In 1847, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels got together and wrote a brief manuscript. It has since gone down in history as one of the most famous manuscripts, ever published. That famous manuscript is of course the Communist Manifesto. In their introduction to the Manifesto, they managed to ‘’get right to the heart of the matter’’:
‘’A spectre is haunting Europe- the spectre of Communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this spectre: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French radicals and German police spies.
‘’Where is the party in opposition that has not been decried as communistic by its opponents in power? Where the opposition that has not hurled back the branding reproach of Communism, against the more advanced opposition parties, as well as against its reactionary adversaries?
‘’Two things result from this fact:
- Communism is already acknowledged by all European powers to be itself a power.
- It is high time that Communists should openly, in the face of the whole world, publish their views, their aims, their tendencies, and meet this nursery tale of the Spectre of Communism with a manifesto of the party itself.
‘’To this end, Communists of various nationalities have assembled in London, and sketched the following Manifesto, to be published in the English, French, German, Italian, Flemish and Danish languages.’’
Recent developments have made it abundantly clear that the ‘’Spectre of Communism’’ is still ‘’haunting Europe’’! A great many countries of Europe are now experiencing ‘’turmoil’’ and ‘’unrest’’, amid ‘’mounting protests’’, as the bourgeois journalists phrase it. Nonsense! It is nothing other than a revolutionary uprising, which has already spread across Europe, and beyond. Further, those same bourgeois journalists are accusing the leaders of the organizations which are coordinating those protests, of being ‘’Communists’’. This despite the fact that the protests are largely spontaneous! Leaderless!
A very clear cut example of this, is illustrated in a video by Elizabeth Pipko, titled:
Extremists demand COMMUNIST REVOLUTION and won’t stop until EVERYTHING IS DESTROYED
EUROPE IN CRISIS: FRESH PROTEST CHAOS
RADICAL LEFT GROUPS FUEL PROTEST CRISIS IN FRANCE, SPAIN & ITALY
I have copied the title of the video, precisely as it is being presented on the internet, complete with the capitalization. The title alone leaves no room for any misunderstandings! Communists are ‘’extremists’’, determined to ‘’destroy everything’’! Then for the next twenty two minutes, she preaches that ‘’gospel’’!
Pipko bewails the fact that the ‘’beautiful country’’ of France, is ‘’almost unrecognizable’’, due to the ‘’explosion of violence’’, which has ‘’spread to Spain and Italy’’. This is all the fault of ‘’Communist Revolutionaries’’, who want to ‘’burn everything down’’.
She further expressed the concern that this ‘’could happen to America’’. Her ‘’solution’’ to this ‘’nightmare scenario’’, that of ‘’protests’’ spreading to ‘’America’’, is to vote in the midterm elections! As if the people of France do not vote in elections! They most certainly do, and that changes nothing! Yet her advice is excellent! Not that it is going to forestall the approaching revolution. On the contrary, it is bound to further the revolution, as working people become more politically active. And voting is a form of political activity.
Clearly, the multi billionaires of Europe, otherwise known as monopoly capitalists or imperialists, are typical members of a certain class of people, commonly called the Oligarchy, technically referred to as the bourgeoisie. They are completely reactionary, and as such, have to be overthrown. This can be accomplished only through revolution. At the same time, the existing state apparatus has to be smashed, and replaced with a new state apparatus, in the form of Soviet Power and the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. This is referred to as Scientific Socialism, and is necessary, as it is the only way to crush the desperate and determined resistance of the bourgeoisie, as they make every effort to ‘’restore their paradise lost’’.
In much the same manner, a similar revolutionary motion is taking place in America. Yet the bourgeois journalists of America are every bit as incapable of grasping the reality of class struggle, as their European counterparts. But then, as Lenin stated, ‘’muddled thinking’’ is characteristic of even the finest of them.
It is also significant that these ‘’European protests’’, began in the country of France. As Engels stated, in his introduction to Marx’s The Eighteenth Brumaire, that is the country in which, ’’more than anywhere else, the historical class struggles were each time fought out to a decision.’’ It is very likely that France will once again, ‘’fight the class struggle out to a decision.’’ As the revolution has already spread to various neighbouring countries, there can be little doubt that the current French revolution will result in a successful conclusion, that of a state of Scientific Socialism, and not just in France, but in all of Europe.
The bourgeois journalists must be given credit for conducting interviews with certain protesters. From the response these protesters have given, it is clear that they are ‘’anti capitalist’’, and some of them consider themselves to be ‘’Socialists’’ and even ‘’Communists’’. This indicates a certain level of awareness, on the part of these protesters, but also a certain amount of confusion. As the revolutionary motion is largely leaderless, this is completely understandable. It is also completely unacceptable.
It is the duty of Scientific Socialists, true Communists, to raise the level of awareness of those protesters. It is not reasonable to expect those people to be aware of the revolutionary theories of Marx and Lenin, as those theories are taught only in University, and then only with a view to distorting those same theories. Most of the people taking part in those protests are working class, and it is doubtful that many of them have ever attended University. The fact that they appear to be instinctively aware that capitalism is the problem, and must be replaced with a state of socialism, is a step in the right direction, but only a step.
