The Historic Breakthrough by Marx, and the Further Breakthrough with the New Communism, A Basic Summary is "a distilled discussion of the theory, strategic orientation and objectives of the communist movement as this was developed from the time of Marx and with its further development and synthesis with the new communism" (as Bob Avakian, the architect of the new communism, describes this work in its preface).
This work delves into the development of communist political theory with historical sweep and scientific analysis, highlighting what was so radically new and revolutionary about the theories first put forward by Marx and then examining the breakthroughs made by Avakian, whose new communism reflects a continuation of the Marxist tradition but at the same time represents a qualitative leap beyond, and in some important respects a break with, communist theory as it had been previously developed. This has resulted in a whole new framework for human emancipation, one defined by its emphasis on the critical importance of science and the consistent application of a scientific method.
These theoretical breakthroughs are brought to life by Avakian, drawing on his ability to "break down" even very complex ideas and concepts in a popular and colloquial way that is accessible to a wide variety of readers.
For anyone who yearns for a different world, one free of all forms of oppression and exploitation, where all humanity could truly flourish and where the planet could thrive, this thought-provoking work is essential reading.
"If you don't have a poetic spirit-or at least a poetic side- it is very dangerous for you to lead a Marxist movement or be the leader of a socialist state. " - Bob Avakian
Bob Avakian (BA) is the architect of a whole new framework of human emancipation, the new synthesis of communism, which is popularly referred to as the "new communism. " The goal of the new communism is a total revolution - the most radical revolution in human history that aims at nothing less than overcoming all forms of oppression and exploitation all over the world, a society where humanity could truly flourish. The new synthesis is based on more than 40 years of revolutionary work that BA has done critically analyzing and drawing from past revolutionary experience and theory, and a broad range of human activity and thought. It is a continuation of, but also represents a qualitative leap beyond, and in some important ways a break with, communist theory as it had been previously developed. It provides the basis--the science, the strategy, and the leadership--for an actual revolution and a radically new society on the road to real emancipation.
Bob Avakian is the Chairman of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA (RCP), which he has led since its formation in 1975. He emerged as a major political figure throughout the upheavals and rebellions of the period of the '60s: awakening to political life in the period of the emerging discontent and ferment among students in the Free Speech Movement in Berkeley; joining and then becoming a leader of the resistance and protests against the Vietnam War; becoming an early and prominent supporter of the Black Liberation struggle where he was closely associated with the Black Panther Party; then playing a critical leading role in the political and ideological struggles of the New Left Movement of the 1960s, which ultimately led to the founding of the RCP. In the decades since the 1960s BA has given decisive leadership to the theoretical as well as strategic and practical dimensions of the revolution, both in the U.S. and internationally.
BA’s extensive body of work includes more than a hundred articles, books, films and audio recordings. His collected works are available through The Bob Avakian Institute, http://thebobavakianinstitute.org.
The above is excerpted from “Bob Avakian (BA)–Official Biography,” a publication of The Bob Avakian Institute.