what if Leftism is just a fantasy?

[Redalgo]

The "revisionist" reformers were wiser than Marx in that the established order evolves over time instead of being held firmly in place by a conspiring, ruling class of elites until they are usurped in a violent revolution. With all due respect I would also state that socialists who still retain faith in the primacy of class struggle and the allocation of economic capital in explaining all of the problems of society have their heads shoved woefully far up their asses. I do respect Marx as a bold thinker and a great contributor to the social sciences, but not all of his ideas aged well.

[Redalgo]

That wasn't actually the intent. There can be struggle between factions as they vie for the influence needed to mediate social conflict in accordance to their respective goals and perceptions of morality and reality - it is just that those factions aren't so simple as proles versus bourgeoisie. The struggle is more the sum of interpersonal contests than of broad conspiracies. Class identification doesn't come naturally to folks. It is a social construct.

Clearly folks of all socioeconomic backgrounds must contribute positively to a better future for socialism to work. My beef is only with those people who reckon the Left's cause is a war against the rich. I do not know if you do.

[Redalgo]

The "revisionist" reformers were wiser than Marx in that the established order evolves over time instead of being held firmly in place by a conspiring, ruling class of elites until they are usurped in a violent revolution. With all due respect I would also state that socialists who still retain faith in the primacy of class struggle and the allocation of economic capital in explaining all of the problems of society have their heads shoved woefully far up their asses. I do respect Marx as a bold thinker and a great contributor to the social sciences, but not all of his ideas aged well.

Capital is not personal.

A fair correction, ya. Nonetheless, I consider capital to be divided into symbolic, cultural, social, and economic flavors in the Bourdieuan interpretation of Neo-Weberian thought, and look at social conflict and all hierarchical arrangements among people that ensue as impossible to fully remove from society. The Marxist's fixation on economic capital overlooks the importance of symbols, domains, and strategic conversions of capital. I would argue that a classless society is possible in popular perception only - not in reality - that all means of production can never truly be owned or controlled in common for sole use in advancing the People's interests. Revolutions, at least so far as I am aware, can only ever replace an arrangement of hierarchies and institutions with another.

[Redalgo]

I just use jargon as a shortcut to help me avoid posting huge blocks of text nobody would set aside time to read. I've got a lot to learn, sure, and seldom hesitate to alter the definitions for words when it suits my purposes. Still, is there a reason Sibboleth only swoops into threads like this to post a couple brief, typically condescending sentences at a time? I have the impression he is a pretty smart guy but it is hard to gain any new insights when so little is said. On a separate note, I approve of the bow-tie. O.o