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NEW MEMBER’S INTRODUCTION AND EDUCATION KIT:
To \1 | i” 1 |
| MARXIST GROUP
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INTERNATIONAL MARXIST GROUP
NEW MEMBERS INTRODUCTION and EDUCATION GUIDE
Contents
The Fourth International Page 2 The International Marxist Group Page 5 Candidate Membership 6 Page Introduction to Education Guide Page 7 Page 8 Social Inequality and Class Struggle Page 9 The State Page 10 The Family Page 11 Capitalist Economy and Imperialisn Page * 12 Reformism 13 Revolution and the Vanguand Party Page 3,4 Stalinism Page Permanent Revolution 15 Page The Transitionel Programme 16 Page 17 Tactics and illiances Page Page 18 Classless Society 19 Dialectics and Historical Materialisn Page
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THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL.
From the earliest days of modern industry the working class has been conpelled to seek unity on an international level or suffer defeat in its elementary struggles with the capitalist class. Time and arain the employers exploit national differences among the workers to break strikes, Today,even the most conservative American union leaders are compelled to seek international collaboration in the economic struggle against the multi-national corporations. Experience also teaches that in the face of working class demands,the capitalist classes of different countries,while remaining rivals to each other,are quick to combine to defeat their common enemy,the working class. Each capitalist class uses ite own state apparatus to defeat the workers and the various bourgeois states collaborate to the same end. Therefore every important struggie of the working class tends to become political and international. For the workers to win,therefore,it is necessary for them to construct an international political leadership as well as international trade union solidarity.
The First International On this understanding cf the needs of the working class Karl Marx played a leading role in founding the International orkingmens Association(the First International). Its aim was to weld the working class into a huge militant force to fight for reforms and to overthrow the rule of the bourgecisie. It never became a mass organisation. Nevertheless,its members and sections participated in every important struggle of the workers and in terms of its influence on the thinking of militant workers it played a historical role immeasurably greater thar its numbers would suggest. Within the First International a fierce faction struggle was conducted between the followers of Marx and the anarchists led by Bakunin. The latter rejected Marx's view that the experlence of the Paris Commune proved that the bourgeois state had to he smashed and replaced by the dictatorship of the proletariat as the inevitable outcome of the class strugzle. After the defeat of the Commune in 1871 the First International could nor survive the internal dissension and the atmosphere of political reaction. Its headquarters were transferred to America where it played some role for a few years before ite formal dissolution.
The Second International
Despite the political reaction following the defeat ef tho Commune the working class grew with the growth of modern industry. In Germany,the Social-~ ist party and the trade unions enjoyed an enormous increase in following in a short period of time. This growth of the labour movement made possible once again an attemp: to construct an international leadership for the working class, In 1889 the Second(Socialist) International was proclaimed, Ite guiding theory was marxiesm. Many of the sections of the second international were mass parties. Within the Second International a struggle tock place between revolutionaries and reformists,that is,between those who sought to everthrow the capitalist system and thosu who held that the capitalist system could be gradually reformed and transformed into socialism without the need for a revolutionary struggle by the workers.
In this struggle the revolutionary marxist were the victors on the theoretical level. But in practice most of the leaders cf the Second International, trade union leaders and parliamentarians whose way of life was infinitely easier than that of the mass of workers,followed a reformist line. They collaborated with sections of the capitalist rolitical system rather than fighting the bourgeoisie as a whole. The decisive test came on the outbreak of the interimperialist war of 1914, Most of the leaders of the Second International, despite their pledces to act to prevent war,sided with the capitalist classes of their own particular countries. This betrnyal of the interests of the working clase was resisted by only 2 few leading figures in the International, best known among tham being Lenin in Russaa,Luxembourg and Liebknecht in Ger- Many,and John MacLean in Britain.
