People Before Profit blog

Movie discussion: Capitalism – A Love Story

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:32:00 +0000

Capitalism: A Love story

Michael Moore's 2009 film is more relevant now then ever. Below are some possible discussion question to help better understand the issues in the movie and the problems our country faces. There aren't right or wrong answers to these questions, but lots of food for thought.

Additional footage for the film can be found at MichaelMoore.com.

1. How does the film explain the development of the "middle class" n the mid-20th century? What conditions saw the improved standard of living for many working class people? What contradictions existed at the same time?

2. The film notes the Reagan era as a dividing line between the rise of the "middle class" and its current decline. What policies did Reagan usher in and why? What were the results?

3. Moore provides stories about the impact of privatization on local communities. What were some of these?'

4. Corporations repeatedly claim that cutting jobs will allow them to save money and stay in business. Why does this not seem to work much in the examples detailed in the film?

5. Moore talks with workers and farmers about the impact of economic conditions and policies on their lives. What were some of their stories? What ways did they express solidarity with one another?

6. The film elaborates and mocks ideological justifications for capitalism. What were some of the claims for why capitalism is so good? What problems do you see with those claims?

7. The film focuses heavily on a moral condemnation of capitalism. Do you agree with that approach? Many Marxists prefer what they call a scientific critique of capitalism? Which do you prefer? Which is more effective in touching the experiences of working-class people?

8. What kind of action can your group take locally to

You can find additional readings and discussion questions about how capitalism works here. Post your thoughts on our Facebook page.

What is Capitalism?

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:34:00 +0000

Pro-capitalist ideologues link capitalism with abstract democracy and claim that working-class people have the same economic interests as CEOs. The following group discussion helps to explain how capitalism actually works and what that means for the working-class.

In this session, we will begin by watching excerpts from Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story and giving new members a chance to formulate their own thoughts on what capitalism is and why it is so destructive. We will then proceed from the general to the particular, exploring diverse modes of socialist thought, investigating Marx’s definition of capitalism and class struggle, and approaching Communism as both a social/political goal and an organizing strategy. This meeting will lay out the principal questions, texts, and modes of thought that we will encounter in later meetings.

Texts to be discussed (no prior reading assumed):

    Michael Moore, Capitalism: A Love Story
    Friedrich Engels, “Socialism, Utopian and Scientific”
    Karl Marx, Capital
    Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, “The Communist Manifesto”
    V. I. Lenin, ‘Left-wing’ Communism... an Infantile Disorder

Selections from each text should be assigned for further reading and discussion.

Subjects to be covered:
1.    Capitalism as a system based on exploitation of the working class.
2.    This gives rise to the class struggle of the working class, which takes on ever new expressions.
3.    Capitalism is now state monopoly capitalism, with globalization and financialization, in the age of computers and the internet. How this impacts all working people, especially the working class, the racially and nationally oppressed, women, youth
4.    The relationship between the struggle for reforms and socialism.

Discussion questions:
1.    Can there be capitalism without the class struggle? Why not?
2.    What are the most important developments of capitalism impacting the lives of working people? Do they impact all working people equally? Why not?
3.    There is a big rising tide of struggle led by labor. But these struggles have not yet improved the lives of working people. Is it a waste of time, struggling for reforms? Why not just go for socialism itself?

What's wrong with "free trade"?

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:02:00 +0000

Supporters of free trade agreements say they are needed to create economic growth. We disagree, as do most working-class and democratic organziations. The following list of links should help you develop small group discussions on the truth about free trade agreements and their impacts on the working class in the U.S. and in other countries.

Become an expert on the details and history of "free trade" and its alternatives:

Why the Colombia free trade agreement is a bad idea

CAFTA: “Free” Trade vs. Jobs, Environment, and Health

Communist Party Statement on CAFTA

Labor in the Era of Globalization

Workers Rights in the Era of Globalization

The FTAA: A Recipe for Economic Disaster

Send us additional links on these topics.

Which way to socialism?

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:58:00 +0000

Capitalism seems to be able to succeed only at enriching and empowering the few at the expense of the rest of us. But how can we change that? We think socialism is a better way to organize a society. But what does that mean? And how do we do it? This group discussion as well as the additional readings should help answer some of these questions.

Read: Which way to socialism?

Group discussion:

1) What is the relationship between the political struggle for expanded democracy and the movement for socialism? Is one possible without the other?

2) The author expresses concerns about "utopian" ideas of socialism. What is the significance of that?

3) What importance does the author give to broad alliances among labor and other social movements? What work are you involved with to help build those relationships?

Further reading:
Reflections on Socialism

What is organizing?

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:46:00 +0000

This discussion introduces you to how Communist Party activists and leaders work with others in their communities or organizations to build broad movements for working-class empowerment.

What is organizing video:

Discussion questions:

1) What can you do to help organize in your community?
2) How might you use the party's strategic policy and the tactics (as described in the video) to organize your work?

Further reading: Party's program

Discussion: U.S. History with an African American Focus

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:57:00 +0000

The following series of podcasts include interviews with several important historians of African American history. The small group discussions are designed to help develop a deeper understanding of our common history, the development of race and racism in the U.S., and how everyday people worked to build democracy and change.

U.S. History (with African American focus):
Listen to or read one or more of the interviews here.

Suggested discussion questions:

1. What are the special historical reasons for setting aside time to study African American history? Why is it especially relevant for a working-class movement?

2. Historian Blair L.M. Kelley discusses the special role of African American women in the anti-segregation movement in the South at the 20th century. What role did they play? What role did class distinctions play?

3. Historian Gerald Horne emphasizes the international context of African American history. Why is this significant?

4. Historian Luther Adams describes the historical development of racial segregation and its impact on communities. Why is this source of division and inequality still with us today?

5. Historian Jamie Wilson explains African American cultural responses to the health care inequities in New York City in the early 20th century. why was this important for community building at that time?

Further reading: The Fight Against Racism, by Jarvis Tyner

Can capitalism last?

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:38:00 +0000

Capitalism is a system that inherently concentrates wealth and power in the hands of a few, while the vast majority struggles just to get by. How can the working-class majority change that system in order to win real democracy? The following discussion should help your group develop answers to that question and think of ways to make some change.

Listen to the following podcast. Below are suggested discussion questions.

Discussion: Can Capitalism Last
Interview with author Daniel Rubin

(read the interview with Daniel Rubin here)

Possible small group discussion questions:

1. What distinctions does the speaker make about democracy under capitalism and democracy under socialism? What similar examples can you think of from your local area?

2. What does the speaker mean by "financialization" in the past few decades?

3. The speaker describes "phases" in the theory of economic crisis under capitalism. What are these and what do they say about the economic crisis today?

4. What are some major benefits socialism should be able to provide for the working class?

5. What are some ways your local group can work with others to build an understanding and a common response to how these changes have impacted your community?

Further reading: Can Capitalism Last, by Daniel Rubin (International Publishers)