Hi everyone,

I wanted to open a discussion about adding anti-capitalism and anti-liberalism to this subreddit's rules. I know this might sound overtly explicit and some might say unnecessary, so let me explain.

Our goal is to build a space for substantive leftist organizing, theory, and discussion, not to host endless debates with people who fundamentally reject the framework we're operating within. Every hour spent explaining why capitalism is exploitative to someone who thinks it's natural law is an hour taken away from building something better.

We need to recognize that liberalism is fundamentally a right-wing ideology. While it often presents itself as the "center" or "moderate" option, its core tenets: private property rights, market fundamentalism, and the preservation of the status quo, are inherently aligned with capitalist interests. Allowing liberal arguments to dominate our discourse will derail conversations into defending the very systems we aim to critique.

I don't want the subreddit to become an echo chamber where no criticism is allowed; we should encourage debates, disagreements, and self-reflection. The difference is that we should set a baseline: participants should come in willing to engage within a leftist framework, not to dismantle it from the outside.

We'll spend less time moderating bad faith arguments and more on constructive organizing and education. We will have clearer expectations for new members: that this is a space where people can actually develop ideas without constant pushback from reactionary positions.

What do ya'll think?

All this while successive governments spend upto $17 billion every year on elite subsidies and priviliges.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/13/elite-privilege-consumes-17-4bn-of-pakistans-economy-undp

"Finance capital, concentrated in a few hands and exercising a virtual monopoly, exacts enormous and ever-increasing profits from the floating of companies, issue of stock, state loans, etc., strengthens the domination of the financial oligarchy and levies tribute upon the whole of society for the benefit of monopolists." - Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism by V.I Lenin.

A related video giving a more focused breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO3-xkVACgE

I thought I'd share my reading list to kick-start a recommended reading list for this sub. I hope this will be helpful not just for baby leftists who don't know exactly where to start but also the old guard might find some utility from it. Most of the socialist theory by Marx, Engels, Lenin etc. is available for free on the internet. The rest I'm sure you can find elsewhere ☠️ 

Please feel free to comment any of your recommendations.

Level 1: Foundations & Core Concepts

1. The Principles of Communism by Engels
2. Wage-Labor and Capital by Marx
3. Value, Price, and Profit by Marx
4. Socialism: Utopian and Scientific by Engels
5. Introduction to Political Economy by the Economic Institute of the USSR
6. Serve the People by Mao
7. All About Love by bell hooks

Level 2: The Mechanics of Revolution & State Theory

1. The State and Revolution by Lenin
2. Dialectical and Historical Materialism by Stalin
3. On Practice by Mao
4. On Contradiction by Mao
5. "Left-Wing" Communism: An Infantile Disorder by Lenin
6. The Dual Power by Lenin
7. Reform our Study by Mao
8. Combat Liberalism by Mao
9. On Correcting Mistaken Ideas in the Party by Mao
10. How to be a Good Leader by Zhou Enlai

Level 3: Advanced Strategy, Organization & Party Building

1. The Foundations of Leninism by Stalin
2. Marxism and the National Question by Stalin
3. Oppose Book Worship by Mao
4. Where Do Correct Ideas Come From? by Mao
5. Some Questions Concerning Methods of Leadership by Mao
6. On the Party: Concerning the Mass Line of Our Party by Liu Shaoqi
7. On the Party: Democratic Centralism Within the Party by Liu Shaoqi
8. Get Organized! by Mao
9. The Revolutionary Path by Hồ Chí Minh
10. Correct Handling of Contradictions by Mao

Level 4: Imperialism, Geopolitics & Historical Analysis

1. Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism by Lenin
2. Blackshirts and Reds by Michael Parenti
3. The Jakarta Method by Vincent Bevins
4. The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein
5. The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi
6. The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappe
7. The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy by John Mearsheimer & Stephen Walt
8. Rule By Fear by Ammar Ali Jan
9. Wretched Of The Earth by Franz Fanon

Level 5: Culture & Future Horizons

1. If We Burn by Vincent Bevins
2. Against The Web by Michael Brooks
3. Reinventing Love by Mona Chollet
4. Will To Change by bell hooks