A clear distinction must be drawn, between the socialism of the utopians, which has proven to be impossible, and Scientific Socialism, which calls for the overthrow of the ruling class of multi billionaires, the smashing of the existing state apparatus, and the establishment of a new state apparatus, in the form of Soviet Power and the Dictatorship of the Proletariat.
As the bourgeois journalists have yet to report of any protester calling for either Soviet Power or the Dictatorship of the Proletariat, it is reasonable to assume that there are no true Communists, involved in the protests. Yet it is also reasonable to assume that the European proletariat is well cultured. As that is the case, may I suggest that they ‘’self educate’’, that they raise themselves to the level of Scientific Socialists, true Communists, by reading the most important works of Marx and Lenin. These include the Communist Manifesto, by Marx and Engels. The ‘’Essential Works of Lenin’’ include State and Revolution, Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism, and What Is To Be Done? As well, I consider Left Wing Communism, An Infantile Disorder, to be required reading. A proper understanding of those works, should give workers a fine grounding in Scientific Socialism.
It is also a fact that we can expect a few middle class intellectuals, to join in the struggle for Scientific Socialism. The reason I say this, is because the Communist Manifesto predicts this:
‘’Finally, in times when the class struggle nears the decisive hour, the process of dissolution going on within the ruling class, in fact within the whole range of old society, assumes such a violent, glaring character, that a small section of the ruling class cuts itself adrift, and joins the revolutionary class, the class that holds the future in its hands. Just as, therefore, at an earlier period, a section of the nobility went over to the bourgeoisie, so now a portion of the bourgeoisie goes over to the proletariat, and in particular, a portion of the bourgeois ideologists, who have raised themselves to the level of comprehending theoretically the historical movement as a whole .’’
The current revolutionary motion, which is sweeping across Europe ‘’like wildfire through dry grass’’, makes it abundantly clear, even to those who are not overly bright, that the ‘’class struggle’’ is indeed near the ‘’decisive hour’’. Now we can expect a ‘’small section of the ruling class’’, of multi billionaires, to ‘’cut themselves adrift’’, and ‘’join the revolutionary class’’ of proletarians, the ‘’class that holds the future in its hands’’. This ‘’small section’’ will be composed of a few of the ‘’bourgeois ideologists’’, the middle class intellectuals, those who are capable of honesty, of raising themselves to the level of ‘’comprehending theoretically the historical movement as a whole’’.
Without doubt, these ‘’recently converted’’ middle class intellectuals will assist in raising the level of awareness of the working class, those taking part in the revolution. Their input is most welcome. As well, they will almost certainly take part in the creation of a true Communist Party, one which calls for Soviet Power and the Dictatorship of the Proletariat.
As these ‘’bourgeois ideologists’’ join the revolutionary forces, it is reasonable to expect them to play a leading role. In addition to raising the level of awareness of the working class, we can expect them to better organize the protests. All of the videos, from the protests in various countries of Europe, show the police, dressed in ‘’riot gear’’, including helmets with face shields, carrying shields and clubs, using ‘’water cannons’’ and tear gas, against the workers. Yet previous revolutionary experience has proven that there are effective defences against these weapons. I have gone into this in detail, in previous articles, but perhaps a brief summary is in order.
The water cannons are fired from water trucks, and those water trucks get their water from the fire hydrants. The fire hydrants rely upon a great deal of pressure to pump out that water. The way to reduce that pressure is by opening up all the fire hydrants, within the city. This is easily managed with pipe wrenches. No pressure for the hydrants, no water for the water trucks.
The riot police also fire tear gas canisters, generally from hand held launchers. For that reason, the range is limited, so that they are required to get quite close to the protesters. That close range makes it possible for protesters to return fire, not with tear gas, but from paint ball guns. Upon impact, the riot police will be required to lift their face shields. At that point, the protesters can also fire off marbles, from sling shots. This will serve to reduce the advantage, the police have, of close quarters combat.
Incidentally, it is surprising how accurate people can become, with a little practice, at firing sling shots. Marbles are recommended, as all have a uniform weight. They have also been proven to be effective against mounted police. Horses which are pelted with marbles, generally give their riders ‘’flying lessons’’.
Revolutionaries have also found spears to be quite effective. A simple three meter, ten foot long wooden shaft, complete with a metal tip, has been proven to dampen the enthusiasm of even the most enthusiastic members of the riot squad.
As the bourgeois ideologists become involved, we can expect them to organize the protesters, in squads of paint ball shooters, slingers and spear people. We can also expect the protesters to be equipped with gas masks, bullet proof vests, helmets and possibly clubs.
We are now at the point where ‘’class struggle’’ is breaking out into open ‘’class warfare’’. Monopoly capitalists against workers, bourgeoisie against proletarians. The riot police are merely the hired agents of the billionaires. At some point, they will remove their helmets and join the revolution. We in turn, must be prepared to welcome them, as our Brothers and Sisters, our Comrade In Arms.
