this post was submitted on 07 Dec 2023
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Communism

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What would you consider necessary theory to read? (lemmygrad.ml)
submitted 11 months ago by KKSankara@lemmygrad.ml to c/communism@lemmygrad.ml
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Hey all,

We all know the importance of reading theory, but with so many leaders with so many works what should we consider absolutely necessary reading for an committed communist, and what is, for lack of a better term, supplemental?

While reading everything would be nice, there is so much to read, not mentioning works by other authors and theorists, that I'm not sure if reading literally everything Marx or Lenin wrote is the most helpful. Some works will be more universal and others, while still containing important information, may be more niche and specific.

I'll admit I'm probably a terrible Marxist for not having read anything from Marx, or Engels, besides the manifesto. But again, Marx and Engels have a lot of works and knowing what is more important than others I think would be helpful for everyone, especially baby Marxists. How important is reading Kapital, The Civil War in France, Critique of the Gotha Program, On the Origins of the Family, etc? Which should be prioritized over others?

I've read more Lenin but not much, only State and Revolution and Left-wing Communism. I'm trying to get through the beginning of Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism but it's so hard, so many facts and I'm not sure what he's even saying with them.

I also want to read Mao and have absolutely no idea where to even start there.

What would you say are the most important and necessary works of foundational leaders and theorists (Marx, Engels, Lenin, Mao)? Here's my list so far:

Marx Engels Lenin: State and Revolution, Left-wing Communism: An Infantile Disorder Mao

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[–] Ronin_5@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 11 months ago

Well, you just go through it bit by bit and eventually you’ll make it through everything.

It also depends on your background on where you should start. If you have a background in some areas, it’ll be easier for you to pick up some theory than others. Like, I got through das kapital fairly easily because I had experience in economics before picking up the book, but I found Engles’ work difficult. Despite being a businessman, he doesn’t write about business a lot.

I grew up immersed in MZD thought, so Mao was a fairly easy read as well.

If I had to condense it, I’d say that Mao’s oppose book worship, the communist manifesto, and principles of communism are good for basic primers. (All are short) Das kapital, state and revolution, and imperialism, the highest stage of capitalism as more advanced theory. And Mao’s on practice and contradiction for praxis and leftist unity.