Socialist Patriotism: Difference between revisions

== Quotes ==

The Baizuo "ML's" who oppose patriotism miss the point of Communism. It's that everything should be shared among the people, and not just a few parasites. Of course natives will get land as they have the same enemy, being the imperialist bourgeoisie:  <blockquote>“''I fell in love with my country - its rivers, prairies, forests, mountains, cities and people. No one can take my love of country away from me! I felt then, as I do now, it’s a rich, fertile, beautiful land, capable of satisfying all the needs of its people. It could be a paradise on earth if it belonged to the people, not to a small owning class.” - Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, The Rebel Girl''   

“''We remember that Chernyshevsky, the Great-Russian democrat, who dedicated his life to the cause of revolution, said half a century ago: ‘A wretched nation, a nation of slaves, from top to bottom - all slaves.’ The overt and covert Great-Russian slaves (slaves with regard to the tsarist monarchy) do not like to recall these words. Yet, in our opinion, these were words of genuine love for our country, a love distressed by the absence of a revolutionary spirit in the masses of the Great-Russian people. There was none of that spirit at the time. There is little of it now, but it already exists. We are full of national pride because the Great-Russian nation, too, has created a revolutionary class, because it, too, has proved capable of providing mankind with great models of the struggle for freedom and socialism, and not only with great pogroms, rows of gallows, dungeons, great famines and great servility to priests, tsars, landowners and capitalists.” - V.I. Lenin, The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism''</blockquote>

The Communist understanding has always been that as with everything, there is a class character, and patriotism is no different. There is bourgeois patriotism, which will attempt to rouse hatred of other peoples in imperialist countries and then there is the patriotism of the working class which seeks to overthrow the ruling class. It is the role of us Communists to agitate and educate the people, but primarily and first and foremost to serve.<blockquote>“''I daresay you yourself do not know quite clearly why you have lost these illusions. You are a patriot, - as good a one as any among these super-patriots. You are very sincere in your patriotism, but so too are they. So there must be something wrong in the very conception of patriotism, which can lead men to pursue such contrary and often contradictory goals. Actuated by the same spirit of patriotism, one man reads the Gita, one sends missionaries to America to preach the gospel of Sri Ramkrishna, one orders the whole nation to spin, one cooperates in the working of the Montagu Reforms, another throws bombs, and there are even some who drink three bottles of whiskey a day. There is absolutely no reason to doubt that all of them are equally patriotic. Every one of them loves the Motherland, serves her, worships her, glorifies her, idealises her, - almost every one of these Indians believes implicitly in the providential mission of India to spiritualise the world. Yet in spite of all this, these patriots and the philosophy they preach do not satisfy you any longer, although there was a time when you accepted their teachings as infallible. This shows that there is some fundamental difference between your patriotism and that of the leaders in whom you have lost faith.” - M.N. Roy, The Radical Humanism''

“''The attitude of Communists towards any person who has made mistakes in his work should be one of persuasion in order to help him change and start afresh and not one of exclusion, unless he is incorrigible.” - Mao Zedong''</blockquote>

What these so called Communists that oppose patriotic sentiments are suggesting is national-nihilism, which is anti-Communist and actually serves fascism.

“''It is necessary to develop a line of thought that combines wise nationalism, properly understood, with proletarian internationalism. Proletarian internationalism should be based on the nationalism of individual countries […], between that properly understood nationalism and proletarian internationalism there can be no contradiction. Nationless cosmopolitanism, which denies national sentiment and the idea of the nation, doesn’t have anything in common with proletarian internationalism.” - Georgi M. Dimitrov''</blockquote>

