originally posted in:Secular Sevens
I'm curious, can you explain the differences between anarcho-communist versus a marxist?
OT: obviously any body who doesn't support the status quo are wrong and should be shunned from society.
English
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My understanding is the difference relies fundamentally on the difference found between anarcho-communists and anarcho-collectivists: implementation. Marxists, especially Leninists, tend to see some sort of centralised authority as necessary for the transition to communism. Marxists, however, argue that this 'State' wouldn't really be a State since its job is purely directing the economy. There are other discrepancies also. Anarchy tends to be based in ethics and the practice of revolution and freeing the labourers, while Marxism tends to be based more in analysis of things like strategy and development.
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[quote]Anarchy tends to be based in ethics and the practice of revolution and freeing the labourers, while Marxism tends to be based more in analysis of things like strategy and development.[/quote]wut
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I think what he said is true. Similarly, David Graeber said the following: [quote]One might sum [the difference between anarchist & Marxist tendencies] up like this: 1. Marxism has tended to be a theoretical or analytical discourse about revolutionary strategy. 2. Anarchism has tended to be an ethical discourse about revolutionary practice. [/quote]
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Speaking from experience - and wikipedia. Anarchists do tend to base their disposition against the state and capitalism as a rise against immorality, whereas Marx had a more deterministic attitude towards the end of capitalism, and the freeing of the proletariat.
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Edited by Seggi: 11/8/2013 11:54:27 PMMarxists might have a more 'deterministic attitude' (I think it's more appropriate to say that they have a focus on a material interpretation of historical events and social development), but in practice marxist activists heavily vest their discussions and advocacy of revolution in the freeing of the working class and those exploited by existing power structures.
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I was going to mention the materialism and aspects like the opposition to authoritarian parenting etc., but I wasn't entirely sure so I just went with Wikipedia. I mean, it is entirely possible for anarchists to think like Marxists. And I know. The deterministic end of capitalism doesn't propose a continuation into socialism as inevitable. However, Marxian discourse does tend to focus more on the strategy and tactical methods of bringing an end to bourgeoisie oppression. Whereas anarchist discourse tends to be more focused around ethics and the actual process and implementation of revolution. I suppose you could say that, for Marxists, the revolution is more of a means to an end, whereas anarchists view it almost as fundamental for correctly establishing Communism - as in it is an active part in the alteration of mass psychology and political reform.