What do YOU  think? (poll results are below) Also -- read our 12 thousand comments The very popular poll and forum that ran here from March 2002 to June 2007 is now closed for reasons both technical and personal (ie: my previous Internet Service Provider went out of business and my scripts no longer work with my new ISP -- and I no longer have time to delete on a daily basis the many posts from spammers, racists and posts that consisted of crude personal insults). Eventually (not this year) there will be a much better forum here. In the meantime, the best forum for radical leftist discussion is at RevLeft.com and I encourage progressive activists to go there. And, for the most serious activists with experience and humility, I also recommend the Party of the Future email lists. Information about these serious discussion lists can be found at: http://MediaWeapon.com. Sincerely and revolutionary regards, Ben Seattle • January 2008 • Is communism a monstrous system of slavery --or-- the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind? • Does the former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, etc. represent communism? Or has genuine communism ever existed? Communism is a monstrous system of slavery 25%   (2715 votes) the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind 56%   (6126 votes) not sure 7%   (730 votes) other 13%   (1457 votes) Total = 11028 votes The Soviet Union was socialist or communist 30%   (3238 votes) an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist 60%   (6562 votes) not sure 4%   (467 votes) other 6%   (675 votes) Total = 10942 votes socialism exists (or existed) in former Soviet Union 15%   (4086 votes) China 15%   (3889 votes) Cuba 16%   (4314 votes) North Korea 12%   (3203 votes) former Yugoslavia 10%   (2681 votes) Sweden 10%   (2559 votes) has never existed 14%   (3667 votes) not sure 4%   (1010 votes) other 5%   (1229 votes) Total = 26638 votes Genuine socialism is the rule of society by the working class 70%   (7633 votes) the rule of society by a corrupt bureaucracy 17%   (1852 votes) not sure 5%   (495 votes) other 8%   (849 votes) Total = 10829 votes modern capitalist societies are ruled by the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) 71%   (7638 votes) everybody, in a democratic way 22%   (2319 votes) not sure 2%   (264 votes) other 5%   (502 votes) Total = 10723 votes The FAQ I have read the FAQ 46%   (4061 votes) I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ 54%   (4757 votes) Total = 8818 votes To those of you who are pissed off about communism, I challenge you to make your case using intelligent arguments Want to argue that communism is impossible because of "human nature"? You may want to read this first--and reply to the arguments there ( Ben Seattle • December 2003 )

 

Ben's theoretical work A survey of Ben Seattle's theoretical work -- in the form of 29 political ads used in the communism forum -- =================================== 1 =================================== It's easy to keep informed! Get email updates twice a year   No spam--just an email sent to you twice a year               =================================== 2 =================================== Communism and human nature The self-organizing moneyless economy of the future will unleash the full potential of human initiative and the striving for happiness     Many who post here argue that communism will never be possible because of "human nature". The essence of this false argument is the belief that a communist society would consist of an all-powerful central government that would tell everybody what to do--and would therefore undermine the creative initiative of individuals and the search for happiness.     • This argument is based on two false assumptions: (1) It assumes that a communist society will look like the former Soviet Union, or the current China, North Korea, etc (ie: corrupt police states with a feudal-style ruling class) (2) It assumes that people will only work in order to own bigger and bigger piles of commodities.     • The truth is that: (1) There will be no government in communist society--people will do what they want without being pushed around by anyone. The development of a corrupt police state or a new ruling class will be prevented by the struggles of the masses who will be armed with the weapon of transparency. (2) In a world of abundance for all no one will have to struggle (or even work) for the necessities of life (which will be a birthright--just like the air we all breathe). People will work on projects of their own choosing because (a) they find the work fun and interesting; (b) they enjoy the work relationships with talented and dedicated co-workers; (c) they want to make the world a better place; or (d) they want social status and recognition. A world of abundance for all where work is fun (and voluntary) will be made possible by a much higher productivity of human labor.     • An example of communist work relationships is provided by the Linux computer operating system--the core of which was created by many thousands of people--all working for free. A 2nd example is the "work" involved when people post to this board. No one gets paid to post here--but people do so--because it is an expression of their principles and convictions.     • Who is in control? Under capitalism (and previous economic systems such as feudalism and slavery) only a small fraction of the population has control over their conditions of work--and the life of society as a whole. Only under genuine communism will the masses control their conditions of work--and the culture, economy and politics of society. • (Ben Seattle • Dec 2003)