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The Third(Communist)International The group of internationaliets led by Lenin drew the conclusion that the betrayal on the outbreak of war marked the end of the Second International as a rovolutionary organisation, It was necessary to organise the genuinely revolutionary forces into a new International to proporo for the revolutionary struggles which would result from the war. Lenin's analysis was confirmed in the Russian revolution and the immediate post-war upheavala. The leaders of the Socond International presented themselves as the defender Sof capitalien against the workers. Only the Intermationaliats proved capalle of projecting a polder of revolutionary strussle azainst the bourgeoisie. The victory of the Bolshaviks In Russi: gare a tramendous inpulso to the povolutionary wing of the working class on the internsti: 1 Level. The boginning of 1919 saw the daylin: in Moscow of an International Congrass which prooltimed the formation of the Communist International(Comintern), The ran Interrational drew up policios and rules which cloarly cutlind the revolution sy alternative to the refornistathe fight to overthrow the capitilist state and repleo it with a systen of workers councile. The documents and decisions of the first four congresses of the Connunist International provide a solid cor of parxist onlysis and perspectives which aro an invaluable guide to r-volustenarila up to the present day- Staliniam and the Left Opposition The frilure of the revolution to sprend to the more advanced capitnlist countloas of many of the most experiencel Bolshurik cadres and the retreat by many workers from politicol activity. Thes factors combined with the continuing conditions of soarcety led to the dovalopment of state offlotals using their position to obtain privileges for themselves ss against the mass of workers. Carcorista flocked to the party and atate positions unking thoso institutions less and less representative of the masses. It was the Stalin faction which rupresonted this privileged •lite which attempted to dominate the party and the state apparatus. The privilegen bur nucratic layer had one sim - to survive ind maintain ito privilages. Such an aim is the opposite of the progronna of Bolsheviam which socks to rouse the masses against all privileges and oppression. Under the lendership of the Stalin faction the Communist International was trineformed into an instrument of the toreign policy of the soviat bureaucracy mother than a weston for the internations workin clusa against the bourgeoisie.
The Left Opposition was furned in 1923 within the sovist Communist Piety co struggle against the folse policies at tho Stalin faction and the bureaucratic dogeneration of the regime. Its central policia wro - to atrengthen the soviet working class and its alliance with the peasantry t rough a policy of industrinlisation, to curb the tendency towards bureaucrationtion :? the porty and the stato,to project a consistently revolutionary linu for the Dommunist International. Winning widespread support within the purty and the working cinse, the luft Opposition was answered by a huge campaign of slander and ultintely reppession at the hande of the Stalin faction. The main leader of the tort Oppositi, Loon Trotsky, was exiled in 1928 aftur the expulsion of the Trotskyists fron the Connunist International and its parties round the world. The International Left Opposition sought to be roundritted to the Connunist international, They maintained that given internal democratic discussion the Communist Inturnational could be won to a correct revolutionary policy. Only after the disastrous defeat of the German working class by the Nazis in 1933 end the complete foilure of the Germen Conmunist Party to lend a fight,or of the Communist Intornational to snit the errors which led to the forward the policy of revolutionary narcism. The Fourth International Seversl years of experiones weru nocosany bafore the Trotskyists on an Internationol scale were able to organic a coner ss at which the Fourth Internetional was formally launched. In 1938 dolegates from a dozen countries met in Durope and " The Desth Agony of Capitalism and the Inaks of the Zourth approved a document, Intarrationel," which sumarises the experiene of the workids clisa and its ror-
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glutionary vanguard and projects 2 programme which can Lead the workers from the present stage of the clase strugzle to the conquest of » “*T The Fourth yal International was formed in the shadow of the coming world war after a period aly of terrible werking clase defeats. In the war years the Trotekyistes suffered Of severe losses at the handsof the fascists and the Sstalinists. Evan in democratrom ic America the Trotskyist leaders were imprisoned for their idens, And the movement lost its ablest leader when Trotsky himself was murdered by 2 stalinist agent in 1940, Despite such repression,the rregremme cf the Fourth Internationnl continued to win adherents and after the wir an international centre wis astablished in Europe.
In 1953 3 hested factional struggle within the Fourth Internationel led t 2 split which lasted for ten years. Tha basis for the srlit is not mone int+here. suffice it to say Chat two public factions existed,the International secretariat anc the Internationnl Comittee. By the early sixties it was « evident that on most questions the two sides had come togother and it was rec BG.= 2enised that n separation could nst bu justified. The majority cf the International Gucretsrist and the majority cf the International Committee were in favour of resuniting their forese. Th 1963 a resunifiesation ecnference tock place and spproved a dzeument,"The Dyrswnics of Werld Revolution Today, "which brought the thinking of the werld Trctakyiet movement up ta date in light of momemtous «vente such as the Ouban and Nunesrian revslutions.
