Opinion: “Hamas is the result of a regime of oppression”

The West knows why there is still no peace between Israel and Palestine. The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, is to blame. Since coming to power in the Gaza Strip in 2007, indiscriminate rocket launches on enemy ground have made reconciliation between the two sides impossible and have only fueled the fire. Israel has been forced, against its will, to respond with a firm hand. What a shame! If it wasn’t for Hamas…

The April Theses – Vladimir Lenin

1) In our attitude towards the war, which under the new [provisional] government unquestionably remains on Russia’s part a predatory imperialist war owing to the capitalist nature of that government, not the slightest concession to ‘revolutionary defencism’ is permissible.

The class-conscious proletariat can give its consent to a revolutionary war, which would really justify revolutionary defencism, only on condition: (a) that the power pass to the proletariat; (b) that all annexations be renounced in deed and not in word; (c) that a complete break be effected in actual fact with all capitalist interests.

‘Left’ Communism: An Infantile Disorder – Vladimir Lenin

In what sense can we speak of the international significance of the Russian Revolution?

During the first months after the Russian proletariat had conquered political power, it might have seemed that the proletariat revolution in other countries would be very little like ours because of the tremendous differences between backward Russia and the advanced countries of Western Europe. But we now have considerable experience of an international scope which establishes that some fundamental features of our revolution are not local, not peculiarly national, but of international significance.

The Principles of Communism – Friedrich Engels

1. What is communism?

Communism is the doctrine of the conditions of the liberation of the proletariat.

2. What is the proletariat?

The proletariat is that class in society which lives entirely from the sale of its labor and does not draw profit from any kind of capital, whose sole existence depends on the demand for labor – hence, on the vagaries of unbridled competition. The proletariat is the working class of the 19th century.

Opinion: Socialism – Revolution over reform

The debate is often served on what path socialists should take in their aim of putting an end to Capitalism and establishing Socialism. Along with other entertaining topics of discussion, one lingers and brings two opposing groups of socialists to the table: those who want to achieve Socialism through progressive reform, and those who want to achieve it through revolutionary struggle.

On the face of it, it would appear that the reformists have the upper hand. Not demanding a popular uproar of the people and an inevitable confrontation with the State and its armed wing, while instead simply requiring the regular participation of the populace in elections and voting for those who promise reform, would seem a more positive way forward.

Opinion: Nationalism – how it can be anticapitalist within a capitalist nation

In the global north, nationalism is normally associated with the conservative right-wing. Be it in the USA, in Spain or in New Zealand, a fierce and unconditional support for one’s country is one of the main policies of right-wing parties, and are criticised for it by those more progressive.

But the concept of nationalism is not inherently right-wing. While its reactionary form is, nationalism can also be supported by the anticapitalist left within capitalist nations. However, this type can only be positive and effective for Socialism under very specific conditions.

Opinion: On police, the bodyguards of Capital

Through the police, the State has the sole monopoly on violence within its own borders. In a Capitalist system, the State responds to the interests of the class that owns the means of production, therefore existing as a ‘Dictatorship of the Bourgeoisie’. Because of this, any entity with its origins in the modern State serves, to some extent or another, the interests of the Bourgeoisie. Such is the case with the police, whose function is to quell and crush any form of Proletarian protest or uprising. It protects the rich against those threatening the stability of the Bourgeois-dominated status quo.

Opinion: Socialism, the only non-fascist ideology

When we think about ‘historical fascism’, a few specific examples come to mind: these are, of course, Mussolini’s Italy, Hitler’s Germany and Franco’s Spain. They all shared several similarities, i.e., authoritarianism, ultranationalism, and suppression of the opposition. Nowadays, the word ‘fascism’ has evolved and englobed other meanings, and includes positions like a fervent anti-immigration stance, and the upholding of a country’s traditions and imagery and other conservative practices.

But above these characteristics, an individualistic and exclusionary pattern emerges. In short, ‘fascism’ means the rule of a certain group of people over the rest. This can be seen on all three main dimensions: political, social and economic.

Combat Liberalism – Mao Zedong

We stand for active ideological struggle because it is the weapon for ensuring unity within the Party and the revolutionary organizations in the interest of our fight; every Communist and revolutionary should take up this weapon. But liberalism rejects ideological struggle and stands for unprincipled peace, thus giving rise to a Philistine [indifferent] attitude and bringing about political degeneration in certain units and individuals in the Party and the revolutionary organizations.

Liberalism manifests itself in various ways.

1-To let things slide for the sake of peace and friendship when a person has clearly gone wrong, and refrain from principled argument because he is an old acquaintance; or to touch on the matter lightly instead of going into it thoroughly.

Opinion: Why Capitalism shared its wealth

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels open their renowned Communist Manifesto with an early-on praise of Capitalism: “It has accomplished wonders far surpassing Egyptian pyramids, Roman aqueducts and Gothic cathedrals; it has conducted expeditions that put in the shade all former exoduses of nations and crusades”.

Yes, Capitalism has undoubtedly brought unprecedented riches to the world. The desire for an increase in productivity led to inventions like the Spinning Jenny, the Cotton Gin or the Spinning Mule. The need for more natural resources pushed explorers into new territories and brought forth the use of steam to build more powerful ships to cross the oceans and trains to travel deep into the lands. To encourage trade within a country, roads were modernised, canals were built and railways were set. Long-distance communication was achieved with the telegraph, the telephone and the radio; electricity was used to power batteries and lightbulbs. And, more recently, objects like the washing machine, the television or the car have benefited all of us and improved our lives.