Focus on Appeals
Focus on Appeals
“We must never stop explaining. We know that when people understand us, they cannot help but follow us.”
Marxism is very diverse; it has many forms, expressions, and controversies, numerous currents and points of friction – but above all, it is one thing: a science.
Methodology, falsifiability, subject reduction – all scientific criteria (at least according to Popper) are met in Marxism.
Why am I saying this? I assume that most of the readers are already Marxists.
I want to illustrate, through the thesis of the scientific nature of Marxism, why it is necessary to address the other person clearly and subjectively in order to explain and bring closer Marxism.
Imagine the following:
A man and a woman are standing on a crowded bus and discussing physics.
The man knows nothing about physics; he even doubts the concept; laws explaining nature are completely foreign to him.
The woman tries to explain the principles of physics: strong interaction, weak interaction, electromagnetic interaction, and gravity.
The whole thing is too complicated for the man, as he is on his way to work and has no patience to think about such complex matters.
Suddenly, the bus comes to an abrupt stop, and he nearly falls and exclaims in frustration.
The woman notices his frustration but seizes the moment to relate physics situationally.
Based on his frustration over the sudden stop, his interest in understanding why he almost fell is higher than before.
Gravity was unfamiliar to him at that moment, but the woman, picking up on his situational interest, asks “Why?” and explains Newton’s second law, which sparks his interest in physics.
Just like physics, Marxism is an incredibly complex science that traces its origins back hundreds, or even thousands of years if you include the proto-idealist roots.
Unlike physics, Marxism carries a significant stigma; in bourgeois consciousness, it is not regarded as a science but as an ideology long lost.
For Marxists, it is therefore of utmost importance to identify and explain the points of reference for Marxism situationally and individually.
As an example, the situation in Palestine:
The solidarity regarding Palestinian suffering is immense; so immense that even those with bourgeois thinking participate in protests or at least in thought.
This provides fertile ground for Marxist analysis; here, frustration must be used to explain the causes of this conflict.
The majority of people in this land disagree with Israel’s approach in Gaza, according to surveys, and the Arab population even more so.
In conversations, one often hears that the other person is aware that Israel is supported by Western countries – here, the discussion must be engaged! “Why do you think these states support Israel?” – from there, the discussion develops.
Propaganda
Socialism has achieved remarkable successes in its history; these must be exploited.
For example, when there is a common resentment against socialism, since it is often seen as only functioning in theory, this can be undermined with targeted statistics.
Anti-communism is built on shaky ground; it’s a machinery into which sand must be poured.
This fragile propaganda construct can be destabilized with a single good statistic; for example, China has lifted 800 million people out of absolute poverty.
But again, the approach must be situational; depending on one’s background, religion, gender, family history, or life situation, different types of propaganda and different statistics will have more or less impact.
In terms of propaganda, it is also important to address ignorance about Marxism; a simple question about the definition of socialism can make people question their everyday knowledge, representing a break with everyday understanding.