A Critique of Ultra-Leftism, Dogmatism and Sectarianism

Table of contents :
A. General Introduction

B. Historical Overview of the Left in the U.S

C. An Analysis of Current Trends on the U.S. Left
1. The Bankruptcy of “Maoism” in the
2. Advanced Capitalist Countries
3. What Trotskyism Means
4. Social Democracy
5. Reformism
6. Petty Bourgeois Radicalism

D. The Three Principle Banes of the Revolutionary Left
1. Dogmatism
2. Sectarianism
3. Ultra-leftism

E. Some Principle Manifestations of Dogmatism
1. Ethnic Minorities in the U.S
2. Trade Unions and the Worker’s Movement
3. The Women’s Question
4. The Gay Question
5. The Question of the Soviet Union
6. Detente/Peaceful Co-existence

F. Revolution, Violence and Extra-Legality
1. The Meaning of Being Revolutionary
2. The Role of Violence and Extra-Legality
3. The Lessons of Chile
4. Scenarios for Revolution in the Advanced Capitalist Countries

G. Organization, Coalitions and Class Alliances
1. The Role of the Party
2. Unity, United Fronts and Popular Fronts
3. The Role of the Petty-Bourgeoisie
3. Marxist-Leninist Theory and the Modern History of Petty-Bourgeois Movements
4. An Analysis of the Petty-Bourgeoisie as a Class

H. The Causes of Left Errors

I. A Call for the Regroupment of the U.S. Left
1. Seven Revolutionary Currents

J. What Must be Done
1. On the National Level
2. On the Local Level

Citation preview

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Mov ementf oraRev ol ut i onar yLef t ( Eugene, Or egon)

ACr i t i queofUl t r aLef t i sm, Dogmat i sm and Sect ar i ani sm Fi r stPubl i shed:Januar y1977. Tr anscr i pt i on, Edi t i ngandMar kup:Paul Saba Copy r i ght :Thi swor ki si nt hePubl i cDomai nunder t heCr eat i v eCommonsCommonDeed.Youcan f r eel ycopy , di st r i but eanddi spl ayt hi swor k; aswel l asmakeder i v at i v eandcommer ci al wor ks.Pl ease cr edi tt heEncy cl opedi aofAnt i Rev i si oni sm OnLi ne asy oursour ce, i ncl udet heur l t ot hi swor k, andnot e anyoft het r anscr i ber s, edi t or s&pr oof r eader sabov e. Thi sPDFCr eat edBy@Lef t East er ner( Twi t t er )

2 TABLEOFCONTENTS A.Gener alI nt r oduct i on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 B.Hi st or i calOv er v i ewoft heLef ti nt heU. S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 C.AnAnal y si sofCur r entTr endsont heU. S.Lef t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 1.TheBankr upt cyof“ Maoi sm”i nt heAdv ancedCapi t al i stCount r i es 2.WhatTr ot sky i sm Means 3.Soci al Democr acy 4.Ref or mi sm 5.Pet t yBour geoi sRadi cal i sm D.TheThr eePr i nci pl eBanesoft heRev ol ut i onar yLef t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 1.Dogmat i sm 2.Sect ar i ani sm 3.Ul t r al ef t i sm E.SomePr i nci pl eMani f est at i onsofDogmat i sm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 1.Et hni cMi nor i t i esi nt heU. S 2.Tr adeUni onsandt heWor ker ’ sMov ement 3.TheWomen’ sQuest i on 4.TheGayQuest i on 5.TheQuest i onoft heSov i etUni on 6.Det ent e/ Peacef ul Coexi st ence F.Rev ol ut i on, Vi ol enceandExt r aLegal i t y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 1.TheMeani ngofBei ngRev ol ut i onar y

3 2.TheRol eofVi ol enceandExt r aLegal i t y 3.TheLessonsofChi l e 4.Scenar i osf orRev ol ut i oni nt heAdv ancedCapi t al i stCount r i es G.Or gani zat i on, Coal i t i onsandCl assAl l i ances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 1.TheRol eoft hePar t y 2.Uni t y , Uni t edFr ont sandPopul arFr ont s 3.TheRol eoft hePet t y Bour geoi si e 4.Mar xi st Leni ni stTheor yandt heModer nHi st or yofPet t y Bour geoi s Mov ement s 5.AnAnal y si soft hePet t y Bour geoi si easaCl ass H.TheCausesofLef tEr r or s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 I .ACal lf ort heRegr oupmentoft heU. S.Lef t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 1.Sev enRev ol ut i onar yCur r ent s J.WhatMustbeDone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 1.Ont heNat i onal Lev el 2.Ont heLocal Lev el

4 A.Gener al I nt r oduct i on Thel ef ti nt heU. S. , andt oal esserext enti nal l t headv ancedcapi t al i st count r i es, i si nshambl es.I nsomecount r i est heMar xi stpar t i esar eweak, e. g. , t heU. S. ; WestGer many , Br i t ai n, Scandi nav i a, t heNet her l ands, i nsuch count r i est hemaj ordangeri sul t r al ef t i sm.I not hercount r i es, e. g. , Spai n, Fr ance, I t al y , Fi nl and, Japan, t heMar xi stpar t i esar est r ong, her et hemaj or dangeri sr ef or mi sm.The1970’ shav eseenapr ogr essi v edet er i or at i onof t hel ef ti nbot ht y pesofsi t uat i ons.Ther ev i si oni sm oft hemaj or Communi stPar t i esi nt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i esi sbecomi ng consol i dat edast heydenouncet hei deaoft hedi ct at or shi poft he pr ol et ar i at , ent husi ast i cal l ysuppor tt hepr ogr essofpeacef ul andgr adual t r ansi t i ont osoci al i sm, gi v emor eandmor eguar ant eest ot hecapi t al i st s andactt osuppr essmi l i t antwor ker ’ sst r uggl es( e. g. , bysuppor t i ng aust er i t ypr ogr ams, nost r i kepl edges, et c. ) .Theul t r al ef t i sm oft he Tr ot sky i stgr oupswhi chpl ayar ol ei nsomeEur opeancount r i es, e. g. , Fr anceandBr i t ai n, andoft he“ Maoi st ”gr oupswhi char er at herst r ongon whatt her ei soft hel ef ti not hercount r i es, e. g. , WestGer manyandSweden, i sal sobecomi ngconsol i dat edi nt hei ri ncr easi ngat t acksonwor ki ngcl ass andpr ogr essi v emov ement s.Thev ar i ous“ Maoi st ”gr oupl et shav ebecome i ncr easi ngl ysect ar i anandf ort hemostpar ti sol at edf r om massst r uggl es, ast heycomet of ocusmostoft hei rener gi esonat t acki ngeachot herand pr ogr essi v emov ement s.Mostoft he“ Maoi st ”gr oupl et shav ecomeouti n f av orofNATO, opposedt hePor t ugueser ev ol ut i on, at t ackCubaandt he Angol anr ev ol ut i on, et c.Thebankr upt cyofbot h“ r ev i si oni sm”and“ ul t r al ef t i sm”i sr api dl ybecomi ng: appar ent .Ther ei sagr owi ngwor l dwi de mov ementofr ev ol ut i onar i escomi ngf r om di f f er entdi r ect i onswhoar e conv er gi ngonar ev ol ut i onar ypol i t i cst hati snei t herr ef or mi stnorul t r al ef t i st .I ti st hepur poseoft hi spapert ohel padv ancet hi st r end, encour agi ngacomi ngt oget herof( 1)t hef or cesont hel ef toft he mai nst r eam Communi stpar t i esi nt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i eswhi ch ar ebecomi ngi ncr easi ngl ydi si l l usi onedwi t ht her ef or mi stcour seoft hei r par t i es, ( 2)par t i ci pant si nt henew“ Maoi st ”mov ement , whoar egr owi ng i ncr easi ngl ywear yofsect ar i anbat t l es, dogmaandi sol at i onand( 3)

5 i ndependentl ef t i st sandl ef t i stor gani zat i onswhi char ei ndependent l y mov i ngt oanant i r ef or mi st ant i dogmat i cconcl usi on.Ther ear eanumber ofor gani zat i onsar oundt hewor l dt hatseem t omor eorl essexempl i f yt he gener al pol i t i cal posi t i onpr esent edi nt hi spaper , andwhi chcant husser v e asi nspi r at i onsf ort het y peofor gani zat i ont obebui l t , andt het y pesof st r at egi est obef ol l owed, byt heU. S.l ef t .TheChi l eanM. I . R. ; t hePar t yof Pr ol et ar i anUni t yf orCommuni sm ( f or medf r om amer geroft heI l Mani f est ogr oupwi t hasect i onoft heSoci al i stPar t yf orPr ol et ar i anUni t yi n 1974)andt heWor ker ’ sVanguar d, bot hi nI t al y ; t hePuer t oRi canSoci al i st Par t y( ont heI sl and) ; andt heCommuni stPar t yofI ndi a( Mar xi st )shoul d t ent at i v el ybei ncl udedamongt heor gani zat i onsoft hi sgener al per spect i v e whi chhav er espect abl emassf ol l owi ngs. I nt heUni t edSt at esgr oupsl i ket hePhi l adel phi aWor ker ’ sOr gani zi ng Commi t t ee, t heBayAr eaCommuni stUni on( excepti ni t sat t i t udet owar ds Chi nesef or ei gnpol i cy ) , t hegr oupsassoci at edwi t ht hePWOCi ni t scal l f or anat i onal cent erofant i r ev i si oni st / ant i dogmat i cMar xi st Leni ni stgr oups, andt henewspaperTheGuar di anwoul dbei ncl udedwi t hi nt hebr oadt r end def endedi nt hi spaper . Amongt heexi st i ngsoci al i stcount r i es, t heanal y si soft hi spaperi si n essent i al agr eementwi t ht hef or ei gnpol i cyf ol l owedbyt hePeopl e’ s Democr at i cRepubl i cofKor eaandRumani a, whi chshoul dbel ookedt oas t hemodel ofhowt or el at et ot heSov i etUni onandChi na, andt hatoft he Soci al i stRepubl i cofVi et nam andCuba, whi chshoul dbel ookedt oast he model ofhowt or el at et or ev ol ut i onar ymov ement si not hercount r i es( e. g. , t heher oi cCubansuppor toft hel i ber at i onst r uggl ei nAngol a, andt hegr eat assi st ancegi v enbyt heVi et nameset ot hel i ber at i onst r uggl esi nCambodi a andLaos) . Thepol i t i cspr esent edi nt hi spaperar emost l yt hoseest abl i shedbyt he i nt er nat i onal mov ementatt heSev ent hWor l dCongr essoft heCommuni st I nt er nat i onal i n1934andar ef undament al l youtofsy mpat hywi t ht hoseof t he“ Thi r dPer i od”ofComi nt er npol i cy( 19281934) .Chi nashoul dbel ooked t oasani nspi r at i on( butnott hemodel )ofhowt hepr ocessofpost -

6 r ev ol ut i onar ysoci al i stt r ansf or mat i onshoul dpr oceeddomest i cal l yi nt he adv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i es.Howev er , i tmustber ecogni zedt hatSov i et f or ei gnpol i cyi nt he1970’ shasbeenmor esuppor t i v eofpr ogr essi v e st r uggl esi nt hewor l dt hanhast hatofChi nadur i ngt hesameper i od.The r ev ol ut i onar ymov ementi neachcount r ymustest abl i shi t sownanal y si s andst r at egyi nspi r ed, butnoti nst r uct edby , t heSov i etUni on, Chi naorany ot herwor l dcent er .Wecanl ear nf r om al l pr ev i oussoci al i str ev ol ut i ons, but wemustnotmechani cal l yf ol l owany . Thi spaperwi l l at t emptt odev el opadet ai l edcr i t i queoft hedangerf aci ng t hel ef ti nt heUni t edSt at es—t hei nt er r el at edpr obl emsoful t r al ef t i sm, dogmat i sm andsect ar i ani sm whi chhav epar al y zedt hesuccessorgr oups t ot heSt udent sf oraDemocr at i cSoci et yi nt he1970’ s.Muchoft hecr i t i que wi l l f ocusont hosegr oupswhi chhav egr ownt hemostandhav ehadt he gr eat estsuccessdur i ngt hef i r sthal foft he1970’ sandt hoset hatcamet o l ookt oChi naf orl eader shi p. Becauset hi spaperi sacr i t i queof“ l ef ter r or s”t hepr obl emsofr ef or mi sm, “ r ev i si oni sm”and“ oppor t uni sm”wi l l notbet r eat edatanyl engt h, excepti n asmuchasi snecessar yt omaket hecr i t i ci sm cl ear .Fur t her , nei t hera gener al anal y si soft hepr i nci pl econt r adi ct i onsofmonopol ycapi t al i sm, a def enseoft her ev ol ut i onar yr ol eoft hewor ki ngcl ass, anar gumentf ort he needf oraMar xi st Leni ni stPar t y , anal l ar oundpr ogr am f orar ev ol ut i onar y par t ynoranexposi t i onoft hewor l dhi st or i cal i mpor t anceoft heCul t ur al Rev ol ut i onandot hergr eatChi neseachi ev ement si nconst r uct i ngsoci al i sm wi l l beat t empt ed.Thi spaperi smer el yacr i t i queofwhathasbecomet he maj ordangeront heU. S.r ev ol ut i onar yl ef t .I ti sacal l f orsaner ev ol ut i onar y f or cest ocomet oget her , r ev er seourf r at r i ci dal di r ect i onandcommence bui l di ngar ev ol ut i onar ymov ementi nt heUS.t hathasar easonabl ehopeof wi nni ngt hel eader shi poft hewor ki ngcl asswi t hi nourl i f et i mes.

7 B.Hi st or i calOv er v i ewoft heLef ti nt heU. S. Thel ef ter r or scur r ent l ypr edomi nantont heU. S.r ev ol ut i onar yl ef tar ebyno meansuni quet ot he1970’ s.Dogmat i sm, ul t r al ef t i sm andsect ar i ani sm hav epl aguedt heUS.l ef tt hr oughouti t shi st or y .Thet r adi t i onwas est abl i shedbyDani el DeLeonandt heSoci al i stLaborPar t ybacki nt he 1880’ sand1890’ s, whent hi spar t yst oodasi def r om t hemaj orpopul ar st r uggl essuchast hoseoft hePopul i st sandt heAFLuni ons, at t empt i ngt o bui l dapur er ev ol ut i onar yor gani zat i onwi t hapur eMar xi stl i nei nst ead.The st y l eandst r at egydev el opedbyDeLeonar ewi t ht heSLPandmuchoft he r estoft heUS.Lef tt ot hi sday .” TheSLPst i l l r ef usest osuppor t“ r ef or mi st ” st r uggl essuchast heci v i l r i ght smov ement , t hedemandsofwomen, bui l di ngt r adeuni ons, et c.I ti nsi st sononedemand–Soci al i sm Now, –and wor kswi t hnoone.Theul t r al ef t i smdogmat i smsect ar i ani sm oft heSLP pr ov okedaspl i ti nt hatpar t yi n1900andt hef oundi ngofanewgr oup, t he Soci al i stPar t y , whi chf r eedoft hel ef ter r or sofDeLeon, gr ewr api dl y , assumi ngt hel eader shi pofmuchoft hewor ki ngcl assmov ement .I n1912 i tdemonst r at edi t sst r engt hbyEugeneDebsgai ni ngov er6per centoft he v ot ecastf orpr esi dent .Att hi st i mesoci al i st swonof f i cei nl ocal gov er nment sandpubl i shedagr eatmanypopul arpaper sandper i odi cal s. Thel ef ter r or sbecamepr edomi nantoncemor ei nt hei mmedi at epost Wor l dWarIper i od, whennotone, butt hr ee, communi stpar t i eswer e separ at el ycr eat ed, eachhi ghl yant agoni st i ct ot heot her s.Thet hr eewer e f or cedt oget heronl ybyt hei nsi st enceoft heComi nt er n( whi ch, byt heway , cal l edf ort het woI WW’ s, t heSLPandt heSPt omer gei nt ooneCommuni st Par t y ) .Sect ar i ansquabbl i ngi nt hepar t ywasamaj orpr obl em unt i l t heend oft he1920’ s.Ul t r al ef t i sm anddogmat i sm al sopl aguedt henewC. P.unt i l t hemi d1930’ s, andwasmani f est edi nr ef usal t osuppor tpr ogr essi v e f ar mer l aborpar t ymov ement s, at t empt st osetupsepar at er ev ol ut i onar y uni ons( esp.i nt he19281934per i od)andgener al i sol at i onf r om t he mai nst r eam oft hemassst r uggl esi nt heU. S.Thepar t ydi dhowev erl ead manyher oi cst r uggl esi nt heper i od, i ncl udi ngmanymaj orst r i kesoft he 1920’ sandt hev er yi mpor t antunempl oy edwor ker s’ mov ementi nt heear l y 1930’ s.I twasnotunt i l af t ert heSev ent hComi nt er nCongr essi n1934t hat

8 t heC. P. U. S. A.f i nal l ygoti t sel ft oget herandbecameamaj orf or cewi t hi n t heUSwor ki ngcl assmov ementaswe’ l l asi nawi der angeofpr ogr essi v e st r uggl eswi t hi nt heU. S.I twasi nt heper i od19341947t hatC. P.i nf l uence wasati t speaki nt hewor ki ngcl assandi npr ogr essi v est r uggl esgener al l y . Par t ymember shi pr eachedal most100, 000i nt hi sper i odwi t hmi l l i ons passi ngt hr oughorcl oset oi t sor gani zat i on.Thei nf l uencei texer t edon t ur ni ngpeopl et owar dssoci al i sm andwi nni ngmassst r uggl eswas consi der abl edur i ngt hesey ear s. Ther ewasl i t t l et hatt heC. P. U. S. A.coul dhav edonet omai nt ai ni t sst r engt h andi nf l uencei nt hewor ki ngcl assandamongpr ogr essi v esi nt he19471956per i od.Thef or cesoft hemostpower f ul r ul i ngcl assi nt hewor l dwer e t oost r ong, andt her oot soft heCommuni stPar t yi nt hewor ki ngcl asswer e t ooweak.I twasi nev i t abl et hatCommuni sti nf l uencewoul dbepr et t ymuch ent i r el yweededoutoft heuni ons, massor gani zat i onsandschool s.The st r engt hoft heU. S.r ul i ngcl assi st obef oundi nt heeconomi candmi l i t ar y mi ghtoft heU. S. A.whi chemer gedf r om Wor l dWarI Iast hehegemoni c poweri nt hewor l d–t her ewasnot hi ngt her ev ol ut i onar yl ef tcoul dhav e donet hatcoul dhav esi gni f i cant l yaf f ect edt hi s.Theweaknessoft he C. P. U. S. A.wascausedbyt hespeci al condi t i onsoft heU. S. : awor ki ng cl asscomposedofhi ghl ydi v er seet hni cgr oupswhi chcaneasi l ybecome ant agoni st i ct oi t sel f , t her api dr at eofgr owt hi nt hel i v i ngst andar dof Amer i canwor ker sandt hev i ct or yoft heU. S.i nbot hWor l dWarIandWor l d WarI Iwhi chst i r r edupandcement edpat r i ot i cpr i dei nt hewor ki ngcl ass ( whi l et heU. S.wasal mostal onespar edt heemot i onal andeconomi ccost s ofwar f ar e) .Nost r at egyf ol l owedbyt heCPi nt he1930’ sand1940’ scoul d hav er esul t edi naf i r mr oot i ngi nt heU. S.wor ki ngcl ass, norputt hepar t yi n amuchbet t erposi t i ont oconser v ei t sst r engt h, anal y si sandor gani zat i on t hr ought heper i odofr epr essi on.Thecol l apseoft heC. P. U. S. A.whi ch occur r edi nt he1950’ swasapr oductofobj ect i v econdi t i onsandcoul dnot hav ebeenav oi ded.Manywer et hoset hatst uckwi t ht hepar t yt hr ought he wor stoft her epr essi on, i ngoodpar tonl ybecauseoft hei rf ai t hi nt he cor r ect nessofi t sl i ne, r at hert hanbecausei twasl eadi ngst r uggl es, whoi n 1956l ostf ai t handl ef tt hepar t y .Khr ushchev ’ sat t ackonSt al i nandt he

