STUDY GROUP! Come one and all!

[P.O.U.M]

Alright. Let's actually get a damn study group going this time. No more, shlacking off and "forgetting". Let's actually get it done. I've been really lazy about reading lately and I'm forcing myself to do this. I'm gonna throw out an idea. Feel free to add your own. And anyone who is interested, we'll decide from there. And then decide the homework from there. For example, a week per chapter. Then discuss.

I'm gonna propose a topic, something that has become a hot button for me. It seems alot of American's and people internationally do not know what Fascism is. And are quick off the draw to call America fascist and any subsequent president Hitler. Or my personal favorite "AmeriKKKa". So glad I haven't scene that on this board. Can't stand that. Perhaps one of the reasons I can't take alot of people at RevLeft seriously.

I think starting off with Trotsky's "What is Fascism?" would be a good start. And the following discussion would also end up leading to descriptions of other various types of government. Which I think would be beneficial as well. Discussions over what fascism is, what the USSR and it's satellites, and bourgeois governments.

[Pagan1110]

I suppose your right, I didn't join this forum for nothing. When do you think you can get this Study Group up and running?

[Dimitri]

Actualy this topic really interests me. I will participate, although the following two weeks will be very busy for me...
I'll do my best to contribute.

[Universal]

Ill participate, and Ive read A LOT of books in my free time so far.

[P.O.U.M]

Start sometime next week. Leave this thread open a little longer. Maybe pick up a couple more.

What do you guy's want to read? Start with something basic? Little more in depth. Or focus on a certain subject. I'm up for anything, I really need a refresher on some thing's as well.

[Faceless]

I think this is a good idea and I can definately get in on it in my free time. In terms of the subject, I'd be happy to have "what is fascism?" We are having EU elections here in a few days and the BNP are expected to do well out of the meltdown the other parties are facing. Naturally there are many on the left who are misunderstanding what's going on as the next "rise of fascism" across Europe. If the marxists mistake the massive crisis that capitalism is facing, which has potentially revolutionary implications, with the beginnings of fascist reaction then we are in trouble for sure. That said, I really like the thread posted by our newest member "module" on the State and Revolution. I made a rambling attempt to address part of his question but I think there is "study group" potential in that topic too.

[P.O.U.M]

Yeah, I just noticed the thread on State and Revolution, coincidentally, that was an idea I was going to throw out.

Also, any idea's thrown out, please make sure it's available online. With MIA I doubt there will be any problems.

www.marxists.org

[Dimitri]

I'd like to do What is Fascism.
Although State and Revolution sounds good as well. We will do State and Revolution at branch soon, so it would be wonderful if we do it here before heh.

[P.O.U.M]

I'd like to do What is Fascism.

Although State and Revolution sounds good as well. We will do State and Revolution at branch soon, so it would be wonderful if we do it here before heh.

Well, What is Fascism and How to Fight it is really small. We could get through it within a week, I think. Then could add on State and Revolution after. And get the comrades from your branch to add on discussion here for the sake of liven up the boards. Not to take away from your, for lack of a better word, your personal connection with the branch. Or, just write down a few questions from your group and post them here. Makes us respond and think about it.

[P.O.U.M]

So it sounds, like "What is Fascism and How to Fight it" is popular right now. And it is topical. Any disagreements?

I still say give it a few days before we start. But by all means, it your anxious, go for it.

http://marxists.org/archive/trotsky/works/1944/1944-fas.htm

[fire_mat99]

What I would like to understand is how businesses control the goverment or why the goverment is for businesses.The prison industrial complex how state run or prive prison profit.Why the goverment pass stupit laws or the 2 srike .

More on the drug war and marijuana war .Why the US is so conservative and no prograss in the US in the past 35+ years.These topics has been dragging on for 2 or 3 years now for me and no one here can answer it.Yet people claim they left here but cannot answer it!!

So if study group is coming up why not those subjects?

[Dimitri]

What I would like to understand is how businesses control the goverment or why the goverment is for businesses.The prison industrial complex how state run or prive prison profit.Why the goverment pass stupit laws or the 2 srike .

More on the drug war and marijuana war .Why the US is so conservative and no prograss in the US in the past 35+ years.These topics has been dragging on for 2 or 3 years now for me and no one here can answer it.Yet people claim they left here but cannot answer it!!

So if study group is coming up why not those subjects?

Comrade,
You can ask these questions in the begginer;s theory and questions and I will be glad to give you my two cents.
I don't think doing a study group on these questions is the best idea. So post these questions on individual threads and comrades will take the time to answer them.

Regarding the study group, I think POUM, since he is the organizer of this, should give his summary of "the first part" and people can discuss based on it and ask their questions and bring forward their opinions.
Anyone who wants to take part on this discussion, please start reading ASAP

[Volkov]

This is interesting stuff, but I probably won't be able to join in on this discussion, as I have to prepare for the WIL national school that is right around the corner.

[Universal]

Businesses control government and governments for business because people LOOOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEEE money. Everyone wants money and everyone will do anything in America to get money.

[P.O.U.M]

What I would like to understand is how businesses control the goverment or why the goverment is for businesses.

Because the government always protects the economic system. The government is always full of the current economic systems representatives. From the Roman Empire to now. The government has been dominated by those that run the economy. As for one, they have the money to run for such positions. (Surprisingly enough, the current Vice President in America was the poorest Senator at 100 thousand something.) And two, it's a good way for them to get their way. For cheaper business affairs or busting the workers.

The prison industrial complex how state run or prive prison profit.Why the goverment pass stupit laws or the 2 srike .

How the prisons work still boggles my mind. I have a good friend going in for selling weed, in a couple of days. He's supposedly getting 180 days in county. But, the arrest rate has doubled in the recession and he will probably only end up serving 2 weeks.

And it's the three strike law. And they are usually targeted to violent criminals. As my friend didn't get a strike, though he is now a felon and can't vote. Good ol' California.

More on the drug war and marijuana war .Why the US is so conservative and no prograss in the US in the past 35+ years

Watch the documentary Grass. You can probably find a torrent of it. And if your spoken English is bad, you can find subtitles of it. Well, subtitles in English. If you can find it in Chinese then all the better. But it well answer all your drug war questions. To how it started to what it's doing now.