On the side cf the Internatisn-1 Sseretarist a erouping headed by Juan Pogadas refused to join the reunified International. Posadas today is a figure on the lunatic frings cf left-win: politics in Latin America, sdvseatin: nuclear war by the Soviet Union assinst the eapitelist atates. On the side of TS the Internsrional Committee a mincrity Led by the Scedalist Latour League in Spitain and the Creanisation Comuuniste Intornationslista in France refused to join the unificaticn. Sinee then the SLL and the OCI heave split from one another. The SLL,headed by Gerry Henly,hie been transformed into the Workers Revolutionary Party, Iv ins dewenercted to the extent that it denounces former comradus of the International Committee as atalinist azents, The OCI whess bast known lender is Pierre Lembert,is invelved in an international grouping(the Orranisins Cammittec for the Reconstruvtion of the Fourth International)jwhich after many years of op ositien has now untered inte discussion with the Fourth Intornatiscal,
the Fourth Internaticnal Toads; rk- Since reunification the Fourth Internationnl has mde significant pro-= on, gress. Over 80% of those claiming ta be Trotskyists round the world are now organised within its ranks. The Internaticnal hne swelled ite ranks to include sections and symmithisinge wroupe in over 60 countries. The radicalisation of youth on a world scenle,the new Fise:f workers struzcles and the develepment of the womens liberiticn mevement Arve nll broucht fresh forces to the Fourth international,enabliny it t) develepe ite analysis and precramme and to deepon ite implantation amcng the oppressel, For 4 time the French section was aola to produce a iisdly newspaper. Sy 1977 5 number of sections which had suffered splits in the last few yoars were able to unite their forces and greatly increase their implantation and influence - Spain, Mexico,Canada, vast rulis.
The highest authority in the Fourth International is the World Congress, composed of delagates elected by the muational sections. In its resolutions the Congress sets cut the current thinkin; of the movement on the workd politieal situation. It is also the highest Ucdy of aypenL in any organisational or disciplinary lisputes. The World Can ress elects an Internaticnal Excecutive Committee which is ampowerod t- act in the meme of the Internati-nal betwoen World Congresses. Th. ILO eleets frem aman its members the United Secretafiat which is charged with carryin: out the policies an@ tasks decided upon sy the IEC, A Control Commission is clected by Yorld Congress to investigate. any orgenisatiznal disputes which are sumitted te it or which it feels nes investigation.Under the rules of demcerrtie centralism 211 posts in the Fo internatisnal are supject to clectian ear! their incumbents subject. : if a sufficient proportion of the membership is dissatisfied. The the International, based on the best traditions of the ish) end eb) 2 & ele
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ernationals are published as Statutes of the utes may ba altered only by decision of the World Congress. The sim of the state ; utes 46 to provide a framework in which t! views of the majority previil while ensuring that minorities ar hle to play a full part in the International ani 4 over the majority. have the opportunity te win ove
the Trotskyists on the international level he 2 Fas 4 in contrast,moved rapidly away from the Internation orld Congress of tl ‘national th indcnment whe Revolutionary & Tg wae m3 “i 6 < Internationns reist oreu LE recawnisel as th ection in Britain.
I ces which are reyoluti mary TMslAdoy
Tho Organisation of the Internationel Narxist Gra
Ths IMG is or rhe LMG 1s ory geismat i a: that there is fu aml cleeting its
the “uty of all National Confers of iscussion on pinion these di | whead and elactes
The National Cs: within the IMG on any matter of disciplins alan elects a trol Commission, traditionally csampoesed of q h lone » and a reputation for impartislity, t« conduct inquir- Lh o£
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Minto any disputes of an organisational or discipliniry character,to mal
with rest
Central
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a ty i és sccordin; nm, id i= ct nin; and Ei ort Candidite er
tranchs
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eduestion guide which js includes in this bulletin. They will also nornf their branch other elementary skills for revolutionmenibers ' mactings,no: to write a leaflet, typing anc duplically be shown by members ating ete. ATter the six month period of cundidate membership the status of the aries - how te speak in public eandidate members will be discussed in th. rinch. The branch a5 1 whole will decide whether the candidste member sh wld become 2 full nember or not hased lets own assessment of their perios of candidate men the branch's ans the comrade — ¥ ~~ | . eo
herBshio.
