Should Marx and Engels be required reading in high school?

[Franklin Delano Bluth]

Here's my answer to all of you:

I HATE COMMUNISM BECAUSE IT INVARIABLY LEADS TO A DICTATORSHIP, NO MATTER IF PEOPLE SAY "WE'RE GONNA DO IT DIFFERENTLY"!

Then your answer is objectively wrong, and rooted in a willful and eager refusal to know what the hell you're talking about.

Incidentally, I can't help but notice all the effort you've put in to shining and polishing that badge; it's really sparkly.

[The Parkus Empire]

No.

Have you read the first three pages (post preface(s)) of Das Kapital?

[Aleckandor]

Communists...are in favor of complete loyalty to the state and totalitarianism.

Well, now I have a definite answer: it is indeed a badge of pride to you, to not have the slightest fucking clue what you're talking about.

They may be one of those folks who don't know how to distinguish what actual Communism is supposed to be and the real world historical examples of such statist/totalitarian regimes that have twisted the pretenses of Communist ideology to monopolize their power and fool the masses.

[The Parkus Empire]

Well, now I have a definite answer: it is indeed a badge of pride to you, to not have the slightest fucking clue what you're talking about.

They may be one of those folks who don't know how to distinguish what actual Communism is supposed to be and the real world historical examples of such statist/totalitarian regimes that have twisted the pretenses of Communist ideology to monopolize their power and fool the masses.

Still using 1950's U.S. political witch-hunt terminology.

[Aleckandor]

They may be one of those folks who don't know how to distinguish what actual Communism is supposed to be and the real world historical examples of such statist/totalitarian regimes that have twisted the pretenses of Communist ideology to monopolize their power and fool the masses.

Still using 1950's U.S. political witch-hunt terminology.

Are you talking about me or Kistan? Sorry, I don't trust the cynicism here enough to know well enough whom that was directed to.

[4years]

No, it should not be required. Just like reading Adam Smith should not be required.
There is no reason why schools should force Marx on students, because if we do that, we would have to force the writings of; Lenin, Mao, Malthus, Mussolini, Hitler, Smith, etc....

Reading at least extracts of the writings of all of those figures should be required, it teaches students a lot more than reading textbooks about such figures. I remember doing homework about Locke based on a section of the textbook we were using... while Locke's Second Treatise of Government was literally sitting next to me and being really annoyed that I had to bother with the, rather inaccurate, section when I could actually be reading Locke.

[Sedikal]

I support the idea that all sorts of reading should be son in school. So the communist manifesto, Mein Kampf, plato's republic, Leviathan, Anarchy, State, and Utopia. You know when I become a history teacher I might just make this mandatory reading

[God Kefka]

I don't think kids in school should be forced to read communist literature... especially because it is meant to be subversive and encourage people to rebel.

Yeah teenagers don't need one more reason to do bad things...

[The Parkus Empire]

I support the idea that all sorts of reading should be son in school. So the communist manifesto, Mein Kampf, plato's republic, Leviathan, Anarchy, State, and Utopia. You know when I become a history teacher I might just make this mandatory reading

What quality has Mein Kampf to commend itself to a reader? It does not make supported argument, it does not encourage critical thinking, the work is poorly written and organized--what's more, it's very Germanic-centric, it is irrelevant to anyone of another heritage.

[Newzie]

Only if capitalist literary works were required reading too, to provide fair counterbalance.

No, for two reasons

I'm a Libertarian,

Ever heard of Libertarian Marxism?

Libertarianism was a left wing ideal before the right wing came and butchered the term.

[4years]

I support the idea that all sorts of reading should be son in school. So the communist manifesto, Mein Kampf, plato's republic, Leviathan, Anarchy, State, and Utopia. You know when I become a history teacher I might just make this mandatory reading

What quality has Mein Kampf to commend itself to a reader? It does not make supported argument, it does no encourage critical thinking, the work is poorly written and organized--what's more, it's very Germanic-centric, it is irrelevant to anyone of another heritage.

There is some value in reading excerpts from the Mein Kampf in a European history course for purposes of understanding Hitler's character and goals.

[Sedikal]

I support the idea that all sorts of reading should be son in school. So the communist manifesto, Mein Kampf, plato's republic, Leviathan, Anarchy, State, and Utopia. You know when I become a history teacher I might just make this mandatory reading

What quality has Mein Kampf to commend itself to a reader? It does not make supported argument, it does no encourage critical thinking, the work is poorly written and organized--what's more, it's very Germanic-centric, it is irrelevant to anyone of another heritage.

Well of you could suggest a book of similar content and better structure I'd be glad to substitute it.

[Pagan Hungary]

I'm pretty sure it'd be too boring for high school.

[Sedikal]

I'm pretty sure it'd be too boring for high school.

If a high schooler can sit through fucking English comp then they can read the Manifesto.

