Socialist Party Australia

This is the recommended reading list for new members to the party and to those new to our ideas. While it is by no means obligatory to read these particular texts in this particular order, this list acts as a guide to the easiest and most effective method of learning about Marxism.

It ranges from basic Marxist analysis, to the role of a vanguard party and its tactics; the role of the state; revolutionary history; Stalinism; the Australian workers’ movement; the environment; and much more besides. It covers all the key historical texts, as well as the most important writings by contemporary authors.

Marxism is not a dogma to be memorised - it is a method of analysis. As Leon Trotsky explained, it’s “the ability to size things up at a glance, the flair for ‘feeling’ a situation while sorting out the main threads and developing an overall strategy. This is important in our day to day work and in a revolutionary period these qualities become decisive.”

The list is divided into five sections: Introductory, Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert - depending on the political level of the reader. On each level are the key Marxist texts that provide us with the skills to analyse the world we live in. Even these texts can be hard to get through, but just stick at it. When you understand the basics of Marxism you’ll find yourself with a clear perspective, and the rest will fall into place easily.

Along with Marxist theory, each level has an additional section on a specific topic. Political Analysis gives the reader a general overview of the world today in regards to politics, economics, and the environment - with a particular look at the Australian situation. Socialism and Stalinism dispels the myths about the “communist” countries, and looks at how a true workers’ state would work.

Revolutionary History teaches us the lessons to be learnt from past revolutionary periods. The Vanguard Party analyses the role of a revolutionary party: its tactics, organisation, history and programme. Finally, Dialectical Materialism focuses on the scientific Marxist philosophy that separates it from all other economic, social and historical perspectives.

If you feel like reading a book ahead of your current level, or if a text is particularly useful in the current political climate, go for it. But the skills learnt in one level prepare the reader for the next; so try to finish an entire section before moving on to higher-level texts. Let the odd book here or there be an exception to your reading.

Next to each text is a box for you to tick off on completion. In addition, there are suggestions in each section for further reading. These books have been left off the main lists either because another text covers that topic enough for a basic understanding, or because some are quite heavy reading for that particular level. When you have finished reading all the essential texts at least, move onto the next level. Begin with the Marxist readings, and then apply it in reading the additional topics.

Try to read texts at the same time as someone else, or in a group, and discuss it. Others may bring up ideas that you hadn’t considered, or help in clarifying a complex idea. If you don’t understand something, or don’t agree with something, ask someone who you think will be able to help. The experiences of some comrades are just as valuable as the theory.

Remember…
“Philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it” Karl Marx

Click here for word file of the reading list.