Job Discussion Forums

[Greg 09]

Forgive me gnodgnol, I'm just really having a difficult time believing that you're writing all this with a straight face, and I guess my life has led me down a path of very divergent experiences. Perhaps I was hasty.

I guess your choices have been laid out here already. You have 2 maybe 3 countries of choice. One of them seems to have produced a populace who are less than satisfied with " the ideal form of social organization". "Delusional" I think you said, a rather arrogant assessment if you asked me, but you didn't. Another you can't even get into, perhaps keeping out the teeming dozens who wish to partake. The workers' revolution of the third (Venezuela) is not yet complete. So much for Communism in the post-modern age. If the lessons of history do not suffice then let's march on.

Communal living is not Communism, perhaps I was mistaken in assuming that we were clear on definitions. If that's what you want there are a myriad of choices, as outlined above.

If you're really a true believer, there is no argument (or stupid joke) to discourage your faith, so I would work from the ground up. Find a Party Chapter close to you (or online) and begin networking. Begin a formal study of the country you'd like to work in (N.Korea I assume) and try to make contacts with people who can open doors. Finding just the right person to mentor you would be ideal. You'll have to prove yourself, but if you're the Real McCoy, you'll probably be invited higher up.

Write. What's your degree in? Journalism, English, Poli Sci? Bingo. Start a blog and hone your skills. I'm not much of a Web 2 person but I know there are ways to use it to reach out to those with similar interests. You can use it from anywhere and its a place you can point people to establish credibility.

I would definitely go to China at some point. While no longer Communist, the remnants (and one party rule) are present enough to give you a taste. There is still an active party likely to have a contingent sympathetic to "pure" Communism and/or N.Korea. Find out where it is before you go and see if you can get into some sort of study program in the midst of the "action", or even a generic teaching post, you WILL need to make some money to finance this thing. Get a Uni job, lots of free time to pursue your interests. It might be Beijing or Hong Kong or some unlikely place where the faithful argue the finer points late into the night.

Or all the above, the key is to find a place where people are actually doing something, and can do something for you. A Communist hierarchy is ALL about connections, just like any other. Its probably the only thing that will get you into N.Korea without handcuffs. It sounds rather cloak and daggerish, but we're not talking about your typical "Junior Summer in Spain".

Once you're in the epicenter of thought and activity you'll have no problem ingratiating yourself, and you'll be better off having credentials earned at home so do your homework. As a Westerner in China you also have to be very careful about who you play with.

Now that I think about it, you might even be able find the right leverage in the West, if that's where you are. But the prospect of a loud, smoky, boozy room in Shanghai with dawn signaling the end of the day is just too tempting.

Who knows how long this could take, but if you want to do it each step is a valuable tool that you can use later. If you're smart and effective you could be there teaching in a year perhaps. Hit the right person at the right time and you could be there by fall. Make yourself available in the right circles.

I guess its like anything else, if you're serious, apply yourself seriously to what you believe in.

That's what I would do.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[xiaolongbaolaoxi]

Was horrified to find Marx cited in a college text because I really wanted to avoid politics. Direct quote from a student:
"Who's Marx? I've never heard of him."
This is probably not the best place to see communism in either theory or action. And frankly, discussing the theory would be very unwise/unsafe here.

XLB

[Greg 09]

"Facts & Figures about the Chinese Communist Party

* By the end of 2009, Chinese Communist Party has 77.995 million members, a 2.065 million increase over the last year. Among these members, females (16.94 million) share 21.7% of total CPC members; Ethnic minority members (5.13 millions) share 6.6%. 35.7% of CPC members (27.87 million) have college or higher education background. Total number of CPC branches (grass-roots branches are called zhi'bu in Chinese) 3.374 million."


http://www.chinatoday.com/org/cpc/

Also on the main page of the above link:
"Guiding Ideology: Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought"

To the OP, these "zhi'bu" might be where you find a more radical element, perhaps in an area with ethnic ties to Korea, or not, I don't really know. I'm just putting out ideas.

To the last two posts, I agree that China is doing a better job of capitalism than the West. But that does not mean that everyone likes it.

Agree also that a Westerner in China should be careful of his/her associations. I do think one could judiciously insert himself into "certain circles" with some careful planning.

[gnodgnol]

A lot of good stuff (thanks Greg). But, "WHO'S MARX"?!

[Greg 09]

A Jewish guy with a moustache and cigar who once shot an elephant in his pajamas. How the elephant got into his... well, you know the rest.

[JamesD]

[Greg 09]

The tusks were hacked to pieces and distributed among his brothers, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo. He did keep one small piece and gave it as a prize on his game show, "You Bet Your Life".

That's the best answer I could think of James, but I do like the existential twist.

[JamesD]

[Greg 09]

Damn! I knew there was a correct response but could not remember, I even searched it. You dawg.

When Marx's daughter was not allowed to swim at a private club because she was Jewish, how did the venerable Marx reply? Hint: her mother was a Gentile.

gnodgnol, this is really not off-topic, deeper insight into Marx is invaluable if you want to study, well, pretty much anything.

[JamesD]

[choudoufu]

[Greg 09]