9 Sov i eti nv asi onofHungar y , asi nt er pr et edbyt heU. S.pr ess, pr ov edt obe maj orbl owsatpeopl ewhosef ai t hi nt her i ght nessoft heSov i etUni onand t hecausei twasbehi ndcoul dbeshat t er edbyt hel ackofacont i nui ng mat er i al basi sf ort hei rpar t ymember shi p.Si ncet hemassesofpeopl ei n t heU. S.r ej ect edCommuni st si nst eadofaccept i ngt hei rl eader shi p, pol i t i cal wor kbecamev i r t ual l yi mpossi bl e. Facedwi t hov er whel mi ngr epr essi onf r om abov e, anddemor al i zi ng def ect i oni nt her anks, t hepar t ywav er ed, atf i r stat t empt i ngar ef or mi stand i ndependentl i nei n1957i nor dert omeett hedemandsoft her ankandf i l e di si l l usi onedwi t hSov i etpol i ci es, andt henshor t l yt her eaf t err ev er si ng cour se, i tmov edt ot heposi t i oni thol dst ot hi sday–mechani cal def ense oft heSov i etUni on, wor ki ngi nt hemosti nconspi cuousmannerwi t hi n r ef or mi stmassor gani zat i onsandmov ement s( suchast heMi l l er campai gn/ t hepeacemov ement , et c. ) , anddemonst r at i ngal owl ev el of bot hener gyanddi sci pl i ne.Ther epr essi onagai nstCommuni st si nt he 1950’ swassoper v asi v eandt hor ought hatmember soft hepar t yal most uni v er sal l yadopt edt het act i cofcr awl i ngupi nsi deoft hei rshel l st opr ot ect t hemsel v es.Deny i ngt hatt heywer eCommuni st sbecamesecondnat ur e andi t scor ol l ar yofnott aki ngpubl i cst andsi nsuppor tofCommuni st anal y sesandgoal snecessar i l yf ol l owed.Communi st sbecamei nv i si bl e andasar esul ti nef f ect i v e.Thedef ensi v epr ot ect i v er eact i oncombi ned wi t hr emov al f r om posi t i onsofi nf l uencei nmassor gani zat i onsdeener gi zedpeopl e.Whatr emai nedoft hePar t ybyt hel at e1950’ shadt ur ned i nt oaghostofi t sf or mersel f .ACommuni stPar t yi nnameonl y .Al t houghi t cont i nuest ogi v eabst r actadher encet ot hei deaoft hedi ct at or shi poft he pr ol et ar i atandr ef usest or enouncet hepossi bi l i t yofr ev ol ut i onar yv i ol ence, i npr act i ce, t heC. P. U. S. A.hasbecomeat hor oughl yr ef or mi st( orcent er soci al democr at i c)par t yi ni t spr act i ce, anal y si s, st r at egi es, masswor k, or gani zat i onal di sci pl i neandt hel ev el ofener gyi t scadr esgi v et opar t y wor k. I nt hel at e1950’ sanumberofr ev ol ut i onar i eswi t hi nt hepar t ywer eei t her expel l edorv ol unt ar yl ef ti nr eact i ont ot hedi ssi pat i onofr ev ol ut i onar y ener gyanddi r ect i on.Someoft hef i r stsetofdef ect or sf r om t hepar t y

10 f or medi nt oagr oupcal l i ngi t sel ft hePr ov i si onal Or gani zi ngCommi t t ee– wi t hi nashor tt i met hi sgr oupi ngdi si nt egr at edi nt oul t r al ef t i sm and sect ar i ani sm wi t houtev enbegi nni ngt opl ayar ol ei nmassst r uggl esor est abl i shr oot si nt hewor ki ngcl ass.Ar ound1960asecondsetofl ef t i st s wi t hi nt hepar t yl ef torwer eexpel l ed.Thesepeopl ef oundedt he Pr ogr essi v eLaborMov ementwhi chwi t hi naf ewy ear schangedi t sname t ot hePr ogr essi v eLaborPar t y .ThePLPi dent i f i edwi t ht heChi nesecr i t i que oft heSov i etUni onandoft hepr oMoscowpar t i es( suchast hatoft heU. S. ) , act i v el ysuppor t edt heCubanRev ol ut i onandt heVi et namesewarof nat i onal l i ber at i on, andbecauseofi t smi l i t antact i v i t i esandi t sLeni ni st anal y si sbecameani mpor t antf or cei nt hest udentmov ementi nt heper i od 19651968.Howev er , ul t r al ef t i sm, dogmat i sm andsect ar i ani sm became pr edomi nanti nt hePLPatt hev er yt i meoft hegr owt hi ni t si nf l uence.Thus t hePLPcamet oat t ackpr ogr essi v emov ement samongmi nor i t i essuchas t heBl ackPant her sandt hemaj or i t yl eader shi pofSDS.( t hr ough or gani zat i onal manuev er i ngt heyt ookov erSDSi n1969) .Att hesamet i me PLPdenouncedt heCubanr ev ol ut i on, shor t l yt her eaf t ert heChi nese( t hey si dedwi t ht heul t r al ef ti nt heCul t ur al Rev ol ut i on) , andf i nal l yt heNat i onal Li ber at i onFr ontofSout hVi et nam.Fol l owi ngar ul eorr ui npol i cyofr el at i ng t oot herr ev ol ut i onar yandpr ogr essi v eor gani zat i ons, i sol at edf r om al l pr ogr essi v eandr ev ol ut i onar yf or cesi nt er nat i onal l yanddomest i cal l y , PLP v er ysoonsunki nt oi r r el ev ance( nodi f f er entf r om aTr ot sky i stsect ) cl ai mi ngt obet heonl yt r uer ev ol ut i onar i esi nt hewor l d. Outoft hemai nst r eam ofSDSemer gedat endencyhost i l ebot ht ot he PLP’ sdogmat i sm, sect ar i ani sm andul t r al ef t i sm andt ot hecr azy adv ent ur i sm oft heWeat her peopl eandt hei rsy mpat hi zer s.Thesocal l ed Rev ol ut i onar yYout hMov ement I It endencyi ncl udedt hel eadi ngcadr eof whatwer et obecomebot ht heRev ol ut i onar yUni onandt heOct oberLeague. Theuni t yofRYMI Ii ncl udedsuppor tofMar xi smLeni ni sm, seei ngt he cent r al i t yofwor ki ngcl assst r uggl es, t henecessi t yofwor ki ngwi t h pr ogr essi v eandr ev ol ut i onar ygr oupsi nt hewomen’ sandThi r dWor l d mov ement si nt heU. S. , ongi v i ng’ uncondi t i onal suppor tt oThi r dWor l d l i ber at i onmov ement sov er seas, andav oi di ngadv ent ur i st i cact i ons.The

11 RYMI It endencyhel dt ot hel at eSDSpol i cyofl ooki ngt oChi na, Cubaand Vi et nam assour cesofi nspi r at i onwhi l eadopt i ngt hePLPpol i cyof f ocusi ngor gani zat i onal ef f or t sont hewor ki ngcl ass.Themosti mpor t ant or gani zat i ont oemer gedi r ect l youtofRYMI It endencywast he Rev ol ut i onar yUni on.Foundedwhi l eSDSst i l l exi st edast heBayAr ea Radi cal Uni oni tcamet oi ncl udeaf ewexmember soft heC. P. , but consi st edal mostent i r el yofst udent sand, exst udent sr adi cal i zedi nt he st r uggl esoft he1960’ swhower ei ncr easi ngl yseei ngt heneedf or r ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl ei nt heU. S. , andwhower ei ncr easi ngl ycomi ngt o under st andwhatbei ngaMar xi st Leni ni stmeant .Ther ewer et womaj or t endenci eswi t hi nt heRU( whi chunt i l ar ound1971r emai nedaWestCoast or gani zat i on)at endencysi mi l art ot hatoft heWeat her peopl et hatt ended t osuppor tguer r i l l awar f ar eandt er r or i sm andt or ej ectt hemai nst r eam of t hewor ki ngcl assasnotr ev ol ut i onar y , i nst eadgl or i f y i ngThi r dWor l d st r uggl es, andt het endencywhi chwasr api dl ymov i ngt oanor t hodox Leni ni stanal y si sandl i neoft heThi r dPer i odv ar i et y .I n1971t hoset hat suppor t edt hef i r stt endencyspl i tandf or medt hemsel v esi nt oVencer emos. I n1973Vencer emosi t sel fspl i ti nt ot wof act i onsont hequest i onof guer r i l l awar f ar ev s.or gani zi ngamongt hemostoppr essedsegment sof t hewor ki ngcl ass.Themai nst r eam oft heR. U.meanwhi l ebecamea nat i onal or gani zat i onest abl i shi ngi t sel fast hel eadi ngsuppor t eroft he Peopl e’ sRepubl i cofChi naaswel l ast hemostpr omi si ngandener get i c r ev ol ut i onar yor gani z at i oni nt heU. S.TheR. U.i n1973beganact i v el y pushi ngf ort heuni t yofv ar i ousr ev ol ut i onar yf or cesi nt oasi ngl e communi stor gani zat i onandopenedupnegot i at i onswi t hawi der angeof gr oupsf ort hi spur pose.Howev er , i nt hecour seof19731975t heR. U. becamei ncr easi ngl yul t r al ef t i st , dogmat i candsect ar i an, i sol at i ngi t sel f f r om v i r t ual l yal l r ev ol ut i onar yandpr ogr essi v ef or cesespeci al l yi nt heThi r d Wor l dmov ementi nt hepr ocess, unt i l f i nal l yi nOct ober1975i tuni l at er al l y decl ar edi t sel ft obet hepar t yoft hewor ki ngcl ass.I n19751976i tpubl i cl y denouncedCuba, st oodal ooff r om t hePor t ugueser ev ol ut i on, andat t acked t her ev ol ut i onar ymov ementi nAngol a. I ft heul t r al ef t , sect ar i ananddogmat i ct endenci esi nt heRCPbecomef ul l y

12 consol i dat ed, andespeci al l yi ft het endencyt odi st ancet hemsel v esf r om t heChi nesebecomespr edomi nantt heOct oberLeaguewi l l pr obabl y ecl i psei ti nt heU. S.i nt heshor tr un.TheO. L.hasbeen( 1)somewhatl ess sect ar i ant hant heR. C. P. , wor ki ngwi t hmanypr ogr essi v eandr ev ol ut i onar y gr oupsandt endenci est hatt heRCPat t acks, especi al l yamongThi r d” Wor l d peopl e.I t swor kst y l ei sal soal essar r ogantandsect ar i ant hant hatoft he RCP.( 2)TheOLhast endedt obesomewhatl essul t r al ef t i stt hant heRCP andmor ewi l l i ngt osuppor tpr ogr essi v est r uggl esanduni t edf r ont s. Howev er , i n1976t hi st endencyseemst ohav ebeenr ev er sedwi t ht heOL becomi ngmor ehost i l et hanev ent heRCPt owar dswor ki ngwi t h pr ogr essi v emov ement ssuchast hatofSadl owski i nt heUSW andr ef usi ng t opar t i ci pat ei nact i onswhi chi ncl udet he“ r ev i si oni st ”CP.( 3)TheOLi s consi der abl ymor edogmat i ct hant heRCPandmechani cal l yf ol l owst he Chi nesei nev er y t hi ng, doi ngnoi ndependentanal y si soft hei rown.I nsome way st hi si sagr eatweakness; butt ot heext entt hatt heChi nesear ea r ev ol ut i onar yf or cei nt hewor l d( andespeci al l yt ot heext entt hatChi na cor r ect st heer r or sofi t sf or ei gnpol i cy )i ti sagr eatst r engt h.I ft heRCP consol i dat esi t sl ef ter r or sandespeci al l yi fi tbecomescr i t i cal oft he cur r entChi nesel eader shi pt heOLwi l l pi ckupmanymember sf r om peopl e ar oundt heRCPaswel l asmanypeopl er ecr ui t edi nt ot hemov ement becauseofi dent i f i cat i onwi t hChi na, andwhoar el ooki ngf orsomeki ndof ar ev ol ut i onar yor gani zat i ont oj oi n.Howev er , becauset hel ef ter r ori spar t oft heOLconst i t ut i on, t heywi l l bedoomedt ogot hewayoft hepr ev i ous ul t r al ef t i stspl i nt er s.Ul t r al ef t i sm, whet heri nt hePLP, RCPorOLv ar i et i es i sasbankr uptast heul t r al ef t i sm oft he1930’ sand1940’ s–Tr ot sky i sm. Ther oadofal l ul t r al ef t i stgr oupl et si sessent i al l yt hesame.Tr ot skypav ed i ti nt he1920’ sand1930’ sandmanyar et hoset hathav ef ol l owedi tsi nce– i tl eadst oi r r el ev ance, i sol at i onandi mpot ence, i t st er mi nusi st hedustbi n ofhi st or y .

13 C.AnAnal y si soft heCur r entTr endsont heU. S. Lef t 1.TheBankr upt cyof“ Maoi sm”i nt heAdv ancedCapi t al i stCount r i es Thet er m“ Mar xi st Leni ni sm MaoTseTungThought ”r ef er st ot hei deas expr essedi nt hef ourVol umesofMaoTset ung’ sSel ect edWor ks, t he i deasi nt heLi t t l eRedBookandi nt heonev ol umeSel ect edReadi ngsf r om t heWor ksofMaoTset ungaboutmaki ngr ev ol ut i onandconst r uct i ng soci al i sm.Thesei deasar ebot hpr of oundandamosti mpor t ant cont r i but i ont ot heMar xi st Leni ni stt r adi t i on.Thet er m“ Maoi sm”i susedby ev er y oneexceptt hemostor t hodoxf ol l ower soft hel eader shi poft he Communi stPar t yofChi neset odescr i bet hoset hatl ookt ot heChi nesef or pol i t i cal l eader shi p, e. g. , byt heSov i et s, t hel at e1960’ s, S. D. S. , t heMont hl y Rev i ew( whi chhasi ncl udedi t sel fi nt her anksof“ Maoi st s” ) , mai nst r eam l i ber al s, andmostgener al l ypr oChi napeopl eandr adi cal s( whouset he t er mf av or abl y ) .I ti st hi susageof“ Maoi sm”t hati sempl oy edi nt hi spaper . Ther ei snonecessar yr el at i onshi pbet ween“ Mar xi smLeni ni sm MaoTset ungThought ”and“ Maoi sm. ”Whi l ei nt he1960’ st het wocl osel y i nt er t wi nedt hi shasbecomeconsi der abl yl esssoi nt he1970’ sasChi nese f or ei gnpol i cyhasbecomel esssuppor t i v eofr ev ol ut i on, mor ehost i l et ot he Sov i etUni onandl essopposedt oU. S.i mper i al i sm.Thecr i t i queof “ Maoi sm”i nt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i esi st husmeantt or ef ert ot he t ai l i ngoft heChi neseCommuni stPar t y , especi al l yi ni t sf or ei gnpol i ci es, andnott ot hei deasofMaoTset ungaboutmaki ngr ev ol ut i onand const r uct i ngsoci al i sm. Ast hei nt er nat i onal l i neoft heSov i etUni onmel l owedsomewhatdur i ngt he 1950’ s, i . e. , becamemor esuppor t i v eofpr ogr essi v e, nat i onal i stand r ef or mi stt r endsi nbot hEur opeandt heThi r dWor l dpushi ngl essact i v el y f orr api dsoci al r ev ol ut i onandast hel i neofmostoft heCommuni stPar t i es oft hewor l ddi dl i kewi se, t hel ef twi ngbot hi nsi de, andout si deoft he Communi stPar t i esbecamei ncr easi ngl ydi scont ent ed.I ncount r yaf t er count r yt heyl ef torwer eexpel l edf r om t heCommuni stPar t i es( andi na f ewcasesChi na, Al bani a, Bur ma, Mal ay si aandThai l and)wonl eader shi p.

14 Thef or cesopposedt ot hedomi nantr ef or mi stt r endi nt hemaj or communi stpar t i esandt heSov i etUni ont endedt obecomposedofbot h honestr ev ol ut i onar yf or cesdi scour agedbyt her ef or mi stt r endsandul t r al ef tdogmat i cf or ceswhi chwoul dhav ebeendi scour agedbyany t hi ng.I n t heUni t edSt at esbot ht hef i r stat t emptt of or m anor gani zat i onout si deof t heCommuni stPar t y–Thepr ov i si onal Or gani zi ngCommi t t ee, andt he second, t hePr ogr essi v eLaborPar t y , soonaf t ert hei rf or mat i onr ev eal ed t hemsel v est obei nessencet r ot sky i st l i kegr oupswhocamet of eel noone i nt hewor l d, notev enChi na; wasr ev ol ut i onar yenoughf ort hem.Thet hi r d at t empt , t heRev ol ut i onar yCommuni stPar t y , seemst obeheadi ngdown t hesamer oad.Wi t houtf r at er nal r el at i onswi t hot her“ Maoi st ”gr oupsi n Eur opeorel sewher e( whi chi tt endst ocondemnascl asscol l abor at i oni st s) andwi t hi t si ncr easi ngi sol at i onf r om mov ement sofnat i onal mi nor i t i es ( whi chi tcondemnsas“ Bundi st ” )t heobj ect i v edi f f er encebet weent hePLP andt heRCPi sr api dl ydi mi ni shi ng.Thet i nypr oChi nesegr oupl et si nt he U. S.andEur opef i ndt hemsel v esi nasi mi l arsi t uat i on–i nt headv anced st agesofdi si nt egr at i oni nt omut ual l yhost i l eandequal l yi r r el ev antsect s whosemai ndi f f er encewi t ht r adi t i onal t r ot sky i st si si nt hei rposi t i onon Chi naandAl bani a.“ Maoi sm”( i . e. , t het ai l i ngoft heChi neseCommuni st Par t y )i nt he1960’ swascl ear l yandunambi guousl yt ot hel ef toft hemaj or andpr oSov i etCommuni stPar t i es, def i ni ngi t sel fassuppor t i v eofr api d r ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i onsandunaf r ai dofar medst r uggl e.The “ Maoi sm”oft he1970’ shascomet omeansomet hi ngqui t edi f f er ent . Dur i ngt heCul t ur al Rev ol ut i ont heChi neseanal y si soft heSov i etUni onand i t sr ol ei nt hewor l dchangedf r om mer el yar gui ngt hati twasr ev i si oni stand i nsuf f i ci ent l ysuppor t i v eofr ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl est oanov el anal y si st hat i twasbot hacapi t al i standi mper i al i stcount r ywhi chr epr esent edatl east asmuchat hr eatt ot hewor l d’ speopl esasdi dt heU. S.TheChi neset hus camet osuppor tawor l dmov ementagai nst“ t het wosuperpower s”of whi cht heSov i etUni onseemst obei npr act i cet hegr eat erdanger , bot h becausei ti st heascendantpowerandbecausei tpr et endst obeaf r i endof t hewor l d’ speopl e.Chi nat henbegansuppor t i ng, oratl eastceasi ngt o at t ack, suchr eact i onar ybutant i Sov i etr egi mesast hoseoft heShahof I r an, Pi nochet ’ si nChi l eandMar co’ si nt hePhi l i ppi nes, aswel l ast heNATO

