Although you are unlikely to live in one of the few countries with a communist government, you can still embrace the ideology of communism in your everyday life and participate in political organizations and activists that support the principles of such a model of government. This article will give you practical tips on how to live like a communist in the twenty-first century.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Learning what communism is all about
Step 1. Understand the situation of the proletariat
Proletariat is the working class; are people who provide services for an employer in exchange for a salary, but do not own any part of the company they work for or the "means of production," which means land, tools, factories, office buildings, raw materials, etc.. that make their work possible. Most members of the proletariat have little control or power to express their opinion over their own work and do not receive part of their employer's profits.
- Because they depend on wages and have no control over their work, employees are oppressed by their employers.
- The oppressors of the proletariat are called "bourgeois" in Marxist terms: it is the wealthy capitalists who own the corporations, factories and land and hence most of the world's wealth.
- The modern concept of the 99% is very similar to Karl Marx's concept of the proletariat. The 1% is analogous to the bourgeois.
- A basic principle of communism is that the proletariat must struggle to gain control of the means of production and manage them collectively.
Step 2. Contemplate how private property creates social injustice
Private ownership of the means of production is what gives the bourgeois the power to exploit the proletariat. Marx argued that if ownership of the means of production were taken and handed over to the proletariat for communal and equivalent ownership, workers would produce more, exploitation would end, and the social classes arising from the unfair distribution of property would disappear.
Some modern companies are partially or wholly owned by employees as they offer shares to them, but they are relatively few
Step 3. Consider the communists' criticisms of capitalism
Marx believed that capitalism itself, together with the market economy and the unbridled pursuit of profit, was the cause of the current state of injustice and inequality. Marx felt that the solution to this would be the total abolition of capitalism through a revolution of the proletariat.
- Countless communist revolutions took place in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Still, few communist regimes stand firm.
- Most modern communist parties now focus on reforming capitalist societies rather than revolution.
Step 4. Familiarize yourself with the main texts of Marxist communism
If you identify yourself as a communist, people will assume you know these texts and expect you to be able to discuss them knowledgeably.
- Start with Frederick Engels' "Principles of Communism," a pamphlet written in 1847 outlining the principles of Marxist communism.
- Proceed to the "Communist Manifesto", published by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels in 1848.
- Read volume 3 of Marx's "Capital" when you're up for a real challenge.
Step 5. Read some secondary literature on communism that explains the context and evolution of the movement
Some good introductory texts include: Communism: A Very Brief Introduction" by Leslie Holmes and "The Theory and Practice of Communism: An Introduction by R. N. Carew Hunt
Step 6. Add some later communist works to your reading list
Ideal options include Vladimir Lenin's "The State and Revolution" and Leon Trotsky's "In Defense of Marxism".
Step 7. Remember that communism is fiercely opposed to the acquisition of private property and unnecessary consumption
One of the most communist things you can do is rely on the public library and used bookshops to fulfill your research goals.
Part 2 of 3: Getting involved in communist politics
Step 1. Read current sites and publications that are communist or sympathetic to communism
Some good examples include People's Word, Carta Capital and Le Monde Diplomatique Brasil.
Step 2. Join and participate in local communist organizations
Do a little research and look for the active communist party or activist group in your area.
- In Brazil, you can become a member of the Communist Party or the Communist Youth.
- If there are no local communist groups, consider forming your own.
Step 3. Participate in groups and causes based on, or compatible with, communist ideals
Support the workers unions and remember that a good communist would never break a strike
Step 4. Keep in mind that even peaceful demonstrations can have legal consequences
Learn the laws of your region and be prepared to be punished and possibly imprisoned for participating in political demonstrations.
Part 3 of 3: Applying Communist Principles to Your Everyday Life
Step 1. Reduce your exposure to capitalist advertising by avoiding television and radio
Marketing is ubiquitous in modern society and most of us don't give it much credit, but it is also a powerful manipulative tool of the capitalist machine.
Avoid advertising-heavy websites and use pop-up blockers to reduce exposure to unwanted online advertisements
Step 2. Choose well where you spend your money, as it is the lifeblood of capitalism
Giving money to exploitative companies only increases their power over the working classes.
- Research the various corporations that produce the food, medicine, clothing and other items you use. Avoid doing business with corporations known to exploit their workforce.
- Buy products directly from the manufacturer and avoid the corporate intermediary whenever possible.
- Look for employee-friendly companies that you can do business with. Shop at union or employee stores.
Step 3. Become a member of a cooperative
For a small annual fee, you can partially own your food supply source. Most co-ops also provide opportunities for members to share their labor force.
Step 4. Minimize your consumption of goods
- Avoid buying disposable products of any kind.
- Avoid unnecessary acquisition of personal property. Before making a purchase, consider whether or not you need what you're buying and think about how long you can use the item. If possible, make larger purchases (for example, a lawn mower) with one or more people and divide the item they purchased among the co-owners.
- Learn to sew and fix things. Patch and reuse old items before buying new ones.
- Buy everything you can from second-hand stores.
- Escape from trends and latest tech gadgets. Buy only what you really need.
- Learn how to handle plants and grow your own food if space allows or if there is a community garden available in the neighborhood.
Step 5. Consider giving up car ownership
Cars are a particularly wasteful and expensive form of private property that, with a few adjustments, can become unnecessary for most people.
- Use public transport whenever possible.
- Take advantage of free ride programs in your region.
- Think about buying an older used car that is in good working order rather than buying a new car if you need a vehicle.
Step 6. Treat your employees well if you are an employer
Pay everyone a fair wage and allow them to participate in the direction, profits and, ideally, ownership of the company.
Step 7. Carry out the labor cause if you are employed
Join unions and workers' organizations and defend your fellow workers. If the workforce is not organized in your workplace, do your part to organize it.
Step 8. Talk to others about your beliefs and share practical ways they can embrace and practice Communist ideals
Keep in mind that many people, particularly members of older generations, can become immediately hostile to the term "communism" or "communist" as they compare it to Cold War politics and propaganda. Don't take it personally and don't antagonize these people unnecessarily. Teaching by example will gain more converts than aggressive confrontations and debates
Step 9. Avoid causing physical or mental harm to others in the course of your revolutionary activities
Becoming an oppressor will not help the communist cause and will only lead to jail!