-in-countries-facing-us-trade-sanctions/) such as Iran, Russia. - Github, now owned by microsoft, begins [blocking developers from countries antagonistic to the US](https://www.zdnet.com/article/github-starts-blocking-developers-in-countries-facing-us-trade-sanctions/) such as Iran, Russia.
- [The Case against Microsoft and Github (On Microsofts collaboration with ICE / Border Patrol, and NSA).](https://sneak.berlin/20200307/the-case-against-microsoft-and-github/) - [The Case against Microsoft and Github (On Microsofts collaboration with ICE / Border Patrol, and NSA).](https://sneak.berlin/20200307/the-case-against-microsoft-and-github/)

6
nietzsche.md
View File

@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ It shouldn't be surprising that this proto-incel, lover of masculinity and war,
> The doctrine of equality! … But there is no more venomous poison in existence: for it appears to be preached by justice itself, when it is actually the end of justice. > The doctrine of equality! … But there is no more venomous poison in existence: for it appears to be preached by justice itself, when it is actually the end of justice.
> Socialism--as the logical conclusion of the tyranny of the least and the d***est, i.e., those who are superficial, envious, and three-quarters actors--is indeed entailed by "modern ideas" and their latent anarchism; but in the tepid air of democratic well-being the capacity to reach conclusions, or to finish, weakens. One follows--but one no longer sees what follows. Therefore socialism is on the whole a hopeless and sour affair; and nothing offers a more amusing spectacle than the contrast between the poisonous and desperate faces cut by today's socialists--and to what wretched and pinched feelings their style bears witness!--and the harmless lambs' happiness of their hopes and desiderata. > Socialism--as the logical conclusion of the tyranny of the least and the d\*\*\*est, i.e., those who are superficial, envious, and three-quarters actors--is indeed entailed by "modern ideas" and their latent anarchism; but in the tepid air of democratic well-being the capacity to reach conclusions, or to finish, weakens. One follows--but one no longer sees what follows. Therefore socialism is on the whole a hopeless and sour affair; and nothing offers a more amusing spectacle than the contrast between the poisonous and desperate faces cut by today's socialists--and to what wretched and pinched feelings their style bears witness!--and the harmless lambs' happiness of their hopes and desiderata.
> >
> [...] In any case, even as a restless mole under the soil of a society that wallows in st***ity, socialism will be able to be something useful and therapeutic: it delays "peace on earth" and the total mollification of the democratic herd animal; it forces the Europeans to regain spirit, namely cunning and cautious care, not to abjure manly and warlike virtues altogether, and to retain some remnant of spirit, of clarity, sobriety, and coldness of the spirit--it protects Europe for the time being from the marasmus femininus that threatens it. > [...] In any case, even as a restless mole under the soil of a society that wallows in st\*\*\*ity, socialism will be able to be something useful and therapeutic: it delays "peace on earth" and the total mollification of the democratic herd animal; it forces the Europeans to regain spirit, namely cunning and cautious care, not to abjure manly and warlike virtues altogether, and to retain some remnant of spirit, of clarity, sobriety, and coldness of the spirit--it protects Europe for the time being from the marasmus femininus that threatens it.
> How can the superman arise in such a soil [democracy]? And how can a nation become great when its greatest men lie unused, discouraged, perhaps unknown? Such a society loses character; imitation is horizontal instead of vertical; not the superior man but the majority man becomes the ideal and the model; everybody comes to resemble everybody else; even the sexes approximate - the men become women and the women become men. > How can the superman arise in such a soil [democracy]? And how can a nation become great when its greatest men lie unused, discouraged, perhaps unknown? Such a society loses character; imitation is horizontal instead of vertical; not the superior man but the majority man becomes the ideal and the model; everybody comes to resemble everybody else; even the sexes approximate - the men become women and the women become men.
@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ Railing against the Collectivism of Eastern philosophies:
> What is good? All that heightens the feeling of power in man, the will to power, power itself. What is bad? All that is born of weakness. What is happiness? The feeling that power is growing, that resistance is overcome. > What is good? All that heightens the feeling of power in man, the will to power, power itself. What is bad? All that is born of weakness. What is happiness? The feeling that power is growing, that resistance is overcome.
> Does anybody at last understand, will anybody understand what the Renaissance was? The transvaluation of Christian values, the attempt undertaken with all means, all instincts and all genius to make the *opposite* values, the *noble* values triumph. [...] Caesar Borgia as Pope. ... Do you understand me? > Does anybody at last understand, will anybody understand what the Renaissance was? The transvaluation of Christian values, the attempt undertaken with all means, all instincts and all genius to make the _opposite_ values, the _noble_ values triumph. [...] Caesar Borgia as Pope. ... Do you understand me?
> In contrast to all this, everyone ought to say to himself: ‘better to go abroad, to seek to become master in new and savage regions of the world and above all master over myself; to keep moving from place to place for just as long as any sign of slavery seems to threaten me; to shun neither adventure nor war and, if the worst should come to the worst, to be prepared for death: all this rather than further to endure this indecent servitude, rather than to go on becoming soured and malicious and conspiratorial!’ This would be the right attitude of mind: the workers of Europe ought henceforth to declare themselves as a class a human impossibility and not, as usually happens, only a somewhat harsh and inappropriate social arrangement; they ought to inaugurate within the European beehive an age of a great swarming-out such as has never been seen before, and through this act of free emigration in the grand manner to protest against the machine, against capital, and against the choice now threatening them of being compelled to become either the slave of the state or the slave of a party of disruption. Let Europe be relieved of a fourth part of its inhabitants! > In contrast to all this, everyone ought to say to himself: ‘better to go abroad, to seek to become master in new and savage regions of the world and above all master over myself; to keep moving from place to place for just as long as any sign of slavery seems to threaten me; to shun neither adventure nor war and, if the worst should come to the worst, to be prepared for death: all this rather than further to endure this indecent servitude, rather than to go on becoming soured and malicious and conspiratorial!’ This would be the right attitude of mind: the workers of Europe ought henceforth to declare themselves as a class a human impossibility and not, as usually happens, only a somewhat harsh and inappropriate social arrangement; they ought to inaugurate within the European beehive an age of a great swarming-out such as has never been seen before, and through this act of free emigration in the grand manner to protest against the machine, against capital, and against the choice now threatening them of being compelled to become either the slave of the state or the slave of a party of disruption. Let Europe be relieved of a fourth part of its inhabitants!

29
paul_cockshott_cyber_communism.md
View File

@ -6,14 +6,14 @@ Taken from his book, [Towards a New Socialism](http://ricardo.ecn.wfu.edu/~cottr
- Production takes place. All goods / services are valued by their **composite labor time** (in labor voucher hours, see below). Factor in depreciation and education into cost. For example, a smartphone might cost 0.5 labor hours. Goods that have neglible marginal cost (~ 0 labor hours) would be free. - Production takes place. All goods / services are valued by their **composite labor time** (in labor voucher hours, see below). Factor in depreciation and education into cost. For example, a smartphone might cost 0.5 labor hours. Goods that have neglible marginal cost (~ 0 labor hours) would be free.
- Open, publicly funded research and development is shared by all, with the goal of **decreasing the labor time cost** of every good. - Open, publicly funded research and development is shared by all, with the goal of **decreasing the labor time cost** of every good.
- Workers are paid in labor vouchers **per hour work performed**. Working 8 hours would earn you 8 LVH (labor voucher hours) (or a bit less to cover social services). Multipliers *may* be used if certain work is deemed more necessary, or dangerous, but most likely limited by a certain ratio to foster community. - Workers are paid in labor vouchers **per hour work performed**. Working 8 hours would earn you 8 LVH (labor voucher hours) (or a bit less to cover social services). Multipliers _may_ be used if certain work is deemed more necessary, or dangerous, but most likely limited by a certain ratio to foster community.
- Goods are sold in public shops. - Goods are sold in public shops.
- Shop managers are instructed to **adjust labor prices so that all goods are sold**. While a good selling out is itself an indicator of demand, adjusting by a certain limited ratio gives more demand information, and prevents unwanted goods from going to waste. - Shop managers are instructed to **adjust labor prices so that all goods are sold**. While a good selling out is itself an indicator of demand, adjusting by a certain limited ratio gives more demand information, and prevents unwanted goods from going to waste.
- Each good now has a ratio of its *sold labor time* to actual labor time cost. - Each good now has a ratio of its _sold labor time_ to actual labor time cost.
- If goods are selling *above* their actual labor cost (ratio > 1), that means society wants *more* labor allocated to produce that good. Below that means they want less labor allocated. - If goods are selling _above_ their actual labor cost (ratio > 1), that means society wants _more_ labor allocated to produce that good. Below that means they want less labor allocated.
- Planners adjust output targets based on this demand. - Planners adjust output targets based on this demand.
- Planners do material balances to derive gross output requirements (raw materials + intermediate materials + labor). Input-output tables are solved using linear algebra. - Planners do material balances to derive gross output requirements (raw materials + intermediate materials + labor). Input-output tables are solved using linear algebra.
- They compare these requirements with the *actual resources* available. Some of these might be set by environmental constraints, or limited quantities. - They compare these requirements with the _actual resources_ available. Some of these might be set by environmental constraints, or limited quantities.
- Population uses direct democracy to vote on how much labor to allocate to non-consumer goods (see below). - Population uses direct democracy to vote on how much labor to allocate to non-consumer goods (see below).
- They see if the final output targets can be met, and if not, go back to the adjust output targets step. - They see if the final output targets can be met, and if not, go back to the adjust output targets step.
- Finally, form a detailed production plan, broadcast it over the internet to all productive facilities, monitor production (and sales) in real-time. Adjust plan accordingly. - Finally, form a detailed production plan, broadcast it over the internet to all productive facilities, monitor production (and sales) in real-time. Adjust plan accordingly.
@ -48,20 +48,23 @@ Taken from his book, [Towards a New Socialism](http://ricardo.ecn.wfu.edu/~cottr
- This is the reverse of the USSR's system, which was to pay for imports in held dollars or marks, and restrict the export of its own currency. - This is the reverse of the USSR's system, which was to pay for imports in held dollars or marks, and restrict the export of its own currency.
- Exports (or sales) to capitalist countries are either an exchange of goods, or labor vouchers they sell back to us. - Exports (or sales) to capitalist countries are either an exchange of goods, or labor vouchers they sell back to us.
- Planners decide whether to import a good, or produce it locally, based on the offered price vs domestic cost. - Planners decide whether to import a good, or produce it locally, based on the offered price vs domestic cost.
- Sell the good if the labor voucher price offered is higher than the actual labor-time cost, buy the good if its less than the domestic labor-time cost. - Sell the good if the labor voucher price offered is higher than the actual labor-time cost, buy the good if its less than the domestic labor-time cost.
- Example: - Example:
Good|Domestic cost|Price offered|Decision | Good | Domestic cost | Price offered | Decision |
---|---|---|--- | ---- | ------------- | --------------- | -------- |
Oil|1 million hrs|1.5 million hrs|export | Oil | 1 million hrs | 1.5 million hrs | export |
Cars|2 million hrs|1.5 million hrs|import | Cars | 2 million hrs | 1.5 million hrs | import |
| []() | []() |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Value of exports | 1 million hrs in domestic units |
| Value of imports | 2 million hrs in domestic units |
| Labour-time trade deficit | 1 million hrs in domestic units |
[]()|[]()
---|---
Value of exports|1 million hrs in domestic units
Value of imports|2 million hrs in domestic units
Labour-time trade deficit|1 million hrs in domestic units
- Since prices and speculation fluctuate wildly in capitalist countries, the planners will have to make import/export decisions based on long-term trends rather than short-term variations. - Since prices and speculation fluctuate wildly in capitalist countries, the planners will have to make import/export decisions based on long-term trends rather than short-term variations.
- Foreign currency is outlawed. Fight black markets by making sure that labor vouchers are not overvalued. Planners track these markets, and ensure that demands for foreign-produced goods are being addressed by either increased local production, or official international trade. - Foreign currency is outlawed. Fight black markets by making sure that labor vouchers are not overvalued. Planners track these markets, and ensure that demands for foreign-produced goods are being addressed by either increased local production, or official international trade.
- For visiting tourists, an arrangement could be made with capitalist banks to allow the use of their credit cards, at the moment-in-time exchange rate. Tourists from our country could use their labor credit cards externally, which would effectively sell their labor vouchers to an external bank for that exchange rate of capitalist currency. - For visiting tourists, an arrangement could be made with capitalist banks to allow the use of their credit cards, at the moment-in-time exchange rate. Tourists from our country could use their labor credit cards externally, which would effectively sell their labor vouchers to an external bank for that exchange rate of capitalist currency.
- Trade with other socialist nations, would be a 1-to-1 equal labor-time exchange. - Trade with other socialist nations, would be a 1-to-1 equal labor-time exchange.

