Disillusionment of the Left
Konrad Neumann
Hello all. For those who do not know me, I am one of the eBelgian refugees that emigrated to the eUK. I was an eUK citizen back in the ancient days. I recall the time when TUP was a tiny new party and King Woldy was working on his first congressional election. I am back in eUK for good. I do want to thank the eUK community and government for their friendship and help. It is reassuring to know that we have great friends and support from our eUK brothers and sisters.
It is with an heavy heart to report of the loss of eBE. In the current presidential election, the PTOer candidate Monster Grinder is winning the election with over 10+ votes. The PTOers who did not muster over 35 percent of any votes 2 months ago is dominating the polls. Despite the effort of the legitimate parties, the PTOers will have power for a long time. The old establishment can either depart and leave like Fhaemita and myself or they can resist in vain.
However, my purpose of writing this article is not to report the politics of the PTOed eBelgium. My interest today is to analyze and discuss the language used by the radical left. I would of written this article sooner but I was pressed for time. However, I did recall a PCP article titled “Another PCP Article” While I am not here to bash the PCP for I do not know their involvement and style of politics; however, like many other leftist articles from around the world, it is vague and full of rhetoric. These are my thoughts when I read the article
The Peoples Communist Party needs you!
Why? What do you need them for?
Do you feel like you're not represented?
What makes the PCP as the source for enfranchisement? There is the Workers Party which is also “leftist”? What does leftist means in eRepulik? Do we want a communist regime? How does that work? Do we already own the means of production?
Do you want equality?
No, but I want a meritocracy where all can have an equal opportunity. I am not sure we can have equality.
Do you want everyone collectively working together?
But we already have communes in most military units.
Do you want an open democracy?
No, for it is against game mechanics and it will be too chaotic and inefficient.
Do you want support or guidance?
What kind of support or guidance do you offer?
Are you bored and want a social atmosphere?
How will you change the social atmosphere of eUK?
Fancy a change?
Depends on the change
This is what I see as the problem of the left in this game. The left is only interested in rhetoric and talking points. There is no vision or policies in their articles but all we see are romantic imagery. If the left is to continue with this path, they will continue to be dismissed as something loony. I feel in many ways it is a form of self alienation where they label themselves as an other. While I know many old great eMarxist especially those from eGermany and eNL, I do feel many of the newer stock are not into the true theories and practical concerns of governance.
I do admit my experience in eBE did influence my views. However, I do worry about the direction of some of the goals of the radical left. As with my past articles in eBelgium, I argued the hardcore eLeftist are ignorant of Marx and traditional leftist ideals. They are only interested in the romantic language of revolution where they are the underdog tasked with the “noble” purpose to destroy the existing norms, traditions, and the notion of the state as we know it.
They fetishize the society is corrupted and not free. While they never read the works of Rousseau, they did master the ideals and content of his works. They believe their will is that of the people. Their will is the General Will. They see it as their duty to force all others to be free under their will.
Once again, I am not suggesting the PCP is a problem at this point. My main concern is with the left itself. I am not sure what it means to be left or right in this game. I also worry about the vague and shallowness of leftist rhetoric. Lastly I do worry about the oppressive nature of some who evokes the image of the left. This is a struggle between the new left and the old left. The new left is interested in appearances. It is often times shallow. The question “Do you want equality?” employs people to not think. For most, do deny the desire for equality is damning. It can be used to shame the people who critique it. It is like asking “Do you support discrimination?” Most people will say no. However, we discriminate all the time. We choose which party to join, which CS we have, where to own companies, which MU to join, etc. The issue is not discrimination itself but is the form of discrimination just or unjust. With that in mind, the left needs to explain their vision of what a just society is. Instead of using overly simplistic questions and rhetoric, they should offer a solution to the problems.
I am not a person who hates the left and enjoys bashing them for fun. However, I am worried and concerned with the actions and the style of some who will tarnish the ideals and values of the left. In order to save and preserves leftist ideals, we do need to criticize and take a good look at ourselves and offer real and practical vision for our future. Asking shallow questions and forcing others to be free is not leftist or ideal. The left needs to re-identify their purpose and the soul of the movement. They need a rebirth.
Comments
Didn't even centre mention me 🙁
Edited just for you ♥
;*
Great to see you back in the eUK - it's a shame what has happened to eBelgium. I had made enquiries about coming to help once my term in Congress finished, but by that then with some people already having left it was clear it was too late.
My experience of eUK political parties over the last two years or so is that they do not really have policies; they serve mainly to provide a voting block for those that seek office. You would be hard pressed to even know what any of our parties actually stand for or want to achieve. This is not necessarily the fault of the community, though there is a massive lack of activity across the board, but it is, I think, down to the way the game of eRepublik has developed. I'm sure I can remember the days when wars were occasional, yet now there are usually dozens you can fight in all the time. Many people do nothing but fight and with an ever declining population it becomes more and more difficult to maintain a community - our forums have not been used to any real sense for well over 2 years!
Welcome to eUK - we have a long history of working with citizens of Belgium who seek refuge from totalitarian attacks on their Sovereign State.
IMO left or right has not had a meaning in this game since V2 drastically altered everything. Pre V2 players were either soldiers or workers so communes made a lot of sense back then and as a result the left thrived and the right died off.
I've been away from erep for like 2 or more years but my problem with the left was that more often than not they used to place faith in their president and not back them up while in the job, and that led to many presidents having too much work to do both in and out of game which meant they would burn out or make critical mistakes.
Back when I was active last the PCP had some really nice folk in it though, but now it appears to be a party for PTOing not a real party at all. In real life it appears to me that the left has moved too far left towards fascist like you say, but real life politics and this game's politics have little in common aside from the dictatorial ambitions of a certain brummy
Which brummy
I think you're looking too hard at an attempt at a light hearted article to drum up some interest in an old low membership party.
But i am insulted you didn't mention the gherkins 😉
Left or right makes no difference in this game. Join the only truly sensible party! The Spamicans.
You know 'Horrice' always makes a clear case. Get badger stacking now, you know its the only way to succeed.
PS welcome to the UK.
Another victory ✌
I am not sure why you are gloating here.For your side to resort to the kind of tactics that is less than honest, it is not much of an victory. Seeing your side will have to resort to such an action, there is no need to continue the struggle. It saddens me to see a community is ripped apart as eBE is the biggest loser. But you are only here to gloat. Enjoy your "victory" then as it is very lonely alone on the top...
Then tell me, what is your vision on a just eSociety and why would you call it left?
I think the closest way is a good military unit which they own their own means of production. While it is not a perfect comparison, it is the closest to where there is a community with little to no class and the members own the means of production. However, the real division is not economics but strength in the game. The game is not about right or left. However, many people especially the left are making grand statements to justify themselves to oppress others.
Royal Navy was like that, probably still is to be honest, and it really did make a great difference to new players coming into the game to be able to join an MU that could look out for them.
Unfortunately the game has slumped so far now that different approaches just don't make sense.
fight balooon!!