Ironically this cosmopolitanism, is actually the ideology of the bourgeoisie, as capital is tied to no land, while the workers actually are deeply rooted in the land over generations.<blockquote>“''The question here concerns the ideology encouraged by the imperialists, which propagates a sham ‘obsolescence’ of the principle of sovereignty, the ‘legitimacy’ of limiting state independence, an indifference to natural traditions and contempt for national culture. This ideology alleges that at the present time the idea of motherland is devoid of any meaning. For the financial oligarchy of the U.S.A., cosmopolitism has proved the best way of disguising its struggle for world supremacy and for the doing away with the independence of other states; The unions of monopolists are presented as the embodiment of ‘unity of the European peoples’ and as the way to overcome ‘national limitations’. Small wonder that such propaganda is openly supported and financed by the big monopolies; The favourite thesis of the ideologists of cosmopolitism, especially the Right-wing socialists among them, is the allegation that in the modern world the principle of sovereignty has become an obstacle to the development of the productive forces; The enemies of Marxism assert that by defending the principles of state sovereignty and independence Communists oppose the tendencies of social development and want to preserve the division of the world into states and the disunion of the nations in the international arena; Nor can the danger of war be eliminated by a campaign against sovereignty. In our time wars do not arise as a result of adherence to state independence, as the ideologists of bourgeois cosmopolitism allege, but owing to socio-economic causes connected with the predatory nature of monopoly capital; the propagandists of cosmopolitism claim that the principle of sovereignty is antiquated because it hampers the development of general culture aand impedes the fusion of the peoples into one family; The fact that the proletariat defends the freedom of the nations, their independence and national traditions is an expression of the patriotism of the working class, which is the direct opposite of both the chauvinist and cosmpolitan ideology of the bourgeoisie. The patriotism of the working class springs primarily from the feeling of pride in the contribution that the people or nation concerned has made to the struggle of the oppressed and exploited masses for their liberation from exploitation and oppression. The patriotism of the working class is therefore profoundly progressive and revolutionary. Bourgeois propaganda tries to represent the capitalist class as the bearer of patriotic feelings. They want to slur over the fact that the patriotism of the bourgeoisie is always subordinate to its selfish, narrow class interests, and to disparage the patriotism of the working class and Communists. In this connection, bourgeois propagandists sometimes refer to the passage in the Communist Manifesto which says that ‘the working men have no country’. It is perfectly clear, however, that it is not a question of repudiating the fatherland, but of the fact that in a society ruled by capitalists the fatherland is actually usurped by exploiters and is not a good father but a vicious stepfather to the workers. By overthrowing the rule of the exploiting classes the working class creates the conditions for the fullest possible manifestation of its patriotism, for it itself is the true bearer of patriotism in our time; Developing the Marxist point of view regarding the fatherland, Lenin wrote in 1908: ‘The fatherland, i.e., the given political, cultural and social environment, is the most powerful factor in the class struggle of the proletariat… The proletariat cannot be indifferent to and unconcerned about the political, social and cultural conditions of its struggle and, consequently, cannot remain indifferent to the fate of its country. But the fate of the country interest it only to the extent that they affect its class struggle, and not in virtue of some bourgeois ‘patriotism’, quite indecent on the lips of a Social-Democrat; The whole spirit of Marxism, its entire system demands that each proposition should be considered α) only historically, β) only in connection with others and χ) only in connection with the concrete experience of history.’; In what historical situation the slogan of defence of the fatherland is proclaimed, what class proclaims it and for what purposes - these are the things that primarily interest the working class; The Bourgeois ideologists allege that by combating cosmopolitism Marxists disavow the international character of their doctrine and become nationalists. But the authors of such falsifications perpetrate a double forgery. Firstly, they put a sign of equality between the cosmopolitism of the bourgeoisie and the internationalism of the working class, and, secondly, they ascribe to Marxists the nationalist views which are characteristic precisely of bourgeois ideology. The internationalism of the working class is, as already stated, an expression of the community of interests of the workers of all countries in their struggle against their common enemy - capitalism, of the unity of their aim, the abolition of exploitation of man by man… and the unity of their ideology - the ideology of friendship and fraternity of the peoples. In this sense all workers belong to the same ‘nation’ - the world ‘nation’ of working people oppressed and exploited in all bourgeois countries by the same force - capital. This does not in any way mean, however, that while belonging to the single international army of working people, the worker ceases to be a Frenchman, Englishman, etc. Quite the contrary. True and not sham patriotism springs naturally from proletarian internationalism. In point of fact, does not faithfulness to the ultimate ideal of the working class imbue the workers with a fervent desire to see their own people free, prosperous, and achieving social progress? Seeking liberation from all forms of oppression and exploitation… The working class wants this not only for itself, but also for all the working people, for the whole nation. Only the achievement of the ultimate aims of the working class, i.e., the overthrow of the power of the exploiters, who impede the progress of the nation… and the building of socialism, can bring every nation real freedom, independence and national greatness. It follows that the most internationalist class - the working class - is at the same time the most patriotic class; The Communist Parties of the capitalist countries hold high the banner of national independence and freedom. Preservation of state sovereignty and realisation of an independent foreign policy are demands that form part of the programme of the Communist movements in France, Italy and other countries.” - Otto Wille Kuusinen, Fundamentals of Marxism-Leninism''

“''Cosmopolitanism and nationalism are not opposites, but are merely two sides of bourgeois-imperialist ideology. Cosmopolitanism always was and is merely a screen, a disguise for nationalism. In due course, unmasking the German bourgeois ‘true socialists,’ Marx and Engels indignantly wrote: ‘…such a narrow nationalist world-view lies at the foundation of supposed universalism and German cosmopolitanism.’” - F. Chernov''  