4
paying_one_half_the_poor_to_kill_the_other_half.md
View File

@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
IE, why pushing for social democracy in the imperial core countries is a terrible idea. IE, why pushing for social democracy in the imperial core countries is a terrible idea.
In Settlers, Sakai talks about how a lot of poor proles from europe who came to the US, *still pushed for the genocide and expropriation of native american lands*, because it meant that they could potentially get land for next to nothing. The colonial bourgeoisie were happy to give them that slice of the american pie, because it meant furthering the US goals of westward expansion, and building a garrison / middle layer of settler troops who would have their same goals in driving out Native Americans. In Settlers, Sakai talks about how a lot of poor proles from europe who came to the US, _still pushed for the genocide and expropriation of native american lands_, because it meant that they could potentially get land for next to nothing. The colonial bourgeoisie were happy to give them that slice of the american pie, because it meant furthering the US goals of westward expansion, and building a garrison / middle layer of settler troops who would have their same goals in driving out Native Americans.
The same thing happened with the new deal, where workers were bribed with welfare and higher wages to abandon revolutionary organizations, coalitions with black and brown workers, and be pushed into settler unions (and management positions) who could do their bidding against various other working groups, creating yet another grouping of "middle class / labor aristocrats" whose goals aligned more with the bourgeoisie than with the poor. The same thing happened with the new deal, where workers were bribed with welfare and higher wages to abandon revolutionary organizations, coalitions with black and brown workers, and be pushed into settler unions (and management positions) who could do their bidding against various other working groups, creating yet another grouping of "middle class / labor aristocrats" whose goals aligned more with the bourgeoisie than with the poor.
This new *new deal* Sanders is proposing is the same idea: that workers in the imperial core will accept a new round of welfare policies. Since the US is primarily a service / consumer goods import economy, social services are entirely funded off the backs of third world workers who get paid next to nothing in wages. [Sanders record of voting for US military intervention in 15+ countries](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/socialism_faq.md#whats-wrong-with-bernie-sanders), his preference for lighter skinned social imperialists (like the nordic countries), his denigration of actually existing socialist movements (he calls Maduro a "vicious tyrant"), and his anti-immigration stances are more than enough evidence that he wants to continue the US policy of enslaving the third world to feed the imperial core. This new _new deal_ Sanders is proposing is the same idea: that workers in the imperial core will accept a new round of welfare policies. Since the US is primarily a service / consumer goods import economy, social services are entirely funded off the backs of third world workers who get paid next to nothing in wages. [Sanders record of voting for US military intervention in 15+ countries](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/socialism_faq.md#whats-wrong-with-bernie-sanders), his preference for lighter skinned social imperialists (like the nordic countries), his denigration of actually existing socialist movements (he calls Maduro a "vicious tyrant"), and his anti-immigration stances are more than enough evidence that he wants to continue the US policy of enslaving the third world to feed the imperial core.
All of these are instances of **one half of the poor being bribed into killing the other half;** but in the modern day, its imperial core workers being bribed into continuing the exploitation of the third world to provide cheap products and enough surplus value to fund welfare policies. Rather than dismantling capitalism / imperialism, Sanders wants to increase taxes on billyahnayas, in which a cut of their imperialist superprofits will go towards first world welfare, thus strengthening the alliance between capital, and its labor aristocracy, much like the new deal. I know, we can call this new class collaborationist garrison of labor aristocrats, the "middle class"! All of these are instances of **one half of the poor being bribed into killing the other half;** but in the modern day, its imperial core workers being bribed into continuing the exploitation of the third world to provide cheap products and enough surplus value to fund welfare policies. Rather than dismantling capitalism / imperialism, Sanders wants to increase taxes on billyahnayas, in which a cut of their imperialist superprofits will go towards first world welfare, thus strengthening the alliance between capital, and its labor aristocracy, much like the new deal. I know, we can call this new class collaborationist garrison of labor aristocrats, the "middle class"!

1
recipes/taco_rice.md
View File

@ -18,3 +18,4 @@
- 1/2 small onion - 1/2 small onion
- 4 cloves garlic - 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons caldo de pollo - 2 tablespoons caldo de pollo

5
reform_or_revolution.md
View File

@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
# Reform or Revolution
Pacifism is dangerously liberal, it's always rooted in the privlege of people not affected by violence (rich whites), telling people who are affected by violence (impoverished, imperialized, and oppressed people), to just chill and don't do anything to liberate themselves.

4
socdem_bribery.md
View File

@ -2,11 +2,11 @@
IE, why pushing for social democracy in the imperial core countries is a terrible idea. IE, why pushing for social democracy in the imperial core countries is a terrible idea.
In Settlers, Sakai talks about how a lot of poor proles from europe who came to the US, *still pushed for the genocide and expropriation of native american lands*, because it meant that they could potentially get land for next to nothing. The colonial bourgeoisie were happy to give them that slice of the american pie, because it meant furthering the US goals of westward expansion, and building a garrison / middle layer of settler troops who would have their same goals in driving out Native Americans. In Settlers, Sakai talks about how a lot of poor proles from europe who came to the US, _still pushed for the genocide and expropriation of native american lands_, because it meant that they could potentially get land for next to nothing. The colonial bourgeoisie were happy to give them that slice of the american pie, because it meant furthering the US goals of westward expansion, and building a garrison / middle layer of settler troops who would have their same goals in driving out Native Americans.
The same thing happened with the new deal, where workers were bribed with welfare and higher wages to abandon revolutionary organizations, coalitions with black and brown workers, and be pushed into settler unions (and management positions) who could do their bidding against various other working groups, creating yet another grouping of "middle class / labor aristocrats" whose goals aligned more with the bourgeoisie than with the poor. The same thing happened with the new deal, where workers were bribed with welfare and higher wages to abandon revolutionary organizations, coalitions with black and brown workers, and be pushed into settler unions (and management positions) who could do their bidding against various other working groups, creating yet another grouping of "middle class / labor aristocrats" whose goals aligned more with the bourgeoisie than with the poor.
This new *new deal* Sanders is proposing is the same idea: that workers in the imperial core will accept a new round of welfare policies. Since the US is primarily a service / consumer goods import economy, social services are entirely funded off the backs of third world workers who get paid next to nothing in wages. [Sanders record of voting for US military intervention in 15+ countries](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/socialism_faq.md#whats-wrong-with-bernie-sanders), his preference for lighter skinned social imperialists (like the nordic countries), his denigration of actually existing socialist movements (he calls Maduro a "vicious tyrant"), and his anti-immigration stances are more than enough evidence that he wants to continue the US policy of enslaving the third world to feed the imperial core. This new _new deal_ Sanders is proposing is the same idea: that workers in the imperial core will accept a new round of welfare policies. Since the US is primarily a service / consumer goods import economy, social services are entirely funded off the backs of third world workers who get paid next to nothing in wages. [Sanders record of voting for US military intervention in 15+ countries](https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/master/socialism_faq.md#whats-wrong-with-bernie-sanders), his preference for lighter skinned social imperialists (like the nordic countries), his denigration of actually existing socialist movements (he calls Maduro a "vicious tyrant"), and his anti-immigration stances are more than enough evidence that he wants to continue the US policy of enslaving the third world to feed the imperial core.
All of these are instances of **one half of the poor being bribed into killing the other half;** but in the modern day, its imperial core workers being bribed into continuing the exploitation of the third world to provide cheap products and enough surplus value to fund welfare policies. Rather than dismantling capitalism / imperialism, Sanders wants to increase taxes on billyahnayas, in which a cut of their imperialist superprofits will go towards first world welfare, thus strengthening the alliance between capital, and its labor aristocracy, much like the new deal. I know, we can call this new class collaborationist garrison of labor aristocrats, the "middle class"! All of these are instances of **one half of the poor being bribed into killing the other half;** but in the modern day, its imperial core workers being bribed into continuing the exploitation of the third world to provide cheap products and enough surplus value to fund welfare policies. Rather than dismantling capitalism / imperialism, Sanders wants to increase taxes on billyahnayas, in which a cut of their imperialist superprofits will go towards first world welfare, thus strengthening the alliance between capital, and its labor aristocracy, much like the new deal. I know, we can call this new class collaborationist garrison of labor aristocrats, the "middle class"!

1
star_trek_communism.md
View File

@ -8,4 +8,3 @@
- [According to Gene Roddenberry's (Star Trek's creator) wife, Magel Barret, Gene was a communist, favoring the Chinese model of Communism as his ideal.](https://mix979fm.com/ten-things-you-didnt-know-star-trek-creator-gene-roddenberry/) - [According to Gene Roddenberry's (Star Trek's creator) wife, Magel Barret, Gene was a communist, favoring the Chinese model of Communism as his ideal.](https://mix979fm.com/ten-things-you-didnt-know-star-trek-creator-gene-roddenberry/)
- [Does star trek promote communism?](https://www.quora.com/Does-Star-Trek-promote-communism) - [Does star trek promote communism?](https://www.quora.com/Does-Star-Trek-promote-communism)
- [The Star Trek Communist Hopes.](https://www.startrek.com/news/the-star-trek-communist-hopes-star-trek-can-inspire-a-real-revolution) - [The Star Trek Communist Hopes.](https://www.startrek.com/news/the-star-trek-communist-hopes-star-trek-can-inspire-a-real-revolution)

100
supercooper_china_deng.md
View File

File diff suppressed because one or more lines are too long

6
terminology_conversion.md
View File

@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
These are terms for agitating and radicalizing urban and rural wage-workers. Feel free to submit a pull-request to this file. These are terms for agitating and radicalizing urban and rural wage-workers. Feel free to submit a pull-request to this file.
| Socialist | Urban Workers | Rural Workers | | Socialist | Urban Workers | Rural Workers |
|---|---|---| | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| Socialism | Democracy in the workplace | Community self-ownership | | Socialism | Democracy in the workplace | Community self-ownership |
| Proletariat | Working Class | Working farmers | | Proletariat | Working Class | Working farmers |
| Ruling Class / Bourgeoisie | Top 1% | Rich / Lords / Bosses / Banks | | Ruling Class / Bourgeoisie | Top 1% | Rich / Lords / Bosses / Banks |
@ -18,7 +18,3 @@ These are terms for agitating and radicalizing urban and rural wage-workers. Fee
| Revolutionaries | Community Organizers | | | Revolutionaries | Community Organizers | |
| Liberal | Individualist | Selfish smug aristocrats | | Liberal | Individualist | Selfish smug aristocrats |
| Imperialism | Colonial exploitation | Bombing other workers | | Imperialism | Colonial exploitation | Bombing other workers |