LPT ee Pant =, Ty war TITS HTRODUCTION ie to i : sn produced by the National Bducation Dapartnen i :
C= Pi te: 6 A a: } oy new members, though -% Nay Pt useful for private study by 1m f rr yy ia £ th 4 * We feel that the group of comrades f£ ent attendance at e1ch c1aS= 45 yoryw important. 9 ch an appre: provide a common ig the study guide. The perience of eseh branch, but more thes logen com Ls livided if possible.
L. ani a group well ove snie are geared towards drawing out the ma a yo no means © haustives | The questions pt comrade leading the -heoretical anu Wi contemporary KanpLes ara simply 1 rs should 4 x i H a Short introduc -f the application * vsarkist met sugrested to initiate fiecussion. x material bafore, 4ur- It is very hat comrades read tac Sa Fs ing ani after “Ye have tried to | the ~agted reading material to a minimum with clear sropesais how to f ilow up ee The education programc has been constructed around the squrse have 5 oepy of 3 copy oafi- Leon Trotsky: Ths Death Agony ' italism and the Tasks of the Tour th International. wbut the mo6t useful copy This can be abtained very cheaply in pot phiat f rogramme for Socialist mt Revalutions ne gs the Pathfinder Press adition in "The = Finally, very "Oy if the short pamphicts surcested for different classes are © Marx and Engels : Seloct: lorks. Vol.1 (published cy Lawrence anc be found in:
Wishart) <1 + 50 a. amended for supplementary and further n All the above titles,.5 We-- 16 readin, j n ’ or from some other * skeellers.
The Nationel Diucation Department welcomes comments of this fais jucat for future publications
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Sugsicn 1. social Incouality and class strugle Subject matter: Classes emerce at a distinct point in the evolution of human scciety sn a particular economic foundation. The social inequality which leads to the formntion of soci- <al classes is accompsnied by social strugele and the division of society is maintained or sverthrown by means of strugsle between the secial classcs. The modern capit-list class plays a unique role in human ro -reas.it.
Class division plays s decisive role in human development. i classless sS¢ciety ccnnot be created at will sat any time but requires 4 cortain economic basis.
Atijontial reading: Ernest Mandel «= Fr-; Olsss Society ta Cormunism.
Chel ond 2 ppsseh6, Sijplementary reading: Marx and Engels - Nanifestc of the CommunistParty. (Pamphiet 157 or in Morx-Envels Selected Vorkahéiv—= poas- 46.)
Wustionsa for discussion:
1. Why if 3 permanent division of labour or the sppearance of social classes fal ee i 3 ive aeonomic conditicns | F
<. How is the division possible ond whet is the connection the formiticon of socisl clisees 7 hetween the division
3» Why does the division of secie ty inte social classes constitute 2 necqagary stazo in human. provress 4. Wnder what conditions is it possitle te re-establish equality in society ry
3+ That happens if these conditions Jo not exist and attempts are madc t2 te-e5tablish equality 0 | 6, wey docs the capiterlist system lwnd to an enormous incretze in soonomic vroduction in such a short time compared tou societies dominnted by pre- Vloas ruling classes ?
glist Further reading: Frederick Engels - .nti-Dushrin:s. Parts 2 and 3. c | (Published by Lawrence and Wishart ot 45p.)
a ina
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The State Session 2.
Subject matter: The state is not an eternal human institution hut sris¢e at a particular stage in human development. The state is an instrument of clase domination. Both violence ant ideslory have a role to ploy in class rule. States based on * particular class society can hove different forms. Therefora a political revelution need net chance the elass reiatdons in 2 given society. Democracy is one form of the cap italist state, i workers state is organise! differently from from the bourgecis state and may be more democratic than the mast democratic ecupitalist state.