=================================== 3 =================================== The Self-Organizing Moneyless Economy     The first scientific speculation on how a communist economy and political system will function in the 21st century. Featuring brief sketches of the organization of political, cultural and economic life in a future where all authority flows from principles that have been distributed universally and are part of everyone's internal compass rather than institutions which are external to the individual and which use one or another form of carrot or stick.     The future communist economy, based on the principle of from each according to his ability, to each according to his need, will not be based on the market, money, capital, commodities or wages (ie: the economy will not be based on exchange or trade of any kind) nor will there exist any kind of supreme central authority telling everyone what to do.     All work and all economic actions will be voluntary (ie: gifts freely given without strings attached--nor expectations of reciprocity). The communist economy will consist of myriad self-organizing assemblies of economic units in competition with one another to most efficiently transform skilled labor and other resources into forms of social wealth serving the the material and cultural needs of the masses. (1995) =================================== 4 =================================== Politics, Economics and the Mass Media when the working class runs the show After the overthrow of bourgeois rule, during the period of transition to a communist economy ...     • Will there be elections?     • The three economic sectors       (private capitalist, state capitalist, gift economy)     • The evolution of the mass media       (commercial media, state media, free media) =================================== 5 =================================== A scenario for the overthrow of bourgeois rule in the U.S. in the middle of the 21st century Here is one way events may unfold ... 1. The digital fire • 2. Electoral victory • 3. Economic retaliation 4. Workers stand firm • 5. Attempted decapitation • 6. Workers' movement resilient 7. Bourgeoisie paralyzed • 8. Workers' victorious • 9. Stable workers' state =================================== 6 =================================== The Future Transparent Workers' State Will a workers' state be a brutal police state or a machine controlled by workers? Are we paralyzed by fear of violent and brutal repression? Or defiant, courageous and determined to win victory with mass-based information war? • Who's afraid of "red fascism"? • The solution to the crisis of theory • Thermador vs. Transparency • Mass-based information war • Why "censorship by filter" is doomed to fail • Productivity of labor inseparable from revolution in communications • How the bourgeois political machine undermines the independence of the mass oppositional movements =================================== 7 =================================== Want to see the overthrow of bourgeois rule?   Do you have what it takes to be part of the pof-200 discussion list ?  Determination  •  Humility  •  Militancy  •  Maturity =================================== 8 =================================== It's easy to keep informed! Get email updates twice a year   No spam--just an email sent to you twice a year               =================================== 9 =================================== The cyberLeninist Manifesto The principle that "information wants to be free" fits Leninism like a bullet does a rifle in what turns out to be the ultimate nightmare for the bourgeoisie. Leninism, as a continuation of the practical and theoretical work of Karl Marx, had two stages in the period that Lenin was alive. The period from Lenin's death to approximately the present time has represented the third stage of Leninism. Now, as the coming revolution in digital communications promises to link-up class-conscious workers in every country, we are entering the fourth stage. Leninism I • (1896-1917) • Building a party that withstood repression and fought emergent social-democracy Leninism II • (1917-1923) • State power under harsh conditions Leninism III • (1924 -- approximately today) • Leninism in the hands of its enemies Leninism IV • (after the fall of the Soviet Union and the emergence of the internet) • Classical Leninism plus "information wants to be free"     (Oct 1996) =================================== 10 ===================================   How to Build the Party of the Future By continuing our political development and harnessing the power of the coming revolution in communications--we can help to lay the foundation for a communist "trend of trends" with the ability to eradicate sectarianism from our ranks, puncture the influence of reformism over a vast audience, capture the imagination of workers in their millions and mobilize our class to ignite a fire that cannot be extinguished     The coming revolution in communications, now in its earliest stages, is already beginning to demonstrate its potential to influence the development and interaction of Marxist (and would-be Marxist) organizations. In the next decade or so, the communications revolution holds promise to completely transform the "left ecosystem" at present consisting predominantly of squabbling sectarian grouplets, craven reformists and the just-plain confused. In place of this will likely emerge a dynamic and powerful system of communist organizations which will both compete and cooperate with one another ... (May 1997, unfinished, deals with principles and history of international communist movement) =================================== 11 =================================== 1917 was the beta version What are the decisive tasks today to rebuild a communist movement worthy of the name ? 1. working to create a web-based news service without copyright that would be open to all trends 2. focusing discussion on the system of workers' rule as it will exist in modern conditions     (Nov 1997) =================================== 12 =================================== Want to see the overthrow of bourgeois rule?   Do you have what it takes to be part of the pof-200 discussion list ?  Determination  •  Humility  •  Militancy  •  Maturity =================================== 13 =================================== How will economics, politics and culture work when the working class runs modern society? Working class rule has never existed in a modern, stable society. However it will emerge triumphant in the 21st century. How will a workers' state suppress the former ruling bourgeoisie without also suppressing the independent political life of workers? (Apr 2001) =================================== 14 =================================== Seventeen Theses • Includes 9 theses on the Emerging Revolution in Communications and its Significance for the Awakening of Proletarian Political life and Consciousness (a fairly concentrated summary of Ben's views on our tasks in the coming period of transparency and information war) • Includes poll and bulletin board   (July 2001) =================================== 15 =================================== It's easy to keep informed! Get email updates twice a year   No spam--just an email sent to you twice a year               =================================== 16 =================================== Finding the Confidence to Build the Future How will the working class keep supply chains running and bourgeois apologists from flooding the airwaves on the morning after bourgeois rule is broken? The crisis of theory is that we don't have a goal that makes any sense. The alternative to resolving the crisis of theory is to restrict our vision to rolling a heavy stone up a hill until the end of time. {Excerpt}   ...   But if we seek a fundamental change to the status quo--we soon run into a formidable obstacle: fundamental change to the status quo is unthinkable.     The progressive movement (even the most serious, militant sections of it) is totally incapable of coming up with any serious alternative to the present system of bourgeois rule. The alternatives we are offered are only fit for people with the mentality of children. The militant "marxists" offer us an alternative that consists, essentially, of a police state. The militant anarchists offer us only childish daydreams. This failure of the progressive movement to offer a serious alternative to the rule of the rich is called the "crisis of theory".     It is because of this crisis of theory that fundamental change to the status quo is unthinkable. No one can imagine it, picture it, visualize it, or explain it in terms that are remotely realistic--in terms that take into account the specific features of modern, economically developed societies. This is why such an alternative is unthinkable. It is impossible to think about.     (January 2003) =================================== 17 =================================== Which way forward for the development of a powerful anti-war movement? The decisive step forward for the anti-war movement is to develop in depth so that it can give tens and hundreds of thousands a clear understanding of the class nature of our society and the need to end the rule of the bourgeoisie. • Hit them where it hurts • How to move the Democrats to the left • The need for revolutionary organizations that are deserving of the respect of the masses.   (March 2003) =================================== 18 =================================== Want to see the overthrow of bourgeois rule?   Do you have what it takes to be part of the pof-200 discussion list ?  Determination  •  Humility  •  Militancy  •  Maturity =================================== 19 =================================== It's easy to keep informed! Get email updates twice a year   No spam--just an email sent to you twice a year               =================================== 20 =================================== Frequently Asked Questions What is communism? • What is socialism? • Where has communism or socialism existed? Communism and human nature • What happened to Lenin's 1917 revolution? • What democratic rights will workers have after the overthrow of bourgeois rule? • How will workers prevent the former bourgeoisie (or a new ruling class) from coming back to power? • What will a genuine classless, communist society look like? =================================== 21 =================================== =================================== 22 =================================== =================================== 23 ===================================   The History of the Universe The self-organization of matter from the big bang to the future ... From the dawn of life to the self-organizing moneyless economy =================================== 24 =================================== It's easy to keep informed! Get email updates twice a year   No spam--just an email sent to you twice a year               =================================== 25 =================================== Want to see the overthrow of bourgeois rule?   Do you have what it takes to be part of the pof-200 discussion list ?  Determination  •  Humility  •  Militancy  •  Maturity =================================== 26 =================================== =================================== 27 =================================== =================================== 28 =================================== =================================== 29 ===================================