3
toki_pona_guide.md
View File

@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
- Download a client for the spaced-repetition software, [Anki](https://apps.ankiweb.net/). - Download a client for the spaced-repetition software, [Anki](https://apps.ankiweb.net/).
- [AnkiDroid for Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ichi2.anki) - [AnkiDroid for Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ichi2.anki)
- [Shared Deck of all the current popular words](https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/1075479788) (~137 words as of 2022, known as *pu + nimi ku suli*). - [Shared Deck of all the current popular words](https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/1075479788) (~137 words as of 2022, known as _pu + nimi ku suli_).
- [Shared Deck of all the phrases from jan Lentan's lessons.](https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/204928497) - [Shared Deck of all the phrases from jan Lentan's lessons.](https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/204928497)
- You can find other shared decks [here](https://ankiweb.net/shared/decks/toki%20pona). - You can find other shared decks [here](https://ankiweb.net/shared/decks/toki%20pona).
@ -21,4 +21,3 @@
- [ku - the toki pona dictionary](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0978292367/) - [ku - the toki pona dictionary](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0978292367/)
- [pu - toki pona: the language of good (first book)](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978292308) - [pu - toki pona: the language of good (first book)](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978292308)

14
us_hate_crimes.md
View File

@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
# List of hate crimes in the US # List of hate crimes in the US
*Definition: a prejudice-motivated crime which occurs when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her membership (or perceived membership) in a certain social group, usually by sex, ethnicity, disability, language, nationality, physical appearance, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation.* _Definition: a prejudice-motivated crime which occurs when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her membership (or perceived membership) in a certain social group, usually by sex, ethnicity, disability, language, nationality, physical appearance, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation._
### Notes ### Notes
@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
- https://www.reddit.com/r/ChapoTrapHouse/comments/h8kpvq/two_black_men_have_been_found_hanged_in_public_in/ TODO - https://www.reddit.com/r/ChapoTrapHouse/comments/h8kpvq/two_black_men_have_been_found_hanged_in_public_in/ TODO
- According to hate crimes researcher Brian Levin, hate crimes in nine US metropolitan areas [have risen by 20%](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-hate-crimes-20-percent-2016-fueled-election-campaign-n733306) in the years following Trump's election. <sup>[1](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-hate-crimes-20-percent-2016-fueled-election-campaign-n733306) [2](https://theintercept.com/2018/10/27/here-is-a-list-of-far-right-attackers-trump-inspired-cesar-sayoc-wasnt-the-first-and-wont-be-the-last/) [3](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41975573) [4](http://saalt.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Communities-on-Fire.pdf)</sup> - According to hate crimes researcher Brian Levin, hate crimes in nine US metropolitan areas [have risen by 20%](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-hate-crimes-20-percent-2016-fueled-election-campaign-n733306) in the years following Trump's election. <sup>[1](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-hate-crimes-20-percent-2016-fueled-election-campaign-n733306) [2](https://theintercept.com/2018/10/27/here-is-a-list-of-far-right-attackers-trump-inspired-cesar-sayoc-wasnt-the-first-and-wont-be-the-last/) [3](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41975573) [4](http://saalt.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Communities-on-Fire.pdf)</sup>
- US citizens are [7 times more likely to be killed by a far-right extremist than a Muslim attacker.](https://thinkprogress.org/you-are-more-than-7-times-as-likely-to-be-killed-by-a-right-wing-extremist-than-by-muslim-terrorists-417f3c3461db/) - US citizens are [7 times more likely to be killed by a far-right extremist than a Muslim attacker.](https://thinkprogress.org/you-are-more-than-7-times-as-likely-to-be-killed-by-a-right-wing-extremist-than-by-muslim-terrorists-417f3c3461db/)
--- ---
- On Aug 4th, 2019, a man [killed 9 and injured another 26 in a mass shooting outside a Dayton Ohio nightclub.](https://ktla.com/2019/08/04/9-killed-at-least-26-injured-in-ohio-in-second-u-s-mass-shooting-within-24-hours/) 6 of those killed were black. - On Aug 4th, 2019, a man [killed 9 and injured another 26 in a mass shooting outside a Dayton Ohio nightclub.](https://ktla.com/2019/08/04/9-killed-at-least-26-injured-in-ohio-in-second-u-s-mass-shooting-within-24-hours/) 6 of those killed were black.
@ -25,7 +26,7 @@
- On Oct 24, 2018, A white supremacist [killed two black people, Maurice Stallard, and Vickie Jones, while they were shopping at a Kroger in Jeffersontown Kentucky.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffersontown_Kroger_shooting) The shooter had earlier tried to enter the First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown, a predominantly black church, during a service but was unable to because the doors were locked. Between 10 to 15 minutes later, Bush entered the Kroger, shot Stallard inside, then Jones in the parking lot. He then exchanged gunfire with a bystander, who saw him shoot Jones. Another man said Bush told him, "Don't shoot me. I won't shoot you. Whites don't shoot whites" and then tried to flee. - On Oct 24, 2018, A white supremacist [killed two black people, Maurice Stallard, and Vickie Jones, while they were shopping at a Kroger in Jeffersontown Kentucky.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffersontown_Kroger_shooting) The shooter had earlier tried to enter the First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown, a predominantly black church, during a service but was unable to because the doors were locked. Between 10 to 15 minutes later, Bush entered the Kroger, shot Stallard inside, then Jones in the parking lot. He then exchanged gunfire with a bystander, who saw him shoot Jones. Another man said Bush told him, "Don't shoot me. I won't shoot you. Whites don't shoot whites" and then tried to flee.
- In late October 2018, Trump supporter Cesar Sayoc Jr. (later nicknamed the magabomber), [mailed sixteen packages containing pipe bombs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_2018_United_States_mail_bombing_attempts#Suspect) to several critics of Donald Trump, including various Democratic Party politicians. Sayoc constructed the pipe bombs in his [van, covered with pro-trump and pro-pence stickers.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/pipe-bomb-suspect-apos-van-180951324.html) It was later found that Sayoc's Florida home was [foreclosed on by Trump's treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin's, Bank](https://theintercept.com/2018/10/26/cesar-sayoc-foreclosure-steven-mnuchin/), during a period of foreclosures caused by the 2008 financial crisis. - In late October 2018, Trump supporter Cesar Sayoc Jr. (later nicknamed the magabomber), [mailed sixteen packages containing pipe bombs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_2018_United_States_mail_bombing_attempts#Suspect) to several critics of Donald Trump, including various Democratic Party politicians. Sayoc constructed the pipe bombs in his [van, covered with pro-trump and pro-pence stickers.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/pipe-bomb-suspect-apos-van-180951324.html) It was later found that Sayoc's Florida home was [foreclosed on by Trump's treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin's, Bank](https://theintercept.com/2018/10/26/cesar-sayoc-foreclosure-steven-mnuchin/), during a period of foreclosures caused by the 2008 financial crisis.
- In March 2018, a young conservative named Mark Conditt sent a [series of letter bombs in Austin Texas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_serial_bombings), killing 2 people, and wounding 6 bystanders. The bombs appeared to target the east side of Austin, which predominantly consists of poorer, African-American and Latino residents. Austin police chief Brian Manley initially refused to classify Conditt as a terrorist, stating, "he does not at all mention anything about terrorism, nor does he mention anything about hate." After Conditt was discovered, he detonated a bomb in his vehicle, killing himself. <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_serial_bombings) - In March 2018, a young conservative named Mark Conditt sent a [series of letter bombs in Austin Texas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_serial_bombings), killing 2 people, and wounding 6 bystanders. The bombs appeared to target the east side of Austin, which predominantly consists of poorer, African-American and Latino residents. Austin police chief Brian Manley initially refused to classify Conditt as a terrorist, stating, "he does not at all mention anything about terrorism, nor does he mention anything about hate." After Conditt was discovered, he detonated a bomb in his vehicle, killing himself. <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_serial_bombings)
- On February 14th, 2018, white supremacist Nikolas Cruz [shot up his highschool](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoneman_Douglas_High_School_shooting#Suspect) in Parkland Florida, killing 17 and wounding 15 more. Cruz [repeatedly espoused racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic views on social media](https://heavy.com/news/2018/02/nicolas-nikolas-nick-cruz-florida-school-shooter-gunman-instagram/), and displayed an obsession with violence and guns. He was openly hostile to the antifa movement, and muslims. According to *Republic of Florida* (a white nationalist militia) leader Jordan Jereb, Cruz trained with and receieved a rifle from another member in the group, and was caught on video training wearing his Trump MAGA hat. Cruz also posted a photo of himself on [Instagram wearing one of Trump’s signature red “Make America Great Again” hats](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/did-shooters-instagram-picture-maga-hat/), with an American flag-patterned bandana covering the bottom half of his face. Former classmates have confirmed that he also wore the red Trump hat to school. <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoneman_Douglas_High_School_shooting#Suspect)</sup> - On February 14th, 2018, white supremacist Nikolas Cruz [shot up his highschool](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoneman_Douglas_High_School_shooting#Suspect) in Parkland Florida, killing 17 and wounding 15 more. Cruz [repeatedly espoused racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic views on social media](https://heavy.com/news/2018/02/nicolas-nikolas-nick-cruz-florida-school-shooter-gunman-instagram/), and displayed an obsession with violence and guns. He was openly hostile to the antifa movement, and muslims. According to _Republic of Florida_ (a white nationalist militia) leader Jordan Jereb, Cruz trained with and receieved a rifle from another member in the group, and was caught on video training wearing his Trump MAGA hat. Cruz also posted a photo of himself on [Instagram wearing one of Trump’s signature red “Make America Great Again” hats](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/did-shooters-instagram-picture-maga-hat/), with an American flag-patterned bandana covering the bottom half of his face. Former classmates have confirmed that he also wore the red Trump hat to school. <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoneman_Douglas_High_School_shooting#Suspect)</sup>
- On Jan 10th, 2018, [19-year-old Brandon Griesemer made 22 death threat phone calls to CNN's Atlanta headquarters:](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/01/23/michigan-man-accused-of-threatening-to-attack-cnn-identified-with-hitler-former-classmate-says/?utm_term=.2829a1ddec97) “Fake news. I’m coming to gun you all down,” he told a CNN operator. According to the Washington Post, a high school classmate of Griesemer described him as a Trump supporter who “came in after the election and was very happy.” The classmate, reported the Post, “compared Griesemer’s reaction to that of a fan whose team had won a big game.” - On Jan 10th, 2018, [19-year-old Brandon Griesemer made 22 death threat phone calls to CNN's Atlanta headquarters:](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/01/23/michigan-man-accused-of-threatening-to-attack-cnn-identified-with-hitler-former-classmate-says/?utm_term=.2829a1ddec97) “Fake news. I’m coming to gun you all down,” he told a CNN operator. According to the Washington Post, a high school classmate of Griesemer described him as a Trump supporter who “came in after the election and was very happy.” The classmate, reported the Post, “compared Griesemer’s reaction to that of a fan whose team had won a big game.”
- On October 20th, 2017, after a Richard Spencer rally in Gainesville FL, 3 white supremacists from Texas drove around in a pickup truck, shouting pro-hitler slogans, and then [opened fire on a crowd of protesters](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/attempted-homicide-richard-spencer-speech-gainesville-florida_us_59ea766ae4b0958c468228ff). They drove off, and were arrested. One of them, in an interview with HuffPost, laid out the grievances that had brought him to town. "Basically, I’m just fed up with the fact that I’m cis-gendered, I’m a white male, and I lean right, towards the Republican side," wearing a pin of the 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf of the Waffen-SS. "And I get demonized if I don’t accept certain things."<sup>[1](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/attempted-homicide-richard-spencer-speech-gainesville-florida_us_59ea766ae4b0958c468228ff)</sup> - On October 20th, 2017, after a Richard Spencer rally in Gainesville FL, 3 white supremacists from Texas drove around in a pickup truck, shouting pro-hitler slogans, and then [opened fire on a crowd of protesters](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/attempted-homicide-richard-spencer-speech-gainesville-florida_us_59ea766ae4b0958c468228ff). They drove off, and were arrested. One of them, in an interview with HuffPost, laid out the grievances that had brought him to town. "Basically, I’m just fed up with the fact that I’m cis-gendered, I’m a white male, and I lean right, towards the Republican side," wearing a pin of the 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf of the Waffen-SS. "And I get demonized if I don’t accept certain things."<sup>[1](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/attempted-homicide-richard-spencer-speech-gainesville-florida_us_59ea766ae4b0958c468228ff)</sup>
- On August 14th, 2017, at the [Unite the Right rally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite_the_Right_rally) in Charlottesville VA, 20-year old Neo-nazi James Alex Fields Jr., [drove his car into a crowd of antifascist counterprotestors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite_the_Right_rally#Vehicular_attack_and_homicide), wounding 19, and killing Heather Heyer, a paralegal from Charlottesville. Heyer's mother said she wanted Heather's name to become "a rallying cry for justice and equality and fairness and compassion." <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite_the_Right_rally#Vehicular_attack_and_homicide)</sup> - On August 14th, 2017, at the [Unite the Right rally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite_the_Right_rally) in Charlottesville VA, 20-year old Neo-nazi James Alex Fields Jr., [drove his car into a crowd of antifascist counterprotestors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite_the_Right_rally#Vehicular_attack_and_homicide), wounding 19, and killing Heather Heyer, a paralegal from Charlottesville. Heyer's mother said she wanted Heather's name to become "a rallying cry for justice and equality and fairness and compassion." <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite_the_Right_rally#Vehicular_attack_and_homicide)</sup>
@ -70,20 +71,23 @@
- On April 13, 2014, A 73 year old neo-nazi [shot and killed three people](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overland_Park_Jewish_Community_Center_shooting) in the overland park jewish community center, a jewish retirement community in Overland park, Kansas. The shooter fired at two males, 69-year-old Dr. William Lewis Corporon and his 14-year-old grandson, Reat Griffin Underwood, who were hit by gunfire as they pulled into the parking lot inside their car. Corporon died at the scene of a [shotgun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun) wound to the head, while Underwood died of handgun wounds at a hospital. <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overland_Park_Jewish_Community_Center_shooting)</sup> - On April 13, 2014, A 73 year old neo-nazi [shot and killed three people](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overland_Park_Jewish_Community_Center_shooting) in the overland park jewish community center, a jewish retirement community in Overland park, Kansas. The shooter fired at two males, 69-year-old Dr. William Lewis Corporon and his 14-year-old grandson, Reat Griffin Underwood, who were hit by gunfire as they pulled into the parking lot inside their car. Corporon died at the scene of a [shotgun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun) wound to the head, while Underwood died of handgun wounds at a hospital. <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overland_Park_Jewish_Community_Center_shooting)</sup>