iety to Communisn. Essentinl readin: Ernest Mendel - ao1 Sh.3 ppe5-32 and Ch.10 pp 90-96. Supplementary reading: Ernest handel - The Jarxist Theory of the State. ae |
Questions for discussisn: j 1, What is the distinction between society or the community 1a ¢ whole am the state /
2, When does the state become necessary in society 7 i 3. What is wrong with the notion thot the state is the result of a "socisl econtract' between the individuals who maks up svciety ] 4, Why is the ideolosy of the ruling class the dominant itieolary 7? 5. What is the difference between 1 social revolution and a political revolution ? Do they slways ¢¢ hand in hand ? ' 6. Why do marxist maintsin that both parliamentary democracy and fascism are forms of the dictztorship :f the = dapituliet elasa ° 7. Why is the role 5f ee state an instrument of class rule more obvisus in times of crisis snd insta bility ? te necwssnry after the overthrow of the capitalist &. Why is a workers' st nt t workinc cliss simply abolish the state rltowether state 7 “hy cannot the 9, ‘hat measures do garxiste sdvocnte to ensure that the workers’ state 15 more democratic than the bourveois stote
volution. (Pamzhlet ‘5p)
Da rd Further reading: V.I.Lenin - The state ‘ a)
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Session 4. Capitalist Bconomy and Imperialism —_: =."
Subject Hatter: Capital zirst apreears in the sphe _ eirculation af com oO olities then enters into produe on, buying up labour powt ds fo concentration of er as a commodity. Competition le 7 which lends ir turn to ropoly pitalism and f a iam.
- _ 4 = . = EB Ca de | ~ Essential readin--! From Class Soe
Supplementary reaiin:: f.iiars -
Questions for discussion:
1. Capitalism existed in socic entially nen=capitalist. | ‘ What form did ca
2. Why is the distinction between ‘selling in order to buy’ ‘and "buying | in order to sell’ essential to the underetsnding cf capitalism ? : ; 53. What are the pre-conditions for capital entering the sphere of pro duction 7? How were these conditions brought about ? .
4. What is the distinction betwean Labour and labour power ? Why is the
5. What is surplus value ? How do the capitalists attemr rate of surplus value ?
6. Why does the rate 2f profit tand *s fall ? ist stage of capitalism dif fax fram the 7. In what ways dees t stage in which the I ,rortugesse and later the British carved z sriteries 2 out huge colon
8. "The industrially rors advanced oo the imoge of its o.2 frturs.‘- In what ways door -'s imperinlist durslopment of capitalism force: us to modify Marx's sta ct 3 i i
9. What effects has imscri*’ en the workers snd poor pessants of the ‘under-develosed
Further reading: Errest Msnieal - Introduction ‘2 Marxist Economic Theory
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Session 5. Reformism Subject matter: Reformism is based on the experience of the working class aS well as on the interests of privileged layers of workers.
Reformiag turns to counter-revolution whenever the capital~ ist system is seriously threntened, Essential reading: From Class Soodety to Communiem. Ch.8 and 9 and Ch 11 op 99-101.
Supplementary readine: Rosa Luxemburg - Reform or Revolution. (Pathfinder) questions for discussion: 1. Does the crowth of trade unions mesn that the workers are becoming more conscious of their interests On a political level? @. Yhat role does the cOmoperative movement play in working class strugzle? 3+ What developments within the capitalist system at the end of the last century tended to dampen the revolutionary strug-le of the proletariat ? 4+. Why do the leaders of the trada unions and the labour barliamentarians tend to be conservative even when the rank and file are tending towards revolution ?
2. Why is it incorract for working class leaders to join a bourgesis government 7?
6. Why was the outbreak Of war in 1914 the decisive test far the Second International 7?
7» How did the Opportunist leaders of the Second] Internation:l attempt to explain their policy of Jefence cf the Tatherlar] se being in the intereéts of the working class ? bi]
Further reading: Novack, Frankel an! Fel'man:- The First Three Internationals. (Pathfinder)
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Revolution an! the Va ard Party. Session 6. Subject matter: Although capitalist society enters its period of genercl erisis with the imperislist war anil the opening of the so inlist revolution in 1917,it is only poriolically that the political crisis in ome or more countries atforis the work. class the opportunity to take power. The proletarian revolutions unlike other revolutions is a highly conscisus proeess. The working cless a6 a whole cannot arrive spontanecu at revolutionary socialist conclusions. |. revolutionary Pol vrountel in an understanting ef the historic process,functt 26 the memory ani the ‘brain’ of the ¢lass,co-orlinating t: experience of lifferent layers with the goal af the seizurs af power. Sesential reeling: Zrnest liantel - From Class Scciety to Carmunism.