Architecture for Victory How the proletariat will use information war to mobilize millions for the overthrow of bourgeois rule Communist theory and practice will combine to deliver to millions of workers in the advanced industrialized countries the news that the fundamental solution to all the problems of the modern world--is the overthrow of the system of bourgeois rule--and its replacement with something that has never existed--workers' rule under modern conditions. Theory of Workers' Rule under modern conditions The rule of the rich will be broken • The economic, cultural and political life of society will no longer be ruled by the wealthy or subordinate to the needs of corporate profits. Sources of bourgeois wealth will be confiscated. All attempts by those with any remaining form of wealth or privilege--to leverage their resources and seize control of society--will be smashed. Workers will run society without restriction • Workers will have the democratic right to hear and voice uncensored views and form independent organizations under conditions of political transparency. Workers' News Network Reviews of all important articles in the mainstream press Inclusion of full text of all articles from participating progressive organizations Platform for "coopetition" (ie: competition and cooperation) between various progressive trends Web-accessible database • open to contributions from all • No copyright--everything is public domain Comprehensive and in-depth coverage of • Politics • Economics • Culture • Technology • from the standpoint of working class interests Readers decide what to read (and what to ignore) on the basis of collaborative filtering

Proletarian Democracy How will economics, politics and culture work when the working class runs modern society? Workers' militia defending the barricades--Paris, May 1871 Working class rule has never existed except in embryonic form (the Paris Commune of 1871 and early Soviet Russia). Nevertheless it will emerge triumphant in the 21st century. How will a modern society suppress the former ruling bourgeoisie without also suppressing the independent political life of workers? The primary obstacle to the development of a mass movement focused on the overthrow of bourgeois rule and its replacement with a system of workers' rule is the complete theoretical bankruptcy of nearly all conceptions of workers' rule. The proletarian democracy web site, bulletin board and email discussion lists are focused on helping to overcome this theoretical bankruptcy. Topics discussed include: competition of multiple workers' parties in the context of a stable, modern society "socialist" police state or eternal bourgeois rule? (a theoretically degenerate "left ecosystem") separation of speech and property mass-based information war Related theoretical topics • Bourgeois ideological warfare • The Transition Economy • Cargo Cult Leninism Related theoretical projects • Proletarism • Participatory Economics • the Self-Organizing Moneyless Economy Visit the Proletarian Democracy web site Check out what readers are saying Post your own comments to our bulletin board Join the Proletarian Democracy email discussion list