Reading recommendations on the party-form besides What is to Be Done?
Hello. I am trying to form a better understanding of the vanguard party and the party-form so I can learn why it is a good form of organization for the working class, how it compares to the alternatives, how it is internally organized, how it compares to bourgeois parties, and so on. Works with a broader scope are preferred. I have already read What is to Be Done? which is usually considered the main work on the party, so I will need other recommendations.
The mass line is the fundamental tool of maintaining a direct link between the working class and the vanguard,
without falling into tailism or commandism.
Democratic centralism turns an amorphous but radicalized working class into a solidified force to overwhelm its enemies. It takes the greatest strength of the proletariat, its mass, and aligns it in a unified direction.
:::
As organizers, we must do our best to engage where the working class is at, and not let the perfect socialism in our heads be the enemy of our own practice.
Marxism in western countries is often clouded by those who seem to only support socialism that failed, the "pure" socialist movements unsullied by the very real struggles involved in building socialism over a lengthy period of time. This perfect vision of socialism in our heads becomes not just the enemy of our practice, but also that of socialists in the global south that fought and died for a better world.
Tenacity is what creates valleys and shifts mountains. Through our connected struggle, even if the odds seem overwhelming, we all contribute to bringing about a better world.
We must combat the notion of putting self-interest above that of our collective struggle. It is through collaboration that we emancipate all, not just ourselves.
:::
Obviously you can skip Lenin's What is to be Done? as you've already read it. Liu Shaoqi's work in particular is helpful for understanding how the CPC organizes. In addition, Gramsci's The Communist Party is quite good, as is Jo Freeman's The Tyranny of Structurelessness.
8
dazaroo - 2w
didn't realise Xi was that eloquent genuinely brought tears to my eyes
4
Cowbee [he/they] - 2w
It's a great one!
2
haui - 2w
I would also love to see more on the party front since it is hard to identify left and right deviationist tendencies and proper praxis.
I liked left communism by lenin which did help what to look for. Socialism for all has it as an audio book too.
6
commontern they/them - 2w
That's one I plan on reading, though I am working on finishing volume I of Capital first so I am focusing on shorter works for now.
CommonTern in asklemmygrad
Reading recommendations on the party-form besides What is to Be Done?
Hello. I am trying to form a better understanding of the vanguard party and the party-form so I can learn why it is a good form of organization for the working class, how it compares to the alternatives, how it is internally organized, how it compares to bourgeois parties, and so on. Works with a broader scope are preferred. I have already read What is to Be Done? which is usually considered the main work on the party, so I will need other recommendations.
Here's what I have in my intro Marxist-Leninist reading list, section 9: Party Work and section 10: Self-Conduct:
::: spoiler Section 9: Party Work [5hr 12 min]
You can't build communism by reading it into existence. Roll up your sleeves, and get to work.
[2 hr 2 min]
Marxism-Leninism is the living and evolving Marxism that has tested theory to practice for over a century.
[70 min]
The fundamental tasks of the revolutionary party.
[~1 hour]
If we are to be successful, we must work to better ourselves, and do good party work.
[~30 min]
The mass line is the fundamental tool of maintaining a direct link between the working class and the vanguard, without falling into tailism or commandism.
[~30 min]
Democratic centralism turns an amorphous but radicalized working class into a solidified force to overwhelm its enemies. It takes the greatest strength of the proletariat, its mass, and aligns it in a unified direction. :::
::: spoiler Section 10: Self-Conduct [2 hr 39 min]
We cannot be dogmatic, or let the perfect socialism in our heads be the enemy of socialism in the real world.
[1 hr 47 min]
As organizers, we must do our best to engage where the working class is at, and not let the perfect socialism in our heads be the enemy of our own practice.
[17 min]
Marxism in western countries is often clouded by those who seem to only support socialism that failed, the "pure" socialist movements unsullied by the very real struggles involved in building socialism over a lengthy period of time. This perfect vision of socialism in our heads becomes not just the enemy of our practice, but also that of socialists in the global south that fought and died for a better world.
[1 min]
Simple and straightforward virtues for any good cadre.
[4 min]
Tenacity is what creates valleys and shifts mountains. Through our connected struggle, even if the odds seem overwhelming, we all contribute to bringing about a better world.
[~30 min]
We must combat the notion of putting self-interest above that of our collective struggle. It is through collaboration that we emancipate all, not just ourselves. :::
Obviously you can skip Lenin's What is to be Done? as you've already read it. Liu Shaoqi's work in particular is helpful for understanding how the CPC organizes. In addition, Gramsci's The Communist Party is quite good, as is Jo Freeman's The Tyranny of Structurelessness.
didn't realise Xi was that eloquent genuinely brought tears to my eyes
It's a great one!
I would also love to see more on the party front since it is hard to identify left and right deviationist tendencies and proper praxis.
I liked left communism by lenin which did help what to look for. Socialism for all has it as an audio book too.
That's one I plan on reading, though I am working on finishing volume I of Capital first so I am focusing on shorter works for now.