Democratic Marxism

[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 # 28 of 2024 (7/8-14 [7 days])

(Sometimes Adjusted for no. of days)


.....................................................2024 Average
Last Week's......Prior Week's........Views/Day
Views/Day........Views/Day.............(28 wks.)

….…20...................13.......................23


................................................2024 Average

Last Week's.....Prior Week's......Responses/Day

Responses/Day....Resp./Day.......(28 wks.).

........1......................1......................2


2. Analysis of Last Week's Stats

Last week's stats are ahead of the prior week, and consistent with the year to date – steady interest and participation. Generally, at the start of a thread, there is a flurry of responses. So the current rate of response is somewhat higher than normal for this late in the thread.

More discussion/increased participation does happen when a current controversial issue is brought into the thread. The thread does involve discussion of current political affairs from the different perspectives of the various participants, so “current” issues do arise.

Fundamentally, though, this thread is an “educational” thread about something that may not be that attractive to some CT'ers. Nonetheless, the yearly average stats for this thread (Per day: Views – 24; Responses - 2) are good.

The stats do show that CT'ers are interested in learning more about DM, and about government from the DM perspective. 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.

Note: I, as originator/main poster, am now just posting per week, on Mondays, the past week's stats, and on Tuesdays, 1 DM discussion paper. But I do try to respond to response questions, and introduce new “current” topics when they seem appropriate, especially re “current events”. So, overall, it is expected that the stats have slowly come down, and are now at a slower, steady pace.


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. CT'ers are welcome to post responses here regularly, in addition to our core group of very active responders.


Democratic Marxist Global Institute (DMGI)

Author: Bob Armstrong, DMGI Coordinator

Most Recent Revision: 24/7/14

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]

The Father's Day Manifesto : A Human Government Alternative Identified

(Democratic Marxism - Elaborated by the DM Global Institute – A Recommended Platform)

1. Ownership of the Means of Production

a. Generally, Worker majority, at least.


b. Worker Cooperatives will be favoured by tax incentives, over legal corporations.


c. Abolition of Capital investing.

2. Subsidiarity

Most local societal civil unit (Likely cities/towns/etc.) have ALL power, following the Principle of Subsidiarity. This will be done by the higher political units downloading their authority.

3. Democratic

Only established through free elections; forcing populations into a Democratic Marxist Governance at the point of a gun is totally opposed by DM.

4. Authentication

Global local Democratic Marxist Parties are free to choose whatever platforms meet their needs. But local parties may seek an “Authentication” from the DM Global Institute that their policy in total, at least “generally”, complies with the DM Global Institute's model Democratic Marxist Platform. The DM Global Institute may suggest revisions as a condition of the granting of “Authentication”.

5. Strategy

Intermediate governments are the first to be targeted (E.g. States in USA; Provinces/Territories in Canada; etc.) The main platform of the DM Parties at this level will be three:


a. to set up the identifiable Local Political Units (LPU);
b. to download all the provincial powers possible to the LPU's;
c. the intermediate structure will remaining only as a coordinator/facilitator, to carry out instructions at that level for LPU's who need to cooperate to achieve a goal, they cannot get on their own as a small power centre.

6. Evolution

This foundation platform for Democratic Marxism is an evolving document. Elaboration of new concepts & strategies, and corrections, will all be required to keep DM relevant. The DM Global Institute will be charged with this task. One of the methods for seeking evolution, is to manage a Facebook “Democratic Marxist Global Forum” (
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2045711862207056/), open to all, where respectful and informative debate on all things political will assist the DMGI.


Democratic Marxist Global Institute (DMGI)


Author: Bob Armstrong, Coordinator / DM Vetting Committee Chairperson


Original: 19/6/15
Most Recent Revision: 20/12/2 - Bob Armstrong


Contact Us: Via Fb:


a. Page: Democratic Marxism - Global:
https://www.facebook.com/Democratic-Marxism-Global-748579292265552/?modal=admin_todo_tour


b. 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 - 2019

[Dilip Panjwani]

[B]


c. Abolition of Capital investing.

Can you elaborate on this, Bob?

[Bob Armstrong]

Hi Dilip:

I am not totally happy with this initial wording.....it is too simplified and easily misinterpreted.........further discussion will likely lead to an amendment here.

But the concepts are four:

1. Abolition of "private" capital investing;
2. Start-up capital will generally be obtained by "loan";
3. There may be "State capital investing" should the workers desire a Public/Private Company;
4. There may be "State-owned" enterprises.

Bob A

[Dilip Panjwani]

1. Abolition of "private" capital investing;
2. Start-up capital will generally be obtained by "loan";


Bob A

So investing with a private loan is okay, but investing with one's pre-earned capital is not? Or will it just be impossible for a talented individual or small group of individuals with novel ideas to start a business of their own?
Can you clarify what you mean?

[Bob Armstrong]

I prefer that the "loan" be from a state bank for small business. I would consider "private loaning", since the payback is limited to a fair interest rate, rather than the obscene profit capital now garnishes at the expense of worker labour.

Workers will have all the chance they do now to build an enterprise, likely more.

Bob A

[Dilip Panjwani]

I prefer that the "loan" be from a state bank for small business. I would consider "private loaning", since the payback is limited to a fair interest rate, rather than the obscene profit capital now garnishes at the expense of worker labour.


Bob A

It appears, especially from your second sentence, that only workers can take a loan to start a business (or more likely, to run a business that was started by someone else, which the Marxist government took away from the entrepreneur to give it to the 'workers') and that 'entrepreneurs' cannot invest by borrowing from a bank, and hence cannot start a business. You seem to think that entrepreneurs are not also workers, that they do not have to work to be able to make the right decisions for their business to survive and grow. Is that what you truly believe?

