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This is a blog for a community of students in Sociology 101A: "Sociological Theory," in the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, Fall, 2008.
Welcome!
This is the informal blog spot for errant questions, random ramblings, and clever musings. For the rest of the semester, we'll use this blog to clarify the work(s) of Lenin, Gramsci and Fanon. Feel free to endlessly post, and don't forget: Theory Rocks!
Will Obama bring the U.S. closer to socialism?
Obama: A Traditional or Organic Intellectual?
Grappling with Gramsci
"The mode of being of the new intellectual can no longer consist in eloquence, which is an exterior and momentary mover of feelings and passions, but in active participation in practical life, as constructor, organizer, 'permanent persuader' and not just a simple orator (but superior at the same time to the abstract mathematical spirit) ..." (Prison Notebooks, 10).
"The relationship between the intellectuals and the world of production is not as direct as it is with the fundamental social groups but is, in varying degrees, 'mediated' by the whole fabric of society and by the complex of superstructures, of which the intellectual are, precisely, the 'functionaries'" (Prison Notebooks 12).
"The superstructure of civil society are like the trench-systems of modern warfare. In war it would sometimes happen that a fierce artillery attack seemed to have destroyed the outer perimeter; and at the moment of their advance and attack the assailants would find themselves confronted by a line of defense which was still effective" (Prison Notebooks 235).
"The massive structures of modern democracies, both as State organizations, and as complexes of associations in civil society, constitute for the art of politics as it were the 'trenches' and the permanent fortifications of the front in the war of position ..." (Prison Notebooks 243).
"... [I]t is obvious that all the essential questions of sociology are nothing other than the questions of political science" (Prison Notebooks 244).
"As long as the class-State exists the regulated society cannot exist, other than metaphorically---i.e. only in the sense that the class-State too is a regulated society" (Prison Notebooks 257).
What did you think of the Rosa Luxemburg film?
Oh No He Didn't: Endless, Evolving and Perplexing Lenin Quotables
"We are in favour of a democratic republic as the best form of state for the proletariat under capitalism" (The State and Revolution, 323).
"Simultaneously with an immense expansion of democracy, which for the first time become democracy for the poor, democracy for the people, and not democracy for the money-bags, the dictatorship of the proletariat imposes a series of restrictions on the freedom of the oppressors, the exploiters, the capitalists. We must suppress them in order to free humanity from wage slavery, their resistance must be crushed by force; it is clear that there is no freedom and no democracy where there is suppression and where there is violence" (The State and Revolution, 373).
"The expression 'the state withers away' is very well chosen, for it indicates both the gradual and the spontaneous nature of the process. Only habit can, and undoubtedly will, have such an effect ..." (The State and Revolution, 374).
What did you think of Salt of the Earth?
Who got it right?
Blog Archive
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2008
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November
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- A Different Wretched of the Earth!
- Fanon in Context
- Frantz Fanon
- The Thousand Threads and Obama's Economic Advisors
- Theory Barocks Assignment
- Rosa Luxemburg
- The revolutionary visions of Rosa Luxemberg
- Rosa Luxemburg's Fight for Revolution
- Will Obama bring the U.S. closer to socialism?
- Is Obama connected to the state with a thosuand th...
- Lenin on Obama
- Lenin's view of Obama
- Theory BAROCKS!!!
- Lenin and Obama
- Lenin: "Obama and his capitalist tendencies"
- Lenin and Obama,
- Thousand Threads Remain
- Baracks Assignment
- Theory Barocks
- The "Revolutionary" Question
- Lenin says...
- Lenin on Obama
- Lenin on Obama's Victory
- Obama and Lenin
- What would Lenin say about Obama's Victory....
- Lenin vs Obama
- Revolutionary Transitions: Luxemburg and Lenin
- Luxemburg & Lenin
- Lenin believes that Obama’s.....
- what would lenin say
- Obama and Lenin
- Traditional vs. Organic
- Traditional vs. Organic
- Thousand Threads Connected to Congress Too?
- Gramsci on Luxemburg
- Sounds like a Gramsci Studybreak!
- Jeopardy Question: Class in Itself
- Luxemburg meets Burawoy
- Vida de Gramsci
- yay for today's debate!!!
- 1981 PATCO Strike
- Kropotkin's Letter to Lenin
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November
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2 comments:
Although Obama’s victory is a moment of hope for us, Lenin would be dissatisfied by Obama’s victory because his goal is for the state to wither away and would be pleased if Obama gives up his powers. He would specify that Americans are being exploited through the victory of Obama, because parliamentary still exists (342). Lenin would consider the need for a revolution to smash the capitalist state. However, we are not living in a revolutionary era; how could we possibly fix the stability of the economy without a state?
The victory of Obama would displease Lenin because Obama’s regulations would not untie the “thousands of threads” (330). Both Lenin and Obama believe in the limitation of class struggle and hope in the equalization of rights and wealth. However, Lenin would indicate that through the parliament, the capitalist state continues to be an organ of repression (316). Lenin would insist that the working class needs to embark on a revolution to destroy the capitalist state. He would believe in eliminating the separation of powers and institutions of coercions such as the military and police. Through this revolution, an economic and political change occurs. Lenin would advice Obama to move towards socialism by leaving his position of supremacy. This will eliminate exploitation, establish a planned economy, and create an understandable distribution of things (376-378). Through these economic changes, the parliament will turn into a working party set by the working people themselves, instead of the capitalist state (342). Lenin would not only want the officials to organize the economy and be subject for instant recall but also to be paid an average wage. Eventually the state will wither away. People would flourish through elementary rules and become equal individuals living in a communist society. (369, 379, 374)
I believe that this period of time is not revolutionary and we are in the need of a state. The state establishes concessions to carry on benefits for the working class. Obama indicated the promotion of health care through decreasing the expenses and increasing the access of health insurance. Through his battle against employment discrimination, Obama plans to help expand job access and provide a tax cut for working families. The economy can be changed and planned without a revolution. Obama hopes for equality and stability, but can not possibly jump to socialism through a revolution then communism through evolution. Although the officials are paid much more than an average wage, they are still compatible for organization. Therefore, Lenin’s concept of the state withering away is unrealistic. Although Lenin indicates that people will follow elementary rules through social intercourse, he doesn’t specify these rules (374). The state establishes stability within our society and offers compromise. Our society is in the need for change by the help and improvements of the state. Therefore, although Obama’s victory might not please Lenin, it certainly is a moment of hope and change for us.
I agree with your views on lenin needing Obama to refuse his new elected power...the refusal of the thousand threads that join us. You conclude your essay describing the hopeful change our society is wating on...do you think lenins ideology is being forshadowed, is that the direction in which the U.S is heading in? Should we worry? If not, what other possible changes could be awaiting our future society?
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