15 al l i ancei nEur ope, becauset heywer eal l enemi esoft heSov i etUni on.The v ar i ousMaoi stgr oupsar oundt hewor l d, whi chhaddev el opedont hebasi s ofwant i ngashar perat t ackont hei rownr ul i ngcl asses, wer et hust ur ned ar oundt oi nmanycasessuppor t i ngt hei rownr ul i ngcl asses, whower e f ocusi ngt hei rat t acksont heSov i etUni onandi t sal l egedagent , t hel ocal Communi stPar t i es.Gr oupswhi chhadonl yaf ewy ear spr ev i ousl yspl i t f r om t hesor t hodoxcommuni stpar t i esbecauset heydi dnotadequat el y suppor tr ev ol ut i on, f oundt hemsel v escondemni ngt heCubanr ev ol ut i on, t hePor t ugueseRev ol ut i onandt heAngol anRev ol ut i on, andnotsuppor t i ng t hest r uggl esoft heChi l eanpeopl eorOmani peopl ebecauset heywer el ed byor gani zat i onswhi chr ef usedt ocondemnt heSov i etUni on.Maoi st gr oupsi nEur opemobi l i zedi ndef enseoft heNATOal l i ancet hathadbeen setupt opr ev entwor ki ngcl assr ev ol ut i oni nt hei rcount r i esi nor dert o pr ot ectt hei rbour geoi si esagai nstat hr eatf r om t heSov i etUni on.Al l i ances bet weenMaoi st sandr i ghtwi ngsoci al democr at s, t r adi t i onal l yt hemost host i l et oCommuni st sandwor ki ngcl assr ev ol ut i on, bl ossomedi nsuch count r i esasPor t ugal .Thet ot al r ev er sal oft het hr ustofMaoi sm andt he bankr upt cyofr epl aci ngmechani cal accept anceofSov i etl eader shi pwi t h t hemechani cal accept anceofChi nesel eader shi pbecamei ncr easi ngl y cl eart okeyf or cesl i ket heGuar di ani nt heUni t edSt at es. I nt he1970’ sMaoi sm t huscamet omeannot hi ngot hert hanmechani cal l y accept i ngwhat ev ert heChi neseCommuni stl eader shi psai d, whet heri tl ed t opol i ci est ot hel ef tort ot her i ghtoft hoseoft hemaj orCommuni st par t i es.TheessenceofMaoi sm becamecl eart omanydur i ngt hest r uggl es oft heMPLAi nAngol awhent heCubansher oi cal l ycamet ot hei rai d, whi l e t heMaoi stgr oupsdi dt hei rbestt ounder mi net hest r uggl e. Maoi stgr oupshav ebeenasi nt er nal l ydi v i dedandassect ar i anast he Tr ot sky i stgr oupswi t hwhi cht heydi f f erpr i nci pal l yonl yont hequest i onof whet herornotChi naandAl bani aar er eal l ysoci al i stcount r i es.( The st r uggl esi nt hePhi l i ppi neswagedbyt heNewPeopl e’ sAr myandi n Thai l and, Bur maandMal ay si awhi char eal sol edbypr oChi nese Communi stpar t i esar et heot herexcept i ons. )Asi nt hecaseoft he t r adi t i onal Tr ot sky i stgr oupl et s, t heMaoi stgr oupl et ’ spr obl emsst em f r om

16 t heessent i al , dogmat i sm andr at i onal i sm oft hei rmet hodatar r i v i ngat anal y sesandst r at egi escombi nedwi t ht hei ri sol at i onf r om massst r uggl es ( out si deofcount r i eswher et heydohav emassr oot s: Bur ma, Mal ay si a, Thai l andandt hePhi l i ppi nes) .Oneoft hemaj ori ssuest hatdi v i deMaoi st s i sonwhatt her eal Chi neseposi t i oni s( sayonI r an, Nat o, t het wosuper power s, et c. ) .Theyal sodi v i deonhowt or el at et onat i onal mi nor i t i es, t r ade uni ons, andawi der angeofot hert opi cswhi chhav ebeent het r adi t i onal poi nt sofi ssueont hel ef ti nt het went i et hcent ur y .But , aswi t ht he Tr ot sky i st s, t hei rmet hodofr esol v i ngdi f f er encesi snotdemocr at i ccent r al i sm, uni f i edpr act i ce, sum upandcr i t i ci sm/ sel fcr i t i ci sm and r ef or mul at i onofpol i cy , butr at heroneofdogmat i cst er i l ei nt el l ect ual debat e, per suasi onandbadger i ng, andspl i t t i ngof ft obui l danot hergr oup wi t ht he“ cor r ectl i ne. ”TheMaoi stl ef tout si deofSout heastAsi ai st husas f r act ur ed, sect ar i anandi r r el ev antast hecl assi cal Tr ot sky i stl ef t , al t hough becauseoft hey out hoft hei rmember shi p, t heyof t enhav emor eener gy t hanmanyoft heTr ot sky i stgr oupi ngs. Oneoft hemosti mpor t antdev el opment sofal l i nt hekey19741975per i od f orMaoi sm i nt heU. S.wast heopposi t i onoft heGuar di ant ot heMaoi st pol i cyi nPor t ugal , Angol aandCuba.Thi scausedt heGuar di ani n1975t o beexcl udedf r om mostChi naor i ent edbookst or esandt obe “ excommuni cat ed”f r om t heor t hodoxMaoi stmov ement .Thepar al l el ev ol ut i onoft hePWOCandot herpr oChi na, butnonMaoi stgr oupsdur i ng 19751976, andt hecur r entat t emptt obui l danat i onal cent erofsuch or gani zat i onsi sal somostsi gni f i cant . Whi l et heC. L. P.andt henondogmat i stcur r entl ef torwer epushedoutof t heMaoi stmov ement , t her ehasbeenaconsol i dat i onoft hehar dcor et hat r emai ned, eachi nt hei rsepar at eshel l , buteach, exceptf ort heR. C. P.whi ch keepsi t smi norr eser v at i ons, equal l ydogmat i ci ni t scompet i t i onf ort he mant l eofMaoi stor t hodoxy .Si nce1974t hef or mer l ypr oChi nese Mov ementhasbasi cal l ydi v i dedi nt ot wopar t s.Thoset hatnowf ul l y under st andandacceptt hedet ai l sofChi neseanal y si sandpol i ci es–t hese cannowpr oper l ybecal l ed“ Maoi st s” ; andt heant i dogmat i c/ ant i r ev i si oni stt r endwhi chhasbeenexcommuni cat edbyt hemut ual consent

17 ofal l or t hodoxMaoi st s.Thi sl at ert r endpr et t ymuchcont i nuest heat t i t ude oft hepr e1973pr oChi nesemov ement–suppor tofal l r ev ol ut i onar y st r uggl es–i ncl udi ngCuba, t heMPLApr ogr essi v enat i onal i sm and f emi ni sm, ; et c.I ti si mpor t antt onot et hati ti st henewconsol i dat ed or t hodoxMaoi stt endency( f r om whi chonl yt heRCPst ay sonest ept ot he si de)t hathaschangeddur i ngt hemi d1970’ s, whi l et hepeopl ear oundt he Guar di an, PWOC, BACU, et c. , cont i nuet ohol dt hegener al l i neofpr e1973 “ Maoi st s”i nt heU. S. , i . e. , af arl essdogmat i candsect ar i anpol i t i cs. I n1973i twasst i l l possi bl ef ort her et obeser i ousandcomr adel y di scussi onsbet weent heGuar di an, OL, RCP, BWC, CLP, etal . , about uni f i cat i onoft her ev ol ut i onar yl ef t .Bef or e1973i ssuesofChi nesef or ei gn pol i cydi dnotpl ayacent r al r ol eamongpr oChi nesecommuni stf or cesi n t heU. S.Weal l suppor t edt heCubanr ev ol ut i onandsawnoconf l i ctwi t h gi v i ngf ul l suppor tt oChi na; weal l gav esuppor tt oal l pr ogr essi v eand r ev ol ut i onar y , st r uggl esi nAsi a, Af r i caandLat i nAmer i ca( e. g. , oneoft he t wocondi t i onsofuni t yoft heRU’ sAt t i caBr i gadeandt heRSBdur i ngi t s f i r stt woy ear swassuppor tofal l r ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl es) ; al l opposedt he Eur opeancapi t al i stcl assast hepr i mar yenemyofEur opeanwor ker s.Bei ng a“ Maoi st ”unt i l 1973most l ymeantt hatwesuppor t edr ev ol ut i onar y st r uggl eswher ev ert heyoccur r edandopposedt her ef or mi sm oft heSov i et Uni onandt heCPUSA.Al t houghweal l f el tt hatt her ewassomet hi ng ser i ousl ydef ect i v eaboutt heSov i etUni on, f ewofusr eal l ybel i ev edt hati t wascapi t al i sm oft heNazi t y peoramaj ordangert ot hewor l d’ speopl e.A t ur ni ngpoi nti nt hedev el opmentofMaoi sm i nt hewestoccur r edi n19741975.Wewer enowcal l edont odof armor et hanev erbef or e, wewer e askedt oconsi dert heSov i etUni ont obeasbadi fnotwor set hant heU. S. , t oat t ackr ev ol ut i onar yr egi meswhi chwer ecl oset ot heSov i etUni onsuch asCuba, andopposer ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl essuchast hatoft heMPLA becauset heyaccept edSov i etai d.Att hesamet i mewedi si nt egr at edi nt o t i nywar r i ngsect sasnast yt oeachot herandasr emov edf r om pr act i ceas Tr ot sky i st s, aseachi nt ur ndecl ar edt hemsel v est obeTHEPARTY, r eadi ng, t her estofusoutoft hel egi t i mat er ev ol ut i onar ymov ement .Reasoned anal y sesgav ewayt odogmat i cpol emi csf ul l ofquot esdesi gnedt opr ov e

18 t hatone’ sopponent s, wer er ev i si oni st s/oppor t uni st s, et c.Onl yt heRCP amongt hemai nst r eam gr oupscont i nuedt odoanyr eal t hi nki ngatal l , and i t st hi nki ngl edi ti ncr easi ngl yt ot hesameconcl usi onsast heTr ot sky i st s. TheMaoi stmov ementi nt heWestgl or i f i esi nmai nt ai ni ngt hatmostoft he wor l dcommuni stmov ementwentr ev i si oni st , andbet r ay edt he r ev ol ut i onar yl i neofSt al i nbet ween1953and1956( al t houghmany mai nt ai nt hatt her oot soft hi sr ev i si oni sm wer el ai ddur i ngt he1930’ s) .I n f act , al t hought her ehav ebeendi f f er encesbot hdomest i cal l yi nt heSov i et Uni on( mai nl yi nt hedi r ect i onofi ncr easi ngwor ker ’ spar t i ci pat i on, equal i t y andal l ar ounddemocr at i cl i f e)andi nt er nat i onal l y( mai nl yi nv ar i ous degr eesofsuppor tf ornonr ev ol ut i onar y r egi mesi nt heThi r dWor l d, and gr eat eref f or t sf ordi sar mamentandpeace)t heshi f t si nl i nei nt he1950’ s wer er el at i v el ymi norcompar edt ot hosewhi cht ookpl acei nt hemi d1930’ s. Per hapsbecauseoft hey out hofmostofi t sadher ent s, Maoi sm of t en conf usest hechangesmadeatt he7t hComi nt er nCongr esshel di n1934 whi chendedt heul t r al ef t” t hi r dper i od”l i neest abl i shedatt he6t hCongr ess i n1928, wi t hal l egedchangesmadeaf t ert hedeat hofSt al i n.I nf actt her ei s gr eatcont i nui t yi nt hei nt er nat i onal communi stmov ementi ni t sgener al anal y ses, st r at egi esandat t i t udest owar dscl assesandor gani zat i onssi nce 1934whent her adi cal br eakwasmadewi t hpr ev i oust heor yandpr act i ce. Thel i stoft heer r or sofr ev i si oni sm r eadsf armor el i kea“ t hi r dper i od” cr i t i queoft heSev ent hComi nt er nCongr ess, whi cht ookpl acei nt hehei ght oft hehegemonyofSt al i n’ sl eader shi pandbear st hedi st i nct i v emar kofhi s pol i t i cs, t hanadef enseofSt al i nandr ev ol ut i onagai nstt hepost 19531956 pol i ci esoft heSov i etUni onwhi chhav ei nf actnotdi f f er edqual i t at i v el y f r om t heposi t i onsl ai ddowni n1934.( ThePar t i esi nFr ance, Japan, I t al y andSpai nhowev erdonowdi f f erqual i t at i v el yast heyhav econsol i dat ed t hei rr ev i si oni sm) . I ti smi st akenl yar guedbyt hoset hatt r yt oshowt hatt heyar eor t hodox Communi st s, i nt het r adi t i onofSt al i nandt heComi nt er n, t odi smi sst he posi t i onsoft he7t hComi nt er nCongr essasmer el yat empor ar yst r at egi c r et r eatmadenecessar ybyt her equi r ement sofst oppi ngf asci sm. Accor di ngt ot hi scont empor ar yi nt er pr et at i ont hei deaoft heUni t ed

19 Fr ont / Popul arFr ontwasmer el yadef ensi v est r at egydesi gnedt osav e democr at i cf r eedomsf r om f asci sm.I nf act , t heposi t i onsoft he7t h Comi nt er nCongr essdev el opanaggr essi v est r at egydesi gnedt omake soci al i str ev ol ut i on.Bot ht heSov i et sandt heChi nesehav edi v er gedabi t f r om t he7t hComi nt er nst at ement s, butnei t herv er ygr eat l y .I nt he1960’ s t heChi nesemov edabi tt owar dsseei ngt hewor l dsi t uat i ons, especi al l yi n t heThi r dWor l d, asmor er ev ol ut i onar yt hanpr ev i ousl ywi t houtr ej ect i ngt he Uni t edFr ont / Popul arFr ontnot i onsofanal l i anceoff ourcl assesandat wo st aget heor yofr ev ol ut i on, whi l et heSov i et smov edabi ti nt hedi r ect i onof downpl ay i ngt hei mmedi acyofr ev ol ut i onar ycr i si sandov er est i mat i ngt he pr obabi l i t yt hatpr ogr essi v epet t ybour geoi sr adi cal r egi meswoul df ol l owi n t hef oot st epsoft heCuban26t hofJul yMov ementanddev el opi nt o aut hent i csoci al i str ev ol ut i ons.Howev er , i nt he1970’ st heSov i et scame i ncr easi ngl yt osuppor tnat i onal l i ber at i onandant i i mper i al i stmov ement s whet herornott heywer el edbyCommuni st s.Whi l et heChi nesei nt he 1970’ sout di dt heSov i et ’ s1960’ spol i cyofsuppor t i ngnonRev ol ut i onar y Thi r dWor l dr egi mes( i ncl udi ngev ent hemostr eact i onar ysuchasI r anand Chi l e)i nt henameofThi r dWor l duni t yandopposi ngt he“ t wo super power s. ” Thepopul ar i t yofMaoi sm i nt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i esi si npar t basedont hepr ev al entant i Communi sm whi chy oungerpet t ybour geoi s peopl et ooki nwi t ht hei rmot her ’ smi l k.Vi r t ual l yal l pet t ybour geoi schi l dr en t hr oughoutEur ope, Japan, Aust r al i aandt heU. S. , andmostwor ki ngcl ass peopl ei nt heU. S. , WestGer manyandaf ewot hercount r i es, hav esuf f er ed oneoft hemosti nv i di ouspr opagandacampai gnsofmoder nt i mesagai nst t heSov i etUni onandCommuni sm ( whi chi nt hepr esent at i onsoft her ul i ng cl assmedi aandeducat i onar eoneandt hesame) .I magesofsl av el abor , concent r at i oncamps, pol i cet er r or , ar bi t r ar ydi ct at or s, dul l conf or mi t y , l ack ofbasi cf r eedoms, f oodr at i oni ng, aggr essi v ef or ei gnpol i ci esdesi gnedt o ensl av et hewor l d, et c.–i nshor tNazi Ger manyr ear med–hav ebeen dr ummedi nt oourheadsasy out h.Thi si st heunchal l engedconcept i onof bot hCommuni sm andt heSov i etUni onwhi chweal mostal l gr owupwi t h. Thenewl ef tmov ementoft he1960’ sgr ewupi ndependent l yoft heMar xi st

20 Leni ni stt r adi t i on.I t sr oot swer ei nt hepaci f i standsoci al democr at i c t r adi t i on.I tmov edt oMar xi smLeni ni sm becauseofi dent i f i cat i onwi t ht he st r uggl esoft heCubans, Vi et nameseandChi nese( dur i ngt hei rCul t ur al Rev ol ut i on) .Thechar act er i st i csoft heset hr eer ev ol ut i onsdi dnotseem t o ust ohav eany t hi ngi ncommonwi t ht hei mageofCommuni sm/ Sov i et Uni ont hatwehadbeencondi t i onedt oaccept , andt huswebecame st r ongl ypr edi sposedt oaMaoi stt y pear gumentt hatt heSov i etUni on’ s br andof“ Communi sm”r eal l ywasacapi t al i stoft heNazi t y pe, i . e. , whatwe hadbel i ev edal l al ong, whi l et he“ Communi sm”ofChi na, CubaandVi et nam wasaqual i t at i v el ydi f f er entphenomenon–peopl e’ spower , ort he r eal i zat i onoft het r ue; soci al i sti deasofequal i t ar i ani sm, democr acyand cont r ol ofpr oduct i onbyt hecommonpeopl e.TheMaoi stal t er nat i v e al l owedf or mer l yst r ongl yant i communi sty out ht oeasi l ymaket he t r ansi t i ont oMar xi sm wi t houthav i ngt o, quest i ont hef abr i cat edst er eot y pe ofSov i etcommuni sm t heyhadgr ownupwi t h, whi l er omant i ci zi ngCuban, Vi et nameseandChi neseCommuni sm, por t r ay i ngt het wot y pesashav i ng not hi ngi ncommon.Atnopoi ntwer et hegr eatmaj or i t yofU. S.Mar xi st s ev ersy mpat het i ct ot heSov i etUni on, Thi sappeal t opet t ybour geoi sy out h i si dent i cal t ot heappeal ofTr ot sky i sm, f orTr ot sky i sm t oo, of f er st he possi bi l i t yofhav i ngy ourcakeandeat i ngi tt o.Maoi sm i nt headv anced capi t al i stcount r i es, asdoesTr ot sky i sm, i deal i zesandr omant i ci zest he r ev ol ut i onar ypr ocessandr ev ol ut i onar ysoci et i es, bot hf ai l t oappr eci at e t het wi st sandt ur ns, compr omi ses/ st r at egi cr et r eat s, mi st akes, and pat i encei nher enti nt her ev ol ut i onar ypr ocessi nt her eal wor l d.Bot ht hus t endt ocondemnpr ocessesandr egi meswhi char eunabl et ol i v eupt o unr eal i st i ci deal s, andbot ht hent endt obecomeobj ect i v el yant i r ev ol ut i onar yf or cesopposi ngr at hert hansuppor t i ngpr ogr essi v eand r ev ol ut i onar ypr ocesswhi char edoi ngt hebestt heyar eabl ei nacompl ex wor l d.TobeaMar xi st Leni ni sti st oappr eci at et hegr av epr obl emsf aced byt heSov i etUni oni ni t sf i r stt hi r t yy ear sandt ounderst and, t hatt he pol i ci esf ol l owedt obui l dsoci al i sm undersuchnear l yi mpossi bl e condi t i ons, necessar i l ypr oducesadi st or t edf or m ofsoci al i sm.Andf ur t her t ounder st andt hatt her ewasnor eal i st i cpossi bi l i t yt hatmuchmor ecoul d behopedf or , andt hati nspi t eofal l pr obl emsgr eatwor l dshat t er i ng

