The thing about idealists, such as anarchists and ultras, is that they believe strongly in “one size fits all” solutions. If a certain policy is correct, it must always be correct. If something is wrong in one context it must be wrong in all contexts. Adaptation, tactical retreats and changes in policy are often viewed as betrayal, as a straying from the purity of the ideology.
Materialists recognize that it is material reality which determines what is and isn’t correct. The right course of action depends on the circumstances. Different solutions are right for different people, just like different political and economic strategies are right for different countries and different historical periods. It’s “to each according to their needs”, not “to each the exact same as everyone else”.
The thing about idealists, such as anarchists and ultras, is that they believe strongly in “one size fits all” solutions. If a certain policy is correct, it must always be correct. If something is wrong in one context it must be wrong in all contexts. Adaptation, tactical retreats and changes in policy are often viewed as betrayal, as a straying from the purity of the ideology.
Materialists recognize that it is material reality which determines what is and isn’t correct. The right course of action depends on the circumstances. Different solutions are right for different people, just like different political and economic strategies are right for different countries and different historical periods. It’s “to each according to their needs”, not “to each the exact same as everyone else”.