Reply To: Satire and counterpropaganda.
Seducing? While I’m no longer affiliated with the Labour party since Blair dropped clause 4 – the socialist base of Labour ideology – I still see them as the only option to reduce the excesses of Capitalism. If we can’t get Socialism via support of its ideologies and by using direct action then we have to adapt to the world in which we live. While like you, I’d prefer a clean break from Capitalism there just isn’t enough support to make that happen. Due to the media and entrainment of the masses, Socialism isn’t getting the support it needs to contend against Capitalism. We need plurality of the media, investigative journalism and honest criticism/challenging of the government and its policies. They’ve done a number on Socialism and even Social Democracy is seen as hard-left these days as the Overton window shifts further right. While I used to hope for ideological shift through increments, since the hijacking of the Labour party that isn’t likely.
As I’ve previously stated many on the left who are Socialists and supported the historical Labour party via Social Democracy/Democratic Socialism have been let down. Especially in recent years with the purge of Socialists from the Labour party. I’ve heard on this forum that you consider these people faux socialists, I’d argue they are realists. If you can’t get support to overthrow Capitalism then you just become a talking shop – see Python’s ‘Life of Brian’ for examples.