this post was submitted on 17 May 2026
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Pragmatic Leftist Theory

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The neolibs are too far right. The tankies are doing whatever that is. Where's the space for the people who want fully-automated-luxury-gay-space-communism, but realize that it's gonna take a while and there are lots of steps between now and then? Here. This is that space.

Here, people should endeavor to discuss and devise practical, actionable leftist action. Vote lesser evil while you build grassroots coalitions. Unionize your workplace. Participate in SRAs. Build cohesion your local community. Educate the proletariat.

This is a place for practical people to develop practical plans to implement stable, incremental improvement.

If you're dead-set on drumming up all 18,453 True Leftists® into spontaneous Revolution, go somewhere else. The grown ups are talking.

Rules:

-1. Don't be a dick. Racism, sexism, other assorted bigotries, you know the drill. At least try to default to mutually respectful discussion. We're all on the same side here, unless you aren't, in which case kindly leave.

-2. Don't be a tankie. Yes I'm sure you have an extensive knowledge of century-old theory. There's been a century of history since then. Things didn't shake out as expected, maybe consider the possibility that a different angle of attack might be more effective in light of new data.

-3. Be practical. No one on the left benefits from counterproductive actions. This is a space informed by, not enslaved to, ideology. Promoting actions that are fundamentally untenable in the system in question, because they fulfill a sense of ideological purity, is a bad look. Don't do that.

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[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 4 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (2 children)

Just to be absolutely clear: He didn't side with the cops, right?

[–] CancerMancer@sh.itjust.works 6 points 6 hours ago

He did not side with police, he just didnt like the bougie people joining the cause treating it like a trendy counter culture. To paint the picture a little better, in "The Road to Wigan Pier" Orwell said the following:

One sometimes gets the impression that the mere words ‘Socialism’ and ‘Communism’ draw towards them with magnetic force every fruit-juice drinker, nudist, sandal-wearer, sex-maniac, Quaker, ‘Nature Cure’ quack, pacifist, and feminist in England.

[–] PugJesus@piefed.social 3 points 6 hours ago

Evil Orwell, writing 4891 as an allegory for how based policing is

[–] schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works 4 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

"the bourgeouis Communist" oof, i felt that.

anybody here NOT go to college?

[–] PugJesus@piefed.social 2 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

Does it count if I come from a working-class family and did nothing career-wise with my college education except bury myself in government-assisted student debt

[–] schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

I'd say so. Seems like college is just an over priced high school diploma these days.

Do you find yourself citing Gramsci in conversation, tho?

[–] PugJesus@piefed.social 2 points 6 hours ago

Just Marx, I'm a poser 😔

[–] J92@lemmy.world 3 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

Orwell was endlessly interesting. A man of note that came through Eton college without right wing leanings.

His journalistic review of the state of the pit workers, their families and their economic plight in the north of England, in 'The Road to Wigan Pier' was very eye-opening.

I have Homage to Catalonia yet to read, but he was clearly impassioned, empathetic and willing, in his relatively short life.

[–] schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works 3 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (1 children)

I wish I was driven by a love for people like Orwell. My political motivations are a bit more abstract. I'm more driven by a hatred of systems.

[–] PugJesus@piefed.social 3 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Me, heartlessly: "BEING GOOD TO PEOPLE IS MORE EFFICIENT"

[–] schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 hours ago

THANK YOU! I FOUND THIS VERY INSPIRATIONAL! CONSIDER BOOKING AN APPEARANCE ON OPRAH!