I recently reread the Communist Manifesto, and I want more. Is there a good reading list anywhere?
- Capital (just get as far as you can)
- State and Revolution
- Imperialism: the Highest Stage of Capitalism
- Dialectical and Historical Materialism
For newer stuff:
- Bullshit Jobs
- Debt: the first 5000 years
- Capitalist Realism
That should be enough to get you started.
https://www.socialist.net/the-fundamentals-of-marxism-suggested-reading.htm This is the fundamentals reading list from socialist appeal, the British section of the IMT (I’m in the American section, but I prefer the British reading list) Just be aware, IMT is a Trotskyist organization, so we have differing opinions on issues new and old such as Stalin and China. Even as a Trotskyist I understand that we have a tendency to reduce these issues to black and white, so make sure you get a broad reading on those subjects, and not just what is found in here.
Of course. Despite generally agreeing with socialist ideas for years, I’ve only recently started to educate myself beyond “give the means of production and surplus value to the people.” I know a bit of the history behind the general foundation of the Soviets, but what are the real differences between say, Trotskyism and Leninism?
Realistically, not much. The divide comes down to old historical battles that don’t have much baring on today, while I am a Trot, it comes down to avoiding the challenging legacy of China and the Soviet Union, Trotskyists tend to be more critical of past socialist states, mainly around questions regarding the place of democracy in the socialist state. Trotskyist also tend to put more of an emphasis on international cooperation, which isn’t to say MLs don’t, but the writings of Trotsky expand these ideas. Also Trotskyists can’t stop printing newspapers, we just, never stop printing newspapers.
I see - well, considering I am fairly critical (though, I do have sympathies with them) of past states, and am currently dreaming of starting my own online paper… maybe I have more in common with Trotskyism than I thought!