[Dilip Panjwani]

Workers will have all the chance they do now to build an enterprise

Bob A

Then why are they not doing it now? Do you think they are waiting for Libertarianism, wherein they can have easy access to capital?

[Bob Armstrong]

Hi Dilip:

I use "workers" generally to refer to the members of society.

But it may well be that there may be individuals wealthy enough to not have to sell their labour, and can just live off savings, and perhaps interest earned from loaning to start-ups.

You may be right that it would be more accurate to call them "entrepreneurs" (Though they do have the capacity to also "work"). Also, most entrepreneurs do work with their brain, though may not be doing the physical grunt jobs.

Bob A

[Dilip Panjwani]

Hi Dilip:

I use "workers" generally to refer to the members of society.


Bob A

So you finally agree that anybody from 'society' can start a private business of their own, and that Marxism would not forbid 'private' investors from doing so, and that point no. 1 in your post 394 is not really what you believe?

[Dilip Panjwani]

Bob,
Thank you for taking the time and effort to enlighten chesstalkers on Democratic Marxism. Answering my post no. 398 will go a long way in that endeavor...

[Bob Armstrong]

The Father's Day Manifesto : A Human Government Alternative Identified

(Democratic Marxism - Elaborated by the DM Global Institute – A Recommended Platform)

1. Ownership of the Means of Production

..............

c. Abolition of Capital investing.

The concepts are four:

1. Abolition of "private" capital investing;
2. Start-up capital will generally be obtained by "loan";
3. There may be "State capital investing" should the workers desire a Public/Private Company;
4. There may be "State-owned" enterprises.

Dilip's post # 400 is not accurate.

I agree that all individuals will have the right to start a business.

But there will be no private "investing of capital" into start-up businesses (With the exception of a public/private enterprise, as discussed above). Capital needed will be obtained through "loans", where earnings from "capital" will be limited by interest rates. Loans may be from a State Bank for Small Business, or from individual lenders (They will not be termed "investors" in the old Capitalism sense.

Bob A

[Dilip Panjwani]

The Father's Day Manifesto : A Human Government Alternative Identified

(Democratic Marxism - Elaborated by the DM Global Institute – A Recommended Platform)

1. Ownership of the Means of Production

I agree that all individuals will have the right to start a business.

But there will be no private "investing of capital" into start-up businesses (With the exception of a public/private enterprise, as discussed above). Capital needed will be obtained through "loans", where earnings from "capital" will be limited by interest rates. Loans may be from a State Bank for Small Business, or from individual lenders (They will not be termed "investors" in the old Capitalism sense.

Bob A

So Bob, are you saying that those who borrow money to start or grow a business (almost all private investors fall in this category today, even those with huge private wealth) will be allowed to do so by DM?
Is it not 'more Marxist' to prefer investors who use their own hard-earned money to do so, than to prefer Trumpism in which one borrows a lot of money, and then proudly declares bankruptcy, leaving the poor guys with some savings accounts in the banks having to suffer lower returns, because of the bank's losses?
Are you sure you are not confused about what DM really wants?

[Bob Armstrong]

Hi Dilip:

Under DM, someone who wishes to create a small, start-up enterprise will be free to follow a strategy that they think will be best for them. Most workers do not have "wealth". So your suggestion that everyone is "best" to use their own wealth for the needed capital is simply not in tune with our real world out there today.

I have posted before, and maybe you have forgotten, that in a most wealthy country like Canada, over 50% of active workers, some working multiple part-time jobs simultaneously, have only $ 250, or less, "wealth" in the bank!!??? Over 50% of Canadians live from pay cheque to pay cheque!!?? One can say: This shouldn't be. That, and 25 cents won't even get you a cup of coffee.

Or, re failing Canadian capitalism, how about from today's Montreal Gazette:

Older and facing homelessness, many for the first time in their lives

As Quebec’s population ages and housing costs soar, a growing number of the elderly are finding themselves in the streets of Montreal and at emergency shelters.

The fact is that some individual, or some small business lending bank, is an absolutely essential factor to a country having a thriving new business sector, as a DM society will have (without the obscene profit now "stolen" from the worker that current Capitalism, and so also Libertarianism, engenders).

Yes, DM says there is a place for "return on capital", which is essential for start-ups. And DM will make it an "equitable interest return" (Not an obscene profit return).

The goal is NOT the Vanguard of the Proletariat.....It IS the Democratic "Dictatorship" (I do cringe at Marx' classic term) of the Proletariat.

I feel you are now starting to distinguish DM from Old USSR-style Communism, Dilip! You are, therefore,k on the right path to conversion from Libertarianism to Democratic Marxism......there is still some hope for you yet!!

Bob A

[Dilip Panjwani]

Hi Dilip:

Under DM, someone who wishes to create a small, start-up enterprise will be free to follow a strategy that they think will be best for them.



The goal is NOT the Vanguard of the Proletariat.....It IS the Democratic "Dictatorship" (I do cringe at Marx' classic term) of the Proletariat.



Bob A

With your first statement above, Bob, you are agreeing that your earlier statement that DM will have 'abolition' of private investing, is not really true. Right?

And your second statement above, seems to indicate that DM will be a 'Dictatorship' of the 50.1% over the 49.9%, or even worse, there could be a 3 or more parties scenario, where it would be the 'Dictatorship' of a minority of voters over the majority voting against the DM party. (Dictatorship is your word choice, not mine).

And the absence of your response to my posts 398/401 seems to indicate that you agree that unless Libertarianism arrives, 'not-so-wealthy' workers will not be able to start their own businesses. Please confirm.