Theory is not everything.

First, a disclaimer: I am trying to avoid making any very controversial statements this time around so no one immediately dismisses the entirity of this post as Stalin apologism. (I mentioned Stalin two or three times and suddenly that was all anyone would talk about. I expected this but I delightedly inform the reader that this reaction entirely proves my point.) I feel this is inevitable, however, because to defend Marxism and any socialist experiment is inherently controversial even among the supposed left, so I will simply say my piece and hope for the best.

Anyway.

Theory informs practice.

Say this out loud.

Recognize that theory is only as good as its practical applications. Recognize that Marxist theory is meant to be universally applicable. Recognize the dozens of ways it has been applied in various states throughout the world. Recognize the millions of ways it has yet to be applied.

Theory informs practice.

We learn theory in order to become better Marxists. We become better Marxists in order to help build a better world. If you stop at the first step then you cannot move onto the second. If the point of Marxism is ultimately human liberation, then how can you stop at theory? Worse, why do so many want to simply beat their chests and quote Marx like they would quote scripture?

Communism has a glorious century long history of revolution and victories. This statement does not mean every single socialist experiment was perfect, which is something critics claim I believe. However, I do indeed consider every socialist experiment, no matter how long they lasted, to be a success.

I am aware that this is one of those dreaded controversial statements. I stand by it.

For it is one thing to be critical of socialist experiments, but it is quite another to completely rip every instance apart as not being perfect enough, or to deny they were even socialist at all. The latter is particularly interesting because it means you don't have to think critically about it. If the USSR wasn't really socialist then there is nothing to learn from it. We can simply dismiss the positives that socialism is capable of achieving for the people. It then goes understood that the negatives are an inherent part of any socialist experiment that does not immediately achieve utopian worker's paradise standards. As I explained in my last post, Marxists must think much like scientists--each new socialist experiment is an opportunity for us to observe, experiment, learn.

Theory informs practice. Your theory must go somewhere.

Say it again.

If you cannot verify and amend theory then it is unverifiable and scientifically worthless. This is not philosophy! Marxist theory is supposed to liberate humanity! If you can't--or worse, won't--consider how it has been used historically then do not call yourself a Marxist. 

Because if theory does indeed inform practice then what of a theory that informs nothing at all? If you are unable to explain how your theory has real world applications then what are you doing? None of you are brave for being excessively critical of socialist experiments, especially not in the West. And strangely, it appears that many of you are distorting Marx to fit the reactionary belief that socialism can never exist in any form whatsoever.

Worse yet, it has gotten to the point where merely defending states like Venezuela and the DPRK (North Korea) from Western aggression is seen as an atrocity in itself. You cannot even suggest that perhaps propaganda against these countries is in fact dangerous and can lead to popular support for military intervention. Notice how this defense says nothing at all about Venezuela's or the DPRK's political economies, but instead merely says, "I don't believe we should permit Western propaganda to go unchallenged since historically orientalist lies have been used to justify military and economic violence against the third world."

It is clear where these people, affectionately referred to as "theorybros" on Twitter, stand. They are the pro-NATO left. They wrap themselves in thick, inaccessible discussions of Marx where no real world examples are permitted to verify their claims. It is clear that their supposed academic discussions are a smokescreen for their reactionary politics.

Not only do I believe that these people have nothing of value to say, I strongly believe that they exist solely to cause discord among an already fractured left. Nothing they say is in good faith and what's worse is that they refuse to let those of us who disagree with them have our discussions in peace.

I offer no solution that hasn't already been offered before so I will leave the reader with this:

Theory informs practice. If your theory informs nothing, if it does not contribute to the betterment of humanity, if it cannot be changed by real experiences, if it dismisses those working towards a socialist future, then it is worthless, and so are, in fact, its rabid adherents.

Yours,
Gabriel