By Chris
Book Review of Communism and Jeffersonian Democracy, by Bob Avakian (ISBN: 978-0-89851-004-1)
I need to start by stating I had no preconceived ideas about Bob Avakian and the RCP (Revolutionary Communist Party) before reading this book. Also I am a believer in listening to and learning from a multitude of voices. In this humble bloggers opinion one of the major failings of the Revolutionary Left is this “My ideas, not yours” cult. We are the first to slag the right for their refusal to listen to alternative ideas and then we go and practice the same thing.
A few Saturdays ago I was hanging put with an old friend in Coventry (an eclectic neighborhood on the east side of Cleveland) and stopped in to Revolution Books to have a look around, being the first opportunity I have had to do so since the birth of my son. I was instantly drawn to a book titled Communism & Jeffersonian Democracy. The store volunteer explained to me that it was an excellent book and with the rise of the reactionary right tea party movement the ideas brought up in the book were especially topical. So plunked down my five dollars and bought a copy.
The book it self is based on a series of talks by Bob Avakian with some edits made for clarity and flow. The book makes the argument that the heart of American Bourgeois democracy is it’s foundation of racial slavery. A theme that has shaped and continues to guide the exploitative system we all live in to this day. Since the book is based on Avakian’s talks the style of writing is straight forward and easily understood. Sometimes people and I count myself as one can be lost in more advanced political writings.
One of the themes in the book that I was impressed with was in the latter part of the book when Avakian described the process of transition, revolution from a Bourgeois (Capitalist/Imperialist) Democracy to a true Socialist society.
This now, whether or not you think Avakian is right or wrong here, I found important. I’ve read many, many political writings in my day. Not many of them mention the messy work of revolution. I give Avakian credit here for not avoiding the subject.
All in all, during this election season and with the rise of the Tea Partiers this book is a particularly useful tool. A tool to understanding and countering them from a Revolutionary Communist prospective.
The book is available from RCP Publications and here locally at Revolution Books.
RCP Productions
PO Box 3486
Merchandise Mart
Chicago, IL 60654-0486
http://Revcom.us
Revolution Books Cleveland
2804 Mayfield Road (at Coventry Rd)
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118
216-932-2543
revbookscle@hotmail.com