- On August 5, 2012, a [massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Sikh_temple_shooting) took place at the [gurdwara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurdwara) ([Sikh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism) temple) in [Oak Creek, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Creek,_Wisconsin), where 40-year-old Wade Michael Page fatally shot six people and wounded four others. Page committed suicide by shooting himself in the head after he was shot in the stomach by a responding police officer. Page was a member of the [hammerskins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammerskins), a white nationalist neo-nazi group. Apart from the shooter, all of the dead were members of the [Sikh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh) faith. <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Sikh_temple_shooting)</sup> - On August 5, 2012, a [massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Sikh_temple_shooting) took place at the [gurdwara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurdwara) ([Sikh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism) temple) in [Oak Creek, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Creek,_Wisconsin), where 40-year-old Wade Michael Page fatally shot six people and wounded four others. Page committed suicide by shooting himself in the head after he was shot in the stomach by a responding police officer. Page was a member of the [hammerskins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammerskins), a white nationalist neo-nazi group. Apart from the shooter, all of the dead were members of the [Sikh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh) faith. <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Sikh_temple_shooting)</sup>
- In May 2012, members of the US national socialist movement, and white supremacists lead by [Craig Cobb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Cobb) attempted a takeover Leith, a tiny rural town in North Dakota. He published names, photos and addresses of town members and their families, invoking the first amendment when anyone opposed him. The town lived in perpetual fear until he was arrested for terrorizing them with firearms, which after a plea deal was struck that let him off the hook. The affair is shown in the documentary [Welcome to Leith (2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_to_Leith). - In May 2012, members of the US national socialist movement, and white supremacists lead by [Craig Cobb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Cobb) attempted a takeover Leith, a tiny rural town in North Dakota. He published names, photos and addresses of town members and their families, invoking the first amendment when anyone opposed him. The town lived in perpetual fear until he was arrested for terrorizing them with firearms, which after a plea deal was struck that let him off the hook. The affair is shown in the documentary [Welcome to Leith (2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_to_Leith).
- On Dec 6th, 2011, two members of the FEAR militia (Forever Enduring, Always Ready), consisting of soldiers stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, [killed two people in an attempt to prevent them from revealing their plans to the public.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FEAR_(terrorist_group)) These included bombing a dam and poison apple orchards in Washington State, sesettingt off explosives in Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia, and assassinating President Barack Obama. - On Dec 6th, 2011, two members of the FEAR militia (Forever Enduring, Always Ready), consisting of soldiers stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, [killed two people in an attempt to prevent them from revealing their plans to the public.](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FEAR_(terrorist_group)>) These included bombing a dam and poison apple orchards in Washington State, sesettingt off explosives in Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia, and assassinating President Barack Obama.
- In Oct 2011, [white supremacist david pederson killed 4 people](https://katu.com/news/local/white-supremacist-pleads-guilty-in-nw-killing-rampage) along the Oregon coast. - In Oct 2011, [white supremacist david pederson killed 4 people](https://katu.com/news/local/white-supremacist-pleads-guilty-in-nw-killing-rampage) along the Oregon coast.
- On June 10th, 2009, 89-year-old [white supremacist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_supremacist) and holocaust denier [James Wenneker von Brunn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_von_Brunn) entered the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. with a rifle and [killed a security guard.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Holocaust_Memorial_Museum_shooting) <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Holocaust_Memorial_Museum_shooting)</sup> - On June 10th, 2009, 89-year-old [white supremacist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_supremacist) and holocaust denier [James Wenneker von Brunn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_von_Brunn) entered the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. with a rifle and [killed a security guard.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Holocaust_Memorial_Museum_shooting) <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Holocaust_Memorial_Museum_shooting)</sup>
- On May 30, 2009, 3 members of the Arizona Minutemen (a right-wing nativist constitutionalist group) [broke in and murdered 29-year-old Raul Flores, Jr., and his daughter, 9-year-old Brisenia Ylianna Flores.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Raul_and_Brisenia_Flores#Minutemen_American_Defense) - On May 30, 2009, 3 members of the Arizona Minutemen (a right-wing nativist constitutionalist group) [broke in and murdered 29-year-old Raul Flores, Jr., and his daughter, 9-year-old Brisenia Ylianna Flores.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Raul_and_Brisenia_Flores#Minutemen_American_Defense)
- On Jan 21st, 2009, self-proclaimed white supremacist [Keith Luke of Brockton murdered Selma Goncalves, 22, and Arlindo Goncalves, 72, and injured another.](http://www.tauntongazette.com/x776197967/GUILTY-Keith-Luke-convicted-of-2009-Brockton-murder-rampage) Luke confessed to police during a videotaped interview that he committed the crimes because he wanted to kill “non-whites.” - On Jan 21st, 2009, self-proclaimed white supremacist [Keith Luke of Brockton murdered Selma Goncalves, 22, and Arlindo Goncalves, 72, and injured another.](http://www.tauntongazette.com/x776197967/GUILTY-Keith-Luke-convicted-of-2009-Brockton-murder-rampage) Luke confessed to police during a videotaped interview that he committed the crimes because he wanted to kill “non-whites.”
- On July 4th weekend, 1999, Benjamin Smith, a member of the neo-nazi world church of the creator, [killed 3 people and wounded 10 more](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Nathaniel_Smith) in drive by shootings, then committed suicide. He targeted Jews, black people, and Asians. <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Nathaniel_Smith)</sup> - On July 4th weekend, 1999, Benjamin Smith, a member of the neo-nazi world church of the creator, [killed 3 people and wounded 10 more](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Nathaniel_Smith) in drive by shootings, then committed suicide. He targeted Jews, black people, and Asians. <sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Nathaniel_Smith)</sup>
- On June 18th, 1984, [Alan Berg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Berg), A jewish talk show host was shot to death as he stepped out of his car into his driveway, by members of [The Order](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Order_\(white_supremacist_group\)), a white supremacist terrorist group. - On June 18th, 1984, [Alan Berg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Berg), A jewish talk show host was shot to death as he stepped out of his car into his driveway, by members of [The Order](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Order_(white_supremacist_group)>), a white supremacist terrorist group.
- The [16th Street Baptist Church bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Street_Baptist_Church_bombing) was an act of white supremacist terrorism which occurred at the African American 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sunday, September 15, 1963, when four members of the Ku Klux Klan planted at least 15 sticks of dynamite attached to a timing device beneath the steps located on the east side of the church. The explosion at the church killed four girls and injured 22 others. - The [16th Street Baptist Church bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Street_Baptist_Church_bombing) was an act of white supremacist terrorism which occurred at the African American 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sunday, September 15, 1963, when four members of the Ku Klux Klan planted at least 15 sticks of dynamite attached to a timing device beneath the steps located on the east side of the church. The explosion at the church killed four girls and injured 22 others.
- The [Tulsa race riot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa_race_riot), sometimes referred to as the Tulsa massacre, Tulsa pogrom,or Tulsa race riot of 1921, took place on May 31 and June 1, 1921, when a mob of white citizens attacked residents and businesses of the African-American community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1] This is considered one of the worst incidents of racial violence in the history of the United States.[11] The attack, carried out on the ground and by air, destroyed more than 35 blocks of the district, at the time the wealthiest black community in the U.S. - The [Tulsa race riot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa_race_riot), sometimes referred to as the Tulsa massacre, Tulsa pogrom,or Tulsa race riot of 1921, took place on May 31 and June 1, 1921, when a mob of white citizens attacked residents and businesses of the African-American community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1] This is considered one of the worst incidents of racial violence in the history of the United States.[11] The attack, carried out on the ground and by air, destroyed more than 35 blocks of the district, at the time the wealthiest black community in the U.S.
- The [East St. Louis riots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_St._Louis_Race_Riots), or East St. Louis massacres, of late May and July 1-3, 1917 were an outbreak of labor- and race-related violence by whites that caused the death of 40-250 black people and approximately $400,000 (over $8 million, in 2017 US Dollars) in property damage. An estimated 6,000 black people were left homeless. The events took place in and near East St. Louis, Illinois, an industrial city on the east bank of the Mississippi River across from St. Louis, Missouri. The July 1917 riot was marked by white-led violence throughout the city. These events have been described as the worst case of labor-related violence in 20th-century American history, and among the worst race riots in U.S. history. - The [East St. Louis riots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_St._Louis_Race_Riots), or East St. Louis massacres, of late May and July 1-3, 1917 were an outbreak of labor- and race-related violence by whites that caused the death of 40-250 black people and approximately $400,000 (over $8 million, in 2017 US Dollars) in property damage. An estimated 6,000 black people were left homeless. The events took place in and near East St. Louis, Illinois, an industrial city on the east bank of the Mississippi River across from St. Louis, Missouri. The July 1917 riot was marked by white-led violence throughout the city. These events have been described as the worst case of labor-related violence in 20th-century American history, and among the worst race riots in U.S. history.
## Anti-Women ## Anti-Women
- Right wing extremists have [bombed at least 41 abortion clinics since 1977.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-abortion_violence#United_States) According to statistics gathered by the National Abortion Federation (NAF), an organization of abortion providers, since 1977 in the United States and Canada, there have been 17 attempted murders, 383 death threats, 153 incidents of assault or battery, 13 wounded, 100 butyric acid stink bomb attacks, 373 physical invasions, 41 bombings, 655 anthrax threats, and 3 kidnappings committed against abortion providers. Between 1997 and 1990 77 death threats were made with 250 made between 1991 and 1999. [2](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/11/29/us/30abortion-clinic-violence.html) [3](https://prochoice.org/education-and-advocacy/violence/violence-statistics-and-history/) - Right wing extremists have [bombed at least 41 abortion clinics since 1977.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-abortion_violence#United_States) According to statistics gathered by the National Abortion Federation (NAF), an organization of abortion providers, since 1977 in the United States and Canada, there have been 17 attempted murders, 383 death threats, 153 incidents of assault or battery, 13 wounded, 100 butyric acid stink bomb attacks, 373 physical invasions, 41 bombings, 655 anthrax threats, and 3 kidnappings committed against abortion providers. Between 1997 and 1990 77 death threats were made with 250 made between 1991 and 1999. [2](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/11/29/us/30abortion-clinic-violence.html) [3](https://prochoice.org/education-and-advocacy/violence/violence-statistics-and-history/)
--- ---
- On november 5th, 2018, An involuntary celibate (incel) / Far right misogynist [shot and killed two women at a yoga studio in Tallahasee Florida.](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/tallahassee-yoga-shooter-incel-far-right-misogyny-video) He railed against women, black people, and immigrants in a series of online videos and songs. He had a history of sexual assault on the FSU campus, but prosecutors had dropped charges in two of the cases. - On november 5th, 2018, An involuntary celibate (incel) / Far right misogynist [shot and killed two women at a yoga studio in Tallahasee Florida.](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/tallahassee-yoga-shooter-incel-far-right-misogyny-video) He railed against women, black people, and immigrants in a series of online videos and songs. He had a history of sexual assault on the FSU campus, but prosecutors had dropped charges in two of the cases.
- On Nov 27, 2015, [Anti-Abortion Evangelical Robert Lewis Dear Jr. shot and killed 3 people, and injured another 9 at a Colorado Springs planned parenthood center.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Springs_Planned_Parenthood_shooting) - On Nov 27, 2015, [Anti-Abortion Evangelical Robert Lewis Dear Jr. shot and killed 3 people, and injured another 9 at a Colorado Springs planned parenthood center.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Springs_Planned_Parenthood_shooting)
- On May 31st, 2009, [George Tiller, a physician from Wichita, Kansas who was nationally known for being one of the few doctors in the United States to perform late-term abortions, was murdered by Scott Roeder, an anti-abortion extremist.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_George_Tiller) Tiller was killed during a Sunday morning service at his church, Reformation Lutheran Church, where he was serving as an usher. - On May 31st, 2009, [George Tiller, a physician from Wichita, Kansas who was nationally known for being one of the few doctors in the United States to perform late-term abortions, was murdered by Scott Roeder, an anti-abortion extremist.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_George_Tiller) Tiller was killed during a Sunday morning service at his church, Reformation Lutheran Church, where he was serving as an usher.
@ -96,10 +100,8 @@
- On October 1st, 2017, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, [killing 58 people and injuring another 546](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Las_Vegas_shooting), after firing more than 1,100 rounds from his suite on the 32nd floor of the nearby Mandalay Bay hotel. About an hour after Paddock fired his last shot into the crowd of 22,000, he was found dead in his room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His motive is unknown. The incident is the deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in the United States.<sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Las_Vegas_shooting)</sup> - On October 1st, 2017, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, [killing 58 people and injuring another 546](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Las_Vegas_shooting), after firing more than 1,100 rounds from his suite on the 32nd floor of the nearby Mandalay Bay hotel. About an hour after Paddock fired his last shot into the crowd of 22,000, he was found dead in his room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His motive is unknown. The incident is the deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in the United States.<sup>[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Las_Vegas_shooting)</sup>
- [The Oklahoma City bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing) was a domestic terrorist truck bombing on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building[1] in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States on April 19, 1995. Perpetrated by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, the bombing happened at 9:02am and killed at least 168 people,[2] injured more than 680 others, and destroyed one-third of the building.[3] The blast destroyed or damaged 324 other buildings within a 16-block radius, shattered glass in 258 nearby buildings, and destroyed or burned 86 cars, causing an estimated $652 million worth of damage. - [The Oklahoma City bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing) was a domestic terrorist truck bombing on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building[1] in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States on April 19, 1995. Perpetrated by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, the bombing happened at 9:02am and killed at least 168 people,[2] injured more than 680 others, and destroyed one-third of the building.[3] The blast destroyed or damaged 324 other buildings within a 16-block radius, shattered glass in 258 nearby buildings, and destroyed or burned 86 cars, causing an estimated $652 million worth of damage.
## Sources / Starting points ## Sources / Starting points
- https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackPeopleTwitter/comments/9r45is/new_history_whats_dat/e8e1n6g/ - https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackPeopleTwitter/comments/9r45is/new_history_whats_dat/e8e1n6g/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackPeopleTwitter/comments/9r45is/new_history_whats_dat/e8eo670/ - https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackPeopleTwitter/comments/9r45is/new_history_whats_dat/e8eo670/
- https://theintercept.com/2018/10/27/here-is-a-list-of-far-right-attackers-trump-inspired-cesar-sayoc-wasnt-the-first-and-wont-be-the-last/ - https://theintercept.com/2018/10/27/here-is-a-list-of-far-right-attackers-trump-inspired-cesar-sayoc-wasnt-the-first-and-wont-be-the-last/

