Tag: Socialism

The Military Programme of the Proletarian Revolution: II

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

To this must be added the following general consideration.

An oppressed class which does not strive to learn to use arms, to acquire arms, only deserves to be treated like slaves. We cannot, unless we have become bourgeois pacifists or opportunists, forget that we are living in a class society from which there is no way out, nor can there be, save through the class struggle. In every class society, whether based on slavery, serfdom, or, as at present, wage-labor, the oppressor class is always armed. Not only the modern standing army, but even the modern militia—and even in the most democratic bourgeois republics, Switzerland, for instance—represent the bourgeoisie armed against the proletariat. That is such an elementary truth that it is hardly necessary to dwell upon it. Suffice it to point to the use of troops against strikers in all capitalist countries.

The Military Programme of the Proletarian Revolution: II

A Caricature of Marxism and Imperialist Economism: 5. “Monism And Dualism”

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

A Caricature of Marxism and Imperialist Economism: 5. “Monism And Dualism”

But this Kievsky argument is wrong. Imperialism is as much our “mortal” enemy as is capitalism. That is so. No Marxist will forget, however, that capitalism is progressive compared with feudalism, and that imperialism is progressive compared with pre-monopoly capitalism. Hence, it is not every struggle against imperialism that we should support. We will not support a struggle of the reactionary classes against imperialism; we will not support an uprising of the reactionary classes against imperialism and capitalism.

Maxim Gorky: Song of the Falcon + Bhikaiji Cama, Indian independence movement

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Song of the Falcon, Maxim Gorky

II

Laying in his crevice, Snake contemplated the death of Falcon, her love of flying. He lay a long time in the narrow crevice, staring into this puzzling air that teases the eyes of the misguided with silly dreams. 

– What did she see there, in total emptiness, without bottom or edge or cover? The likes of her, in death as living, why do they dare confuse one’s soul with their passion for skyward flying? What do they see there? What do they hear? And might not I grasp all its meanings if I could fly there for just one moment? 

Snake said – and did it! His body tightened, he fast uncoiled, cutting through the air, like a flash of lightning. 

Those born to crawl – will never fly!.. Forgetting that, Snake hit the stones; not hurt, however, he thought, elated: 

– So, that’s the beauty of skyward flying! It is – in falling!.. Birds are so foolish! Not knowing earth, depressed when grounded, they feel the calling to rise to heaven and seek life’s pleasures in empty vastness. It is but empty. It is filled with light but void of food and of protection for us the living. Why, then, was Falcon so bold and proud? Just to conceal the sheer madness of her desires and lack of fitness among the living. Birds are so foolish!.. But I am wiser! I shan’t be bullied by their tattles. I know now! I saw their heaven, the sky of flying. I launched into it, its depths I measured; endured falling, but did not shudder, and gained much confidence from this endeavor. Let those wretches who cannot love this solid ground live in delusion. I know the truth. I won’t be fooled. Of earth created – by earth I’m living. 

And feeling proud, he coiled tightly, and was quite happy.

H/T: The USSR Tomorrow

Related:

Radical Books: Maxim Gorky, ‘Song of the Falcon’ (1894)

Read More »