In fact America socialists have always been patriotic. All the way through to the first Bolshevik, De Leon, all the way to the Gus Hall CPUSA, before revisionists took the party over. CPUSA claim to uphold the line of Gus Hall. This could not be further from the truth.<blockquote>“''The working class of each country faces two responsibilities - national and international. How to unite these task has always been a challenge to the revolutionary movements. The main weapon of the enemy is a skillfull use of chauvinism, nationalism, and a false use of patriotism.” - Gus Hall''

“''There is nothing more criminal, more insane, unpatriotic and Un-American than spending billions for the military, than permitting rich families to plunder and pillage our economy out of hundreds of billions of dollars while tens of millions of Americans live below the official poverty level. The policy of austerity and scarcity creates a crisis for the whole working class, but for working youth it is an absolute catastrophe, a dead-end. Because of this policy, you are not to be allowed to enlist in the future of the United States, except as cannon fodder to kill and be killed for Exxon and Shell.” - Gus Hall''</blockquote>

It is of no wonder that the party led by the very revisionists who came to power through the ousting of Hall would try to distort the legacy of the Communists of the past. In fact this patriotic line goes all the way back to the foundation of the CPUSA.

''“The United States, had first fought a progressive war of independence from British imperialism, and then fought a civil war to establish a free labour market. Washington and Lincoln were progressive men of their time. When the United States first established a republic it was hated and dreaded by all the crowned heads of Europe. That showed that the Americans were then revolutionaries. Now the American people need to struggle for liberation from their own monopoly capitalists.” - Mao Zedong''

''“The fate of American capitalism lies in the hands of the American workers. The working class must be aware that the current order will remain unhindered so long as the workers plead for higher wages instead of demanding ownership over the means of production and partnership. This should be the objective of workers’ strikes.” - Muammar Gaddafi''

“''Washington, Jefferson and others made the revolution against Britain because of British oppression and exploitation of the Americans, and not because of any over-population in America.” - Mao Zedong''

“''Washington [has] a bad ‘reputation’, and we can ratify him as the ‘Communist Party’; Not being able to join the Communist Party is one thing. At that time there was no Communist Party. The revolutionary role played by Washington we should admit that he played a very advanced role at that time and was very progressive. And Lincoln is the same; [The American people] I wish them progress. If I wish them liberation, some of them might not approve of it. I wish those who realise that they have not yet been liberated, and those who have difficulties in life, be liberated; The Americans need to be liberated again. This is their own business. Not liberated from British rule, but liberated from monopoly capital.” - Mao Zedong''

''There is literally nothing in contradiction between native liberation and patriotism. The Bolshevik line has always been to support the liberation of the oppressed nations. There is nothing anywhere to suggest that America is an exception and that Communists can't be patriots.''<blockquote>''“All Communist parties should render direct aid to the revolutionary movements among the dependent and underprivelaged nations (for example Ireland, the American Negroes, etc.) and in the colonies.” - V.I. Lenin, The Socialist Revolution and the Right of Nations to Self-Determination''

''"The U.S. flag is your flag, you cannot allow the U.S. ruling class to own the flag. The working class of the U.S. must fight for the flag and once socialism is established it is up to the workers to decide what they want to do with flag and the U.S. as it exists." - Fidel Castro, Addressing a group of students who did not want to associate with their flag while people from other countries sat next to theirs''

“''The only ones who crave war and do not want peace are certain monopoly capitalist groups in a handful of imperialist countries that depend on aggression for their profits.” - Mao Zedong''  

