Let’s talk about imperialism and the labor aristocracy

This is something of a rant/vent/mini-polemic of sorts, but it’s been bugging me for a couple days now, and I feel it’s a very important and serious issue for the communist movement. So let’s have a discussion.I’ve been arguing with some imperial core “communists” who I think severely underestimate just how much they benefit from imperialism as the labor aristocracy. When I raised this issue with them, no matter how tame my demeanor, they immediately got very defensive and combative. They think socialism in the imperial core means they will receive the same living standard as they are receiving right now, benefitting from imperialism. They claim that under global socialism, we will have enough resources for everyone on this planet to live like upper-middle class Americans. This is not true.I think it’s difficult for people to wrap their heads around where resources come from, such as where their luxury consumer products come from and how they are made. Let’s talk about technological gadgets as an example. Video game consoles, smartphones, computer parts, ect. All of these require very rare FINITE natural minerals/metals that are probably mined somewhere in Africa. Those resources belong to the people living in those countries. Not to us living in the imperial core. The liberation of oppressed peoples in developing countries and socialism in the (former) imperial core means those of us living lives of privilege off the exploitation of these people will probably have to sacrifice these luxury commodities to a significant extent, if not altogether.Some communists I’ve talked to cannot possibly imagine a world where they will very likely have to sacrifice their video game consoles. They complain that without this, there will be no leisure. Leisure extends beyond gaming and staring at technology distractions all day. These hobbies are not particularly active or healthy for you anyway, and I think it’s concerning that some communists think the end of video games means the end of entertainment or leisure, or to accuse me of thinking of socialism as a kind of ascetic lifestyle.People need to realize we are consuming resources at an extremely unsustainable rate. There will have to be massive changes in our habits if it means achieving socialism and liberating entire continents from imperialism. Western imperialism is probably the single most destructive force on this planet, and that is no exaggeration. It needs to end if we are serious about supporting the communist movement. via /r/communism https://ift.tt/36G2n51