21 cont r i but i onst ot her ev ol ut i oni zat i onoft hewor l dwer eachi ev edbyt he Sov i et ’ sdur i ngt hesey ear s.I ti st ounder st andt hatt hev i ci ousant i Communi stpr opagandat hatt her ul i ngcl asswi l l necessar i l yputout( whi ch mayormaynothav e, aker nel oft r ut h)aboutanysoci al i stcount r ywhi chi s t hr eat eni ngi t , andhonest l yandf or t hr i ght l yr ej ectanyi nher enti nt er nal i zed pr ej udi ces, r ef usi ngt ol ett hem col orourcur r entper cept i ons, andabov eal l r ef uset opandert opopul arant i communi sm whenwi nni ngpeopl et o Mar xi st sLeni ni stpol i t i cs. Asecondsour ceoft heant i Sov i et i sm oft heMaoi st si nt headv anced capi t al i stcount r i esl i esi nt hebi t t erper sonal exper i enceofaf ewoft he ol dercomr adeswhower ei nt hePar t yi nt he1950’ s, becamedi si l l usi oned wi t hKhr ushchev ’ sr epor tonSt al i nand, i nst eadofaccept i ngt he accusat i onsandbecomi ngcr i t i cal oft hepar t y ’ spr act i cef r om t her i ght , becamecr i t i cal ofKhr ushchev , al l t hemor edef ensi v eofSt al i n, andsawi n t hedev el opi ngChi neseposi t i onaj ust i f i cat i onf orhol di ngt ot hei r r omant i ci zedv i ewsofhowper f ectt hi ngswer ei nt heSov i etUni onbef or e 1953.Agai nt hepr ocessofr omant i ci zat i onandi deal i zat i onchar act er i st i c ofTr ot sky i sm, andt hel ackofappr eci at i onf ornecessar ycompr omi se pl ay edakeyr ol e.Ref usi ngt obeshakeni nt hei rf ai t hi nt heper f ect i onof St al i n’ sSov i etUni ont hesedogmat i st smer el yt r ansf er r edt hei rv i si onof Soci al i stut opi af r om t heSov i etUni ont oChi na, nowhol di ngt hatChi nese soci et yandChi nesef or ei gnpol i cywer easper f ectashadbeent hoseof St al i n’ s.Thecor ol l ar yoft hi st r ansf eroff ai t hi st het hesi st hatcapi t al i sm wasr est or edi nt heSov i etUni oni nt he1950’ sandt hatSov i etf or ei gnpol i cy changedf r om bei ngr ev ol ut i onar yt oi mper i al i sti nt hesamet i meper i od ( accusat i onst hathav enosubst ant i at i oni nf act ) . Thel essont obel ear nedf r om t heexper i encewi t hSt al i n’ si nf al l i bi l i t yand t hei dol i zat i onoft heSov i etUni oni nt heper i od1930’ s1953wasnei t her t hatt hecr i t i quesofSt al i nwer er i ghtandt hatt heUSSRandi t sf or ei gn pol i ci eswer ebet r ay al sofsoci al i sm, nort hatt heywer eper f ectandt he model f oral l ot herpar t i est of ol l ow.Ther eal l essoni st hatt hewor l d Mar xi st Leni ni stmov ementcannotf al l i nt ot heTr ot sky i ster r orof i deal i zat i onandr omant i zat i on, andi t scor ol l ar yofbi t t erdenunci at i onwhen

22 r eal i t ycannotmeett hei deal s, andt hatt hewor l dmov ementcannothav e asi ngl eChur chandPopewhi chknowswhatev er y onemustdoandt o whi chwel ookt oast hemodel .Peki ngcannotr epl aceMoscow, norshoul d Moscowbet r ansf or medf r om Romet oant i Rome.Theexper i enceshoul d hav et aughtust henecessi t yt ot hi nkf orour sel v es, t opl acet hei nt er est sof nost at eabov ear ev ol ut i onar ypol i cy , t ounder st andt heneedf or r ev ol ut i onar ypat i ence, andt oappr eci at et hecur v esi nt her oadt o r ev ol ut i onandt henecessi t yofsuppor t i ng, butnott ai l i ng, al l pr ogr essi v e st r uggl esandsoci al i str egi mes.

2.WhatTr ot sky i sm Means Ani deal i stdef i ni t i onofa“ t r ot sky i st ”woul df ocusonwhet herornotan i ndi v i dual orgr oupl i keLeonTr ot sky , r eadhi swor kwi t hr espectandsi ded wi t hTr ot skyov erSt al i ni nt he1920’ sand1930’ s.Amat er i al i stdef i ni t i onof a“ t r ot ky i st ”ont heot herhandwoul daskr at herwhet herornotagr oup act edessent i al l yl i keTr ot skyact edandi fi t sst r at egywasessent i al l yl i ke t hatofTr ot sky , i . e. , wasobj ect i v el y“ Tr ot sky i t e” .Taki ngamat er i al i st appr oachonewoul dbeconsi der edat r ot sky i sti foneact i ngl i keTr ot sky ev eni fonel i kedSt al i nandhat edTr ot sky , whi l econv er sel yonewoul dnot beconsi der edat r ot sky i sti fonedi dnotact edl i keTr ot skyandhav ea st r at egyl i ket hatofTr ot sky , ev eni fonel i kedTr ot sky , r eadhi swor ks, et c. I nEXami ni ngv ar i ousgr oupsandcur r ent swemustbev er ycar ef ul t o al way suseamat er i al i stdef i ni t i on, andnotbeconf usedbyv er bal di scl ai mer s, geneal ogi esorpost er sonpeopl e’ swal l s. Theessenceofwhatt heMar xi st Leni ni stt r adi t i oni ncl udi ngSt al i n, Mao, Fi del andHoChi Mi nhhav emeantby“ t r ot sky i sm”i sal ef t adv ent ur i stand dogmat i canal y si swhi chcondemnsal l exi st i ngsoci al i stcount r i esand peopl e’ sdemocr aci esasnotr eal l ysoci al i st , bei ngr unbybur eaucr at sor per hapsst at ecapi t al i st sact i ngagai nstt hei nt er est soft hewor ki ngpeopl e, andwhi chl i kewi secondemnsal l massi v epopul ar , pr ogr essi v e, or Communi stl edmov ement sasbei ngi nsuf f i ci ent l yr ev ol ut i onar yori nt he pr ocessofsel l i ngoutt hemassesi nt hei nt er est sofabur eaucr acy , ei t her

23 l ocal orl ocat edi nt heUSSR, Chi na, et c.Tr ot sky i sm di f f er sf r om t he anar chi st swhomakesi mi l arcl ai msaboutal l pr ogr essi v eandsoci al i st mov ement sandr egi mesbycl ai mi ngadher encet ot hepr i nci pl esof Leni ni sm, endor si ngt heBol shev i kRev ol ut i onof1917andor gani zi ng t hemsel v esmor eorl essaccor di ngt oLeni ni stpr i nci pl es.Thi si st he essenceoft r ot sky i sm andt hesol ecr i t er i abywhi chagr ouporcur r ent shoul dbecat egor i zedas“ t r ot sky i st . ”Appl y i ngt hi scr i t er i at ogr oupsl i ke t hePr ogr essi v eLaborPar t yi nt heU. S.whi chcondemnChi na, t heUSSR, Cubaandai l pr ogr essi v eandsoci al i str egi mesaswel l ast heCPUSA, RCP, CL, SWPandal l ot hergr oupsi nt heU. S. , al l pr ogr essi v e, soci al i stor nat i onal l i ber at i onmov ement si nThi r dWor l dcount r i es, andal l pr ogr essi v e andCommuni stl eadmov ement si nt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i es, as sel l i ngoutt hemasses, t ool soft heSov i etorChi nesebur eaucr aci eset c. , ar epur et r ot sky i stgr oups.PLPseesi t sel fast heonl yt r ul yr ev ol ut i onar y gr oupi nt hewor l d.Ont heot herhandaspl i nt ergr oupf r om t heSoci al i st Wor ker sPar t y( t hemai nTr ot sky i stgr oupi nt heU. S. ) , t heWor ker sWor l d Par t yandi t sy out hgr oupYout hAgai nstWarandFasci sm, gi v esbasi c suppor tt oThi r dWor l dnat i onal l i ber at i onmov ement sandsoci al i str egi mes suchast hoseoft heCubans, Vi et namese, Angol ans, et c. , and( atl eastat l astl ook)consi der edChi naandot hersoci al i stcount r i est obesoci al i st . Thusi nspi t eoft hei rposi t i v eat t i t udeaboutLeonTr ot skyt heycannotbe consi der edt obe“ t r ot sky i st s. ” Asecondar ybutcent r al char act er i st i cof“ t r ot sky i sm”i si t shi st or i cal posi t i onont her ol eoft hewor ki ngcl ass, nat i onal bour geoi si esand nat i onal i sm i ngener al i nt her ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl e, especi al l yi nThi r d Wor l dcount r i es, butal soi nThi r dWor l dcommuni t i esi nt headv anced capi t al i stcount r i es.Tr ot sky ’ sposi t i on, gener al l yadopt edbyt r ot sky i st gr oupsi st hatt hewor ki ngcl assi st hepr i nci pl er ev ol ut i onar yf or cei nThi r d Wor l dcount r i esaswel l asi nt headv ancedcount r i esandt hatbot h nat i onal i sm andt henat i onal bour geoi si ear enecessar i l yr eact i onar yf or ces. Theposi t i ondev el opedbyt heComi nt er ni nt he1920’ sandendor sedby bot hSov i etandChi neseCommuni st si st hatnat i onal i sm i sof t ena pr ogr essi v ef or cei nThi r dWor l dcount r i esandshoul dbeut i l i zedt o

24 mobi l i zet hemassesofpeopl et ogetr i dofi mper i al i sm andbegi napopul ar democr at i c( “ newdemocr at i c” )r ev ol ut i onandf ur t hert hatt hel ocal capi t al i st swhoar eoppr essedbyf or ei gni mper i al i sm canbeal l i edwi t h( but wi t ht hewor ki ngcl assandpeasant r ypl ay i ngt hel eadi ngr ol ei nt hi s al l i ance)i nget t i ngr i dofi mper i al i sm.Onceagai nt heposi t i onoft hePLPi s i dent i cal t ot hecl assi cal t r ot sky i stposi t i onont hi squest i on, whi l et hatof t heWWFYAWFi si nconf l i ct . I ngener al “ t r ot sky i sm”i schar act er i zedbyadogmat i corr at i onal i stt heor y ofknowl edge, i nf l exi bi l i t yi nst r at egyandt act i cs, hy persect ar i ani sm i n r el at i onst oot hergr oupsandov er bear i ngnessi nt hei rst y l eofwor k.Rat her t handev el opi ngt hei rt heor yandst r at egyt hr ought hedi al ect i coft heor y andpr act i cei nt hemannerdescr i bedsowel l byMaoTset ung’ sOn Pr act i ce, t r ot sky i st sr eadMar x, Leni n, Tr ot sky , orSt al i nasamonkwoul d r eadt heBi bl e( assacr eddogma)t henusei tt ocr i t i ci zet hei nadequaci esi n t hewor l d, speci f i cal l yt hei mper f ectnat ur eofv ar i oussoci al i stcount r i es andmov ement sandt hebackwar dnessoft hepeasant s, wor ker s, andot her pr ogr essi v ef or ceswhi chdonotl i v eupt owhatt heyt hi nkMar x, Leni n, Tr ot skyorSt al i nsai daboutt hem.I fcount r i esandmov ement sandcl asses donotl i v eupt ot hei deal st andar dsofTr ot skyt hansomucht hewor sef or t hem. Tr ot sky i st sal mostnev erl ear nf r om pr act i ce, t hei rst r at egi esandt act i cs al mostnev erchangeasar esul toft r i al ander r orandsum up.I nst ead changesi nt hei rposi t i onsoccurt hr oughi nt el l ect ual i stdogmat i cdebat eof t heor derofwhoi sr eal l yl oy al t ot het r ueFour t hI nt er nat i onal ( ort ot he Thi r d) , whor eal l yhast hecor r ecti nt er pr et at i onofwhatLeonTr ot sky( or St al i n)r eal l yr eal l ymeant .Becauseoft her at i onal i sm oft hei rt heor yof knowl edgeandt hecor r espondi ngl ackofandof t endi st ai nf orpr act i ce t r ot sky i stgr oupsconst ant l yspl i ti nt oev ersmal l ergr oupsal l ofwhi ch mai nt ai nhost i l er el at i onswi t hal l ot hert r ot sky i stgr oups.Thei deat hat cor r ectt hought , r at hert hancur r entpr act i ce, wi l l deci det hei ssuesdi v i di ng t hem i sper v asi v e.Tr ot sky i t esof t enf ocusmostoft hei rener gyonf i ght i ng eachot herr at hert hanonact ual l yor gani zi ngt hewor ki ngcl ass.Becauseof t hei rf r equentobsessi onwi t hi deol ogi cal conv er si on, r at hert hanwi t h,

25 massst r uggl es, t r ot sky i st sar eof t enmostov er bear i ngi nt hei rat t empt st o badgerpeopl ei nt oendor si ngt hei rv ar i ousl i nes.Outoff ai r nessi tmustbe not edt hatnotal l t r ot sky i st sgr oupsshar eequal l yi nt hi sl at er cat egor i zat i ons, andhencet hatt heyar enotdef i ni ngchar act er i st i csof t r ot sky i sm.Forexampl e, t heSoci al i stWor ker sPar t ywor ksi nmanymass st r uggl es( al t houghsomewoul dar gueonl yi nor dert or ecr ui tmember s) andt heI nt er nat i onal Soci al i st sseem t ober oot edi nt hewor ki ngcl ass( i f onl ybecausemanyoft hei rf or merst udentmember shav et akenf act or y j obs) .Themostpr omi nentexampl esofpur et r ot sky i stgr oupsi nt heU. S. ar et heSpar t acusLeagueandt hePr ogr essi v eLaborPar t y .

3.Soci alDemocr acy Thet er m soci al democr acycov er sabr oadr angeoft endenci es.Whatt hey hav ei ncommonseemst obeopposi t i ont ot heLeni ni stconcept i onoft he par t yandei t hercompl et edi sagr eementwi t hwat er i ngdown, oratl east downpl ay i ngoft hecent r al r ol eoft heconceptoft hedi ct at or shi poft he pr ol et ar i at .Somesoci al democr at sar et r ul ysoci al i st swhof ul l yunder st and t hecl assnat ur eofcapi t al i stsoci et yandhav eaf ul l v i si onofsoci al i sm, ot her sacceptcapi t al i sti nst i t ut i onsandar econcer nedmai nl ywi t h i ncr easi ngt hepowerofuni onsandexpandi ngsoci al wel f ar e.Soci al Democr at scanbestbebr okenupi nt ot hr eer at herdi st i nctgr oups; r i ght soci al democr at ssuchast heEur opeanSoci al Democr at i cpar t i es( e. g. , Sweden, Denmar k, Nor way , Ger many , t heBr i t i shLaborPar t y , et c. )andt he Amer i canSoci al Democr at swhoendor seGeor geMeany , Huber tHumphr ey , Pat r i ckMoy ni han, Al ber tShankerandt heU. S, si dei nt heVi et namesewar ; cent ersoci al democr at ssuchast heI t al i anSoci al i stPar t yandt he Democr at i cSoci al i stOr gani zi ngCommi t t eei nt heU. S.( wi t hwhi chMi chael Har r i ngt oni sassoci at ed)andt heJamesWei nst ei ncur r enti nt heNew Amer i canMov ementandt hepaperI nTheseTi mes, andl ef tsoci al democr at s( suchast hecont empor ar yf ol l ower sofRosaLuxembur gand Ant oni oGr amsci ) . Ther i ghtsoci al democr at shav enot hi ngi ncommonwi t hMar xi sm except

26 t hei ranci enthi st or yandar eequi v al entt ol i ber al democr at si nt heU. S.The maj orpoi ntofdi f f er ent i at i onbet weenr i ghtsoci al democr at sandl i ber al democr at si st heespeci al l yv i ci ousant i communi sm oft hef or mer , der i v at i v ef r om t hebi t t erst r uggl esi nt hel abormov ementwhi cht heyhav e of t enl ostt ot heCommuni st s.Cent erSoci al Democr at s, whi l ehonest l y bel i ev i ngi nsomeki ndofsoci al i stal t er nat i v et ocapi t al i sm r ej ectt henot i on oft hedi ct at or shi poft hepr ol et ar i atandseeasoci al i stt r ansf or mat i on comi ngaboutgr adual l y , wi t houtt heneedf ormi l i t ar yhegemony , t hr ough el ect or al andpar l i ament ar ypr ocesses.Thei ror gani zat i onal f or msar e l ooseandt heyseenoneedf oracadr epar t y .Theyt ooar eof t enant i communi st , al t hought heysomet i mesal l ywi t hCommuni st s.Lef tSoci al Democr at sshar et heCommuni stv i si onbutdi f f erf r om Communi st s pr i nci pal l yi nr ej ect i ngt henecessi t yf oraLeni ni stPar t yandi ndownpl ay i ng ornegl ect i ngt hei mpor t anceoft het heor yoft hedi ct at or shi poft he pr ol et ar i at .Lef tSoci al Democr at swi l l usual l yadmi twhenquest i onedt hat t her ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i onwi l l pr obabl ycomedownt oami l i t ar y st r uggl e, butdonotgener al l yseet hi sasanev ent ual i t yt hatshoul dnowbe pr epar edf ororemphasi zedi npr opaganda.Theyf ur t herseet hepost r ev ol ut i onar yper i odasar at hereasyandnotv er ydi ct at or i al t i mei nwhi cha wi der angeofopi ni onsandor gani zat i onswi l l coexi st( i nt hi sr espectt hei r posi t i oni ssomewhati nt er medi at ebet weent hoseoft heanar chi st sand Leni ni st s) .I npl aceofaLeni ni stpar t yt heysubst i t ut eaconsi der abl yl ooser massor gani zat i onwhi chcanpr obabl ycoexi sti nl eadi ngt her ev ol ut i onar y st r uggl ewi t hot herr ev ol ut i onar yor gani zat i ons.Lef tsoci al democr at s, l i ke Leni ni st s, par t i ci pat ei nt hebat t l ef orr ef or msandl i keLeni ni st st heydonot bel i ev et hatagr adual pr ocessofr ef or msf ocusi ngonpar l i ament ar yand el ect or al bat t l eswi t houtacqui r i ngmi l i t ar yhegemonycanpr oducea soci al i str ev ol ut i on.Unl i kecent ersoci al democr at s, t heyar enotr ef or mi st s. Lef t soci al democr acywasal eadi ngr ev ol ut i onar ycur r enti nEur opebef or e t heRussi anRev ol ut i on( i t spr i nci pl ef i gur eandst i l l l eadi ngt heor et i ci an bei ngRosaLuxembur g) .Thegr eatsuccessofBol shev i sm i nmaki ng r ev ol ut i onandbui l di ngr ev ol ut i onar ymov ement sal mostdr ov el ef t soci al democr acyf r om t hear enaofr ev ol ut i onar yMar xi sm.Ther ehasbeena

