The capitalist state and socialist strategy today
Introduced by veteran US socialist activist and author, Charlie Post.
The growth of left reformist socialist organisations in the United States has sparked renewed debate and discussion of socialist strategy. In advanced capitalist societies, do we give equal weight to electoral politics and mass strikes (and other forms of mass disruptive struggles) in the fight for socialism? Can socialists use (parts) of the existing state to effect a rupture with capitalism? This talk will assess the Marxian theories of the capitalist state which inform different strategic orientations and make the case for the continued necessity of destroying the capitalist state to win socialism.
Readings
Charlie Post, The best of Karl Kautsky isn’t good enough, Jacobin 9 March 2019
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/03/karl-kautsky-socialist-strategy-german-revolution
Mick Armstrong, Revolution, reform and socialist strategy, Red Flag 19 August 2019