May Day Denial: Unpleasant Thoughts on The Left

1 (2) May 2025.

Happy May Day comrades. I wish I could say this should be a jubilant and rejuvenant post, but saying so is a lie, and to comrades on this special day, nay less.

I have to be honest with you, comrades. The troubling news from Theory Underground has reached me, and it is upsetting, or hurtful in a personal sense, for one 'inter-connected' reason. During the existence (the real, weekly existence) of the Left Margin Reading Club, there was an unquerried assumption that every thing should be well if only we could grow, continue to become more serious, and develop the 'facilities' of the Club. Seeing Theory Underground, a project I have/had interest, even excitement, for, break down due to many of the same problems which affected and damaged our Club, shews how wrong this assumption of much hope was. If some thing as large and serious as Theory Underground could succumb to the same problems (roughly) that our small, six man group fell apart under the strain of, then what ever hope was there? What ever hope is there, then, for the Left?

Being completely, uncensoredly, Gorbachevistically open in the spirit of Gladsnost and Politstroika: I believe the Left not merely to be dead, but to be itself actively opposed to the community (gemanship/Gemeinschaft) which socialism and communism are supposed to be founded on. At this point, brought to the brink betwixt truth and dogma, I believe that either Patrick Deneen and neo-feudalism will be triumphant and save mankind, or the world and its societies are doomed. It is a bleak prophecy to share, specially on this day, May Day, but it is the truth placed in openness.

The term neo-feudalism requires an explanation, being thrown around in random postulation as it is, and whilst I am sure it will one day have many articles of its own unto itself, I will provide a brief understanding. Neo-feudalism, outside of my novel theory of how vanguardism ought to be structured and to function, which does not pertain here, is a short-hand for re-built, re-localised 'burgherdom', as in self-sufficient, multi-labour type township, even a kind of modern city-state, but this time fortified against those historical forces/processes which dismantled it in the transition to capitalism. Liberalism will also, whilst not being wholly abolished, take a back seat to renovations of pre-liberal forms, and advancements into post-liberal forms of thought and organisation. Exempli gratia, if absolutely necessary, the strengthening of religion for the cementing of duty, virtue, and morals may find renovation.

If the Left can prove itself capable of accomplishing these goals, then all of this should be unnecessary. Howbeit, I see the Left going in the opposite direction— tearing things down, deserting community and duty (amongst comrades, to be clear!), and having absolutely nay virtuous sense of higher commitment in organsing (nay commitment, just like duty, to comrades). So Left Margin Reading Club; thus Theory Underground. But I will have an article on the disdain/discount for friendship on the Left posted in about a week. it is probably a few months old, but somehow just fell by the way-side.

Anywise, I will leave it here ere this article proves too depressing and distracted. Happy May Day, still-loyal comrades to the good ald cause. Let me say to comrades who have lost their supposed 'friends' and their oh so 'dedicated' organisations that I understand, and hope better for us from unfairness. it is solidarity betwixt us, now and forever.

— Comrade TOAC.

Post Scriptum. An article on the penny relating to its abolition will be coming sometime in May, probably betwixt the 20-30, a week or so after the friendship article.