Democratic Marxism

[Bob Armstrong]

Am I a Democratic Marxist?

Democratic Marxism Discussion Paper # 6

Note: cyclically re-posted for the benefit of new DMGI members, DM-G viewers, and DMGF members/viewers.




Survey

In this survey, answering “yes” to many of the questions may indicate you are in mainstream Marxian thought, though you may never have seen your progressive views in this light:

........................................................................................................Yes...... No.....Unsure

1. Labour should have priority over Capital............................ ______ _____ _____

2. Capitalism, of necessity, generates unhealthy
extremes of wealth and income.................................................. _______ _____ _____


3. Workers should own, or at least have 50 % control
of, the means of production. .....................................................______ _____ _____

4. The legal structure of cooperatives should be
favoured over corporations........................................................ ______ _____ _____

5. There should be a Universal Basic Income (UBI)................. ______ _____ _____

6. The tax system should include both a wealth and
very progressive income tax. Tax loopholes allowing
legal tax “avoidance” must be closed. Those
benefiting most from the common system should
substantially contribute back into funding the system............... ______ _____ _____

7. Self-governance from the bottom-up is always
preferable to top-down governance of the electorate.
(Example: Ontario municipalities should not be
dictated to by the province)....................................................... ______ _____ _____

8. There are three historical implementations of “socialism”:

a. USSR-style Communism (Example: China) –
unacceptable; maintained at the end of the barrel
of a gun, with breaching of human rights; no
open elections............................................................................... _____ _____ _____

b. Democratic Socialism (Example: Venezuela) -
acceptable when competent government, but
generally centralizes power, rather than
decentralizing it..........................................................................______ _____ _____

c. Democratic Marxism (Closest Example: Chile -
1971-73 – Unity Government of Socialist
President Salvadore Allende) – best economic
system; best self-governance model............................................ _____ _____ _____

9. The electorate has the right to decide the system
under which it wishes to govern itself. Democratic
Marxism must win the hearts of the electorate at the
ballot box, and then maintain support democratically................. ______ _____ _____

10. A person can be a “Democratic Marxist” without
being a theoretical “expert” in Marx' writings (though
the more knowledge, the better).................................................. ______ _____ ____


Democratic Marxist Global Institute (DMGI)


Author: Bob Armstrong, Coordinator

Original – 20/10/24

Most Recent Revision – 20/12/18 - Bob Armstrong

Most Recent Postings:

24/2/7: CT.DM; DMPO; DM-G; DMGF; TRN

Disclaimer

Our main author of our Discussion Papers, Bob Armstrong, readily admits he is no academic, nor a Marxist expert. He considers himself only an “armchair Marxist” - he has read a bit, but thought about Democratic Marxism (DM) a lot. So he writes much the way an ordinary working person might about Democratic Marxism. He hopes these short simple papers will therefore help working people access the concepts of DM fairly easily.

He admits also that these papers are therefore a “work-in-progress”. His concepts and strategies are constantly under revision as he reads a bit more, and thinks a bit more, about this whole area. So you may see evolution of concepts in later papers, only lightly touched on in earlier papers. In fact, some early ideas may be now seen as contradictory, and jettisoned totally. Bob's choice is to let the reader take the same path as he has, and sort things out with him, rather than him constantly having to go back and edit every prior paper, with every change of nuance on the concepts. He hopes readers, like him, will see how the concepts have layers to them, and that they are not obvious at the start.

So please separate the “message” (The actual text concepts) from Bob, the “messenger”, and his limitations in depth of knowledge as author. The author may be weak, yet the message might have some merit, and even, nonetheless, be strong and clear. As always, the readers must not rely on expert opinion, and an appeal to authority – we must do the best to decide for ourselves.

So we ask readers, and Democratic Marxists, to cut us, and Bob, some slack, for the evolution in thinking in some aspects of the overall concepts and strategies, as we push on.

Democratic Marxist Global Institute (DMGI)

Fb Page: Democratic Marxism – Global

(https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064839518717)

Fb Group: Democratic Marxist Global Forum

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E-mail:

demmarxglobalin@gmail.com

Snail Mail:

DMGI

P.O. Box 3246,

Meaford, Ontario, Canada

N4L 1A5

Website:

In development





Copyright – Democratic Marxist Global Institute - 2020

[Dilip Panjwani]

Dilip Post # 113

1. "DM emphasizes the right to consume instead of the duty to produce, which will lead to a precipitous drop in GDP and a gigantic rise in inflation"

DM Response:

Totally untrue.....