73
why_not_signal.md
View File

@ -5,36 +5,36 @@
<!-- toc --> <!-- toc -->
- [Why not Signal?](#why-not-signal) - [Why not Signal?](#why-not-signal)
* [The Problem](#the-problem) - [The Problem](#the-problem)
* [Enter Signal](#enter-signal) - [Enter Signal](#enter-signal)
* [What's wrong with Signal?](#whats-wrong-with-signal) - [What's wrong with Signal?](#whats-wrong-with-signal)
+ [CIA Funding](#cia-funding) - [CIA Funding](#cia-funding)
- [CIA → RFA → OTF → Signal](#cia-%E2%86%92-rfa-%E2%86%92-otf-%E2%86%92-signal) - [CIA → RFA → OTF → Signal](#cia-%E2%86%92-rfa-%E2%86%92-otf-%E2%86%92-signal)
+ [A Single, Centralized, US-based service](#a-single-centralized-us-based-service) - [A Single, Centralized, US-based service](#a-single-centralized-us-based-service)
- [National Security Letters (NSLs)](#national-security-letters-nsls) - [National Security Letters (NSLs)](#national-security-letters-nsls)
+ [Phone # Identifiers](#phone--identifiers) - [Phone # Identifiers](#phone--identifiers)
+ [Social network graphs](#social-network-graphs) - [Social network graphs](#social-network-graphs)
+ [Abandonment of Open source](#abandonment-of-open-source) - [Abandonment of Open source](#abandonment-of-open-source)
+ [Bundling a Cryptocurrency](#bundling-a-cryptocurrency) - [Bundling a Cryptocurrency](#bundling-a-cryptocurrency)
+ [Others](#others) - [Others](#others)
* [What makes a good messaging platform?](#what-makes-a-good-messaging-platform) - [What makes a good messaging platform?](#what-makes-a-good-messaging-platform)
+ [End-to-end encrypted](#end-to-end-encrypted) - [End-to-end encrypted](#end-to-end-encrypted)
+ [Open Source](#open-source) - [Open Source](#open-source)
+ [Self hosted](#self-hosted) - [Self hosted](#self-hosted)
+ [Federated](#federated) - [Federated](#federated)
+ [No required linkable identifiers](#no-required-linkable-identifiers) - [No required linkable identifiers](#no-required-linkable-identifiers)
* [Bad Alternatives](#bad-alternatives) - [Bad Alternatives](#bad-alternatives)
* [Good Alternatives](#good-alternatives) - [Good Alternatives](#good-alternatives)
+ [Matrix](#matrix) - [Matrix](#matrix)
- [Caveats of federation: Metadata leaking](#caveats-of-federation-metadata-leaking) - [Caveats of federation: Metadata leaking](#caveats-of-federation-metadata-leaking)
+ [XMPP](#xmpp) - [XMPP](#xmpp)
- [Caveats](#caveats) - [Caveats](#caveats)
+ [Briar](#briar) - [Briar](#briar)
- [Caveats](#caveats-1) - [Caveats](#caveats-1)
+ [Jitsi](#jitsi) - [Jitsi](#jitsi)
+ [SimpleX](#simplex) - [SimpleX](#simplex)
- [Caveats](#simplex-caveats) - [Caveats](#simplex-caveats)
* [Conclusions](#conclusions) - [Conclusions](#conclusions)
<!-- tocstop --> <!-- tocstop -->
@ -44,9 +44,9 @@ About me: While I'm no cryptography expert, I'm a software developer with 10+ ye
## The Problem ## The Problem
After the [global surveillance disclosures of 2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_surveillance_disclosures_(2013%E2%80%93present)), finding a secure messaging platform to replace text messages became an imperative for all activists. It was found that US, Canadian, UK, Australian, and New Zealand intelligence agencies (the ["Five Eyes"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Eyes)), along with US tech giants like Facebook, Apple, Google, and Microsoft, were collecting and forwarding email, text, voice, and video chats to governments, **without any warrant required.** After the [global surveillance disclosures of 2013](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_surveillance_disclosures_(2013%E2%80%93present)>), finding a secure messaging platform to replace text messages became an imperative for all activists. It was found that US, Canadian, UK, Australian, and New Zealand intelligence agencies (the ["Five Eyes"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Eyes)), along with US tech giants like Facebook, Apple, Google, and Microsoft, were collecting and forwarding email, text, voice, and video chats to governments, **without any warrant required.**
Western governments created a worldwide system of surveillance that *even their own citizens and allies* could seemingly not escape from. Western governments created a worldwide system of surveillance that _even their own citizens and allies_ could seemingly not escape from.
It was also long known that communications within walled gardens like Facebook or Gmail were not secure, so many players around this time began to develop secure messaging alternatives. It was also long known that communications within walled gardens like Facebook or Gmail were not secure, so many players around this time began to develop secure messaging alternatives.
@ -88,13 +88,13 @@ One should question the commitment of a fund that dedicates itself to "obstructi
Its a clear case of US government funding projects with the goal of either co-opting them, as in Signal's case, or absorbing them entirely; in essence, subverting the goals of privacy advocates and developers, by offering them the funding that no one else will provide: as long as they play ball with US interests. Its a clear case of US government funding projects with the goal of either co-opting them, as in Signal's case, or absorbing them entirely; in essence, subverting the goals of privacy advocates and developers, by offering them the funding that no one else will provide: as long as they play ball with US interests.
Signal could very well be another Crypto AG-style [honeypot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeypot_(computing)): the Swiss company which provided secure communications services to ~120 governments throughout the 20th century, and was [secretly ran by the CIA and West German Intelligence.](https://archive.is/va2l7) Signal could very well be another Crypto AG-style [honeypot](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeypot_(computing)>): the Swiss company which provided secure communications services to ~120 governments throughout the 20th century, and was [secretly ran by the CIA and West German Intelligence.](https://archive.is/va2l7)
--- ---
Signal's use luckily never caught on by the general public of China (or the Hong Kong Administrative region), whose government prefers autonomy, rather than letting US tech control its communication platforms, as most of the rest of the world naively allows. (For example, India's most popular social media apps, are Facebook and Youtube, meaning that US surveillance giants own and control the everyday communications of a country much larger than their own). Signal instead became used by US and western activists, and due to the contradictions of surveillance capitalism, also now its general populace. Signal's use luckily never caught on by the general public of China (or the Hong Kong Administrative region), whose government prefers autonomy, rather than letting US tech control its communication platforms, as most of the rest of the world naively allows. (For example, India's most popular social media apps, are Facebook and Youtube, meaning that US surveillance giants own and control the everyday communications of a country much larger than their own). Signal instead became used by US and western activists, and due to the contradictions of surveillance capitalism, also now its general populace.
However this is no case of [blowback](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowback_(intelligence)), [Marlinspike's confused and useful idiot politics aside](https://lemmygrad.ml/pictrs/image/n9o9bNI6gp.jpg); Signal's other deficiencies mean that there are less impediments to US government surveillance over it than previously thought, and make its claims to being "secure", questionable. However this is no case of [blowback](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowback_(intelligence)>), [Marlinspike's confused and useful idiot politics aside](https://lemmygrad.ml/pictrs/image/n9o9bNI6gp.jpg); Signal's other deficiencies mean that there are less impediments to US government surveillance over it than previously thought, and make its claims to being "secure", questionable.
As the above article states, after Yasha Levine wrote an article exposing Signal's funding sources, the [RFA tried to do damage control on Signal's behalf,](https://archive.is/Rz6Qa) in the hope that Signal would maintain good relations with its open source supporters, and remain a viable "privacy-oriented" alternative. Libby Liu, president of Radio Free Asia stated: As the above article states, after Yasha Levine wrote an article exposing Signal's funding sources, the [RFA tried to do damage control on Signal's behalf,](https://archive.is/Rz6Qa) in the hope that Signal would maintain good relations with its open source supporters, and remain a viable "privacy-oriented" alternative. Libby Liu, president of Radio Free Asia stated:
@ -102,13 +102,13 @@ As the above article states, after Yasha Levine wrote an article exposing Signal
Clearly the US government was interested in Signal's continued use and expansion. Clearly the US government was interested in Signal's continued use and expansion.
The reason the US government hasn't tried to block or hinder Signal, *is because it's satisfied with the amount of information Signal can provide to it.* The reason the US government hasn't tried to block or hinder Signal, _is because it's satisfied with the amount of information Signal can provide to it._
### A Single, Centralized, US-based service ### A Single, Centralized, US-based service
#### National Security Letters (NSLs) #### National Security Letters (NSLs)
The US has an [interesting law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_security_letter) that applies to *any US company* operating within its borders: it is **illegal to tell your users that the the US government has asked your company to spy on their behalf.** This is called a [key disclosure law](https://www.privacyguides.org/providers/#kdl), and the US's version of it, called [National Security Letters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_security_letter), underwent an expansion with the PATRIOT act. The US has an [interesting law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_security_letter) that applies to _any US company_ operating within its borders: it is **illegal to tell your users that the the US government has asked your company to spy on their behalf.** This is called a [key disclosure law](https://www.privacyguides.org/providers/#kdl), and the US's version of it, called [National Security Letters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_security_letter), underwent an expansion with the PATRIOT act.
Companies that don't comply with this law, [such as Lavabit, are forced to shut themselves down in protest, in order to avoid prison time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spW0q-g2BxU), or remain open, and funnel user communications to the US government. The Signal foundation is a US domiciled company, and must comply with this law. Companies that don't comply with this law, [such as Lavabit, are forced to shut themselves down in protest, in order to avoid prison time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spW0q-g2BxU), or remain open, and funnel user communications to the US government. The Signal foundation is a US domiciled company, and must comply with this law.
@ -118,13 +118,13 @@ This means that all of Signal's data is centralized and controlled **by a single
The centralization of Signal's data, means that it most likely has been issued an NSL letter, along with every other centralized messaging company domiciled in the US. While it's impossible for us to know for certain, its also illegal for the founders to disclose that. For a threat analysis, we should assume the worst, especially for such a popular app. The centralization of Signal's data, means that it most likely has been issued an NSL letter, along with every other centralized messaging company domiciled in the US. While it's impossible for us to know for certain, its also illegal for the founders to disclose that. For a threat analysis, we should assume the worst, especially for such a popular app.
This could account for many Signal developers' characterization of [Marlinspike as being paranoid, and a control-freak](https://archive.is/NdCxm) when it comes to some of Signal's administration. Marlinspike could face real prison time if this information were *even accidentally* made public. This could account for many Signal developers' characterization of [Marlinspike as being paranoid, and a control-freak](https://archive.is/NdCxm) when it comes to some of Signal's administration. Marlinspike could face real prison time if this information were _even accidentally_ made public.
In a time where nearly all new messaging platforms are using the self-hosted+federation model, [Marlinspike came out staunchly in favor of centralization](https://signal.org/blog/the-ecosystem-is-moving/), and refused to consider federation when asked by the developers of Matrix, a federated messaging protocol, on the grounds that it would slow down feature development. [Their response is here](https://matrix.org/blog/2020/01/02/on-privacy-versus-freedom). In a time where nearly all new messaging platforms are using the self-hosted+federation model, [Marlinspike came out staunchly in favor of centralization](https://signal.org/blog/the-ecosystem-is-moving/), and refused to consider federation when asked by the developers of Matrix, a federated messaging protocol, on the grounds that it would slow down feature development. [Their response is here](https://matrix.org/blog/2020/01/02/on-privacy-versus-freedom).
Like many of Apple's adherents who were utterly convinced of Apple's commitment to privacy, and "felt" that privacy in their gut (until [evidence was made public showing the contrary long after the fact](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data)), Signal adherents base their "trust" in Signal on completely unrelated factors, such as Signal's clean UI, or Marlinspike himself: factors which have nothing to do with privacy, and **aren't falsifiable or testable.** Like many of Apple's adherents who were utterly convinced of Apple's commitment to privacy, and "felt" that privacy in their gut (until [evidence was made public showing the contrary long after the fact](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data)), Signal adherents base their "trust" in Signal on completely unrelated factors, such as Signal's clean UI, or Marlinspike himself: factors which have nothing to do with privacy, and **aren't falsifiable or testable.**
The evidence for or against the "privacy" of centralized services is **always circumstantial**, because ultimately we can never know what code the server is *actually running*, or if it's been compromised by a malicious actor. The server is a black box we can't see into. The evidence for or against the "privacy" of centralized services is **always circumstantial**, because ultimately we can never know what code the server is _actually running_, or if it's been compromised by a malicious actor. The server is a black box we can't see into.
Self-hosted solutions on the other hand, have much harder reproducibility requirements to pass, because the people using and running them **know what code the server is running**: they can build it from scratch using the open source code (like a recipe). They **can** test the server to be sure of its security. As [Drew Devault said in his criticism of Signal](https://drewdevault.com/2018/08/08/Signal.html): **Truly secure systems don’t require trust**. Self-hosted solutions on the other hand, have much harder reproducibility requirements to pass, because the people using and running them **know what code the server is running**: they can build it from scratch using the open source code (like a recipe). They **can** test the server to be sure of its security. As [Drew Devault said in his criticism of Signal](https://drewdevault.com/2018/08/08/Signal.html): **Truly secure systems don’t require trust**.
@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ Self-hosted solutions on the other hand, have much harder reproducibility requir
If you were building a secure platform, and wanted to use an identifier, what would be the worst thing to use? **Phone numbers.** If you were building a secure platform, and wanted to use an identifier, what would be the worst thing to use? **Phone numbers.**
Phone numbers in nearly every country, including the US, **are directly linked to your identity**: including your full name, social security number, and even current address. A simple reverse phone number lookup, *doable even by non law enforcement actors*, can reveal this information. Phone numbers in nearly every country, including the US, **are directly linked to your identity**: including your full name, social security number, and even current address. A simple reverse phone number lookup, _doable even by non law enforcement actors_, can reveal this information.
This is also why it's impossible for anonymous or Internet-only activists to use Signal: by giving others their phone number, they give away their full name and address. This is also why it's impossible for anonymous or Internet-only activists to use Signal: by giving others their phone number, they give away their full name and address.
@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ Signal also allows you to be discoverable via your phone number, without your co
### Social network graphs ### Social network graphs
Signal's E2EE protocol means that, most likely, message _content_ between persons is secure. But third parties often care more about *metadata*, than actual content, since they don't have time to manually read through the messages anyway to construct meaning. Signal's E2EE protocol means that, most likely, message _content_ between persons is secure. But third parties often care more about _metadata_, than actual content, since they don't have time to manually read through the messages anyway to construct meaning.
Signals database, which we must assume is compromised due to its centralized and US domiciled nature, has a few important pieces of data; Signals database, which we must assume is compromised due to its centralized and US domiciled nature, has a few important pieces of data;
@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ Some Signal advocates have pointed out that signal implements [sealed sender](ht
### Abandonment of Open source ### Abandonment of Open source
While Signal's apps and server source code *purport* to be open source, in reality signal has been slow to update them. [In April 2021, signal outraged the open-source community by going a **whole year** without publishing their server code updates.](https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/04/06/it-looks-like-signal-isnt-as-open-source-as-you-thought-it-was-anymore/) After the outcry, signal *finally* updated their server code to appease the open source community, but it left a sour taste in everyone's mouths. While Signal's apps and server source code _purport_ to be open source, in reality signal has been slow to update them. [In April 2021, signal outraged the open-source community by going a **whole year** without publishing their server code updates.](https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/04/06/it-looks-like-signal-isnt-as-open-source-as-you-thought-it-was-anymore/) After the outcry, signal _finally_ updated their server code to appease the open source community, but it left a sour taste in everyone's mouths.
### Bundling a Cryptocurrency ### Bundling a Cryptocurrency
@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ The less identifiers a database has, such as your real name, email, and phone nu
## Bad Alternatives ## Bad Alternatives
The obvious offenders are those companies that have already signed up to the NSA's [PRISM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRISM_(surveillance_program)) program. Their applications include Facebook and its messenger, Whatsapp, Instagram, Skype, Microsoft teams, Gmail, Youtube, Apple messages, and cell carrier text and voice calling. The obvious offenders are those companies that have already signed up to the NSA's [PRISM](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRISM_(surveillance_program)>) program. Their applications include Facebook and its messenger, Whatsapp, Instagram, Skype, Microsoft teams, Gmail, Youtube, Apple messages, and cell carrier text and voice calling.
Other disqualified alternatives include US domiciled companies or those with centralized servers, including Signal, Discord, Slack, Zoom, Telegram, Threema, Snapchat, Viber, Line, Twitter, and Reddit. Other disqualified alternatives include US domiciled companies or those with centralized servers, including Signal, Discord, Slack, Zoom, Telegram, Threema, Snapchat, Viber, Line, Twitter, and Reddit.
@ -265,4 +265,3 @@ I've outlined here why it's imperative that activist communities migrate away fr
We must be adaptable and versatile: If in the future, new, more secure alternatives can be found, they should be investigated and considered as alternatives. We must be adaptable and versatile: If in the future, new, more secure alternatives can be found, they should be investigated and considered as alternatives.
We need to take control of our communications, and stop letting US tech companies handle it for us. We need to take control of our communications, and stop letting US tech companies handle it for us.

