^^^^^ CB: Yes, and the science KM is talking about that we need is majorly _theoretical_, has theory, is in the form of theory, theory , theory. To deal with capitalism in a Marxist, i.e. revolutionary, manner, one needs theory. For a revolutionary movement out of and ending capitalism we need masses with scientific/theoretical consciousness, so they can make the link between appearance and reality, break through the illusions that capitalism puts them in.
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But capitalist society will never, except under odd conditions, generate the kind of educational system which seriously explores this gap.
^^^^^ CB: As in the rare conditions that it "generated" Marx and Engels and then Lenin, and then...LBO-talk.
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Schools in the '50s and 60s _did_, for a sizeable number (though low percentage) of the _general_ population provide this. TROUBLE. Perceiving the gap, they wanted it closed.
^^^^^ CB: Of course. The bourgeoisie don't want masses thinking theoretically, scientifically. They don't want everybody to come out of high school college ready. It would generate a revolution.
The US mass anti-theoretical, anti-historical thinking style is no accident.
The ruling class is conscious of the fact that the disconnect between of appearance and reality, a mass dillusionary state of mind, must be maintained in order to maintain the system.
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But note that around a third of the population in these surveys was _not_ ignorant. Probably over half of them were still pretty conservative. But that leaves a potential constituency for mass movements of around 15%: that is actually a HUGE number. I think a rather smaller per centage turned the world upside down in the '60s.
^^^^^ CB: And when we go to them to raise consciousnesses, we shouldn't be thinking that there is no such thing as revolutionary theory or theory for changing the system fundamentally. We may not be able to use those exact words , but eventually we must be able to use those words. The system won't automatically change through economic crisis or "the big one". It will only be changed by class and socialist _conscious_ masses with revolutionary theory although the system does have certain objective tendencies that beg socialist solutions. Right now the rightwing in the US is seeing socialist ghosts in the Obama administration because shadows of socialism haunt the inherent objective developments of capitalism. Capitalist events simply cry out for socialist solutions But ultimately ,the wall won't fall if it's not pushed.
Revolutionary theory can only be "injected" from the "outside" by professional revolutionaries ooooooppps (smile).
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This contains the heart of my arguments against the Idea of Progress, against hope in electoral politics, agains small changes adding up to big changes, and against grounding politics in mral judgments.
Carrol
^^^^^^^ CB: Here's a major part of applied revolutionary theory, strategy and tactics, in the concrete situation/current conjuncture: We should say ending capitalism defines progress; certain quantitative changes turn into qualitative changes or eventually a straw breaks the camel's back; morality is historically relative and the end of capitalism centrally defines virtue in this historical era. In the US , with the Smith Act ( still in the US Code Criminal Sections; _not_ declared unconstitutional in the Supreme Court cases that released Communists from prison), and other laws, "60's experience of Panthers , et al., the military industrial complex, etc., armed struggle is not an option at ALL ; all work is focussed to influence elections and elected government officials, thoroughly LEGAL. (See _WITBD_ on legal Marxism)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_Act