27 mi norr ev i v al ofl ef tsoci al democr acyi nt he1960’ si nt headv anced capi t al i stcount r i esbecauseofdi si l l usi onmentwi t ht heSov i etUni on, buti t seemsnott ohav eacqui r edmuchofamassbaseexceptper hapsi n Aust r al i a( wi t ht heCommuni stPar t y ) .Someoft het r endsi nt heNew Amer i canMov ementandi nsi mi l aror gani zat i onsar egener al l yl ef t soci al democr at i c, butnotasy etf ul l yconsol i dat ed.NAM al sohasst r ongcent er soci al democr at i c, anar chi st sy ndi cal i st , andev enLeni ni stt endenci esas wel l .Gi v ent hepr ov ensuper i or i t yofLeni ni sm, l ef t soci al democr acydoes notappeart ohav emuchofaf ut ur eot hert hant ohel pr ev i t al i zecer t ai n st r at egi candt act i cal not i onsofpeopl el i keLuxembur gandGr amsci ( t ot he benef i toft heLeni ni stl edwor ki ngcl assmov ement ) . Ther i ghtsoci al democr at i ct r enddoesnotappeart ohav eanydi st i nct i v e f ut ur eei t her , si ncei tnol ongerhasanyr ai sond’ et r esepar at ef r om t he Democr at i cPar t yi nt heU. S.Thesol er easonf ormai nt ai ni ngasoci al democr at i ci dent i t yi nEur opei st ohol dwor ki ngcl asssuppor tbya sy mbol i cat t achmentt ocl assst r uggl e.Nosuchsy mbol i cf unct i oni s ser v edi nt heU. S. , sor i ghtsoci al democr acycanbeexpect edt or emai n mor i bund.I tmi ghtbement i onedt hatt her ear ecent ersoci al democr at i c t endenci esi nmanyoft heEur opeanSoci al Democr at i cPar t i eswhi chhav e somepot ent i al f orbr eaki ngof fandest abl i shi ngsepar at et r ends, e. g. , t he y out hgr oupoft heGer manSPD, t hesect i onoft heSwedi shSoci al Democr at spushi ngf orwor ker ’ sowner shi pofi ndust r y , t hel ef twi ngoft he Br i t i shLaborPar t y , ani mpor t antsegmentoft heFr enchSoci al i stPar t y , et c. Cent r al soci al democr acydoesappeart ohav eaf ut ur eandasav i t al f or ce canpr obabl yber ef er r edt oas“ soci al democr acy . ”I nEur opet hi st r endi s per hapsbestr epr esent edi nt heI t al i anSoci al i stPar t y , somewhati nt he Fr enchSoci al i stPar t yandper hapst oadegr eei nt heSwedi shSoci al Democr at i cPar t y .Wi t ht hepr edomi nanceofr ev i si oni sm i nt heFr ench, Spani sh, I t al i anandot herEur opeanCommuni stPar t i est hemai nst r eam of t hesepar t i esseemst obeconv er gi ngwi t ht het r adi t i onal cent erSoci al Democr at i ct r adi t i onont hesameanal y si s, st r at egyandor gani zat i onal f or ms.Theal l i ance, bet weent heSoci al i standCommuni stPar t i esi n Fr ance, Japan, Spai nandI t al ymi ghtwel l bet akent opoi ntt oanev ent ual

28 mer gerasf ewerandf eweri ssueshol dt hem apar t .St r ongmi nor i t i esi nt he maj orEur opeanCommuni stPar t i eshav er esi st edt her ef or mi stt endenci es andcanbeexpect edt of i ghtsuchaconsol i dat i onofcent r i stsoci al democr acy , andv er yl i kel yspl i twhenandi ft heyl ose.I nt heU. S.t her ear e numer oussi gnsofar ev i t al i z at i onofcent ersoci al democr acyi nsuch gr oupsasKi noy ’ sMassPar t yoft hePeopl e, Mi chael Har r i ngt on’ s Democr at i cSoci al i stOr gani zi ngCommi t t eeandat endencyi nt heNew Amer i canMov ement( t hatcl oset oJamesWei nst ei n’ sandt hej our nal Soci al i stRev ol ut i on) , t hesuppor t er soft heTom Hay dencampai gnf or Senat ei nCal i f or ni aandJamesWei nst ei n’ snewweekl yI nTheseTi mes andt heJour nal Radi cal Amer i ca.Thatt hemai nst r eam oft heC. P. U. S. A. di f f er sf r om t hesef or cespr i mar i l yi ni t smechani cal def enseoft heSov i et Uni oni sbecomi ngi ncr easi ngl yappar ent .Ther ei sav er yr eal possi bi l i t y t hatar egr oupmentofcent ersoci al democr at i cf or cesi nt heU. S.i nt oa v i t al massor gani zat i onwi l l pul l manyoutoft heC. P.per hapsev en pr ov oki ngaspl i ti nt heor gani zat i on.I nagener al pol i t i ci zat i onoft heU. S. andact i v i zat i onoft hemasseswecanexpectar oot edsoci al democr at i c par t y , whoseor i gi nscomef r om amer geroft hev ar i ousor gani zat i ons descr i bedabov e, t odev el opbecauset heyf i l l apol i t i cal ni cheasan i nt er medi at ef or cebet weenr ev ol ut i onar yMar xi sm, l edbyaLeni ni stpar t y , andt hef ul l ycapi t al i stpar t i es. Thecent ersoci al democr at i ct endencycanbeexpect edt ov i t al i zei nt he U. S.asi tdi di nRussi a( wi t ht heMenshev i ks)andi nWest er nEur opei nt he pr e-andpost Wor l dWarIper i ods( wi t ht heSecondI nt er nat i onal Par t i es)i n t hewakeofar adi cal i zat i onoft hewor ki ngcl ass.I tcanbeexpect edt o becomet hepr i nci pl ecompet i t oroft henewCommuni stmov ementf or hegemonyi nt hewor ki ngcl assandi nal l pr ogr essi v est r uggl es.The r emnant soft het i nyTr ot sky i st , Maoi st , andot hersect s( composedof t hoset hatr ef uset oj oi nt henewCommuni stpar t y )canbeexpect edt o r emai ni r r el ev antandt osi nkt oev engr eat erobscur i t y( al t houghsomeof t hem wi l l undoubt edl yr ecr ui tsomemember s)ast het wohi st or i cal f or ces i nwhi cht her ear er oom –ar ev ol ut i onar ycommuni stpar t yandar ef or mi st soci al democr at i cpar t y–gr ow, r ecr ui t i ngmostoft hei rv i t al , ener get i c,

29 i nt el l i gentandhonestcadr ef r om t hev ar i oussect sandpr edecessor or gani zat i ons.Ther ei sofcour set hepossi bi l i t yt hati nt heshor tr unt woor ev ent hr eemaj orr ev ol ut i onar ycommuni stor gani zat i onswi l l gr ow est abl i shi ngf i r mr oot si nmassst r uggl esdr i v i ngt hesmal l ersect soutand ev ent ual l ymer gi ngi nt ooneor gani zat i ononl yi nt hef i nal st agesoft he r ev ol ut i onar ypr ocess. Thesoci al basi sf oranemer gi ngsoci al democr at i ct r endl i espr i mar i l yi n t hebet t erof fsegment soft hewor ki ngcl ass, uni onl eader s, pet t y bour geoi s, i nt el l ect ual sandwhi t ecol l arwor ker s, al l ofwhi chf eel t hatt hey hav esomet hi ngofast akei nt hest at usquoandt husdonotwantt o needl essl yt aker i sks.I tcanal sobeexpect edt or ecr ui tl ar genumber sof wor ker sont hebasi soft henat ur al conser v at i sm ofpeopl eandf earoft he unknown, orputi nanot herway , peopl ewhohav enoty etbeenconv i nced t hr ought hei rownexper i encest hatal l possi bi l i t yf ori mpr ov ementhasbeen exhaust edi nt hepr esentor derandt hatdr ast i candsuddenchangei snot onl ydesi r abl ebutnecessar y . Si ncet hecent ersoci al democr at i ct r endcanbeexpect edt oi ncor por at e muchoft hewor ki ngcl assandmanyl ef tpr of essi onal sandi nt el l i genci a whoar ehonest l yant i capi t al i sti ti scl eart hatev er y t hi ngmustbedonebya r ev ol ut i onar ycommuni stpar t yt owi ni tt o, orhol di tont hesi deof , wor ki ng cl assr ev ol ut i onagai nstcapi t al t hr oughuni t edf r ontt act i cs( f r om abov e andbel ow) .I tshoul dbecl eart hati fav i t al andmasssoci al democr at i c par t yexi st sar ev ol ut i onwi l l notsucceedi fi tsi deswi t ht hecapi t al i st s( asi t di di nGer manyi nt heear l y1920’ s) .Asr ef or mi stasi tmi ghtcur r ent l ybe, andasmuchast hei rl eader s, mi ghtnowbesel l i ngoutt her eal i nt er est sof t hewor ker s, t hi spar t y , i fi tar i sen, hast obewor kedwi t hi nor dert omake sur ei tcomesdownont her i ghtsi dewhenpushcomest oshov e.

4.Ref or mi sm Ther ei saconv er gencebet weent he“ r ev i si oni st ”Mar xi st Leni ni st s, suchas t hepr edomi nantt endencyi nmostWest er nEur opeanpar t i esandt he

30 cent ersoci al democr at i ct r adi t i on.Bot hagr eeont hepossi bi l i t yofa gr adual t r ansf or mat i ont osoci al i sm, bot hf eel t hatmi l i t ar yhegemonyi snot anecessar ycondi t i onf ort r ansf or mat i on, andbot hacceptl oosemass f or msofpol i t i cal or gani zat i on.Si ncet het er m, “ r ev i si oni st ”hasbeenso abusedi ni t susageasanychangei nMar xi st Leni ni stt heor y , si ncei ti s i nappl i cabl et ocent ersoci al democr at swhoar enotapar toft heLeni ni st t r adi t i on, andbecauset heessenceof“ r ev i si oni sm”l i esi nt her ej ect i onof t hei deaoft hedi ct at or shi poft hepr ol et ar i at , i ti sbet t ert ouset het er m “ r ef or mi sm”whendescr i bi ngt het endency , t hati thasamor eorl essf ul l y soci al i stv i si onandacl assanal y si sofsoci et ybutbel i ev est hata gr adual / nonmi l i t ar yt r ansi t i ont osoci al i sm i sar eal possi bi l i t y . Ther ei sconsi der abl econf usi onaboutt heuseoft het er m“ r ev i si oni sm. ” Somedogmat i st swoul dusei tt omeananymodi f i cat i oni nt het heor yor st r at egyofMar x, Engel s, Leni n, St al i n, orMaoTset ung.Aconsi st ent appl i cat i onoft hi sdef i ni t i onwoul dofcour semakeEngel s, Leni n, St al i n, andMaoTset ungal l r ev i si oni st s, si nceeachmadesomemodi f i cat i onsi n t het heor yandst r at egyofal l oft hei rpr edecessor s.Byt hi sdef i ni t i on, Mao woul dbear ev i si oni stf ourt i mesov erf orhav i ngmodi f i edt het houghtof Mar x, ofEngel s, ofLeni nandofSt al i n.Especi al l yonquest i onsofwhati s t hepr i mar ycont r adi ct i oni nt hewor l d, whati st her ol eoft hepeasant r y , t he pet t ybour geoi si eandnat i onal bour geoi si e, whati st her ol eofnat i onal i sm, whati st hebestf or m oft her ev ol ut i onar yor gani zat i onandwhati st he nat ur eoft hepostr ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i on, Mar xi stt houghthasbeen i nacont i nui ngpr ocessofchangeanddev el opmentsi ncet het i meofMar x. ( Andi ndeeddur i ngt hev er ycour seofMar x’ sl i f e, f orhi sownt houghtal so dev el oped. )Mar xi smLeni ni sm doesnotdr opf r om t hesky .I ti snot r ecei v edf r om Mt .Si nai l i ket hewor dofGod.Mar xi sm i snotar el i gi ous dogma.I ti sr at herabodyofanal y si sandst r at egywhi chi sal i v e, const ant l y gr owi ngandchangi ngasar esul tofi t sbei ngusedasagui det oact i on, and i npar t , f oundwant i ng. Ther ei sacor eofper hapsonl yf i v ebasi ct heor et i cal not i onswhi char et he essent i al sofMar xi stanal y si sand, onebasi cor gani zat i onal pr i nci pl ewhi ch def i nesLeni ni sm.Any t hi ngel sei nt hewr i t i ngsofMar xorLeni n, ori n

31 Engel s, St al i n, Mao, orwhoev er , coul dwel l bemodi f i ed, r ej ect ed, dev el oped, et c.as.ar esul tofpr act i cewi t houtpr oduci ngany“ r ev i si on”i nt he essent i al sofMar xi st Leni ni sm.Thef i v eessent i al el ement sofMar xi st anal y si sar e( 1)Di al ect i cal Mat er i al i sm; t hebasi cMar xi stont ol ogywhi ch def i nest hewor l dasanessent i al uni t yper meat edwi t hcont r adi ct i ons gener al l yonl yoneofwhi chi spr i nci pl eatagi v ent i meandt hatsees qual i t at i v echangeasi nher enti nt hi ngsandcausedbyt hei nt er nal cont r adi ct i ons; andt hebasi cMar xi stepi st omol ogywhi chseesknowl edge dev el opi ngasar esul toft heuni t yoft heor yandpr act i cer at hert hani na pur el yr at i onal i storempi r i ci stmanner .( 2)Hi st or i cal Mat er i al i sm; The under st andi ngt hatal l soci al i nst i t ut i onsandhi st or i cal pr ocessesar ei nt he l astanal y si sdet er mi nedandst r uct ur edbyt hel ogi cofsoci al r el at i onshi ps whi chi nt ur nar edet er mi nedbyt hel ogi cofr el at i onsofpr oduct i onwhi ch ar edomi nanti nt hesoci et y .Thusal l soci al i nst i t ut i onsandhi st or i cal pr ocessesmustbeul t i mat el yexpl ai nedbyt hei rcont r i but i ont ot hel ogi cof t hemodeofpr oduct i onor , t ocont r adi ct i onsi nt hemodeofpr oduct i on, or amongdi f f er entmodesofpr oduct i ons.( 3)Cl assSt r uggl e; Thatsi ncet he decl i neofpr i mi t i v ecommuni sm andunt i l t heov er t hr owoft hel astcl ass soci et yt hehi st or i cal pr ocessandsoci al i nst i t ut i onsar eper meat edwi t h t hest r uggl ebet weendi f f er entcl asses( asdef i nedbyt hei rr el at i ont ot he meansofpr oduct i on) .Cl assesar et hepr i mar yhi st or i cal andi nst i t ut i onal act or sandt husananal y si sofal l maj orsoci al st r uggl esar i dpr ocesses mustbeacl assanal y si sofwhi chcl assi sact i ngonwhatot hercl asses( 4) Thel aborTheor yofVal ue/ TheTheor yofSur pl usVal ue; Vi r t ual l yal l weal t h i nacl asssoci et yi spr oducedbyt hepr oduct i v ecl asswhi chdoesnotown t hemeansofpr oduct i on, butwhi chmustpr oducef ort heowni ngcl assasa condi t i onf ori t seat i ng.Theowni ngcl assal way sr equi r est hatt he pr oduci ngcl asspr oducemor et hani sr et ur nedt oi tast hecondi t i onofi t s l abor .Thust heweal t hownedbyt heowni ngcl assi sar esul toft he expl oi t at i onoft hesur pl usv al uef r om t hepr oduci ngcl ass.( 5)The Di ct at or shi pofThePr ol et ar i at ; Thest at ei nal l cl asssoci et i est endst obea di ct at or shi poft heowni ngcl ass( orcl asses)andoper at esi nt hei nt er estof t heowni ngcl assagai nstt hei nt er est soft hepr oduci ngcl ass.Noowni ng cl assev ergi v esupi t scont r ol ofi t sst at epeacef ul l y .Thus, j ustast her i si ng

32 capi t al i stcl asshadt osei zest at econt r ol f r om t hef eudal f or ces, t he pr ol et ar i at , ( andot heroppr essedcl asses)l i kewi semustsei zecont r ol of t hest at eandf undament al l yt r ansf or mi ti nt oapr ol et ar i anst at edesi gned t or ef l ectt hewi l l oft hepr ol et ar i at( andot heroppr essedcl assesand oper at ei nt hei ri nt er est s.Gr adual t r ansi t i ont osoci al i sm andat r ansi t i on wi t houtpr i orcont r ol ofsuper i ormi l i t ar yf or cei sani mpossi bi l i t y .At t empt s t ogr adual l yi mpl ementsoci al i sm t hr oughpar l i ament ar yr ef or msar e doomedt of ai l .Anessent i al par toft hi snot i oni st hatt hepr ol et ar i ati s, undermoder ncondi t i ons, t hel eadi ngr ev ol ut i onar yagent( def i ni t i onsof exact l ywhatt hepr ol et ar i ati sv ar yconsi der abl y ) . Oncear ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i onoccur si ti snecessar yf ort he pr ol et ar i at( t oget herwi t hot heroppr essedcl asses)t oexer ci sea di ct at or shi p( nowf ort hef i r stt i mei nhi st or yoft hev astmaj or i t yov ert he smal l mi nor i t yofexexpl oi t er s)whi chmeanst hatt heol dcl assof capi t al i st s, l andl or dsandt hei ragent swi l l hav enopol i t i cal r i ght s, whi l et he pr ol et ar i atandot heroppr essedcl asseswi l l bet heonl yoneswhose i nt er est sar er ef l ect edi nt hest at eandwhot hest at epol i ci esbenef i t . TheessenceofLeni ni sm i st o: ( a)r eaf f i r m poi nt( 5)i . e. , t hecent r al i t yoft he di ct at or shi poft hepr ol et ar i atagai nstt hepr ev ai l i ng“ r ev i si oni sm”ofhi s t i me( e. g. , Ber nst ei n, Kaut sky ) , and: ( b)t heor gani zat i onal pr i nci pl esoft he Mar xi st Leni ni stpar t y .Theessent i al soft hi sor gani zat i onal f or m, t hesi xt h essent i al par tofMar xi sm’ Leni ni sm l i esi nt henot i onofi r ondi sci pl i ne, f ul l mobi l i zat i onofpol i t i cal ener gi esofal l member s, aut hent i ci nt er nal democr acyandanongoi ngpr ocessofcr i t i ci smsel f cr i t i ci sm whi ch pr oducesf l exi bi l i t yandi ncr easi ngl ymor esuccessf ul pr act i ce. I nsummar yonl yabasi cmodi f i cat i oni nanyoft hesesi xpoi nt sent i t l esone t obecal l eda“ r ev i si oni st . ”Forexampl e, nei t heraccept ancenorr ej ect i onof ei t herSt al i n’ sdef i ni t i onofwhatanat i oni soragr eementordi sagr eement wi t ht heComi nt er nposi t i onof19281929t hatt her ewasaBl acknat i oni n t heU. S.i nt he1920’ sori nt he1970’ shasnot hi ngwhat soev ert odowi t h “ r ev i si oni sm. ” Mostoft heact ual f ocusofst r uggl esabout“ r ev i si oni sm, ”whet heri nChi na