Ch.9 esp. pp 85-89. Ch.13 pp 1ee-1e5 Leon Trotsky - The Death jgony ef Capitaliam and the ¢ of the Fourth International. Sections antitled - The objective prerequisites for a socialist reyelution,the Prolet ariat anil its lealerships,ani Unier * Banner of the Fourth International.
Questions for Jiscussion: 1. If the chief obstacle to the socialist revolution is the leadershis proletariat does this mean that the situation is alwnys revolutionary 2, Why cannot the working class sponteneously reach political class cons’ ness 7 3. What are the three genera] conliticns for a socialist revolution ? 4. What is the relationship of the vancuarl party te the massages in the unions and the soviets ? 5. Why to revelutionaries have 4 separate organisation ? Is this consiste.. with Marx and Engels' statement in the Manifesto that the Communists +o not form a separate party of the proletariat opposes ta other working «'°*' parties 7? 6. A vanguard party is organise- nlong democrati¢-centralist lines. Why is democracy essential for centralism ani vice versa ? 9, Does the role of the vanguard party come to an end after the socialist revolution ?
Further renling: Ernest Mandel - The Leninist Theory of Organisation. ™ a ha ‘ar a .
James P. Cannon « The Vanguar.’ Party.(In Fifty Years 97 hevolution. )
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Seasion 7, Stalinism Subject matter: Stalinism as a political trend in the international workers movement arises as the expression of the interests of a: privilege! layer in the first workers stste. The isolation of the revolution in o backward country explains how this layer consolidate! its grip, The theory of "Secialism in one Country ' is s break with basic marxist theory. The practice of stalinism is not only an chstacle to the world revolution but weakens the USSR in the face of capitalist pressures. The materdal basis for stalinism is being eroded, Essential reading: Ernest Mantel - From Class Society to Communism.
Ch.i2 pp 108-121, Supplementary reating: Leon Trotsky - Stalinism and Rolshevism. (Pamphlet )
Questions for diecussion:
1. Why did the Bolsheviks maintain that the speedy extention of the revolution to one or more of the a2vancel countries was necessary for the healthy development of the revolution in Ilussia ? &. What were the main features of the post civil war period which enabled the bureaucracy to usurp political power from the workers ?
J+ what were the negative fentures of the New Economie Policy which the Zolsheviks adopted in 1921 ? How 4i4 thes fentures atrencthen the bureaucracy ? 4. Why is the Soviet oureaucracy lescribel as = caste and not a class ? >» What were the main elements of the programme put forward by the Left Opposition to combat the Jegeneration of the revolution ? 6. What features 4f stalinist Tule in the USSK point towards a restoration asl of capitalism ? What are the countersctins tenlencics ? — ?. Why is the crisis of the stalinist regimes jewpening at the present = period 7? i ileal
Further reaiing: Leon Trotsky - The Revolution Betrayed. is Victor Serge - Trom Lenin to Stalin( Pathfinder)
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Session &. Permanent: Revolution Subject matter: The uneven ani combined Jevelopment of eapitalism in the imp. erialist phase makes for the possibility an the necessity for the workin class to come to power even in the economically backwar’ ccuntries. In backward countries the native ruling class es hove shown themselves incapable of completing the tasks of mitional inlepenlence and agrarian reform, In the event of revolution it is permanent in that on seizin: power the workers in these countries must press forward alenc a socialist road,ani in the sense that the revolution tends to suread internationzlly and towards the renewal of all social relationships. If it ‘oes not it suffers a regression as in the Soviet Union.
Essential reading: Ernest Mantel = From Class Society ta Communisn.
Supplementary readinc:,Permanent Revolution,Basic Postulates(from Permanent Revolution - Leon Trotsky.)
Questions for Jiscussion:
How does the: world imperialist system affect the development of the colon- 4. jal an? semi-colonial countries ? ‘hy do national peculiarities reflect uneven Jevelopment ?
What role does the national bourgeoisie play in these countries 7 es
Why cannot these countrics proress to capitalist democracy as in the 3 Western European countrias 7
Why are the peasants as 2 class uncble to seize and holl power in their own We interests ? Why are the peasants not a revolutionary class when they can become a revolutionary force ?
