this post was submitted on 27 Sep 2025
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Programming

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Socialist Literature on Software (lemmygrad.ml)
submitted 2 months ago by BassedWarrior@lemmygrad.ml to c/programming@lemmygrad.ml
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I have found it not so simple to be able to find socialist literature regarding software and software development, and I was wondering if you had any recommendations for myself, and anyone who may find this post in the future. (And if there's an already existing post which details various sources on the matter, that would also be appreciated).

But I mostly wanted to know if there's any literature or any analysis on FOSS, and if that's the best alternative we have currently under capitalism. Because I see a lot of socialist software is usually developed utilizing strong copyleft licenses such as GPL 3.0 (or later) or AGPL 3.0 (or later) (Lemmy, for example).

And I already made another post regarding the ProleWiki page on FOSS, where I asked about the possibility of including further information in order to make it easier for fellow comrades to learn more about the topic, from a socialist perspective, and not just cling to FOSS for freedom's sake.

And maybe the possibilty of including some information regarding the views on self-hosting as a way of providing better information security for comrades, as well as include links to resources such as Codeberg for code-hosting, over GitHub, which is owned by Microsoft.

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[–] BassedWarrior@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I would agree. But then, do we not have any alternatives to FOSS as socialists?

Or would the only alternative be to change our material conditions by means or a revolution, which would allow for the ownership of the means of production and in turn liberate the proletariat from the burden of having their workforce exploited by capital?

Idk if I'm being liberal when asking ir there's an in-between, but...I'd love to know if there's any "Actually Existent Socialism (AES?)" transition state which allows for better software development during the transition. As a Software Development level.

(Bc ir you again go to the workplace level, then you get my original counterpoint; revolution, etc.)

[–] GrainEater@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

FOSS is the best option for us under capitalism, but it's only a tool. The economic system is not going to change even if most software were to become open-source; the only solution is revolution.

In a socialist country, FOSS would still be preferable in most cases (e.g. not when state secrets are involved, and some things need to be kept secret as long as imperialism remains a threat).

[–] BassedWarrior@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I would agree with that sentiment.

Do you think something of the sort could / should be added to the ProleWiki? Or is it said anywhere currently? (This is a /c/ProleWiki question, but I guess worth asking here)

[–] GrainEater@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

There is an article that can be expanded.

[–] BassedWarrior@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Yeah, I guess. I kinda hinted at that idea too in my earlier comment on a previous post on /c/ProleWiki. (I don't know how to properly link to them using Jerboa)

Thank you for your comments either way