“Read theory.”
We say this all the time. It’s basically an expression, isn’t it? It can be advise, bragging, scorn, mockery. It’s all become a bit ephemeral.
That’s not to say that people shouldn’t read theory. Without revolutionary theory, there can be no revolutionary movement. Even so, isn’t it a bit silly to suggest, even implicitly, that being a Marxist or communist boils down to a familiarity with the source material? If that’s not book worship, I don’t know what is.
I understand that this is, on some level, an accusation. I am suggesting that many of our communities are caught up in a somewhat liberal, idealist mindset. We all have an ideology, a set of opinions about the world which we express and propagate at the expense of our competitors. Can we seriously deny this is what we are doing?
If Marxism-Leninism is a science, there must be some technical aspect. What are we supposed to do in the world? How do we do it? And how do we know if it’s working?
Applying Marxist-Leninist philosophy to daily activities involves seeing every action through the lens of class struggle. The idea is to identify your position within society, analyze how your actions contribute to the existing social order, and determine whether they promote the interests of the proletariat or support the bourgeoisie.
Taking out the trash, for example, could be seen as an act that benefits the ruling class by maintaining cleanliness, thus allowing them to continue profiting from real estate investments like apartments and office buildings. However, you might argue that if you’re living in a rented house and you maintain a clean environment for your family, you’re addressing issues related to hygiene and public health, which indirectly contributes to a healthier workforce. This can potentially improve the working conditions and efficiency of the proletariat.
Washing dishes after a meal serves a similar purpose. It helps maintain hygiene and prevent illnesses, leading to fewer days off work due to sickness among the proletariat. In addition, washing dishes yourself instead of hiring someone else means you save money on labor costs, reducing the profit made by those who employ dish washers.
To further apply Marxist-Leninist philosophy, one could consider engaging in discussions with others while completing these tasks, raising awareness about class struggles and sharing knowledge about communism and social change. By doing so, you can help spread revolutionary consciousness among other members of the working class.
Applying Marxist-Leninist philosophy to everyday activities isn’t just understanding theory; it requires identifying the political implications of our daily routines, and making informed decisions based on class struggle principles.