Bob A (Dem. Marxist)

Is that your response after trying for so long...claiming the most fundamental tenet of economics to be untrue? That is why Mr. Frarey calls you a desperate narcissist, as all you are doing is turning a blind eye to facts, and only trying to praise the nonsensical DM

[Dilip Panjwani]

The workers will be able to organize for successful enterprises....

Bob A (Dem. Marxist)[/COLOR][/I][/B][/SIZE]

Why would they try to do that in DM, when the alternative is free stuff without having to pay taxes? The only system which would encourage them to do so is Libertarianism.

[Dilip Panjwani]

Dilip Post # 113

1. "DM emphasizes the right to consume instead of the duty to produce, which will lead to a precipitous drop in GDP and a gigantic rise in inflation"

DM Response:

.....an economy depends on production, which supplies jobs, which brings to government tax payments.


Bob A (Dem. Marxist)

Jobs lead to production of goods for consumption and income for the workers to buy products for consumption. But your DM thinks jobs are meant for the government to be able to steal some money from the workers ... LOL ... how sad the DM thinking is....

[Neil Frarey]

Bob,
... spending so much time posting weekly statistics on it?

Desperate narcissist ... Dem-onic Marxist Bob A. ?!

[Bob Armstrong]

Dilip Post # 113

1. "DM emphasizes the right to consume instead of the duty to produce, which will lead to a precipitous drop in GDP and a gigantic rise in inflation"

DM Response:

Totally untrue......an economy depends on production, which supplies jobs, which brings to government tax payments. No different for a DM economy.
"The right to consume" is a fancy way of bringing out the old saw that welfare for the jobless will bust the government.....totally untrue now and in a future DM government in Ontario (Dilip's description (Fanciful) - "the majority will choose to go for the option of getting free stuff of all kinds from the 'government' while they keep themselves busy 'playing', instead of the alternative of 'sweating'.")

2. The Wealthy will be robbed..........

DM Response: The workers will be able to organize for successful enterprises........they will do well, and there will be very progressive taxation to keep the economy/society sustainable.......no economic collapse......sorry to burst your script.

Bob A (Dem. Marxist)

[Dilip Panjwani]

[QUOTE=Bob Armstrong;

I, Bob A, personally, as the thread originator, am trying to post a new response at least twice per week

[/QUOTE]

Bob,
Despite trying, you are unable to post a response to the very relevant points in my last two posts {in dark violet, to make it easy for you to find them :-) }, which clearly show that DM is a stupid way to govern ourselves.
Does that mean that despite having no valid basis to defend DM, you are continuing to have BLIND FAITH in it, spending so much time posting weekly statistics on it?

[Sid Belzberg]

Democratic Marxism
(Started: 24/1/3)

Weekly Overview

Notes:

1. The “Weekly Overview” of the topic is posted for the benefit of new members who may have come in between the “Weekly Overviews”. It provides an executive summary of the issue for new viewers.

2. The Stats of participation are important to allow all to determine the extent of continuing interest. For thread originators/responders, they are important to see if the interest no longer warrants the labour. Or alternatively, they show that those of us discussing it are drawing in more participants, because they have begun to see the importance of our topic.



A. Statistics

1. Weekly Stats:

Week # 5 (24/1/29 – 2/4 [7 days])

(Sometimes Adjusted for no. of days)

.....................................................2024 Average
Last Week's......Prior Week's........Views/Day
Views/Day........Views/Day.............(5 wks.)

…47........................49.......................31


......................................................2024 Average
Last Week's.....Prior Week's......Responses/Day
Responses/Day....Resp./Day...........(5 wks.).

........5.......................5.......................3


2.. Analysis of Last Week's Stats

Last week's stats continue to run well ahead of the 2024 stats so far. This indicates a continued rising interest in DM from when the thread started. This thread is an opportunity to learn something about the political system known as “Democratic Marxism”! It is also an opportunity to question DM in a good and safe forum, where we try to respect the right of all CT'ers to have their own analysis, and to be entitled to put it forward for consideration, even if differing from DM.

B. Goal of this Thread

• To make clear what Democratic Marxism is, and what it is not (Old-style USSR Communism)
• To provide materials that help CT'ers analyze the pluses and minuses of DM.

Additional Notes:

1. The goal of this thread is not to try to beat opposing views into oblivion. Political economy spans the spectrum. Every position is entitled to post as it sees fit, regardless of the kind of, and amount of, postings by other positions. What is wanted is serious consideration of all posts........then you decide among the many competing political philosophies.

