Study Circle 5 of 2019 – Class Struggle

~ dyfidelhicuc ~ Leave a comment

DYFI-CUC organised the fifth study circle of the year today, and contentious discussions were had. We read Chapter 5 of What is Marxism? by Emile Burns – Class Struggles in Modern Times.


The chapter is about class and class struggle, and the basis of class struggle. It answers the question of which class leads revolutions, what the nature of the state is, representative democracy, what a dictatorship of the proletariat implies, and how the proletarian movement is a true majoritarian movement.


We discussed the difference between wealth and class: class is determined by your role in production. We talked about the concept of what is called a “middle class”, and whether it fits into Marxist class analysis. The discussion around the state was comprehensive: we talked of specific examples of how the state is an instrument of class rule, such as the bankruptcy code, suppression of land struggles, land acquisition, corporate subsidies, and so on. A question about the involvement of capitalist farmers in the All India Kisan Sabha led to an explanation of ethics under Marxism and alliances between classes. 


The second strand of discussion we had was a detailed one on Venezuela, Chavez, hoarding within Venezuela, how US imperialism functions, and the strategies available now for progressive sections in developing countries. We planned another solidarity visit to the Venezuelan embassy.


In the next study circle we will read about the life and work of Chandrashekhar Azad, as his death anniversary is on 27th February. Azad, as we know, was Bhagat Singh’s comrade and instrumental in the transformation of the Hindustan Republican Association to the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. 


A new member brought us lovely bookmarks from the May Day Bookstore:

We would love to hear your opinions about Chapter 5, and suggestions for readings on Azad. We have also planned a study circle on Kashmir, to be organised in the coming weeks, in order that we may develop an understanding of the Kashmir crisis, a first step to any resolution of it.


Revolutionary greetings,

Central Unit Committee

Democratic Youth Federation of India, Delhi

Study Circle 4 of 2019 – Imperialism

~ dyfidelhicuc ~ Leave a comment

DYFI-CUC organised the fourth study circle of the year – an emotional one, because we heard Salvador Allende’s last speech before he was killed by a CIA-led military coup. He addresses the women, workers and farmers of Chile and denounces imperialism and foreign capital. In the final seconds of the recording you can hear explosions, and then, silence. Not a happy video to watch, but as Allende said: social processes can be arrested neither by crime nor force. History is ours, and people make history. 


Appropriately, we read the fourth chapter of Emile Burns’s What Is Marxism?: The Imperialist Stage of Capitalism. 


The chapter is about Lenin’s explanation of the development of capitalism since the death of Marx: the imperialist stage is characterised by the export of monopoly finance capital and the dividing up of the world among finance capital groups.


We discussed concentration of economic power in Indian finance capital, the role of bank nationalisation in helping capitalism progress, attempts in Europe to reject austerity and why they failed, and the imperialist aggression against Venezuela.
Speaking of Venezuela, CUC members visited the Venezuelan embassy on Friday to attend a solidarity meeting against US imperialism. If you are in Delhi, we urge you to visit the embassy and sign the solidarity statement.


Next Sunday, we will read Chapter 5: Class Struggles in Modern Times. If you would like to come for the next study circle, please try to read the first four chapters. If you cannot, we will be happy to answer doubts and queries.

Revolutionary Greetings,

Central Unit Committee

Democratic Youth Federation of India, Delhi

Study Circle 3 of 2019 – How Capitalism Works

~ dyfidelhicuc ~ Leave a comment

DYFI-CUC organised the third study circle of this year today. We read Chapter 3, “Capitalist Society”, of What Is Marxism? by Emile Burns. The chapter is a short introduction to the labour theory of value, surplus value, skill and deskilling, primitive accumulation and the basis of class struggle under capitalist society. The chapter also explains the role that competition plays in overproduction crises and monopolisation under capitalism. Find the chapter here: https://www.marxists.org/archive/burns-emile/1939/what-is-marxism/ch03.htm


Discussions revolved around changing theories of primitive accumulation, the role of the “invisible hand” and where it actually works, the cherry-picking of Adam Smith’s theory by neoclassical economics, and how automation manifests differently under capitalism and socialism. 


Next week we will read Chapter 4, “The Imperialist Stage of Capitalism”. This chapter talks largely about Lenin’s analysis of monopoly and imperialism. Find the chapter here: https://www.marxists.org/archive/burns-emile/1939/what-is-marxism/ch04.htm

Revolutionary greetings,

Central Unit Committee

Democratic Youth Federation of India, Delhi

Study Circle 2 of 2019 – What Is Marxism?

~ dyfidelhicuc ~ Leave a comment

DYFI Central Unit Committee, Delhi, organised the second study circle of the year on 27 January. This is an update on what was discussed.


We read the first two chapters of Emile Burns’s What Is Marxism? The chapters are “A Scientific View Of The World” and “The Laws Of Social Development”. We discussed what is meant by historical materialism, the meaning of a class, class consciousness, the difference between utopian and scientific socialism, and where ideas come from. An interesting aside was on how innovation functions in capitalist and socialist societies. The discussion then moved to contemporary issues of globalisation, de-linking, and data governance. Find Burns’s book here: https://www.marxists.org/archive/burns-emile/1939/what-is-marxism/index.htm


In the next study circle next Sunday, we will continue with Burns’s book and read the third chapter, “Capitalist Society”.


Revolutionary greetings,

Central Unit Committee

Democratic Youth Federation of India, Delhi

Study Circle 1 of 2019 – Bhagat Singh’s Letter to Young Political Workers

~ dyfidelhicuc ~ Leave a comment

DYFI-Central Unit Committee, Delhi, organised the first study circle of 2019 today. This is an update on what was discussed:


Today we read Bhagat Singh’s Letter to Young Political Workers. Because there were many new people, the letter served as a great introduction to the purpose of left organising. Find it here: https://www.marxists.org/archive/bhagat-singh/1931/02/02.htm. 


There was discussion about the nature of the state, mass uprisings, compromise, tactics and strategy. Bhagat Singh also talks of the importance of study circles 🙂 We talked about what the letter meant for organising in India today, with examples of land struggles, peasant struggles and trade unionism. The letter is quite short, please go through it and let us know your thoughts!


Next week we will be reading Emile Burns’ What Is Marxism? This is a short book that takes you through the Marxist worldview, including its analysis of reality, history, capitalism, imperialism, and ideas about socialism. Find it here: https://www.marxists.org/archive/burns-emile/1939/what-is-marxism/index.htm


Revolutionary greetings,

Central Unit Committee

Democratic Youth Federation of India, Delhi