Friday, November 21, 2008
Lenin and Obama
Following Obama’s victory, Lenin (1975) would argue that a new President who promises to bring change, will fail to replace capitalism with socialism, and instead a violent revolution is needed (315, 325). The relationship between the state and capitalist class is not only exemplified by the succession of capitalist presidents, but more importantly there is an institutionalized relationship where the capitalist class is connected and works with the state (319). Although the “thousand threads” remain today, Obama’s victory not only contradicts Lenin’s belief of a succession of capitalist Presidents, but also encourages a solidified working class that may be able to break the “thousand threads” and revolt.
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Following Obama’s victory, Lenin (1975) would argue that a new President who promises to bring change, will fail to replace capitalism with socialism, and instead a violent revolution is needed (315, 325). The relationship between the state and capitalist class is not only exemplified by the succession of capitalist presidents, but more importantly there is an institutionalized relationship where the capitalist class is connected and works with the state (319). This is represented by the relationship between the wealthy lobbyists and the government officials of not just the President, but also Congressmen. Although citizens believe that elections give them power to vote candidates into Presidency, Lenin (1975) argues that elections are only “talking shops” that deceives and obscures the real business of the state to be securely connected to the capitalist class (343, 319). Thus by electing a President, the “thousand threads” remain, and only a new capitalist is elected to repress citizens by the power of the state, ultimately further strengthening capitalism and bourgeoisie domination (319, 342).
However, Obama’s campaign, victory, and reforms also contradict Lenin’s argument. First, Obama’s, as well as Biden’s, background is rooted in the working class. Obama’s reform of tax cuts for the poor and tax hike for the rich, redistributes wealth, creating the possibility of the preliminary conditions for socialism. More importantly, Obama increased working class consciousness, as represented by: the street celebrations throughout the nation following his win, the high proportion of votes by minority races and low income class, and the working class supporters that congregated at his public events. Marx theorizes that a concentrated class consciousness will allow the working class to seize power over the state (Tucker 1978). Similarly Lenin (1975) explains that a “democratic republic” allows space for the working class to organize and bond the class that will revolt against capitalism (323, 360). Therefore, although the “thousand threads” remain today, Obama’s victory not only contradicts Lenin’s belief of a succession of capitalist Presidents, but also encourages a solidified working class that may be able to break the “thousand threads” and revolt.
Furthermore, at the height of an economic crisis alternatives to competitive capitalism are possible. Possibly alternatives may be in the form of concessions to the working class, organized capitalism, or possibly a revolution. According to Gramsci, crisis times encourage people to organize collectively and drive history. This was demonstrated by the working class’s unity and power to elect Obama in the hope for change. At this point Obama’s “socialist” reforms, working class roots, and solidified working class is the best America can do for now.
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