Videos/Blogs/Books/Articles about Communism in general

Now a question for you: how did you find out about Marxism/socialism/anarchism?

Way too long. Start with this primer:

youtu.be/ysZC0JOYYWw?t=9m5s

Well, I have a friend who's really into it, and he has considerable knowledge about it, i mean, I think, well anyone who would know a bit about marxism/anarchism would have knowlegde compared to me. But yah, I got interested, and here I am. I'm scared I won't understand sh*t to these theories tho.

Also PJ Proudhon: What is property. This an Mutual Aid are extremely short books too.

Are they easy to understand ?

Ah well, everyone started somewhere. So feel free to ask for material and the like.

You'll discover that even among leftists there are many disagreements. Enjoy!

Yeh the basic premise is pretty easy, take your time though. Kropotkin is pretty clear Proudhon can beat around the bush a little. Although niether are 'difficult' although I would maybe suggest Proudhon first even though graeber/kropotkin are my favourite just cos you need to understand why private property is the enemy.

Well, thank you. I appreciate it !

I'll start with Proudhon then, thank you comr8, means a lot to me.

The videos I linked here are probably easy to grasp, I think.

You're welcome. I have to confess that I have a hard time reading philosophers etc. myself. That's why I tend to read more books intended for mainstream audiences and not academics. YouTube videos helped me grasp socialism the most, I think. After that I felt more comfortable with reading socialist books.

But don't take my advice for granted. People have different ways of learning. Find what suits you the best. If it's a hard book, I generally take notes too.

Attached is Democracy for the Few from Michael Parenti, it's mostly targeted on US politics so maybe it's not that interesting if you're not from the US. It is also recommended at some schools as an introduction to politics from a Marxist perspective.

I have the same problem that you describe right there. That's why i'm more comfortable with Youtube videos, at first, to apprehend Marxism and such, but I'm okay with books. Well, i'm not from the US, I'm from France, but I think it'd still be interesting.
Thank you again !

I really recommend reading the first two from though. These are hard books and they require a specific approach that those short articles explain well, I think.

You mean Kropotkin and Proudhon ?

France, cool. There is some real class struggle going on in French, with the strikes and Hollande, the traitorous president you have.

By the way, most countries have their own Marxist or socialist publishers. You could look at what kind of books they publish.

I found this French site by the way, maybe it could help you out:

espaces-marx.net/

There is also the French Communist Party that has more info on their ideology on their site:

pcf.fr/

You could even consider becoming active for a party. I've read that PCF and PG are pretty cool parties.

Additional information to this post: most parties also have learning resources or have events in where you can learn about things. I've learned a lot of things by participating in events by my socialist party. It's also very cool to participate in actions and protests.

Oh well thank you ! I knew about PCF and PG, but i didn't know about espaces-marx.net/, it seems cool !

I want to, I will when i'll have some theory backup, because i truly have none right now, i'd feel quite awkward.

I mean these:
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/larry-law-revolutionary-self-theory
libcom.org/library/reading-theoretical-works-chris-wright

Ugh, jeez Michael.

Parenti is trash.

No, he's not trash. Although he sometimes goes too along with the "state services are socialist" meme.

What's wrong with Parenti ?

marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/staterev/

To be honest, the only thing wrong with him is that he is sometimes a little bit conspiracy theorist like with JFK assassination. But apart from that, he's generally okay. Especially if you consider that the US doesn't have that many leftists that write mainstream books.

Too many socialists have in my opinion this: "If it isn't exactly my ideology, it sucks" mentality.

I guess you're right, I'll see by myself anyway, If i'm ever capable to understand what he's writing.

By the way, after you've watched or read some things, maybe you could discuss it with your friend. Maybe you can learn more from each other. :) Hasn't he or she advised you on some ways of learning?

Not really, he's not that close to me, tbh.
I like that perspective, really, I mean I know it could be constructive, but sadly, i have no one to talk about it.

You can talk to us.

So yah, really feel blessed rn with all of your suggestions btw. You guys are the best, Okay I may sound naive and dumb, but I'm feeling a bit lost with all of these theories, and I didn't know where to start.
So thank you everyone who suggested me something to read/watch, it helps me a lot.

Thank you !! rn I'm a bit ashamed tho, bc I don't know sh*t about Marxism/Socialism/Anarchism and my english isn't that great.

Some books suggested have French translations. It might be easier that way to learn.

I read books in my native language too if they are available because it's easier for me.

What's your native language ?

Dutch. Je m'appele Hollandaise.

That's the only French I speak. :^)

Oh shit. It's Je suis hollandaise, not je m'apelle.

No non, zijn naam is Hollandaise

He is the prime minister of frankostan

Ahah, Well, I don't even know one word in Dutch, so I guess you win !

Actually You'd prefer to say Hollandais without the e if you're reffering to a man.

Okay, that's even worse then. ;_;

Already found something that you could watch or read, and understand? Feel free to ask questions. Lots of people can probably answer them here.

How did OP find us? What is their opinion on current politics obsession regarding identity?

fr.theanarchistlibrary.org/special/index
For anarchist literature in French.

Thank you !! Again, means a lot to me.

Videos from YouTube about marxism/anarchism, and i discorvered on the channel leftypol videos, and voilà.
Well, like most of the ppl here, I find it ridiculous, and outrageous, there's some movements going on that wants to manifest and such, but nothing is really happening. But hopefully there's a lot of foreigners who support the muslim ppl.

Here : marxists.org/francais/pannekoek/works/1936/00/pannekoek_19360000.htm

Not getting everything, ofc, but that's a start.

Can someone tell me what Appelisme/Conseillisme/Collectivisme is ? I hear that all the time, but yea, I really don't understand what it means.

Cool!

Okay, I'm not sure about everything.

No idea, sorry!

This is council communism. It emphases small councils which are democratically controlled. The ideology opposes a central state, but rather wants on the factory level councils which are democratically run. They claim it can replace a central state. Of course, those small types of government (councils) can cooperate with each other.

This is a very broad term. In general, it means emphasizing groups instead of individuals.

Other comr8s, feel free to correct me. I might be wrong.

Could Appelisme be autonomism?

Do you have some articles about Conseillism ? Is this it : marxists.org/subject/left-wing/1987/council-communism.htm ?

Well for the term Appelism, ppl have the habbit to call all the work around Tiqqun appelism ? If it's any help.

Not really, Appelism is pretty much criticized If I understand it right.

Yeah the article you linked is one about council communism. Fun fact: Anton Pannekoek is Dutch and his last name means pancake haha.

Well, I'll try to read about it then ! Did you a lot from Anton Pannekoek ? Ahah, than you, now I know atleast one word in Dutch !

To be honest, I've never read him. My knowledge about council communism is nothing more than Wikipedia.

Ahah, okay. Tbh, I am relieved to know that ppl around me aren't walking encyclopedias.

If someone could explain/synthesize me this, would be really cool : thecharnelhouse.org/2016/06/05/we-are-not-anti/

I'll try to read it later.

Oh and for everyone else, feel free to provide an explanation since I'm busy right now tbh.