On Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 05:07 PM, Charles wrote:

> 
> 
>> (MG) It doesn't mean "tailing" the movement either.
>> 
> 
> 
> Why? Because M.G. says so.
> 
> 

Charles’ mentor, Mao Zedong, expressed the same thought when he spoke of “being 
ahead of the masses, but not too far ahead”.

In the context of the Mamdani movement, this would mean trying to wean its 
strategy and program away from class collaboration.

The strategy would be to advocate for the ongoing mobilization of the base and 
other New Yorkers through continued door to door canvasing, public meetings, 
demonstrations, and, where possible, strike action as opposed to relying on 
backroom deals with the Trump administration, Wall Street, and the DP 
establishment. A worrying early example of the latter was Mamdani’s support of 
Jeffries against a primary challenge to unseat the House DP leader from the 
left.

The program would involve educating the movement to advance beyond 
public-private “partnerships”  and halfway measures to address the multiple 
municipal crises identified during the campaign. In each case, they point to 
the need for parallel political action at the higher state and national levels. 
A more effective response to the housing crisis, for example, would be the Red 
Vienna model rather than stopgap rent controls.

These are just a couple of thoughts off the top of my head to illustrate my 
understanding of how to intervene in today's reform.movements by “being ahead” 
of the prevailing level of political consciousness without being “too far 
ahead” and consigned to sectarian isolation.  As most of us know,  it's not 
only a matter of good ideas but of being able to present them in a way which is 
perceived as respectful rather than aggressive, at least until it becomes clear 
that the leadership no longer enjoys the confidence and loyalty of the base.  
We used to call this “the art of political pedagogy”.


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