Why does the democratic ravolution 'grow over' directly into the socialict revolution ? Why were there two revolutions in Russia 7
In what respects Joes the revolution remain permanent after the seizure of power by the working class ? i Since Russia was at « low stage of capitalist development an] harily ripe for socialist advance,were the Bolsheviks justified in taking and holdin, | atate power ? a.
Why is "the completion of the sccialist revolution within national © lindits......unthinkable” 7? 4
Further reading: Leon Troteky - The Permanent Revolution. (Pathfinder)
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eT a Subject Matter: On a world scale the material basis exists for an advance to socinlism. Periodically the capitalist political syetem undergoes a crisis giving the working class an opportunity to overthrow it. Time ond spain the masses rise in rabelliocn.
Capitalism only survives because of the inadequate leaderships of the workin; ¢lass,principally the stalinists and social democrats. Only the crention of a consistent revolutionary leadership can overcome the crisis of humanity. The purpose of | : the Transitional Programme is te mobilise the masses in struc- ’ sie and show the workers throurh their own experience that the } 3 System must be overthrown. The. programme must be constantly * up-lated to take secount of new developments in the three sectors of the world revolution.
Essential realing: Ernest Mandel - From Clese Sotiety to Communism.
Ch 135 pp 122-120 Supplementary readline: Leon Trotsky - The Death agony of Capitalism and the Tasks of the Fourth International, "The Transitionol Programme."
Questiona for discussion:
1. Why docs Trotsky claim that "the world political ersten aa 4 whole is chiefly characterised by a historics] crisis of leadership of the ‘proletariat” 7
é. Is revolutionary leadership énouch to make the socialist revolutian 7? 3. How does the Transitional Procramme differ from the reformists! minimum own and maximum programmes ? Why is the programm 60 important to the revol- | utionary party 7? | 4. What is the aim of transitional demanis ? iren't they away above the heads : cf the masses ? ist |
5» What does the Transitional Programma say about the relationship between the working class and the oppresse | layers ? | 6. What are the different sectors of the world revolution ? Is the Transit. spe | ional Programme relevant to them all ? ail ¢» Why does the evelution of capitalist society compel workers to think "internationally"? Does this mean that they tend automatically towards proletzu | arian internationalism? 8. Why is an international party necessary ? Why then did Tratsky lay such ‘ stress on the building of national parties in what is an international ; programme ?
9. Why was the Fourth International formed when the Third and Second Internsationals already existed ?
Further reading: Novack,Franckel and Feldman = The First Three Internatisanals.
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—__ i ee eee Sesgion 10 Subject matter: rb it des r a mi neart within the’ ‘working class they can Sep ecsth: ‘she meeps 4 | alliances with othe: oryanisaticns and forces. Entry “into alliances must be base) on the principle of class independence of the working class and on no restriction on the right of revolutionaries withir the allisnee to arjue for their own views. The united front not only enables the working. class to bring its united stren-: to bear against the class enemy but alsu enrbles the revolut ionaries to draw nearer to the masses led by the reformists , ani win them away from their class collaborationist lenders!.-. £ The highest form of the united front‘is the saviet or worker: council which includes all temiencies in the working class a. ~ within which the revolutionsries end their opponents struggl« for leadership.
Essential reading: Drnest Mandel - From Class Society to Communism.
Ch. 14 pp 131-142, Supplementary reading: Socialist Workers Party(US.).Edueation for Sociali-* Bulletin - <lliances and the Revolutionary Party.
a Questions for discussion: 41, Why is the working class politically heterogeneous ? 2. What political basis should united fronts with reformists and stalinis be around 7 3. Why does the united front include the lenders of the reformist parties What is wrong with the concept of the united front from below 7? 4, Why is the unitel cless front so important ? 5. What is different about the ‘popular front ? dow did it sriginate ? 6. What underlying solitical views on the nature of the epech Joes popular frontism rest upon 7 ‘ 7. Why do soviets “orown the programme of transitional demands" ? 8, What role do workers councils ani workers self organisation play in raic ing the conscicusness of the masses ?
Further readinc: Leon Trotsky - The Struggle against Fascism in Germany.
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