2. I, Bob A, personally, as the thread originator, am trying to post a new response at least twice per week, but admit my busy schedule means I may sometimes fall short on this. So it is necessary that a number of other CT'ers post responses here somewhat regularly as well.

Democratic Marxist Global Institute (DMGI)

Author: Bob Armstrong, DMGI Coordinator

Most Recent Revision: 24/2/4

Fb Page: Democratic Marxism – Global

(https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064839518717)

Fb Group: Democratic Marxist Global Forum

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2045...ref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARB5MaP7fzlN9ItgmSkMWzv60Rd9mIxsQIkIgIa6_Guh2MGR6mV82GdH-IxgmiiVaJcZ-NLi7Cz46VX0nn78clmPjd-pttzlYPR9dmEubTBnBdnGohd0bl3Fy4k02cb3BVHNVOcfjANvEEUCRw6k1IZDDsZV6l9V1Id5_NomySGWmEpA3Inygttyrt3-jYH1m1M50W3d94tVElUVaZ-SrM-WZ4BkYEj0ZYF5Y5X2d7KRG_MQJtND8fXyDSkU0F1I4FVHkI_eoiyOazUgCRS0lmfetiENOGsaJPb6MfuHzQ92-u7gMI_E8888fus

E-mail:

demmarxglobalin@gmail.com

Snail Mail:

DMGI

P.O. Box 3246,

Meaford, Ontario, Canada

N4L 1A5

Website:

In development



Copyright – Democratic Marxist Global Institute (DMGI) - 2024

Bob, whether it is "USSR communism," "Chavez Communism," "Allende Communism," etc, you all have one thing in common. You support the abolishment of private property of the "Bourgeois," aka entrepreneurs. Hence, the description on the picture, "say it wasn't real communism," fits you to a tee. In the twentieth century alone, 100,000,000 died thanks to Marxism. Shove it, you know where.

[Bob Armstrong]

Democratic Marxism
(Started: 24/1/3)

Weekly Overview

Notes:

1. The “Weekly Overview” of the topic is posted for the benefit of new members who may have come in between the “Weekly Overviews”. It provides an executive summary of the issue for new viewers.

2. The Stats of participation are important to allow all to determine the extent of continuing interest. For thread originators/responders, they are important to see if the interest no longer warrants the labour. Or alternatively, they show that those of us discussing it are drawing in more participants, because they have begun to see the importance of our topic.



A. Statistics

1. Weekly Stats:

Week # 5 (24/1/29 – 2/4 [7 days])

(Sometimes Adjusted for no. of days)

.....................................................2024 Average
Last Week's......Prior Week's........Views/Day
Views/Day........Views/Day.............(5 wks.)

…47........................49.......................31


......................................................2024 Average
Last Week's.....Prior Week's......Responses/Day
Responses/Day....Resp./Day...........(5 wks.).

........5.......................5.......................3


2.. Analysis of Last Week's Stats

Last week's stats continue to run well ahead of the 2024 stats so far. This indicates a continued rising interest in DM from when the thread started. This thread is an opportunity to learn something about the political system known as “Democratic Marxism”! It is also an opportunity to question DM in a good and safe forum, where we try to respect the right of all CT'ers to have their own analysis, and to be entitled to put it forward for consideration, even if differing from DM.

B. Goal of this Thread

• To make clear what Democratic Marxism is, and what it is not (Old-style USSR Communism)
• To provide materials that help CT'ers analyze the pluses and minuses of DM.

Additional Notes:

1. The goal of this thread is not to try to beat opposing views into oblivion. Political economy spans the spectrum. Every position is entitled to post as it sees fit, regardless of the kind of, and amount of, postings by other positions. What is wanted is serious consideration of all posts........then you decide among the many competing political philosophies.

2. I, Bob A, personally, as the thread originator, am trying to post a new response at least twice per week, but admit my busy schedule means I may sometimes fall short on this. So it is necessary that a number of other CT'ers post responses here somewhat regularly as well.