9
why_torrents_are_better.md
View File

@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ Instead of using plex or emby, consider using a dedicated torrent server, and to
## Amount of Content ## Amount of Content
- The content on streaming services are limited to what you *specifically* have downloaded. This can never match the hundreds of thousands of torrents being shared by people across the globe. Search sites like [Torrents.csv](https://torrents-csv.ml/) have often faster searching than self-hosted solutions (and you can self host the searching if you wish). - The content on streaming services are limited to what you _specifically_ have downloaded. This can never match the hundreds of thousands of torrents being shared by people across the globe. Search sites like [Torrents.csv](https://torrents-csv.ml/) have often faster searching than self-hosted solutions (and you can self host the searching if you wish).
- Which is better, having a collection of *my music*, or having a collection of *all music*? - Which is better, having a collection of _my music_, or having a collection of _all music_?
## Choice of media player ## Choice of media player
@ -38,8 +38,7 @@ Instead of using plex or emby, consider using a dedicated torrent server, and to
## Caching / Saving / Streaming ## Caching / Saving / Streaming
- Many of us don't have data, or are often in areas where data is spotty. - Many of us don't have data, or are often in areas where data is spotty.
- Its often a *feature* of services like plex to be able to save media locally, to avoid this problem. This is default with torrents. - Its often a _feature_ of services like plex to be able to save media locally, to avoid this problem. This is default with torrents.
- Torrent clients like qbittorrent and libretorrent for android let you *download files in sequential order*, IE stream, at the click of a button. - Torrent clients like qbittorrent and libretorrent for android let you _download files in sequential order_, IE stream, at the click of a button.
- Services like [Torrents.csv](https://torrents-csv.ml) let you search for files within torrents, so you can easily download / stream individual songs. - Services like [Torrents.csv](https://torrents-csv.ml) let you search for files within torrents, so you can easily download / stream individual songs.
- Its your choice where things are downloaded to. You can have a desktop or server with a highly available torrent client, and/or a smartphone torrent client. - Its your choice where things are downloaded to. You can have a desktop or server with a highly available torrent client, and/or a smartphone torrent client.