33 i nt he1960’ sand1970’ si nCzechosl ov aki ai n19671968, i nI t al yand Fr ancei nt he1970’ sandi nt heMaoi stchal l enget ot heSov i etor i ent ed Communi stPar t i es, l i esi nt hequest i onoft heDi ct at or shi poft he Pr ol et ar i at–ar oundt hequest i onofwhet herornotagr adual i st t r ansf or mat i ont osoci al i sm canoccur , andar oundwhet herornota di ct at or shi pov ert heol dr eact i onar ycl assesexer ci sedbyt hepr ol et ar i at andt hei ral l i esaf t ert her ev ol ut i onmustoccur .Thushi st or i cal l y , andt oday , t hequest i onoft hedi ct at or shi poft hepr ol et ar i att endst obet hecut t i ng edgeofr ev i si oni sm.Thecor ol l ar yoft her ej ect i onoft henot i onoft he di ct at or shi poft hepr ol et ar i ati snor mal l yat endencyt or ej ectt heot herf i v e basi caspect sofMar xi smLeni ni sm aswel l .Di al ect i cst endst obe f or got t enas“ usel essphi l osophi cal dogma, ”hi st or i cal mat er i al i sm t endst o ber epl acedwi t hecl ect i ci sm, cl assst r uggl et endst obecomej ustoneof manyf or cesi ncl udi ngi nt ercl assuni t yandnat i onal uni t y , , t het heor yof sur pl usv al uei sgl ossedov erwhi l et hecont r i but i onofcapi t al i st st o pr oduct i oni semphasi zedandt heLeni ni stor gani zat i onf or mst endt o di si nt egr at ei nt ot r adi t i onal soci al democr at i c, l oose, l owener gy , pol y cent r i cor gani zat i ons. Aswi t ht hedef i ni t i onof“ t r ot sky i st ”wemustbecar ef ul t oappl ya mat er i al i st , notani deal i st , def i ni t i onof“ r ev i si oni st . ”I ti squi t epossi bl eas cl ear l yoccur r edf orexampl ei nt he“ Kaut sky i st ”cent eroft heGer man Soci al Democr at i cPar t ybef or eWor l dWarI , andi nmanyWest er nEur opean Communi stPar t i esi nt he1960’ s, f ort hei rpr ogr amst ogi v eof f i ci al suppor t t oal l si xessent i al poi nt sl i st edabov e, i ncl udi ngt heDi ct at or shi poft he Pr ol et ar i at .Howev er , i npr act i cet heor gani zat i ons, asr ef l ect edi nt hei r popul aragi t at i on, dai l ypr ess, i nv ol v ementi npar l i ament ’ swor ki nmass or gani zat i ons, et c. , act edasi fasoci al i stt r ansf or mat i onwast obebr ought aboutgr adual l yandneednoti nv ol v emi l i t ar yhegemony .Ont heot herhand i ti spossi bl et ohav eanor gani zat i onwhosepr ogr am doesnotgi v e pr omi nencet ot het heor yoft hedi ct at or shi poft hepr ol et ar i at( asdi dmany obj ect i v el yr ev i si oni stpar t i es) , buti nt hei rdai l ywor kencour agest he massest or el yont hei rownef f or t sandbepr epar edf oranev ent ual mi l i t ar y conf r ont at i on.I tmi ghtwel l bewi sef oranor gani zat i on, i nor dert oenhance

34 i t smas3wor kanddi scour ager epr essi on, nott opr omi nent l yandpr oudl y br oadcastadv ocacyofv i ol entr ev ol ut i on( asdi dt hesui ci dal bombastof t heBl ackPant her s, Vencer emos, andt heWeat herUnder gr oundi nt hel at e 1960’ s) .Sl oganeer i ngi snotnecessar yi nor dert opr ov et hatonei snot r ev i si oni st .I nst eadi ti snecessar yt opat i ent l yeducat et hemassesast o t henecessi t yoft aki ngpoweri nt ot hei rownhandsandt hebr ut al r esponse t obeexpect edf r om t her ul i ngcl asst osuchanat t empt , andconsequent l y qui et l ypr epar i ngt hemassesf orsuchapossi bi l i t y .TheNat i onal Labor Feder at i onseemst obet aki ngsuchat act . Acl eardi st i nct i onshoul dbemadebet weent heunder st andi ngt hata di ct at or shi poft hepr ol et ar i ati snecessar yandt hei deaoft henecessi t yof av i ol entandbl oodr ev ol ut i on.Whi l et hef i r sti si nf actanecessi t yof soci al i str ev ol ut i ont hesecondmayormaynotbet hecase.I nf act al t houghal l successf ul soci al i str ev ol ut i onshav ei nv ol v eddi ct at or shi psof t hepr ol et ar i at( oroft hepr ol et ar i ati nconj unct i onwi t hot hercl asses)onl ya mi nor i t yhav ei nf actcomet opowert hr oughv i ol entandbl oodyr ev ol ut i ons. TheCommuni stl edr ev ol ut i onswer ev i ol entandbl oodyi nChi na, i n Yugosl av i a, i nAl bani a, andi nVi et nam ( Nor t handSout h) .Communi stl ed r ev ol ut i onswer enotv i ol entorbl oodyi nCzechosl ov aki ai n1940( andt ot he ext entt hatt heywer e, i nf actl egi t i mat epopul arr ev ol ut i ons, i nHungar y , Pol and, Bul gar i aandRumani ai nt hel at e1940’ saswel l ) .TheSoci al i st r ev ol ut i oni nCubai n19601961wasal so, ofcour se, anonv i ol entpr ocess. TheTwent ySi xt hofJul ymov ementwhi chdi df i ghtaguer r i l l awaragai nst Bat i st awasnotasoci al i stmov ementandhadt hesuppor tofal mostal l Cubansofal l cl asses.TheSoci al i str ev ol ut i ondi dnotoccurunt i l t woy ear s af t ert he26t hofJul ymov ementcamet opower .TheBol shev i kr ev ol ut i on i nRussi ai n1917wasal soamost l ynonbl oodyt r ansi t i onwi t hv er yf ew peopl ebei ngki l l ed.Thev i ol enceandbl oodshedassoci at edwi t ht he Bol shev i kr ev ol ut i onoccur r edi n19191921dur i ngt heCi v i l Warwhi chwas anat t emptt ol i qui dat et her ev ol ut i on.Li kewi set heCommuni stl ed r ev ol ut i oni nNor t hKor eaoccur r edwi t houtav i ol entst r uggl e. Whati scent r al andessent i al i nar ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i ont heni snota bl oodyv i ol entr ev ol ut i on, t omai nt ai nt hi si sbot hhi st or i cal l yf aul t yand

35 danger ous–si ncei tmi ghtpr ov okeadv ent ur i sm, scar ewor ker sawayand needl essl ycal l downr epr essi on.” Whati sessent i al i smi l i t ar yhegemony andt her api dandf undament al t r ansf or mat i onoft hest at eandeconomy . Ther easonf ort hepeacef ul nessoft heCzechr ev ol ut i onwast hecont r ol by t heCommuni st soft her ankandf i l eoft hear myandt hepr esenceoft he RedAr mywhi cht oget herwoul d, hav esquashedanyat t emptbyt he capi t al i stcl ass, t osuppr esst hesei zur eofpowerbyt hePar t y .Whatwas deci si v ei nav oi di nganysi gni f i cantamountofbl oodshedi nt heBol shev i k r ev ol ut i onof1917wast hest r ongor gani zat i onoft heBol shev i ksandt hei r al l i esi nt hear medser v i ceswhi chmeantt hatt hesol di er sandsai l or s obey edt heor der soft heSov i et sr at hert hanoft hei rowncommander s. Li kewi se, t henonv i ol entt r ansi t i oni nCubai n19601961wasar esul toft he 26t hofJul yMov ementwi sel yhav i ngdi sbandedt heol dBat i st aar myand r epl aci ngi twi t ht heguer r i l l aar my .Ast hecaseoft heAl l ender egi mei n Chi l eshows, nonar medat t empt st oest abl i shsoci al i sm mustnecessar i l y f ai l ast heuppercl asswi l l al way sut i l i zet hemeansav ai l abl et oi tr at her t han“ peacef ul l y ”sur r enderi t spr i v i l eges.Theonl yf act orwhi chwi l l pr ev ent t heuppercl assf r om r esor t i ngt omi l i t ar yf or cet o, suppr esspopul ar r ev ol ut i onsi si t si nabi l i t yt omobi l i zeami l i t ar yf or cewhi chl ooksl i kei t mi ghthav eachanceofcr ushi ngt her ev ol ut i on.Or gani zat i onwi t hi nt he mi l i t ar yhashi st or i cal l ybeenpr ov ent obeabl et opr ev entsuchar ul i ng cl assr eact i onandhencet opr oducet hev er yr eal possi bi l i t yofanonbl oodyt r ansi t i on. Themai ndangerf ormassi v ewor ki ngcl assCommuni stpar t i essuchas t hoseofFr ance, I t al y , andJapani nt i mesofst abi l i t yi s“ r ev i si oni sm, ”i . e. , r ef or mi sm.Wi t hast abl emassbaseofwor ker swhosecondi t i onsofl i f e ar e, showi ngsl i ghti mpr ov ementr at hert handet er i or at i on, dur i ngst abl e per i ods, suchapar t yi sunderpr essur ef r om i t sbaset odosomet hi ng aboutt heoppr essi onsofcapi t al i sm.Unabl et oi ni t i at et her ev ol ut i onar y st r uggl eandf acedwi t ht heabsenceofar api ddet er i or at i oni nt heposi t i on oft hewor ki ngcl ass, t her ei sconsi der abl epr essur eputoni tt o“ do somet hi ng. ”Toputf or t hapr ogr am andst r at egyt hatcanmeett heday t odayneedsoft hewor ki ngcl ass.Theabst r actat t r i but i onofal l pr obl emst o

36 capi t al i sm andt hecal l f orr ev ol ut i oni snotenough.Thi swoul dr esul ti nt he i sol at i onoft heki ndexper i encedbyt heS. L. P.i nt heU. S.Thel ar gepar t y mustputf or t hpr oposal sf ori mpr ov ementi nl i v i ngst andar ds, st r engt heni ngofuni ons, r emov al ofsexual andr aci al di scr i mi nat i on, et c.I f i tdoesnoti twoul dgr adual l yl osei t ssuppor tt ot hoset hatdof i ghtf ort he day t odayI nt er est soft hewor ki ngcl ass.Butoncei ti scommi t t edt o ser i ousl yf i ght i ngf ort heday t odayi nt er est s; oft hewor ki ngcl assi tcan noteasi l yr ef usepar t i ci pat i onI napopul arf r ontt y pegov er nmentwhi ch pr omi sessuchr ef or ms, byusi ngt hear gumentt hatr ef or mswon’ twor k, we wantsoci al i sm.Tor ef uset odosowoul dbet r ayt hev er yr eal needsand st r uggl esofwor ker swhoar enotal l conv i ncedt hatsuchr ef or msar ea chi mer a.Thus, ev enar ev ol ut i onar yCommuni stpar t ywi t hmassi v esuppor t i nanonr ev ol ut i onar yper i odi snecessar i l ysuckedi nt opar l i ament ar yand r ef or mi stst r uggl es.I thasnor eal choi ce( unl essi twer ewi l l i ngt o degener at ei nt oasectandl osei t swor ki ngcl assbase) .Fur t hert her ei s pr essur et omaxi mi zeone’ spar l i ament ar ydel egat i on, secur epar l i ament ar y al l i esandmaxi mi zet hepr obabi l i t yofr ef or msbei ngi mpl ement edoncea par t ybecomesser i ousl ycommi t t edt of i ght i ngf orv i ct or i esi nt hewor ker ’ s dayt odayst r uggl es.Thi spr essur ecanandhasl edt oar enunci at i onof basi cMar xi stpr i nci pl es, t heabandonmentofLeni ni stf or msof or gani zat i onandt hel ossofr ev ol ut i onar ywi l l . Rev i si oni sm i snotasi n, butapr ocessofdegener at i oni nher enti ncapi t al i st soci et y .Thepr ocessofdegener at i oncanber ev er sedi napar t ywi t ha massi v ebasi si nt hewor ki ngcl assi nt i mesofr ev ol ut i onar ycr i si swher e t hegr owi ngf el tmi ser yofi t sbasecombi nedWi t ht henowobv i ousf ut i l i t y ofr ef or mi sm r eener gi zesr ev ol ut i onar ywi l l ; r econf i r msr ev ol ut i onar y anal y si sandr ev i t al i zest heol dr ev ol ut i onar yf or msofor gani zat i on.Sol ong asapar t yi st r ul ybasedi nt hewor ki ngcl ass, gi v esatl eastof f i ci al endor sementt oMar xi st Leni ni stt r adi t i onsandr emai nsatl eastsomewhat democr at i c, t hepossi bi l i t yf orr ev ol ut i onar yr ev i t al i zat i oni squi t er eal and mustbepr ompt edbypeopl ei nsi deandout si det hepar t y .Thebestcur ef or r ev i si oni sm i sar ev ol ut i onar ycr i si s.Theal t er nat i v ei sashr i nki ngi nsi zeof aCommuni stPar t y , i t sr enunci at i onoft hel ogi cofr ef or mi sm andi t s

37 r ef usal t opl ayt hepar l i ament ar ygame.Thi scoul donl yoccuratgr eatcost t oi t sWor ki ngcl assbaseandi t sl eadi ngr ol ei npr ogr essi v est r uggl es, and woul dpr ov eagr eatboont ot hesoci al democr at i cpar t ywhi chwoul dbe expect edt oeager l yst epi n.Thepr i cemi ghtbewor t hpay i ngi nor dert o mai nt ai napr i nci pl edMar xi st Leni ni sm andat r ul yr ev ol ut i onar y or gani zat i onf or m whi chi spr epar edt ogoi nt oact i onandr api dl yexpandi n aper i odofr ev ol ut i onar ycr i si s.Suchanor gani zat i onmi ghtbeabl et opl ay al eadi ngr ol eont hebasi sofi t spr i nci pl edhi st or yi nr ev ol ut i oni zi ngsoci al democr at i cor gani zat i onsandpr ogr essi v est r uggl es.Ont heot herhandby sur r ender i ngl eader shi pofmassst r uggl est osoci al democr at si tmi ghtf i nd i t sel ft ooi sol at edt obeef f ect i v ei nsuchacr i si s. Ther ev ol ut i onar yl ef ti st husf acedwi t hav er yr eal di l emmat hatCannotbe paper edov erbysl ogansandf aci l edenunci at i onsof“ r ev i si oni sm”or“ ul t r al ef t i sm.Somehowt her ev ol ut i onar yl ef tmustcont i nuet oact i v el yand ser i ousl ypar t i ci pat ei nt hebat t l ef orr ef or mswi t houtmi t i gat i ngi t s r ev ol ut i onar yener gy , anal y si sandor gani zat i on.Whi l ehonest l yf i ght i ngf or r ef or mswi t hi nt hesy st em, i tmustr esi stt het endenci est ocompr omi sei n or dert of aci l i t at et her eal i zat i onofr ef or ms.I tmustcont i nual l yst r esst he necessi t yf oradi ct at or shi poft hepr ol et ar i at , t heneedf orar api d qual i t at i v et r ansf or mat i oni nt osoci al i sm andt henecessi t yofgai ni ng mi l i t ar yhegemony . Thepr obl emsf acedbyamassi v eCommuni stPar t yi nanonr ev ol ut i onar y cr i si scannotber educedt ot hesi mpl i st i cant i r ev i si oni stpol emi csso char act er i st i coft i nypet t ybour geoi sbasedgr oupl et s.Ref or mi sm i snota si ckness, butr at hert henat ur al cour seofev ent sundercer t ai ncondi t i ons. Rev ol ut i onar i esmustdeal wi t hi t , notbymor al i zi ng, cur si ngandcal l i ng “ r ev i si oni st s”“ cockr oaches, ”butr at herbymai nt ai ni ngt hei nt egr i t yof Mar xi smLeni ni st si nsi deandout si det hemassi v ewor ki ngcl assbased par t i es, maki ngt hebestofabadsi t uat i on, expandi ngt hei rf or cesand pr epar i ngf ort hedaywhent heywi l l assumel eader shi poft her ev ol ut i onar y st r uggl e, i nacr i si sper i od.

38 5.Pet t y Bour geoi sRadi cal i sm Thet er m“ pet t y bour geoi s”i st hr ownar oundext r emel yl oosel yt o char act er i zeopponent sr i ght , l ef t , andcent er .Thet er mi susedi nsucha l ooseandper f or mat i v ewayt hatmanypr ef ert oav oi di tal t oget herasa cat egor i zat i onofpol i t i cal posi t i ons.Howev er , t het er m doeshav ear at her pr eci semeani ng.Thepet t ybour geoi si e, becauseofi t scl assexper i ence andi nt er est si schar act er i zedby( 1)i ndi v i dual i sm andcompet i t i v eness whi chcomesf r om t hest r uggl et osur v i v eorgetaheadengagedi nby i ndependentf ar mer s, smal l shopkeeper s, pr of essi onal s, l owerl ev el manager s, et c.Thei rst r i v i ngst obeuni que, out st andi ng, orgetaheadatt he expenseofone’ sf el l ows, whi chi si nducedbyt hel awsofcompet i t i v e mar ket sf ort hei ndependentpet t y bour geoi si eandt het echni quesof pr omot i onandcont r ol f ort hesal ar i edpet t y bour geoi s, ar emani f est edi n pet t ybour geoi sr adi cal i sm aswel l .Themai nmani f est at i onoft he i ndi v i dual i sm/ compet i t i v enessoft hepet t ybour geoi sont her ev ol ut i onar y l ef tar e( 1)anar chi sm: whi chel ev at est hei ndi v i dual andl ackofdi sci pl i ne, bot hi nr egar dt or ev ol ut i onar yor gani zat i onandt hepost , r ev ol ut i onar y per i od, t opr i nci pl es; ( 2)t r ot sky i sm; whi chgl or i esi nsectcr eat i onand i nt r aneci nepol emi cs; and; ( 3)sect ar i ani sm i ngener al , whi cht hr i v eson t heor et i cal cont estamongsmal l gr oupseachwi t ht hei rt heor et i cal l eader s. Thei nher entar r oganceand“ I ’ mt hegr eat est , y ou’ r eacockr oach sy ndr ome”ofsect ar i ani sm i st hemani f est at i onofpet t ybour geoi s compet i t i v ei ndi v i dual i sm ont hel ef t . Anot herdi st i nct i v echar act er i st i cofbot ht hei ndependentandempl oy ed pet t ybour geoi si ei st hei ri nt er medi at est at usbet weent hecapi t al i stcl ass andwor ki ngcl ass.Whi l ei nnor mal t i mest hi spr oducesamoder at epol i t i cs i nt er medi at ebet weent heconser v at i sm oft hecapi t al i st sandt hesoci al i sm oft hewor ki ngcl ass, i nt i mesofcr i si st hepet t ybour geoi si ecomesunder gr eateconomi cpr essur ef r om bot ht hecapi t al i stcl asswhi cht r i est o r educei tt ot hest at usofwor ker sandt hewor ki ngcl asswhi cht hr oughi t s uni onsandpar t i esf i ght sback, of t enhur t i ngt hepet t ybour geoi si easwel l

