- Capitalism and Alternatives -

Who are the working class?

Posted by: Stoller on October 22, 1999 at 18:03:20:

In Reply to: I can see Marxism doing nothing for anyone because it has a real tendency towards dogmatism posted by Lark on October 22, 1999 at 15:03:22:


: Who are the working class Barry? This isn't the era of the first international people aren't entering parliament, or congress, wearing cloth caps with mandates from the factory workers.

The working class, as SDF has luminously explained, are those who must sell their labor-power in order to access the means of production. They are the people who produce almost everything wrought by human hand. These are the only people who can change the relations of production.

You could start a commune or join some 'co-housing' (gated) 'community' to get away from the hideous sight of capitalism's legacy but those relations of production will STILL BE THERE---and they WILL invariably affect your access to the means of survival... You could start the socialist revolution in your imagination---but...well, you get my meaning...

: ...you may disagree with me, feel free, however I'd appreciate it, a lot, if you didn't try to put me out of the socialist camp and especially if you didn't put me in Borgs camp.

Sorry for that. It was a wake up call. I only wanted to emphasize that socialism has nothing whatsoever to do with thievery (the black market). Perhaps I overstated my case.

Wouldn't be the first time, eh?

: I'll give you a reference you might appreciate, I found it a bit heavy going but it is Marxism rather than mere socialism, "Farewell to the Working Class" by Andri Gorz.

When I see a cheap copy, I'll pick it up.


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