43
zak_cope_divided_favorites.md
View File

@ -2,21 +2,22 @@
## Labour Aristocracy ## Labour Aristocracy
The labour aristocracy is that section of the international working class whose privileged position in the lucrative job markets opened up by imperialism guarantees its receipt of wages approaching or exceeding the per capita value created by the working class as a whole. The class interests of the labour aristocracy are bound up with those of the capitalist class, such that if the latter is unable to accumulate superprofits then the super-wages of the labour aristocracy must be reduced. Today, the working class of the imperialist countries, what we may refer to as *metropolitan labour*, is entirely labour aristocratic. The labour aristocracy is that section of the international working class whose privileged position in the lucrative job markets opened up by imperialism guarantees its receipt of wages approaching or exceeding the per capita value created by the working class as a whole. The class interests of the labour aristocracy are bound up with those of the capitalist class, such that if the latter is unable to accumulate superprofits then the super-wages of the labour aristocracy must be reduced. Today, the working class of the imperialist countries, what we may refer to as _metropolitan labour_, is entirely labour aristocratic.
The labour aristocracy provides the major vehicle for bourgeois ideological and political influence within the working class. For Lenin, "opportunism" in the labour movement is conditioned by the preponderance of two major economic factors, namely, either "vast colonial possessions or a monopolist position in world markets." These allow for ever-greater sections of the metropolitan working class to be granted super-wages so that it is not merely the *haute bourgeoisie* which subsists on profits. Thus, according to Lenin, it is not simply capitalists who benefit from imperialism: The labour aristocracy provides the major vehicle for bourgeois ideological and political influence within the working class. For Lenin, "opportunism" in the labour movement is conditioned by the preponderance of two major economic factors, namely, either "vast colonial possessions or a monopolist position in world markets." These allow for ever-greater sections of the metropolitan working class to be granted super-wages so that it is not merely the _haute bourgeoisie_ which subsists on profits. Thus, according to Lenin, it is not simply capitalists who benefit from imperialism:
> The export of capital, one of the most essential economic bases of imperialism, still more completely isolates the rentiers from production and sets the seal of parasitism *on the whole country* that lives by exploiting the labour of several overseas countries and colonies. > The export of capital, one of the most essential economic bases of imperialism, still more completely isolates the rentiers from production and sets the seal of parasitism _on the whole country_ that lives by exploiting the labour of several overseas countries and colonies.
For Lenin, superprofits derived from imperialism allow the globally predominant bourgeoisie to pay inflated wages to sections of the (international) proletariat, who thus derive a material stake in preserving the capitalist system: For Lenin, superprofits derived from imperialism allow the globally predominant bourgeoisie to pay inflated wages to sections of the (international) proletariat, who thus derive a material stake in preserving the capitalist system:
> In all the civilised, advanced countries the bourgeoisie rob---either by colonial oppression or by financially extracting "gain" from formally independent weak countries---they rob a population many times larger than that of "their own" country. This is the economic factor that enables the imperialist bourgeoisie to obtain super-profits, part of which is used to bribe the top section of the proletariat and convert it into a reformist, opportunist petty bourgeoisie that fears revolution. > In all the civilised, advanced countries the bourgeoisie rob---either by colonial oppression or by financially extracting "gain" from formally independent weak countries---they rob a population many times larger than that of "their own" country. This is the economic factor that enables the imperialist bourgeoisie to obtain super-profits, part of which is used to bribe the top section of the proletariat and convert it into a reformist, opportunist petty bourgeoisie that fears revolution.
There are several pressing reasons why the *haute bourgeoisie* in command of the heights of the global capitalist economy pays its domestic working class super-wages, even where it is not forced to by militant trade-union struggle within the metropolis. There are several pressing reasons why the _haute bourgeoisie_ in command of the heights of the global capitalist economy pays its domestic working class super-wages, even where it is not forced to by militant trade-union struggle within the metropolis.
- *Economically*, the *embourgeoisement* of First World workers has provided oligopolies with the secure and thriving consumer markets necessary to capital's expanded reproduction.
- *Politically*, the stability of pro-imperialist polities with a working-class majority is of paramount concern to cautious investors and their representatives in government. - _Economically_, the _embourgeoisement_ of First World workers has provided oligopolies with the secure and thriving consumer markets necessary to capital's expanded reproduction.
- *Militarily*, a pliant and/or quiescent workforce furnishes both the national chauvinist personnel required to enforce global hegemony and a secure base from which to launch the subjugation of Third World territories. - _Politically_, the stability of pro-imperialist polities with a working-class majority is of paramount concern to cautious investors and their representatives in government.
- Finally, *ideologically*, the lifestyles and cultural mores enjoyed by most First World workers signifies to the Third World not what benefits *imperialism* brings, but what capitalist industrial development and parliamentary democracy alone can achieve. - _Militarily_, a pliant and/or quiescent workforce furnishes both the national chauvinist personnel required to enforce global hegemony and a secure base from which to launch the subjugation of Third World territories.
- Finally, _ideologically_, the lifestyles and cultural mores enjoyed by most First World workers signifies to the Third World not what benefits _imperialism_ brings, but what capitalist industrial development and parliamentary democracy alone can achieve.
In receiving a share of superprofits, a sometimes fraught alliance is forged between workers and capitalists in the advanced nations. As far back as 1919, the First Congress of the Communist International (COMINTERN) adopted a resolution, agreed on by all of the major leaders of the world Communist movement of the time, which read: In receiving a share of superprofits, a sometimes fraught alliance is forged between workers and capitalists in the advanced nations. As far back as 1919, the First Congress of the Communist International (COMINTERN) adopted a resolution, agreed on by all of the major leaders of the world Communist movement of the time, which read:
@ -36,15 +37,15 @@ At the turn of the 20th century, the "new unionism" of Western Europe and the Un
Even as the Keynesian social contract was systematically dismantled under neoliberalism, the massive proletarianisation and superexploitation of Third World labour in the final decades of the last century provided that unprecedented standards of living and the widespread introduction of supervisory and circulatory occupations further insulated metropolitan labour from the intrinsic conflict between capital and labour. Nineteenth century restrictions imposed by labour aristocratic unions on membership for the mass of workers have today been entirely substituted for restrictions on immigration from the Third World which are national in scope and allow the maintenance of profound global wage differentials. Even as the Keynesian social contract was systematically dismantled under neoliberalism, the massive proletarianisation and superexploitation of Third World labour in the final decades of the last century provided that unprecedented standards of living and the widespread introduction of supervisory and circulatory occupations further insulated metropolitan labour from the intrinsic conflict between capital and labour. Nineteenth century restrictions imposed by labour aristocratic unions on membership for the mass of workers have today been entirely substituted for restrictions on immigration from the Third World which are national in scope and allow the maintenance of profound global wage differentials.
The development of the labour aristocracy should not be thought of as purely the result of the machinations of a ruling bourgeois strategy to maintain power. Imperialism is a particular stage in the development of capitalism relying upon the extraction of superprofits from large portions of humanity. The ability of monopoly capital to exploit labour is restricted in that its high organic composition sets limits to investment opportunities which only superexploitation can (temporarily) overcome. To maintain the influx of superprofits and, hence, overall profit rates, imperialism must ensure that the working class in the core nations of the capitalist world economy, where it constitutes the majority, does not attempt independently to reorganize production in its own interests. Through its representative political institutions, imperialism therefore aims to keep its "own" workers committed to the *status quo* whilst accumulating additional profits and enervating potential opposition by maintaining domestic division on the basis of gender, "race," religion, ethnicity and market opportunity (for example, by controlling access to cultural capital and selectively applying penal policy). The development of the labour aristocracy should not be thought of as purely the result of the machinations of a ruling bourgeois strategy to maintain power. Imperialism is a particular stage in the development of capitalism relying upon the extraction of superprofits from large portions of humanity. The ability of monopoly capital to exploit labour is restricted in that its high organic composition sets limits to investment opportunities which only superexploitation can (temporarily) overcome. To maintain the influx of superprofits and, hence, overall profit rates, imperialism must ensure that the working class in the core nations of the capitalist world economy, where it constitutes the majority, does not attempt independently to reorganize production in its own interests. Through its representative political institutions, imperialism therefore aims to keep its "own" workers committed to the _status quo_ whilst accumulating additional profits and enervating potential opposition by maintaining domestic division on the basis of gender, "race," religion, ethnicity and market opportunity (for example, by controlling access to cultural capital and selectively applying penal policy).
Yet the labour aristocracy is a kind of Golem. Induced by the imperialist bourgeoisie to protect its hegemony, as metropolitan labour's wealth and power has grown the labour aristocracy is increasingly unaccountable to its master. Within the system of imperialism, the labour aristocracy today sets economic and political limits to its repression in so far as challenging its interests necessitates either open conflict within the First World between workers and employers, or an equally coordinated but piecemeal assault on its most vulnerable, poorest and most oppressed sections. Invariably, the latter process occurs according to the ongoing historical legacy of capitalism's uneven global development. Accordingly, today's imperialist bourgeoisie attempting valiantly to staunch the flow of superprofits to its working-class junior partners whips up racism in the media, through laws and through the pronouncements of its political representatives for fear that it cannot afford the political infrastructure nor the loss of trade to less neoliberal rivals should it attempt head-on confrontation with the whole. Yet the labour aristocracy is a kind of Golem. Induced by the imperialist bourgeoisie to protect its hegemony, as metropolitan labour's wealth and power has grown the labour aristocracy is increasingly unaccountable to its master. Within the system of imperialism, the labour aristocracy today sets economic and political limits to its repression in so far as challenging its interests necessitates either open conflict within the First World between workers and employers, or an equally coordinated but piecemeal assault on its most vulnerable, poorest and most oppressed sections. Invariably, the latter process occurs according to the ongoing historical legacy of capitalism's uneven global development. Accordingly, today's imperialist bourgeoisie attempting valiantly to staunch the flow of superprofits to its working-class junior partners whips up racism in the media, through laws and through the pronouncements of its political representatives for fear that it cannot afford the political infrastructure nor the loss of trade to less neoliberal rivals should it attempt head-on confrontation with the whole.