39 ast hebour geoi si e.I nsucht i mesofcr uncht hepet t ybour geoi si ebecomes mi l i t antandt akesoneoft hr eecour ses, act i v esuppor toft hebour geoi si e, act i v esuppor toft hewor ki ngcl assoract i v epur sui tofani ndependent di st i nct i v el ypet t ybour geoi sf asci stcour se.Of t endi f f er entsegment sof t hecl assgoi nal l t hr eedi r ect i onsandof t ent hemai nt hr ustoft hecl ass f l i psf r om onet hi ngt oanot her .Whet hert hemai nst r eam oft hepet t y bour geoi si ei sal l i edwi t hcapi t al orwi t ht hewor ki ngcl ass, becauseofi t s i nt er medi at est at usi ti snotadependabl eal l y .Thusami l i t ance, ev en ext r emi sm, char act er i zedbyi nst abi l i t yanddesper at ev aci l l at i oni nseeki ng sal v at i on, i schar act er i st i coft hepet t ybour geoi si nat i meofcr i si s, and f ur t heri sani nher entchar act er i st i cofpet t ybour geoi sr ev ol ut i onar i es.The ul t r al ef tr ev ol ut i onar ysent i ment soft hepet t ybour geoi scandi ssi pat ej ust asqui ckl yast heyar ecr eat ed, t r ansf or mi ngt hemsel v esi nt oanot herf ad ( east er nr el i gi on, dr ugs, et c. )cy ni ci sm orev enul t r ar i ght i stpol i t i cs.Leni n under st oodt hi swel l : . . .t hesmal l owner , t hesmal l mast er...whoundercapi t al i sm suf f er s oppr essi onand, v er yof t en, ani ncr edi bl yacut eandr api ddet er i or at i oni nhi s condi t i onsandr ui n, easi l ygoest or ev ol ut i onar yext r emes, buti si ncapabl e ofper sev er ance, or gani zat i on, di sci pl i neandst eadf ast ness.Thepet t y bour geoi s, “ dr i v ent of r enzy ”byt hehor r or sofcapi t al i sm i sasoci al phenomenonwhi ch, l i keanar chi sm, i schar act er i st i cofal l capi t al i st count r i es.Thei nst abi l i t yofsuchr ev ol ut i oni sm, i t sbar r enness, i t sl i abi l i t y t obecomeswi f t l yt r ansf or medi nt osubmi ssi on, apat hy , f ant asy , andev ena “ f r enzi ed”i nf at uat i onwi t honeoranot herbour geoi s“ f ad”–al l t hi si sa mat t erofcommonknowl edge.( Lef t Wi ngCommuni sm) Thei nt el l ect ual / exst udentst r at aoft hepet t ybour geoi si e( manyofwhom dr opoutoft hei rpet t ybour geoi scl assbackgr oundsandt r ai ni ngt ot ake wor ki ngcl assj obs)hav eat hi r ddi st i nct i v et r ai twhi chi sapr oper t yoft hei r uni v er si t yt r ai ni ng–i . e. , v i r t uosi t yi ndeal i ngwi t habst r actt heor yl ar gel yi na r at i onal i st i candr het or i cal manner .Ther emov al oft hei nt el l i gensi af r om t heday t odayl i f eoft hewor ki ngcl ass( whi chgener at esr espectf or empi r i cal dat aandpr act i ce)i sl ar gel yabsentf r om t heshel t er edchi l dr enof t hepet t ybour geoi si ewhot endt obeout st andi ngcol l egest udent sbef or e

40 t heybecomer ev ol ut i onar i es.Thev er yv al uabl et heor et i cal ski l l ssuch st udent scoul dbr i ngt ot her ev ol ut i oni sof t enwast edi nt i nysect ar i an gr oupswhi chwast et hei rv enom oneachot herandont her eal l y r ev ol ut i onar yor gani z at i ons.Thi sdi st i nct i v echar act er i st i cofpet t y bour geoi si nt el l ect ual si smani f est edi nt hest r ongt endencyt odogmat i sm. Pet t ybour geoi sr adi cal i sm i st husshapedbyt hemat er i al l i f econdi t i onsof t hepet t ybour geoi si e; compet i t i v ei ndi v i dual i sm, mi ddl i ngst at uswhi chi s bei ngl ost , andi nt hecaseofpet t ybour geoi si nt el l ect ual s, t heor et i cal v i r t uosi t yr emov edf r om pr act i ce.Pet t ybour geoi sr adi cal i sm i st hus char act er i zedbysect ar i ani sm, adv ent ur i sm anddogmat i sm aswel l asby i nst abi l i t y .Thusi ti si ni t sr oot st hepet t ybour geoi sbackgr oundsofi t s adher ent st hatt heul t i mat ecausesoful t r al ef t i sm, sect ar i ani sm, and dogmat i sm ar et obef ound.Thi sanal y si si snott ocondemnt hepet t y bour geoi si e, f ort heyar eagr eatr eser v oi rofst r engt hf orr ev ol ut i onar y f or cesandpr ov i denecessar yski l l sandr esour cest oourmov ement .I ti s r at heracal l t opet t ybour geoi sr ev ol ut i onar i est oquest i ont hei ri sol at i on f r om t hewor ki ngcl assmov ement , andt hesect ar i ani sm, ul t r al ef t i sm and dogmat i sm oft hei rgr oupl et sandt oacceptl eader shi pf r om t hewor ki ng cl asswhosei nt er est st heymustcomet oar t i cul at e. Thewor ki ngcl asshasav er ydi f f er entl i f eexper i encet hant hepet t y bour geoi si e.I t swor kexper i encegener at essol i dar i t yr at hert han compet i t i v ei ndi v i dual i sm.Tosur v i v eandgetaheadi nt hewor ki ngcl ass mi l i t antuni t yasexpr essedi nuni ons, st r i kesandmut ual suppor tar e necessar y , t hi si st heopposi t eoft heexper i enceofshopkeeper s, st udent s andcol l eget eacher s.Thewor ki ngcl assasapr ol et ar i atwi t hnost akei n soci et yhasacl earandunambi v al entst akei nsoci al i str ev ol ut i on, unl i ke t hepet t ybour geoi si et hathassomepr i v i l egeandst at ust ol ose.Rel at i v et o whatt heyhadbef or e, wor ki ngcl asspeopl edonotl oseasmuchast he pet t ybour geoi si neconomi ccr i sesandar ebet t erpr epar edt opr ot ect t hemsel v es.Asar esul twor ki ngcl assr adi cal i sm i sf armor est abl e, consi st ent , r el i abl e, t hor oughandunf r enz i edt hant hatoft hepet t y bour geoi si e.Wor ki ngcl asspeopl ewhodev el opt hei rconsci ousnessi na f armor eempi r i cal andpr act i cal mannert hanst udent s, l ear nmor ef r om

41 t hei rexper i enceandl essf r om bockst hani nt el l ect ual s, hav eagr eat er r espectf orpr act i ceandmor eofadi st r ustofabst r acti deas, andt hust end mor et hant hepet t ybour geoi si et ounder st andt hewor t hl essnessofi deas dev el opedi ndependent l yofpr act i ce.Wor ki ngcl assr adi cal i sm t hust ends t or ej ectsect ar i ani sm, ul t r al ef t i sm anddogmat i sm.

D.TheThr eeBanesoft heRev ol ut i onar yLef t 1.Dogmat i sm I tseemst hatr i ghtupt ot hepr esentqui t eaf ewhav er egar dedMar xi smLeni ni sm asar eadymadepanacea: Oncey ouhav ei t , y oucancur eal l y our i l l swi t hl i t t l eef f or t .Thi si sat y peofchi l di shbl i ndnessandwemustst ar ta mov ementt oenl i ght ent hesepeopl e.Thosewhor egar dMar xi smLeni ni sm asr el i gi ousdogmashowt hi st y peofbl i ndi gnor ance.Wemustt el l t hen openl y , “ Yourdogmai sofnouse, ”ort ouseani mpol i t ef or mul at i on, “ Your dogmai sl essusef ul t hanshi t . ”Weseet hatdogshi tcanf er t i l i zet hef i el ds andman’ scanf eedt hedog.Anddogmas?Theycan’ tf er t i l i zet hef i el ds, norcant heyf eedadog.Ofwhatusear et hey ?( MaoTset ung, Feb. , 1, 1942 i nSt uar tSchr am, ThePol i t i cal ThoughtofMaoTset ung) . Dogmat i sm i saner r ori nt het heor yofknowl edge.I ti st headv ocacyofan anal y si sorst r at egyont hebasi soff ai t h, ei t heri nasour ceofaut hor i t y( e. g. , Peki ngRev i ew, Tr ot sky ’ swr i t i ngs, St al i n, et c. )orsi mpl yi nadeci si onor asser t i onmadewi t houtempi r i cal j ust i f i cat i on, andt heconsequent i mper meabi l i t yt ochanget hr ought heempi r i cal di sconf i r mat i onofpr act i ce. Dogmat i sm’ sopposi t ei st hesci ent i f i cmet hodoft heor yandpr act i ce, wher eposi t i onsar ear r i v edatont hebasi sofsummi nguppr act i ceand consequent l yconst ant l ygr owaspr act i cedev el ops.Dogmat i sm i sequal l y associ at edwi t hl ef t i storr i ght i stpol i t i cal er r or s.TheSecondI nt er nat i onal ’ s pol i t i cswer ebasedonawhol esetofunquest i oneddogmaswhi chbecame i t soper at i ngassumpt i ons, e. g. , don’ tsei zepowerunt i l t hewor ki ngcl assi s amaj or i t y , soci al i sm i spossi bl eonl yi nt hemostadv ancedcount r i es, t he economi ccr i si swi l l pr oducet her ev ol ut i onar ycr i si s, et c.TheBol shev i ks

42 wer eexcel l enti ncr i t i ci zi ngt hedogmat i c( i . e. , unsci ent i f i c)nat ur e, oft hese assumpt i ons( seeSt al i n, Foundat i onsofLeni ni sm, par tI I ) .Dogmat i sm can equal l ywel l bef oundont hel ef te. g. , t hei deat hatany t hi ngt heSov i etUni on ( orChi na)suppor t smustber i ght( orwr ong) , t hei deat hatBl acksar ea nat i onbecauset heyar eoppr essed, t hei deat hatt hef i ghtf orr ef or ms under mi nesr ev ol ut i on, et c.Theessenceofdogmat i sm t heni st hehol di ng t opol i t i cal posi t i onsev eni nt hef aceofcont r ar yev i dencebasedont he unsubst ant i at edcl ai msofaut hor i t yorsomet i messi mpl easser t i on. Dogmat i st st endt ost ubbor nnessi nt hei runr easonabl er el uct ancet o changeasar esul tofov er whel mi ngempi r i cal ev i dencewhi chcount er s t hei rposi t i ons.Theydonotunder st andt hesci ent i f i cmet hodonwhi ch Mar xi smLeni ni sm i sbased. Thedi al ect i cal mat er i al i stt heor yofknowl edgehasbeenv er i f i edov erand ov eragai ni nt hesuccessf ul r ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl esoft heRussi ans, Cubans, Chi nese, Vi et namese, et c.Onl yt hecl osebackandf or t hmov ement bet weent heor y / st r at egyandpr act i ce, wi t hpr act i cepl ay i ngt hel eadi ngr ol e, canr esul ti nacor r ectst r at egy /anal y si sandi nsuccessf ul st r uggl e.Yeti n spi t eoft hecl ar i t yofsuchbr i l l i antwor ksasMaoTset ung’ sOnPr act i ce andhi sWher eDoCor r ectI deasComeFr om manyoft headmi r er soft he Chi neseRev ol ut i oni nt heU. S. A.f al l i nt oexact l yt heer r ort hatMaowr ot e hi sabov eci t edessay sagai nst–dogmat i sm.Dogmat i st si npr act i cer ej ect t hedi al ect i cal mat er i al i stt heor yofknowl edgei nf av orofi deal i sm, r at i onal i sm, andschol ast i ci sm.Thehi st or yoft heChi neseCommuni st par t yi sahi st or yi ngoodpar tofMao’ sst r uggl eagai nstv ar i ousf or msof dogmat i sm.Wecanl ear nmuchf r om t hesest r uggl es.Dogmat i st shav ea pr opensi t yt odeci dequest i onsont hebasi sofci t at i onsf r om t hecl assi cs r at hert hanf r om acar ef ul st udyofcont empor ar ycondi t i ons, t o mechani cal l yappl yt heexper i enceofot hercount r i esatot hert i mesr at her t hant osci ent i f i cal l ysum upt hei rownexper i enceont hebasi sofa pr ol ongedgi v eandt akebet weent heor yandpr act i cet oday , andt o adv ocat et hatt heor yshoul dbepr i mar yov erpr act i cesi ncewemusthav e t heor et i cal cl ar i t ybef or ewecanent eri nt osuccessf ul pr act i ce. I ni t sext r emef or mi nt heU. S.i thasbeenexempl i f i edi nt heCommuni st

43 LaborPar t yandi nt hegr oupsi nandar oundt he“ Rev ol ut i onar yWi ng” ( PRRWO, WVO, RWL) , gr oupswhosesl ogani s“ Bui l dt hePar t yont he I deol ogi cal Pl ai n, ”dogmat i sm of t ent akest hef or m ofpr ol ongedand met hodi cal st udyoft hewor ksofLeni n( especi al l yt hef i r st6v ol umesof hi ssel ect edwor kswhi chdeal wi t ht hepar t yf or mi ngper i od)andSt al i ni n t heabsenceofanysi gni f i cantpol i t i cal pr act i ce.Theexpl i ci tt heor yof knowl edgeoft hese” cl osetMar xi st Leni ni st s”i st hatwemustknow pr eci sel ywhatwemustdoandwhatt heef f ectofouract i onswi l l bebef or e weent eri nt opr act i ce.I fwedon’ thav et heor et i cal cl ar i t yanduni t ybef or e pol i t i cal pr act i cet henwemi ghtwel l makemi st akest hatcoul ddomor e har mt hangood.Si ncewecanachi ev ebot huni t yandasci ent i f i canal y si s andst r at egyt hr oughst udyanddi scussi oni nt heabsenceofpr act i cet hi s shoul dbeourpr i mar yt aski nt hepr esentper i od, hencet hei rsl ogan“ bui l d t hepar t yonani deol ogi cal pl ai n. ”Pol i t i cal pr act i cei st husputof funt i l af t er uni t yi sachi ev edandt heor et i cal cl ar i t yat t ai nedt hr oughst udyand di scussi on( t hehi ghestf or m ofst r uggl ei nt hepr esentper i od) .TheCLP andt hegr oupsar oundt heRW shar pl yat t ackedt heRCPandt heOLf or “ economi sm”andadv ocat i ng“ spont anei t y . ”Theat t ackont heRCPwas di r ect edagai nsti t si nv ol v ementi nwor ki ngcl assst r uggl esandespeci al l y agai nstt hecont entoft hev ar i ous“ Wor ker s”whoi twasar guedwer e bowi ngt ot he“ spont aneous”st r uggl esoft heU. S.wor ki ngcl assr at her t hanst r essi ngt hedev el opmentofuni t yandt heor et i cal cl ar i t y .I twassai d t hatt heRCP’ si nv ol v ementi nt hewor ki ngcl asswasmi st akenandt hati t coul ddomor ehar mt hangoodbecausei twasunder t akenont hebasi sof i nadequat eanal y si sandcl ar i t y , anal y si sandcl ar i t yt hatcoul dcomeonl y f r om st udyofot herr ev ol ut i onar ymov ement satot hert i mes. TheRCPr espondedt ot hi scr i t i ci sm i nv er yshar pt er msi nt heJul y1974 i ssueofRev ol ut i onandi nasummar ypar agr aphofi t spar t ypr ogr am: Thedogmat i st sactast houghr ev ol ut i oni sconduct edi nacl oset .They t hi nkt hesquabbl ef orsomemy st i cal “ communi stcl ar i t y ”( st r uggl e bet weencl oset s)i st he“ hi ghestf or m ofcl assst r uggl e. ”They , wor shi p booksandt r yt oi nt i mi dat epeopl ewi t hendl essquot at i ons.Theyt r eat Mar xi smLeni ni smMaoTset ungThoughtnotasasci encebutr at herasa

44 sy st em ofl i f el ess, abst r actf or mul aswhi chnei t hergr owoutofconcr et e massst r uggl enorar eev erappl i edt oi t .( RCPPar t yPr ogr am) Al t hought heRCPi t sel fhasser i ouspr obl emswi t ht hedogmat i ster r or , t hei ranal y sesoft heCLP/ RW dogmat i stt heor yofknowl edgei squi t e cor r ect .Cor r ectt heor yi s, ofcour se, anecessar ycondi t i onf orcor r ect pr act i ce, butwher edocor r ecti deascomef r om?Pr act i ce( bot hcor r ectand i ncor r ect )i st henecessar ycondi t i onf orcor r ectt heor y .Thet ast eoft he pearcanonl ybeknownt hr oughbi t i ngi nt oi t .Fai l ur ei st hemot herof success.Cor r ectt heor ycannotbeknowni nadv ance.I tcanonl yemer gei n t hepr ocessofacont i nui ngandnev erendi nggoi ngbackandf or t hbet ween t heor yandpr act i ce.Al l at t empt st oest abl i sht heor et i cal cl ar i t ybef or e engagi ngi npr act i cear enecessar i l ydoomedt of ai l ur eandsect ar i ani sm si ncei ti si mpossi bl et oknowwhatt odobef or ei nt er act i ngwi t ht hewor l d. Toquot eMao: “ Thest andpoi ntofpr act i cei st hepr i mar yandbasi cst andpoi nti nt he di al ect i cal mat er i al i stt heor yofknowl edge. . . .t her easonMar x, Engel s, Leni nandSt al i ncoul dwor koutt hei rt heor i es wasmai nl yt hatt heyper sonal l yt ookpar ti nt hepr act i ceoft hecl ass st r uggl eandt hesci ent i f i cexper i ment at i onoft hei rt i me.. . . I fy ouwantt oknowacer t ai nt hi ngoracer t ai ncl assoft hi ngsdi r ect l y , y ou mustper sonal l ypar t i ci pat ei nt hepr act i cal st r uggl et ochanger eal i t y , t o change, t hatt hi ngorcl assoft hi ngs, f oronl yt huscany oucomei nt o cont actwi t ht hem asphenomena; onl yt hr oughper sonal par t i ci pat i oni n t hepr act i cal st r uggl et ochanger eal i t ycany ouuncov ert heessenceoft hat t hi ngorcl assoft hi ngsandcompr ehendt hem.. . .I fy ouwantknowl edge, y oumustt akepar ti nt hepr act i ceofchangi ngr eal i t y .I fy ouwantt oknow t hest r uct ur eandpr oper t i esoft heat om, y oumustmakephy si cal and chemi cal exper i ment st ochanget hest at eoft heat om.I fy ouwantt oknow t het heor yandmet hodsofr ev ol ut i on, y oumustt akepar ti nr ev ol ut i on. ..Al l genui neknowl edgeor i gi nat esi ndi r ectexper i ence. Di scov ert het r ut ht hr oughpr act i ce, andagai nt hr oughpr act i cev er i f yand