The more rational of the bourgeois journalists, and such are few and far between, may object that Communism does not work. As ‘’proof’’, they may point to the fact that the Soviet Union ‘’collapsed’’, breaking up into a number of separate republics. As well, the Chinese Communists are acting like a bunch of rabid imperialists.
In response to this rational argument, we can point out that the Russian capitalists were able to return to power, immediately after the death of Stalin, in 1953. This was due to the fact that Stalin, although a fine Communist, made a number of rather serious mistakes.
Then in 1949, the Chinese Revolution gave birth to another Scientific Socialist Republic, the Peoples Republic of China, with Chairman Mao Tse Tung at the helm. Yet Mao too, another fine Communist, made a number of serious mistakes. After his death, in 1976, the Chinese capitalists were able to take advantage of those mistakes, and also return to power.
This is no cause for despair, on our part. After all, even though Stalin and Moa were fine revolutionaries, they were still human, and as such, they made mistakes. I have documented those mistakes in previous articles, so there is no need to repeat it here. Allow me to stress the fact that it is our duty to learn from the successes, as well as the failures- especially the failures!- of previous revolutionary experience.
I maintain that, in each case, the members of the Communist Party, and in particular the members of the Central Committee, failed in their duty to intervene, to point out these mistakes, to demand that they be corrected, and if necessary, to remove those individuals from office, possibly from the Party. This is referred to as ‘’purging the Party’’. Allow me to stress the fact that Party purges are not limited to low ranking members of the Party. It also applies to the members of the Central Committee, and even the Chairman.
The class struggle does not end with the overthrow of the monopoly capitalists! On the contrary, it merely raises that struggle to a higher level, that of Scientific Socialism, under Soviet Power and the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. As Lenin points out, in Left Wing Communism, An Infantile Disorder:
‘’The Dictatorship of the Proletariat means a most determined and most ruthless war waged by the new class against a more powerful enemy, the bourgeoisie, whose resistance is increased tenfold by their overthrow (even if only in a single country), and whose power lies, not only in the strength of international capital, the strength and durability of their international connections, but also in the force of habit, in the strength of small scale production. Unfortunately, small scale production is still widespread in the world, and small scale production engenders capitalism and the bourgeoisie continuously, daily, hourly, spontaneously, and on a mass scale. All these reasons make the Dictatorship of the Proletariat necessary, and victory over the bourgeoisie is impossible without a long, stubborn and desperate life and death struggle which calls for tenacity, disciple and a single and inflexible will.’’ (italics by Lenin)
The experience of previous revolutions has proven the correctness of that statement! After the successful revolution, the former ruling class of multi billionaires are not about to ‘’resign themselves to their fate’’. On the contrary, their resistance will ‘’increase ten fold’’, as they make every effort to ‘’restore their paradise lost’’.
That is the reason it is necessary to crush the former multi billionaire rulers, under a new state apparatus, in the form of Soviet Power and the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. Lenin established just such an apparatus in Soviet Russia, immediately after the October Revolution, and was in the process of perfecting it, when he was murdered. His successor, Josef Stalin, was a fine Communist, but made some rather serious mistakes. As previously mentioned, this enabled the capitalists to return to power, after his death, in 1953.
Now the revolutionary motion has once again flared up, and not just in Europe, but in various countries of the world. For that reason, it is the duty of Scientific Socialists, true Communists, to raise the level of awareness of the working class, in order to prepare them for the approaching revolution. They must be made aware that they are destined to overthrow the ruling class of imperialists, the bourgeoisie, and crush them, under the Dictatorship of the Proletariat.
The best way to do that, if not the only way, is through the creation of a true Communist Party, one which calls for Soviet Power and the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. Further, as Lenin made numerous references in his writings, to a ‘’World Socialist Republic’’, I can only suggest an International Scientific Socialist Communist Party.
Now we should turn our attention to a different part of the world, that of America. Here too, the revolutionary motion is also very powerful. Recent No Kings Protests, mainly against Donald Trump, have attracted millions of protesters, all across the country. The fact that the local police have refrained from arresting any protesters, is an indication of the strength of that movement. It is only the federal police, those who are more reactionary, who are arresting people, frequently with considerable brutality. Given time, as the revolution becomes ever stronger, we can expect the majority of rank and file members, of the federal police agencies, to join the revolution. It is the officers who will have to answer for their crimes.
As I write this, it is clear that the truckers are joining the revolution, as the high price of diesel is driving them into bankruptcy. The family farmers are experiencing the same difficulty, and are joining in with their tractors. The trade unions are also considering a political strike, an exclusively proletariat weapon. Experience has shown that a successful revolution generally starts with a shutdown in the transportation industry. From there, it tends to spread to other parts of the country.
We will know that the revolution is succeeding, when the protesters become better organized and equipped, the truckers quit trucking, the transportation unions go on strike, and the posters read:
Workers of the World, Unite!
Soviet Power!
Dictatorship of the Proletariat!
Scientific Socialism!