[Union Of Canadorian Socialists Republic]

I support the idea that all sorts of reading should be son in school. So the communist manifesto, Mein Kampf, plato's republic, Leviathan, Anarchy, State, and Utopia. You know when I become a history teacher I might just make this mandatory reading

I have no problem with a teacher mandating the reading of various figures, but I cannot see why the government should be concerned with the issue, as I doubt the government is willing to pay for the reading material.

[4years]

1. I don't think kids in school should be forced to read communist literature... 2. especially because it is meant to be subversive and encourage people to rebel.

3. Yeah teenagers don't need one more reason to do bad things...

1. Because high schoolers shouldn't learn about the origins of modern economics and sociology, both if which were heavily influence by Marx, or study the impact of Marxist thought on history?
2. If reading some of Marx=having a revolution than Germany should in flames, with the way Das Capital has been selling there recently.
3. Your subjective opinions of good and bad are irrelevant.

[Thama]

No.

We don't need our children indoctrinated into atheist communism.

What, because indoctrinating them into theist ''capitalism'' is better?

[4years]

I support the idea that all sorts of reading should be son in school. So the communist manifesto, Mein Kampf, plato's republic, Leviathan, Anarchy, State, and Utopia. You know when I become a history teacher I might just make this mandatory reading

I have no problem with a teacher mandating the reading of various figures, but I cannot see why the government should be concerned with the issue, as I doubt the government is willing to pay for the reading material.

The government has a vested interest in insuring that a good quality education is being provided and certainly should be paying for some, if not all, of the texts used.

[Virenna]

ohgod no. there is far too much boring crap being read now.

if someone can suggest a readable, relevant class analysis essay or 2 to be studied in civics or other social studies classes then fine but not boring shit by long dead men.

This. High school students need something with interesting characters, plots, and other peculiarities to keep them interested. Whether you agree with Marx or not, his writings can come off as...dry, to say the least.

Anyway, A.P. World History classes make you read excerpts from it, so there's that.

[Union Of Canadorian Socialists Republic]

I'm pretty sure it'd be too boring for high school.

If a high schooler can sit through fucking English comp then they can read the Manifesto.

I find it more beneficial to relate the Manifesto's impact on history. Reading the whole scripture would most likely confuse many students.

[God Kefka]

1. I don't think kids in school should be forced to read communist literature... 2. especially because it is meant to be subversive and encourage people to rebel.

3. Yeah teenagers don't need one more reason to do bad things...

1. Because high schoolers shouldn't learn about the origins of modern economics and sociology, both if which were heavily influence by Marx, or study the impact of Marxist thought on history?
2. If reading some of Marx=having a revolution than Germany should in flames, with the way Das Capital has been selling there recently.
3. Your subjective opinions of good and bad are irrelevant.

1. Not when the author advocates revolution and the overthrowing of society

2. Is it compulsory reading at the high school level there? Responsible adults can read what they want to. The kids can too but the school definitely should not force a dangerous and subversive text on them.

3. Overthrowing society and starting a revolution are bad things when what you are trying to overthrow is the capitalist liberal democracy.

[Czechanada]

ohgod no. there is far too much boring crap being read now.

if someone can suggest a readable, relevant class analysis essay or 2 to be studied in civics or other social studies classes then fine but not boring shit by long dead men.

This. High school students need something with interesting characters, plots, and other peculiarities to keep them interested. Whether you agree with Marx or not, his writings can come off as...dry, to say the least.

Anyway, A.P. World History classes make you read excerpts from it, so there's that.

It doesn't matter if the material is interesting, just how it is taught.

That being said, I am not an expert on pedagogy.

[God Kefka]

1. I don't think kids in school should be forced to read communist literature... 2. especially because it is meant to be subversive and encourage people to rebel.

3. Yeah teenagers don't need one more reason to do bad things...

1. Because high schoolers shouldn't learn about the origins of modern economics and sociology, both if which were heavily influence by Marx, or study the impact of Marxist thought on history?
2. If reading some of Marx=having a revolution than Germany should in flames, with the way Das Capital has been selling there recently.
3. Your subjective opinions of good and bad are irrelevant.

1. Not when the author advocates revolution and the overthrowing of society

2. Is it compulsory reading at the high school level there? Responsible adults can read what they want to. The kids can too but the school definitely should not force a dangerous and subversive text on them.

3. Overthrowing society and starting a revolution are bad things when what you are trying to overthrow is the capitalist liberal democracy.

[Union Of Canadorian Socialists Republic]

No.

We don't need our children indoctrinated into atheist communism.

What, because indoctrinating them into theist ''capitalism'' is better?

In my beliefs, yes. But should we? No.

[Awaous]

I'm pretty sure it'd be too boring for high school.

If a high schooler can sit through fucking English comp then they can read the Manifesto.

If it is a public school in the US, there is a good chance they can't sit through either of them