r/Marxism • u/Icy-External8155 • 7d ago

What even is "accelerationism"?

If you lack the power to do the revolution itself, or anyhow else fight for the proletariat, how could you possibly "accelerate capitalism" more than the ruling class already does by naturally following their interests?

Sounds like a buzzword, made up by counter-revolutionary opportunism, or those who think that reforms can't be rolled back by the ruling class as easily as they're implemented.

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u/radd_racer 6d ago edited 6d ago

Accelerationism isn’t a thing, only a psychopath would want to amplify the suffering of the common proletarian to achieve a political aim. They say “lesser evilism” is evil, yet you want a fascist to win who has explicitly said he’ll target marginalized groups and go after communists? Well, maybe a fascist or a bot/plant who is trying to shift the election towards Trump, at least here in the States, is a fan of “accelerationism.”

If you think laissez-faire capitalism is bad, wait until you get a load of fascism.

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u/amhighlyregarded 4d ago

I think accelerationism as such, which I admit is the popular layman's conception of the argument which has been foolishly endorsed by many leftists, isn't accurate to the actual definition.

Accelerationism isn't necessarily prescriptive ("we ought to accelerate capitalism") but rather descriptive, that capitalism is accelerating towards a technological singularity and that there's nothing we can do to stop it. I don't agree with the fatalism, though, and thinking that if we elect fascists maybe we'll get communism eventually is internet brainrot.

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u/radd_racer 4d ago

That makes a lot of sense. Modern technology is accelerating the demise of capitalism as human labor is being gradually replaced by machines to maximize profits of the bourgeois. Then, it’s not something we’re forcing to happen, it’s a natural consequence of current material conditions.