By virtue of granting them a share in the enormous profits reaped from continual imperialist subjugation, the ruling class of the imperialist nations is able to keep its citizenry from striving to unite on a socialist basis with the superexploited nationalities. As the late US historian Bernard Semmel has correctly written, "The mere division of produce between capitalists and labourers is of very small moment when compared with the amount of produce to be divided." Greek Marxist economist, the late Arghiri Emmanuel expands upon this basic insight admirably: By virtue of granting them a share in the enormous profits reaped from continual imperialist subjugation, the ruling class of the imperialist nations is able to keep its citizenry from striving to unite on a socialist basis with the superexploited nationalities. As the late US historian Bernard Semmel has correctly written, "The mere division of produce between capitalists and labourers is of very small moment when compared with the amount of produce to be divided." Greek Marxist economist, the late Arghiri Emmanuel expands upon this basic insight admirably:
> When ... the relative importance of the national exploitation from which a working class suffers through belonging to the proletariat diminishes continually as compared with that from which it benefits through belonging to a privileged nation, a moment comes when the aim of increasing the national income in absolute terms prevails over that of improving the relative share of one part of the nation over the other ... Thereafter a *de facto* united front of the workers and capitalists of the well-to-do countries, directed against the poor nations, co-exists with an internal trade-union struggle over the sharing of the loot. Under these conditions this trade-union struggle necessarily becomes more and more a sort of settlement of accounts between partners, and it is no accident that in the richest countries, such as the United States---with similar tendencies already apparent in the other big capitalist countries---militant trade-union struggle is degenerating first into trade unionism of the classic British type, then into corporatism, and finally into racketeering. > When ... the relative importance of the national exploitation from which a working class suffers through belonging to the proletariat diminishes continually as compared with that from which it benefits through belonging to a privileged nation, a moment comes when the aim of increasing the national income in absolute terms prevails over that of improving the relative share of one part of the nation over the other ... Thereafter a _de facto_ united front of the workers and capitalists of the well-to-do countries, directed against the poor nations, co-exists with an internal trade-union struggle over the sharing of the loot. Under these conditions this trade-union struggle necessarily becomes more and more a sort of settlement of accounts between partners, and it is no accident that in the richest countries, such as the United States---with similar tendencies already apparent in the other big capitalist countries---militant trade-union struggle is degenerating first into trade unionism of the classic British type, then into corporatism, and finally into racketeering.
For Lenin, writing a century ago when this process was nowhere near its mature stage, imperialism was succeeding in creating a large proportion of "straw bosses" and labour aristocrats within the core-nation working class. "To a certain degree," he wrote, "the workers of the oppressor nations are partners of their own bourgeoisie in plundering the workers (and the mass of the population) of the oppressed nations. Politically, the difference is that, compared with the workers of the oppressed nations, they occupy a privileged position in many spheres of political life. Ideologically ... the difference is that they are taught, at school and in life, disdain and contempt for the workers of the oppressed nations." The great American scholar and progressive W.E.B. Du Bois put it even more succinctly: "the white workingman has been asked to share the spoils of exploiting 'c____ and n____'. It is no longer simply the merchant prince, or the aristocratic monopoly, or even the employing class that is exploiting the world: it is the nation; a new democratic nation composed of united capital and labor." For Lenin, writing a century ago when this process was nowhere near its mature stage, imperialism was succeeding in creating a large proportion of "straw bosses" and labour aristocrats within the core-nation working class. "To a certain degree," he wrote, "the workers of the oppressor nations are partners of their own bourgeoisie in plundering the workers (and the mass of the population) of the oppressed nations. Politically, the difference is that, compared with the workers of the oppressed nations, they occupy a privileged position in many spheres of political life. Ideologically ... the difference is that they are taught, at school and in life, disdain and contempt for the workers of the oppressed nations." The great American scholar and progressive W.E.B. Du Bois put it even more succinctly: "the white workingman has been asked to share the spoils of exploiting 'c\_**\_ and n\_\_**'. It is no longer simply the merchant prince, or the aristocratic monopoly, or even the employing class that is exploiting the world: it is the nation; a new democratic nation composed of united capital and labor."
With these definitions in mind, we can now begin our study of the labour aristocracy and its characteristic politics, both as developed historically and as existing today. With these definitions in mind, we can now begin our study of the labour aristocracy and its characteristic politics, both as developed historically and as existing today.
@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ In the late 19th century, the labour aristocracy consisted mainly in skilled and
Compared to this "dark and vast" colonial and neocolonial working class, the white working class (the working class of imperialist nations bound by white supremacy) is prosperous indeed, a fact which ensured that social chauvinism readily incorporated racist doctrines. Compared to this "dark and vast" colonial and neocolonial working class, the white working class (the working class of imperialist nations bound by white supremacy) is prosperous indeed, a fact which ensured that social chauvinism readily incorporated racist doctrines.
The American working class was self-consciously and militantly "white" long before European workers organised around that putative identity. Indeed, not only did the racial category of "whiteness" have extra-European origins but, in the mid-late Victorian period, much of the European working class, particularly those in urban areas, was actively excluded from it. Although immigration of non-white groups proved the major catalyst for European workers' active deployment of a politicised white identity, the nature and availability of this identity is rooted in the racialised imperialist nationalism of the early 20th century. In that period there was a notable shift in emphasis from "whiteness as a bourgeois identity, connoting extraordinary qualities, to whiteness as a popularist identity connoting superiority, but also ordinariness, nation and community." Thus, from being marginal to the white identity in the 19th century, Europeans *en masse* came to adopt and adapt it in the 20th century as jingoistic state institutions conveyed racist consciousness to the working class. The American working class was self-consciously and militantly "white" long before European workers organised around that putative identity. Indeed, not only did the racial category of "whiteness" have extra-European origins but, in the mid-late Victorian period, much of the European working class, particularly those in urban areas, was actively excluded from it. Although immigration of non-white groups proved the major catalyst for European workers' active deployment of a politicised white identity, the nature and availability of this identity is rooted in the racialised imperialist nationalism of the early 20th century. In that period there was a notable shift in emphasis from "whiteness as a bourgeois identity, connoting extraordinary qualities, to whiteness as a popularist identity connoting superiority, but also ordinariness, nation and community." Thus, from being marginal to the white identity in the 19th century, Europeans _en masse_ came to adopt and adapt it in the 20th century as jingoistic state institutions conveyed racist consciousness to the working class.
In the era of imperialism, state intervention into the economy was combined with mass media enculturation and philanthropic and civic initiatives to guarantee working-class quiescence. The notion of a national community embracing decent working-class living standards and a popular sense of belonging was thereby considerably enhanced so that thoroughly racialised nationalist symbols and ideology could now be adopted and adapted for usage by the labour aristocracy. As social geographer Alastair Bonnett shows of the British case, "Welfare came wrapped in the Union Jack" and a white supremacist notion of nationality thus advanced as the ideological accompaniment of social democratic capitalism. In the era of imperialism, state intervention into the economy was combined with mass media enculturation and philanthropic and civic initiatives to guarantee working-class quiescence. The notion of a national community embracing decent working-class living standards and a popular sense of belonging was thereby considerably enhanced so that thoroughly racialised nationalist symbols and ideology could now be adopted and adapted for usage by the labour aristocracy. As social geographer Alastair Bonnett shows of the British case, "Welfare came wrapped in the Union Jack" and a white supremacist notion of nationality thus advanced as the ideological accompaniment of social democratic capitalism.
@ -79,7 +80,7 @@ In 1933, W.E.B. Du Bois characterized the split within the global working class
> Thus the engineers and saving better-paid workers, form a new petty bourgeois class, whose interests are bound up with those of the capitalists and antagonistic to those of common labor. On the other hand, common labor in America and white Europe far from being motivated by any vision of revolt against capitalism, has been blinded by the American vision of the possibility of layer after layer of the workers escaping into the wealthy class and becoming managers and employers of labor[...]. > Thus the engineers and saving better-paid workers, form a new petty bourgeois class, whose interests are bound up with those of the capitalists and antagonistic to those of common labor. On the other hand, common labor in America and white Europe far from being motivated by any vision of revolt against capitalism, has been blinded by the American vision of the possibility of layer after layer of the workers escaping into the wealthy class and becoming managers and employers of labor[...].
> The second influence on white labor both in America and Europe has been the fact that the extension of the world market by imperial expanding industry has established a worldwide new proletariat of colored workers, toiling under the worst conditions of 19th century capitalism, herded as slaves and serfs and furnishing by the lowest paid wage in modern history a mass of raw material for industry. With this largesse the capitalists have consolidated their economic power, nullified universal suffrage and bribed the white workers by high wages, visions of wealth and the opportunity to drive "n____." Soldiers and sailors from the white workers are used to keep "d____" in their "places" and white foremen and engineers have been established as irresponsible satraps in China and India, Africa and the West Indies, backed by the organized and centralized ownership of machines, raw materials, finished commodities and land monopoly over the whole world. > The second influence on white labor both in America and Europe has been the fact that the extension of the world market by imperial expanding industry has established a worldwide new proletariat of colored workers, toiling under the worst conditions of 19th century capitalism, herded as slaves and serfs and furnishing by the lowest paid wage in modern history a mass of raw material for industry. With this largesse the capitalists have consolidated their economic power, nullified universal suffrage and bribed the white workers by high wages, visions of wealth and the opportunity to drive "n\_**\_." Soldiers and sailors from the white workers are used to keep "d\_\_**" in their "places" and white foremen and engineers have been established as irresponsible satraps in China and India, Africa and the West Indies, backed by the organized and centralized ownership of machines, raw materials, finished commodities and land monopoly over the whole world.
## ILO statistics ## ILO statistics
@ -89,11 +90,11 @@ If you make more than PPP $1.50 / hour, or ~$250 / month, then you are in the mi
Also, remember that western finance capitalists aren't paying for southern labor in PPP dollars, they're paying unadjusted wages, so the surplus value extracted is **much** higher. Southern workers are working using highly mobile, 21st century capital equipment, while being paid wage levels from the 1800s. Also, remember that western finance capitalists aren't paying for southern labor in PPP dollars, they're paying unadjusted wages, so the surplus value extracted is **much** higher. Southern workers are working using highly mobile, 21st century capital equipment, while being paid wage levels from the 1800s.
Inflation-adjusted Average Wage Rates for male workers in 2007 | _ | Inflation-adjusted Average Wage Rates for male workers in 2007 | \_ |
--- | --- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ------ |
Monthly wage for OECD workers | $2,378 | Monthly wage for OECD workers | $2,378 |
Monthly wage for non-OECD workers | $253 | Monthly wage for non-OECD workers | $253 |
Hourly wage for OECD workers | $17 | Hourly wage for OECD workers | $17 |
Hourly wage for non-OECD workers | $1.50 | Hourly wage for non-OECD workers | $1.50 |
Factoral Difference between OECD and non-OECD wages | 11 | Factoral Difference between OECD and non-OECD wages | 11 |
Median Global Hourly wage | $9.25 | Median Global Hourly wage | $9.25 |