Democratic Marxist Global Institute (DMGI)

Author: Bob Armstrong, DMGI Coordinator

Most Recent Revision: 24/2/4

Fb Page: Democratic Marxism – Global

(https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064839518717)

Fb Group: Democratic Marxist Global Forum

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2045...ref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARB5MaP7fzlN9ItgmSkMWzv60Rd9mIxsQIkIgIa6_Guh2MGR6mV82GdH-IxgmiiVaJcZ-NLi7Cz46VX0nn78clmPjd-pttzlYPR9dmEubTBnBdnGohd0bl3Fy4k02cb3BVHNVOcfjANvEEUCRw6k1IZDDsZV6l9V1Id5_NomySGWmEpA3Inygttyrt3-jYH1m1M50W3d94tVElUVaZ-SrM-WZ4BkYEj0ZYF5Y5X2d7KRG_MQJtND8fXyDSkU0F1I4FVHkI_eoiyOazUgCRS0lmfetiENOGsaJPb6MfuHzQ92-u7gMI_E8888fus

E-mail:

demmarxglobalin@gmail.com

Snail Mail:

DMGI

P.O. Box 3246,

Meaford, Ontario, Canada

N4L 1A5

Website:

In development



Copyright – Democratic Marxist Global Institute (DMGI) - 2024

[Bob Armstrong]

Unfortunately, Sid (Post # 114) has not yet understood the substantive difference between "Democratic Marxism" and old-style USSR "Communism".

He ignores the fact the Democratic Marxism refers to "Communism" as a bastardization of Marx' thought.

Until Sid "gets it", he will continue to post irrelevancies.

Pointing to the failures of "Communism" has nothing to do with evaluating "Democratic Marxism".

Sid needs to re-read (And take in) the principles of Democratic Marxism posted in the first posts in this thread (VERY different than the principles/policies of USSR-style "Communism").

If Sid is posting that there is NO DIFFERENCE between the two, then I ask those evaluating his assessment to re-read the first few posts setting out broadly the democratic nature of Democratic Marxism, and then draw their own conclusions about the soundness of Sid' argument.

Bob A (Dem. Marxist)

[Sid Belzberg]

"Democratic Marxism"

[Dilip Panjwani]

Democratic Marxism is no puppet of "Globalists" (Those implementing the New World Order/Great Reset).

Democratic Marxism rejects totally a future totalitarian world government, whether it labels itself right or left.

The counter-plan of DM is that the world "go small"......that it diffuse power in the world by implementing the "Collection of Villages Project"....small is indeed beautiful.

Bob A (Dem. Marxist)

Big or small or anything in-between, DM will only make a sad mess of it, because it emphasizes the right to consume instead of the duty to produce, which will lead to a precipitous drop in GDP and a gigantic rise in inflation, it forgets that the current 'wealth' of the billionaires is overwhelmingly in the form of well-run units of production, and 'nationalizing' the same will make these very units a dysfunctioning chaos (as everyone's business is no-one's business), and in DM the majority will choose to go for the option of getting free stuff of all kinds from the 'government' while they keep themselves busy 'playing', instead of the alternative of 'sweating' and a huge chunk of their returns being stolen to provide for all the 'players' around....
Anyways, thanks for revealing the stupidity of DM in your post # 102 !

[Sid Belzberg]

Democratic Marxism is no puppet of "Globalists" (Those implementing the New World Order/Great Reset).

Democratic Marxism rejects totally a future totalitarian world government, whether it labels itself right or left.

The counter-plan of DM is that the world "go small"......that it diffuse power in the world by implementing the "Collection of Villages Project"....small is indeed beautiful.

Bob A (Dem. Marxist)

And so says the one that characterizes the unelected genocidal WEF as "benevolent" because you are too stupid to recognize their climate change scam and their scamdemic used to promote their insane depopulation goals.
Both acts are the greatest crimes against humanity in history, but in your infinite wisdom, they are "benevolent." Massive evidence has been posted here proving both points in the video and print, but you chose to ignore them and spew the WEF propaganda. You are indeed their puppet, and you don't even know it.

[Bob Armstrong]

Democratic Marxism is no puppet of "Globalists" (Those implementing the New World Order/Great Reset).

Democratic Marxism rejects totally a future totalitarian world government, whether it labels itself right or left.

The counter-plan of DM is that the world "go small"......that it diffuse power in the world by implementing the "Collection of Villages Project"....small is indeed beautiful.

Bob A (Dem. Marxist)

[Pargat Perrer]

....is a glaring fallacy.
....erodes the very foundation of individual rights and consent.
....undermines personal freedoms, with compensation hardly mitigating the violation of autonomy.
....is a misleading diversion from the issue at hand.
....is a transparent ad hominem, sidestepping the substantive debate.
....not only reveals a profound misunderstanding of economic principles but also a worrisome indifference to the sanctity of individual rights against state overreach.

All of the above are merely Sid's opinions. No facts presented.

Oh, but he did bring up vaccination status, farmers blocking roads in Europe, unelected globalist governments and their Marxist puppets ..... as if he himself is elected and is no one's puppet. LOL

Some people just can't stay on topic.