Hi Mark, Thanks for your comments.
-- 1 -- In general, productive forces are a good thing. I was not able to follow the thread closely--but I believe you (or someone) pointed out that mass transit systems are better than gas-guzzling cars, and that homelessness would be helped by apartment complexes that were affordable and located where people wanted to live. One problem is that building mass transit systems and apartment complexes is time-consuming and expensive. Mass transit systems also require bulldozing existing structures--which must be replaced in one way or another. However--productive forces can help in this. Imagine, for example, if mass transit systems or apartment buildings could be created ten times faster or cheaper. Wouldn't that help? That is the kind of thing that is made possible when productive forces are increased. Humans want (and need) "stuff". Yes, under capitalism--stuff is created in a way that ignores *externalities* (ie: things like pollution or environmental destruction). But when the working class runs the world--and commands a higher level of productive forces--then it will be able to create "stuff" without ignoring the environment or any of the important human things that capitalist development steamrolls over. -- 2 -- If a revolutionary government overthrows the capitalist class and comes to power--but is unable (for example) to keep grocery stores stocked then--one way or another--their heads will end up on pikes and the capitalists will be back--running the show. But how do you keep grocery stores stocked? Productive forces are a big part of the answer. -- 3 -- The reason that Marx said that the victory of the proletariat over the bourgeoisie was inevitable--was because only the proletariat was capable of fully unleashing the full development of the productive forces. This was also the fundamental reason that the capitalist sytem overthrew the feudal system. The feudal system was incapable of harnessing the productive forces that were being created by the industrial revolution. -- 4 -- As far as "ecosoc" classes -- a lot of "academic marxism" has little real connection to the ideas of Karl Marx. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#40459): https://groups.io/g/marxmail/message/40459 Mute This Topic: https://groups.io/mt/117439078/21656 -=-=- POSTING RULES & NOTES #1 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. #2 This mail-list, like most, is publicly & permanently archived. #3 Subscribe and post under an alias if #2 is a concern. #4 Do not exceed five posts a day. -=-=- Group Owner: [email protected] Unsubscribe: https://groups.io/g/marxmail/leave/13617172/21656/1316126222/xyzzy [[email protected]] -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