''“‘No nation can be free if it oppresses other nations,’ said Marx and Engels, the greatest representatives of the consistent nineteenth century democracy, who became the teachers of the revolutionary proletariat. And, full of a sense of national pride, we Great-Russians want, come what may, a free and independent, a democratic, republican and proud Great Russia, one that will base its relations with its neighbours on the human principle of equality, and not on the feudalist principle of privelage, which is so degrading to a great nation. Just because we want that, we say: it is impossible, in the twentieth century and in Europe (even in the far east of Europe), to ‘defend the fatherland’ otherwise than by using every revolutionary means to combat the monarchy, the landowners and the capitalists of one’s own fatherland, i.e., the worst enemies of our country. We say that the Great Russians cannot ‘defend the fatherland’ otherwise than by desiring the defeat of tsarism in any war, this as the lesser evil to nine-tenths of the inhabitants of Great Russia. For tsarism not only oppresses those nine-tenths economically and politically, but also demoralises, degrades, dishonours and prostitutes them by teaching them to oppress other nations and cover up this shame with hypocritical and quasipatriotic phrases.” - V.I. Lenin, The Revolution and the National Question''</blockquote>''Lenin stated that the only way to defend the fatherland is to combat the capitalists of ones own country. They will then bring up that Lenin referred to social-patriots, but when he referred to this group he was referring to socialists who supported war, these are FAKE patriots.''<blockquote>''“This is a lie; it is disgusting, intolerable hypocrisy. Everyone knows - and the Grütlianer openly publishes this bitter truth - that the congress is being postponed because these social-patriots are afraid of the workers, afraid that the workers will decide against defence of the fatherland; that they threaten to resign their seats in the Nationalrat, if a decision against defence of the fatherland is carried. The social-patriot (referring to ‘socialists’ who supported their own imperialists war of aggression, this caused the SPD/KPD split and was the main dividing line between the Mensheviks and Bolsheviks) ‘leaders’ of the Socialist Party of Switzerland, who even now, two and a half years after the beginning of the war, favour ‘defence of the fatherland’, i.e., defence of the imperialist bourgeoisie of one or the other coalition, have decided to disrupt the congress, to sabotage the will of the Swiss socialist workers, to prevent them from discussing and determining, during the war, their attitude towards the war, towards the ‘defenders of the fatherland’, i.e., towards the lackeys of the imperialist bourgeoisie.” - V.I. Lenin, The Defeat of One's Own Government is the Initial Step in the Struggle Against the War''</blockquote>''Mao also recognised that Communists must be patriots, but that the content of patriotism is determined by historical conditions. The Communists of China could not be defeatist towards their government, while Japanese Communists must be, especially because they were invading.''  <blockquote>''“Can a Communist, who is an internationalist, at the same time be a patriot? We hold that he not only can be but also must be. The specific content of patriotism is determined by historical conditions. There is the ‘patriotism’ of the Japanese aggressors and of Hitler, and there is our patriotism. Communists must resolutely oppose the ‘patriotism’ of the Japanese aggressors and of Hitler. The Communists of Japan and Germany are defeatists with regard to the wars being waged by their countries. To bring about the defeat of the Japanese aggressors and of Hitler by every possible means is in the interests of the Japanese and the German people, and the more complete the defeat the better. This is what the Japanese and German Communists should be doing and what they are doing. For the wars launched by the Japanese aggressors and Hitler are harming the people at home as well as the people of the world. China’s case, however, is different, because she is the victim of aggression. Chinese Communists must therefore combine patriotism with internationalism. We are at once internationalists and patriots, and our slogan is, ‘Fight to defend the motherland against the aggressors.’ For us defeatism is a crime and to strive for victory in the War of Resistance is an inescapable duty. For only by fighting in defense of the motherland can we defeat the aggressors and achieve national liberation. And only by achieving national liberation will it be possible for the proletariat and other working people to achieve their own emancipation. The victory of China and the defeat of the invading imperialists will help the people of other countries. Thus in wars of national liberation patriotism is applied internationalism.” - Mao Zedong, On New Democracy''</blockquote>

''There is a particular irony in the example of Germany. Given that it was actually one of the imperial powers during Lenin's time and actually invaded Russia numerous times. German Communists have always been patriots.''

“''Under capitalism the exploited masses do not, nor can they ever, participate in governing the country, if for no other reason than that, even under the most democratic regime, under conditions of capitalism, governments are not set up by the people but by the Rothschilds and Stinneses, the Rockefellers and Morgans.” - J.V. Stalin''

“…''In applying Marxism to China, Chinese Communists must fully and properly integrate the universal truth of Marxism with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution, or in other words, the universal truth of Marxism must be combined with specific national characteristics and acquire a definite national form if it is to be useful, and in no circumstances can it be applied subjectively as a mere formula.” - Mao Zedong''

“''We must be united both with the party and those not in the party; to be united both domestically and internationally; then, for what will this be unity for? For us all to construct a great socialist country. We can absolutely use the word ‘Great’ to describe our country. Our party is a great party. Our people is a great people. Our revolution is a great revolution. And our task is of a great task. A country with 600 million, the only one in the world, this is us… that is why in the process of this construction, our ultimate goal is realist and be a great socialist country, to fully change what has been our hundred years of backwardness; hundred of years of being ridiculed; hundred years of being viewed as a sick man; these sorts of poisonous situations. We must as such catch up with the world’s most powerful capitalist country, that is, the United States.” - Mao Zedong''

“''I owe my allegiance to the working class; we want to build a society where our children can live in peace and prosperity, a society where they will control the wealth of this country.” - Seamus Costello''