cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/34129124

"To the Marxist it is indisputable that a revolution is impossible without a revolutionary situation; furthermore, it is not every revolutionary situation that leads to revolution. What, generally speaking, are the symptoms of a revolutionary situation? We shall certainly not be mistaken if we indicate the following three major symptoms:

(1) when it is impossible for the ruling classes to maintain their rule without any change; when there is a crisis, in one form or another, among the “upper classes”, a crisis in the policy of the ruling class, leading to a fissure through which the discontent and indignation of the oppressed classes burst forth. For a revolution to take place, it is usually insufficient for “the lower classes not to want” to live in the old way; it is also necessary that “the upper classes should be unable” to live in the old way;

(2) when the suffering and want of the oppressed classes have grown more acute than usual;

(3) when, as a consequence of the above causes, there is a considerable increase in the activity of the masses, who uncomplainingly allow themselves to be robbed in “peace time”, but, in turbulent times, are drawn both by all the circumstances of the crisis and by the “upper classes” themselves into independent historical action."

https://workersvoiceus.org/v-i-lenin-the-collapse-of-the-second-international-may-june-1915

  • LangleyDominos [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
    28·
    7 days ago

    Revolution can’t happen without a revolutionary situation. Not every revolutionary situation leads to revolution. Here are three major qualities of a revolutionary situation:

    1. It’s impossible for capitalists to maintain their rule without changes to the system; when there is a policy/legal crisis among the wealthy that leads to a backlash from workers. It is not sufficient for workers to simply want better material conditions, but also for there to be an inability for the rich to maintain the status quo.
    2. Sudden increases in the worsening of material conditions
    3. When, due to 1 & 2, there is more mass direct action and it includes people who would otherwise be at brunch
  • heartheartbreak [fae/faer]@hexbear.netEnglish
    8·
    6 days ago

    The way i usually break it down is

    1. the ruling class cant rule in the old way
    2. the masses can’t live in the old way
    3. there’s a vanguard element with the necessary history and battle experience
  • StillNoLeftLeft [none/use name, she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
    3·
    6 days ago

    (1) when it is impossible for the ruling classes to maintain their rule without any change; when there is a crisis, in one form or another, among the “upper classes”, a crisis in the policy of the ruling class, leading to a fissure through which the discontent and indignation of the oppressed classes burst forth. For a revolution to take place, it is usually insufficient for “the lower classes not to want” to live in the old way; it is also necessary that “the upper classes should be unable” to live in the old way;

    For what it’s worth and from what I have seen it seems like academic people are wiping the dust from their volumes of Capital pretty often these days and talking about class is no longer considered taboo. There is a growing murmur against poststructuralist hegemony and a call to tie things to actual reality far more than even five years ago. At least where I am and in fields connected to welfare, social policy etc.

    But this is 100% a vibes based analysis.

  • SootySootySoot [any]@hexbear.net
    English
    3·
    6 days ago

    This makes it sound like we are somewhat powerless. That we can only sit back and be ready for a potential split in the ruling class, which may not even happen for lifetimes.

    It may or may not be true, but I can’t say it makes me feel hopeful.

    • MizuTama [he/him, any]@hexbear.netEnglish
      3·
      6 days ago

      That we can only sit back and be ready for a potential split in the ruling class, which may not even happen for lifetimes.

      Where does it say that? It says that after that is the only time to bring about revolution. However the ruling class is not divorced from reality and this still would allow for attempting to agitate the situation to work towards accelerating a split in ruling class. That is also ignoring needed work in recruitment and organizing to properly capitalize, survival programs so the working class of a state to find itself survival tied with their ruling class, etc.