A Craic of the Whip: Mr. Craic on Critical Thinking & The “Application” of Leftist Theory.
If you have never formed your own opinion on the way that your political party operates, or the issues they choose to prioritise, you have been indoctrinated into membership and support.
Political parties rely greatly on the dependable fact that, as long as they uphold their reputation, people will take anything they say as pure gospel. Left and Right. This reputation can be upheld in many ways. For example, the employment of well-known & influential academic figures regardless of their alignment with the party manifesto. As long as everything looks legitimate, people will be satisfied. Reputation may also be upheld/strengthened by celebrity endorsement—for example, Kneecap’s consistent pushing of Sinn Féin in the North of Ireland.
The band even going as far as to include Gerry Adams as a sort of pop culture figure in their film (the band have also posed for PR photographs with the Ex-Leader of Sinn Féin).
It doesn’t matter if they get you with an academic or politician (don’t delude yourself, it’s no better) or with a band, political parties - especially in regards to acquiring younger members - are willing to do anything to gain your trust. Most leftists can apply this exact reasoning to individuals groomed* into right-wing beliefs, but struggle to apply it to “the good side”. This indicates a clear lack in critical thinking skills on the left. It could be the falling literacy rates. But you’re above that, aren’t you?
There is unnecessary shame surrounding theory in leftist spaces and it is entirely detrimental to the movement. How can we encourage a deeper understanding of theory when every conversation is a dick-measuring contest for how many books you’ve read? Reading & regurgitating does not a revolution make!
“I read it in a book, so it must be true.”
If you have been told your entire life that Marx is a genius, chances are you’ll read his work and blindly agree due to his perceived higher intelligence being your only preconception.
If you have been told your entire life that Herzl is a genius, chances are you’ll read his work and blindly agree due to his perceived higher intelligence being your only preconception.
The difference between these two individuals is the side of the aisle they stand on. You are not automatically better for being a leftist, especially if you put in the same amount of work as people you perceive to be “brainwashed”.
Reading theory is important, a stronger emphasis on critical evaluation and understanding needs to circulate. It’s 2026. Workers rights will not be obtained via library session, socialism will not be obtained via dick-measuring contest. Not everything in a book from the 1800s is going to be completely viable today, but what IS viable is a change in attitude and approach to leftist theory. The way it stands, there are children left behind!