Afternoon Comrades.
Revolutionary optimism, as elucidated by Marxist thinkers over the ages, embodies the belief in the transformative power of collective action and the inevitable march towards a more equitable society. Revolutionary optimism is built upon the conviction that the contradictions inherent in capitalist societies will ultimately lead to their own downfall, paving the way for the establishment of a classless, socialist order. Nevertheless, as Lenin so aptly said, “Sometimes, history needs a push”. by all means do no mistake the usage of this quote to mean that I am all of sudden pro-accelerationism. On the contrary, I still absolutely stand behind what I wrote almost a year ago: ( Part 2 & 3 here ) - but I do think we, the workers, have been pushing history, and hard.
Of course, the end decades of the western neoliberal capitalist empire are and will continue to be dreadful. I am not downplaying the suffering and injustices incurred, and whilst it would be easy to write anything today that will solely act as an echo chamber of impotent rage, but to what point?
When I say that we, the workers, have been pushing history this is what I am specifically speaking about: Despite Capitalism, a crushing economic order that permeates every crevice of existence, us workers have tirelessly and largely successfully figured out how to create an egalitarian material reality. This, however, does not serve the interests of capitalists but if that’s all it is, well, history needs push, occasionally.
We have *extraordinary* productive capacities. We can do virtually anything. Renewable energy? Integrated public transit? Regenerative farming? High-quality affordable housing for all? Medicines to end preventable diseases. Universal public healthcare. Insulated buildings. High-efficiency appliances in every household- I could go on, and the list is long, and very crisis, capitalism has created, extremely dedicated workers around the world have made sound and feasible scientific studies for decades showing how to do “it” better. We are prevented from doing these things because they are not profitable to capital and we live in a *shadow* of the society we could have because we do not have democratic control over finance and production.
We face mass deprivation, human misery and ecological crisis all around us. All of it totally unnecessary. And we are told to believe that this is somehow natural and "normal". It's wild. Even our technology is shoddy. Products that is designed to break down every few years and products that are designed to be totally unrepairable - only to increase corporate profits. Patents prevent dissemination and innovation, again I could go on. To apply the immortal words of Aaron Bushnell, "This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal." and once the reality of this sets in, breaking the chokehold of whatever utopia we want to create - and I firmly believe this not to be a utopia in the romantic sense but at its core, the bare minimum we, the workers, can create- we can acknowledge what we have achieved and how little stands in our way.
Yes, the capitalists have the guns, the courts, the police and the guaranteed violence, the imaginary loss of privilege over anyone who they deem lesser than you, today, for that will surely change tomorrow, all seem like immovable mountains yet, at their core they are man-made constructs built on violence, and they never last. Again, history, sometimes, needs a push.
Revolutionary optimism rests upon the dialectical materialist understanding of historical development proposed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. History is propelled forward by the struggle between opposing social forces, particularly between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. This perpetual conflict, driven by the inherent contradictions of capitalism, fuels the revolutionary potential of the working class.
Marxist theorists have drawn upon historical examples, such as the French Revolution and the Paris Commune, to illustrate the transformative power of popular uprisings. These events, characterized by mass mobilization and revolutionary fervour, serve as beacons of hope for Marxists, demonstrating the ability of ordinary people to challenge entrenched power structures and assert their own agency.
Moreover, revolutionary optimism is underpinned by the Marxist conception of historical inevitability. Marx argued that capitalism contains within itself the seeds of its own destruction, as it engenders exploitation, alienation, and inequality. Thus, while capitalism may appear invincible, its internal contradictions sow the seeds of discontent and resistance, ultimately paving the way for revolutionary change.
However, revolutionary optimism is not merely a passive belief in historical determinism; rather, it demands active engagement and solidarity with oppressed and marginalized groups. Marxists advocate for a praxis-oriented approach to revolutionary politics, combining theory with action to challenge existing power structures and build alternative forms of social organization.
Revolutionary optimism encapsulates the Marxist vision of social transformation, grounded in the belief in the revolutionary potential of the working class and the inevitability of capitalism's downfall. By fostering collective solidarity, mobilization, and activism, Marxists strive to realize the promise of a more just and egalitarian society, free from the shackles of exploitation and oppression.
We have the majority of answers to their created misery at hand, we have the abilities to care and nurture for all and we most definitely have the capabilities to overcome this last obstacle in our revolution.
We, the workers.
Yours, warmly,
V.