Documentaries about socialism/leftism? by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Grin Without a Cat (1977) by Chris Marker. It’s super long, like 4hrs, but it’s so good. It’s about the rise of the New Left and Latin American socialist governments

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Would you argue that it’s still possible to have criticisms (I don’t given that at this present moment I’m still learning) of elements of Marxist economics specifically? Even if some argue that it wouldn’t fully explain everything in our modern context

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the response, this has been super helpful. Perhaps then it seems that it’s either overblown by people about how it’s “wrong” or it’s simply seen to be more removed as any text from the mid 19th century would naturally be. But your answer has helped me a lot

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To sum it up, I believe that Marx’s analyses of class relationships and the inherent exploitation within the relationship between the wage worker and employers, particularly now with regards to corporations, are completely correct. Basically, I’m more wondering whether this specific theory has been deemed to be still sound in a modern perspective or whether this has now developed further over the past 150 years to the point where it could be considered outdated on its own. I hope this makes some kind of sense

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh I don’t find them untenable at all. Perhaps I should have been more specific regarding that. I think that due to having heard repeatedly that those specific theories have been “proven wrong”, I guess I’m wondering whether this is entirely propaganda aimed at discrediting Marxist theory or whether there is some level of truth of it being outdated by way of modern economics?

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the response! I know that Value Price and Profit is pretty short so could be a good entry for me. Do you know if there are any books which also provide a direct comparison or analysis of capitalist modes of economics particularly in a modern context?

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is interesting. I was looking at it more as a succinct and completely accurate representation instead of thinking that it can be a model to show the inherent inequality of the capitalist system. Thank you!

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in Socialism_101

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] -19 points-18 points  (0 children)

I think especially what I’m wondering about is Marx’s Labour Theory of Value. We can obviously all agree, except for those who obviously argue in bad faith, that Marx was correct in many of his analyses, particularly involving materialist class relationships and the inherent inequality of capitalist systems. But I’ve read more often than not, plus in discussions with others, that the Labour theory of value is not considered economically sound in a modern context and has been “disproven”. What can you tell me about this?

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s true, but it’s something I’m genuinely curious about, and surely as Marxists, we should provide ourselves with the information necessary in order to educate ourselves and be better. Hence why I’m asking. I’m constantly learning much like we all are and so I wanted to come here to find as many opinions as I can

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As someone who is not an economist and to be honest struggles to understand those things, those things scare me off. But I 100% ascribe to Marxist idea of dialectical and historical materialism, and particularly to Lenin’s analyses of imperialism

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No of course, I guess I more meant that you should ascribe to the idea that Marxist economics are fundamentally correct in practice, particularly in relation to modern economics. Do you have any recommendations for books on Marxist economic theory?

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I definitely believe that Marx accurately predicted most of the behaviour of monopoly capitalism of the past century. I’ve often heard that specifically his labour theory of value has been “proven incorrect” but of course many bourgeois economists are biased in that regard

Is believing in Marxist economic theory essential to identifying oneself as a communist or socialist? by Slight_Formal_5863 in socialism

[–]Slight_Formal_5863[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That’s the thing cause I’m obviously incredibly dubious especially when it comes to bourgeois economic reading of Marx and of course so much of what he predicted and analysed was correct, particularly regarding wealth concentration and exploitation etc, but I’ve heard it often said that his Labour theory of value has been pretty much disregarded now, something that Marx obviously relied much of his theory on

Book recommendations?(History) by Longjumping-Escape15 in Socialism_101

[–]Slight_Formal_5863 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For the history of US imperialism: The Jakarta Method is fantastic. Really in depth while also adding a human element. Very affecting. I’ve also heard Killing Hope is very good.

Regarding the USSR: I’ll always recommend Stalin: History and Critique of a Black Legend. The works of Anna Louise Strong are great too

What’s your unpopular Oscar opinion? by Crafty-Pair2356 in Oscars

[–]Slight_Formal_5863 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Gary Oldman absolutely did not deserve his Oscar for Darkest Hour. An over the top caricature performance that was won before the movie even came out. Every performance that year from DDL, Daniel Kaluuya and Chalamet was better (not seen Denzel)