45 dev el opt het r ut h.St ar tf r om per cept ual knowl edgeandact i v el ydev el opi t –i nt or at i onal knowl edge; t henst ar tf r om r at i onal knowl edgeandact i v el y gui der ev ol ut i onar ypr act i cet ochangebot ht hesubj ect i v eandt heobj ect i v e wor l d.Pr act i ce, knowl edge, agai npr act i ce, andagai nknowl edge.Thi s r epeat si t sel fi nendl esscy cl es, andwi t heachcy cl et hecont entofpr act i ce andknowl edger i sest oahi gherl ev el .Suchi st hewhol eoft hedi al ect i cal mat er i al i stt heor yofknowl edge, andsuchi st hedi al ect i cal mat er i al i st t heor yoft heuni t yofknowi nganddoi ng.( MaoTset ung, OnPr act i ce) Thest r uggl eagai nstdogmat i sm wi t hi nourmov ementhasr ecent l ybeen t akenupbyanumberofMLgr oupsi nt heU. S. : namel yt heGuar di an, t he BayAr eaCommuni stUni on( seet hei rexcel l entbookl et , Begi nni ngAnal y si s) andt hePhi l adel phi aWor ker sOr gani zi ngCommi t t ee( seet hei rcal l f ora nat i onal cent eri nt heJanuar yi ssueofTheOr gani zerandt hei rexempl ar y st udyBl ackLi ber at i onToday ) .Thesegr oupsunder st andt hati ti snotonl y t heCLP/ RW butal sot heRCPandOLt hatar emaki ngt hedogmat i cer r orof put t i ngt heor yabov epr act i ceandr el y i ngonaut hor i t yr at hert hansci ence t odeci dequest i ons.ThePWOC’ scat egor i zat i onoft heCLP/ RW i sbr i l l i ant ; “ Rej ect i ngdogmat i sm i nf av oroful t r adogmat i sm, t heyadv ocat esoundi ng ar et r eatf r om t hewor ki ngcl assmov ement , ar et r eatf r om t hest or myseas ofcl assst r uggl et ot hecushi onedr oomsofi nt el l ect ual i stst udyand debat e. ”( TheOr gani zer , Jan.1976) . ThePWOCf eel ssost r ongl yaboutt hedanger sofdogmat i sm t hati ti s maki nguni t yagai nstt hedogmat i ct r endswi t hi nbot ht heRCP/ OLand CLP/ RW oneoft het wocondi t i onsf orpar t i ci pat i oni nt henat i onal cent eri t i st r y i ngt ocr eat e. TheBACU, agr oupofpeopl ei nSanFr anci scoAr eacompar abl ei nsi ze, but somewhatmor eexper i encedi nt heML, mov ementt hant hePWOC, al so makesant i dogmat i sm i t spr i nci pl epoi ntofuni t y : Dogmat i st sar el azy bones....Suchat endencyal way sunder est i mat est he i mpor t anceofpar t i ci pat i oni nmassst r uggl ef ort hedev el opmentofcor r ect pol i t i cal l i ne.Theymayunder st and, i naonesi dedway , t hat“ pol i t i cal l i ne det er mi nesev er y t hi ng“butt heydonotunder st and“ wher ecor r ecti deas

46 comef r om. ”Manyoft hesmal l erandneweror gani zat i ons, aswel l asmany i ndi v i dual s, ar epr edomi nant l ymaki ngt hi ssamemi st ake.Par t l yt hi si s basedont henewnessofmanyoft hesef or cest oMar xi sm, t ot heneedf or t heor yandt heneedf oraPar t y .Par t l yi tr ef l ect sar eact i ont ot hemi st akes ofRUandOLandadesi r et ost udyhar dsoast oav oi dt hesemi st akes, par t l yi ti sar ef l ect i onoft hebaseoft hecur r entmov ementamong i nt el l ect ual s, atl easti t sl eader shi p, andourl ackofr oot samongt hepeopl e. Dogmat i sm pr ov i desaper f ectf or um f oroppor t uni stmaneuv er er s, spl i t t er s, agent sandpr of essi onal t al ker s.Dogmat i sm andsect ar i ani sm, aswel l as r ev i si oni sm, t aket hehear toutofMar xi smLeni ni sm.Dogmat i sm and sect ar i ani sm bot hmakeuseoft he“ subj ect i v ef act or ”( i . e. , t hei nt ent i onor consci ouswi l l ofcommuni st s)t odownpl ayt heneedf oraconcr et e anal y si s.Theybot hf ai l t obaset hei rpol i t i csondev el opi ngapr ogr am t hat canl eadt hebr oadmassest or ev ol ut i on, buti nst eadt al konl yt ot hosewho woul dl i st ent ot hem ont hei rt er ms.( BACU, Begi nni ngAnal y si s) Thedev el opmentofdet ai l edst r at egi cpl ansi nav acuum i swor set han usel ess.Fi r st , t her ei sabsol ut el ynobasi st obel i ev et hatoneper sonor gr oup’ sdet ai l edst r at egi cpl ani sanybet t ert hanany oneel ses, t her ear e nowaboutt wodozenMLgr oupsi nt heU. S.t odayeachwi t hast r at egi c pl anwhi cheachi ssur ei scor r ect , t heonl ypr obl em i st hateachpl an, al t houghbasedona“ car ef ul st udyandi nv est i gat i on, ’ i sdi f f er entf r om al l t heot her s.Theonl ybasi sf oradet ai l edst r at egyandf orachi ev i nguni t y ar oundt hatst r at egyi spr act i ce.Theul t r asect ar i ani sm oft he cont empor ar yU. S.l ef ti sapr oductofi t sdogmat i sm andl ackofi nt egr at i on i nwor ki ngcl assst r uggl es, andhencet hel ackofabasi st ov al i dat e st r at egyanduni t y .Second, t hel ackofr espectf orpr act i ce, whi cht he dogmat i cmet hodencour agest hr oughi t si deal i standr at i onal i stt heor yof knowl edgel eadsust owast ev al uabl et i meandener gyi npur sui ng mi st akenst r at egi eswor kedouti nadv anceofpr act i ce.Fai l ur esar e r egar dedast empor ar y , andi ngener al , dogmat i st st endt oi gnor et he l essonsoff ai l ur ei nf av orofdogmat i casser t i onsaboutt hepot ent i al i t i esof t hi ngsandconf i dentpr omi set hatev ent ual l yt hel i newi l l pr ov et ober i ght . Suchdogmat i cal l yar r i v edatst r at egi esar et huswor set hanusel ess.They

47 posi t i v el ygeti nt hewayofwor k.Thi r d, t hedogmat i ct heor yofknowl edge, pr omot esdemor al i zi ngi nt er nal st r uggl esandv i ci oussect ar i ani sm whi ch sapsourener gy .I deascont endagai nsti deas, i ndi v i dual sar et r ashed, peopl ewhohav et owor k8hour sadaygetwor ndown, andt hebestt al ker s andquot er st r i umph, whi l emostpar t i ci pant ssi mpl yt i r eoutorspl i tt of or m t hei requal l yi r r el ev antr ev ol ut i onar ygr oupl et s.Ther esol ut i onof di f f er encest hr oughpr act i ce, ont heot herhand, pr ov i desbot har eal basi s f ordeci di ngwhoi sr i ght , i sf arl essl i kel yt odemor al i zeandgener at e sect ar i ani sm, andpr ov i desf ort heor gani cdev el opmentofauni t yt hati s mor et hanar bi t r ar y . Al l t hi si snotofcour set oar guet hatweshoul dactwi t houtt hi nki ngort hat weshoul dnothav est r at egi es.Cl ear l ywemustdev el opst r at egi esand t hi nkaboutwhatwedo.Thepoi nti sonl yt hatwecannotdev el opuni t yor st r at egi esi nacl osetort hr oughdebat esamongcl oset s.Thepoi nti st o engagei npr act i cesoast odev el opouruni t yandst r at egy , sot hatt heycan bei mpr ov ed, agai nt est edout , agai nmodi f i edandonceagai nt r i edout . Real uni t ycanonl yemer gewheni thasar eal basi si ncommonpr act i ce. Uni t yachi ev edv i at heCLP/ RW met hodofi deol ogi cal st r uggl ei si r r el ev ant , si ncei ti snotbasedont heVal i dat i onofpr act i ce.Wor kabl est r at egi escan onl yemer get hr ought hepr ocessofgi v eandt akewi t hpr act i cewhi ch v al i dat est hem.

2.Sect ar i ani sm Sect ar i ant endenci esi ni nt er nal r el at i onsl eadt oexcl usi v enesst owar ds comr adesi nsi det hePar t yandhi nderi nnerPar t yuni t yandsol i dar i t y , whi l e sect ar i ant endenci esi next er nal r el at i onsl eadt oexcl usi v enesst owar ds peopl eout si det hePar t yandhi ndert hePar t yi ni t st askofuni t i ngt hewhol e peopl e. Manyofourcomr adest endt obeov er bear i ngi nt hei rr el at i onswi t h nonpar t ypeopl e, l ookdownupont hem, despi seorr ef uset or espectt hem orappr eci at et hei rst r ongpoi nt s.Thi si si ndeedasect ar i ant endency .Af t er

48 r eadi ngaf ewMar xi stbookssuchcomr adesbecomemor ear r ogant i nst eadofmor emodest , andi nv ar i abl ydi smi ssot her sasnogoodwi t hout r eal i zi ngt hati nf actt hei rknowl edgei sonl yhal f baked.( MaoTset ung, Rect i f yt hePar t y ’ sSt y l eofWor k) Sect ar i ani sm i sbot haner r ori nst y l eofwor korr el at i onswi t hpeopl et hat di sagr eewi t hone’ sanal y si s, andaner r ori nr ev ol ut i onar yst r at egy( i n const r uct i onofal l i ancesagai nstt hemai nenemy ) .Asaner r ori nst y l eof wor ksect ar i ani sm mani f est si t sel fi nanar r ogantat t i t udei nper sonal r el at i onswhi chput sbl ocksi nt hewayofpat i ent l ywi nni ngpeopl eov ert o r ev ol ut i onar ypol i t i csandpr ev ent sonef r om l ear ni ngf r om ot her s. Sect ar i ani sm i nst y l eofwor khasser i ousnegat i v econsequencesi n hi nder i ngr ecr ui t ment , i npr omot i ngi nf l exi bi l i t yandi ndi scour agi ngl ackof l ear ni ngf r om t hemasses.Sect ar i ani sm asast r at egi cer r ormani f est s i t sel fi nf ai l i ngt ouni t eal l t hatcanbeuni t edi nast r uggl eagai nstwhat ev er i st hemai nenemyatagi v ent i me.Thust heopposi t eofsect ar i ani sm ( whet heroft hesoci al democr at i cant i communi stv ar i et yort heul t r al ef t i st v ar i et y )l i esi nr ef usi ngt of or m uni t edf r ont sofal l soci al i standwor ker ’ s or gani sat i ons, popul arf r ont sofal l pr ogr essi v eor gani zat i ons, andhonest l y wor ki ngt owar dor gani zat i onal uni t yamongal l Mar xi st Leni ni st s. Sect ar i ani sm t husdi v i desr ev ol ut i onar yandpr ogr essi v ef or ces, doi ngt he wor kofpr ov ocat eur sandpol i ceagent s, hol di ngbackt her ev ol ut i onar y mov ement . Sect ar i ani sm’ scor ol l ar yi sdogmat i sm.Suchhashi st or i cal l ybeent hecase i nr el i gi onasi npol i t i cs.Thedogmat i stwayofcomi ngt oknowl edge, r easoni ngont hebasi soft akenf or gr ant edassumpt i onssuchast he r esol ut i onsoft heComi nt er ni n1928, t hel at esti ssueofPeki ngRev i ew, t he headofoneoranot heror gani zat i onsr eadi ngofSt al i n, et c, , necessar i l y pr oducesawi dedi v er si t yofdogmamostofi ti nmut ual cont r adi ct i onwi t h t her est .Thi si sani nev i t abl er esul tofdi f f er entpeopl eseei ngdi f f er ent t hi ngsi nLeni n, St al i n, Mao, t heComi nt er nr esol ut i ons, orPeki ngRev i ew, or r easoni ngi ndi f f er entway sf r om t heseaut hor i t at i v esour cesorf r om di f f er entpeopl et aki ngdi f f er entsour cesast hei rpr i mar yaut hor i t y .The dogmat i stt heor yofknowl edget husgener at esapl et hor aoft i nysect s

49 eachhol di ngont ot hei rsacr eddogmadef endi ngi tagai nstal l comer s, i n t hepr ocessl aunchi ngahol ywaragai nstal l ot hersect s.Eachsecti nsi st s t hati thast hecor r ecti nt er pr et at i onoft hesacr edaut hor i t y , andt hati fonl y t hewor ki ngcl asscoul dseei t , t heni twoul dbecomet hel eaderoft he r ev ol ut i on.Eachsectt endsi ngoodpar tt obl amet heot her sf orget t i ngi n t hewayoft hewor ki ngcl assseei ngt het r ut hofi t sl i ne, andt husf orbei ng “ r oadbl ockst or ev ol ut i on. ”Thi sabsur di t yr eachedi t sext r emei nt heul t r aTr ot sky i t eN. C. L. C.whi cht ookt hi sdoct r i net oi t sl ogi cal concl usi oni n concent r at i ngi t spr i mar yst r uggl eagai nstl ef t i stgr oupswhi chi thopedt o phy si cal l ydest r oysot hati twoul dgai nhegemonyont hel ef t , andt hust o bei naposi t i ont opr ov i del eader shi pt ot hewor ki ngcl ass.Thef r at r i ci dal st r uggl eamonggr oupsi sasubst i t ut ef ort hel eader shi pofwor ki ngcl ass st r uggl esandt endst ooccurhi st or i cal l yi nt hoseper i odsi nwhi cht hel ef ti s i sol at edandi nef f ect i v ei nmassst r uggl es. Sect ar i ani sm meanst ot r eatf r i endsl i keenemi esandt husi st heopposi t e ofoppor t uni sm whi chr esul t si nt r eat i ngenemi esl i kef r i ends.I ti sbasedi n t hesubj ect i v i sm ofpet t ybour geoi si nt el l ect ual susedt odeal i ngi nabst r act i deascompet i ngwi t honeanot heront hehi ghestl ev el ofabst r act i on. Sect ar i ani sm i st heopposi t eofuni t edf r ontanduni t ypol i t i cs.I ti sbasedon t hepr emi set hatot heral l egedl yr ev ol ut i onar yandsoci al i stgr oups, by cl ot hi ngt hei rf undament al l ymi st akenanal y sesandl i nesi nr ev ol ut i onar y l anguage, ar ei nbal ancehur t i ngr at hert hanhel pi ngt hedev el opmentoft he r ev ol ut i on.I ti sbasedont hepr emi set hatt heor et i cal bat t l ebet ween t endenci es, wagedi nhost i l enoncomr adel yandunconst r uct i v eway scan demol i shbadl i nesandr esul ti nt hehegemonyoft hecor r ectl i ne i ndependentofv al i dat i onordev el opmentoft hatl i net hr oughpr act i ce.I tat essenceopposest heMar xi st Leni ni stt heor yofknowl edgewhi ch mai nt ai nst hatcor r ectl i nescanonl yemer get hr oughst r uggl esoft he oppr essedwhi chpr oducebot hcor r ect nessanduni t yar oundt hat cor r ect ness, si ncet hewor ki ngcl ass, unl i ket hepet t ybour geoi si e, needs uni t yr at hert hant heor et i cal v i r t uosi t y . Thepr emi seofsect ar i ani sm i smi st aken.I t snot i ont hatpeopl ewi l l bewon

50 t ocor r ectposi t i onsbyhost i l epol emi csagai nstopposi ngt endenci eson t hel ef tmor et hant hr oughuni t edf r ontanduni t yt act i csi sj ustwr ong. Sect ar i ansgr eat l yov er est i mat et hedangerofwor ker sbei ngmi sl eadi nt o t aki ng“ r ev i si oni stpat hs. ”I tsi mpl yi sn’ tt hecaset hatexposur et opaci f i st , f emi ni st ; nat i onal i st , r ef or mi st , et c. , i deasar ei nbal ancenegat i v ef or ces act i ngont heoppr essed.Whet herornott hi si st hecasei sapr oductof whet herornott hemaj oral t er nat i v ei saccept anceofst at usquoi deol ogy andnonst r uggl eat t i t udesorr ev ol ut i onar ypol i t i cs.I nt heU. S.f emi ni sm, nat i onal i sm, r ef or mi sm, et c. , ar emost l ypr ogr essi v esi ncet her ev ol ut i onar y al t er nat i v ei ssounder dev el oped.Anyst r uggl eagai nstcapi t al i sm, ev en whenwagedbypaci f i st s, f emi ni st s, nat i onal i st s, r ef or mi st s, et c. , i sagood t hi ng.I tput st hemassesi nmot i on, t eachest hem l essons, andsensi t i zes peopl et or ev ol ut i onar yi ssues.Li kewi se, t hei nf l uenceofpseudor ev ol ut i onar yt endenci essuchast hat , ofmostoft het r ot sky i stgr oups, whi ch, whi l et heyar ehost i l et ot hemai nst r eam soci al i stmov ement s, nev er t hel essf undament al l ychal l engecapi t al i sm andf r om t i met ot i me ev enpar t i ci pat ei nast r uggl e.I ft heonl yal t er nat i v ei saccept anceof capi t al i stpol i t i csi ti sbet t ert hatt hesegr oupsr eachwor ki ngpeopl ef ori t atl eastsof t enst hem upt oar ev ol ut i onar yanal y si s.Manyar et hepeopl e whohav epassedt hr ought henonv i ol enceofSNCC, SCLCorCORE, r adi cal f emi ni sm, bl acknat i onal i sm, l i ber al Democr at i cpol i t i cs, mi d1960’ sSDS, YSA, NUCandNAM, whot odayar er ev ol ut i onar i es.I twoul dbest r ange i ndeedf orust oar guet hatt hi sr oadi snowcl osedandt hatt heef f ectof suchpol i t i cst odayi sonl yt odef l ectpeopl ef r om r ev ol ut i onar yanal y ses. Suchi semphat i cal l ynott hecase, nat i onal i sm, f emi ni sm, r ef or mi sm, paci f i sm, et c. , st i l l ser v easbr i dges, wayst at i onsandt r ansmi ssi onbel t s f r om mai nst r eam t or ev ol ut i onar ypol i t i csbecauset hegapi st oowi det o br i dgewi t houtt hi si nt er medi ar yst ep.Ther eal al t er nat i v et odayr emai ns bet weenmai nst r eam pol i t i csandanypr ogr essi v echal l enge.Fort he pr esentper i odf emi ni sm, nat i onal i sm, paci f i sm andr ef or mi sm r emai naf ar gr eat ert hr eatt ot hebour geoi si et hant ot her ev ol ut i onar yl ef t .Themost ef f ect i v ewayofkeepi ngt het r ansmi ssi onbel topenandav oi di ngi sol at i on i st omai nt ai npopul arf r ontt y per el at i onswi t hpaci f i st , f emi ni stand nat i onal i st sgr oups, t r eatt hem i nacomr adel y , pr i nci pl edf ashi on, andwi n

51 t her espectoft hei rmember sbyourhar dwor k, dedi cat i onandt he ev enhandedt r eat mentwegi v et hem, whi l eal way sbei ngupf r ontaboutour pol i t i cs( wi t houtbei ngheav yhandedorov er bear i ngi npr esent i ngt hem) . Thoset hatar guet hatshar ppol emi csagai nstot hert endenci espr oduce mor er ecr ui t sandgr eat err especti nt hewor ki ngcl asst hanuni t y , uni t ed f r ontandpopul arf r ontst r at egi es, mustpr ov et hei rcont ent i onwi t hhar d ev i dence.Theexper i encesoft hedi f f er encesbet weent hepol i t i csoft he Thi r dPer i od19281934, compar edt ot hePopul arFr ontper i od19341939/ 19411947seem t obeov er whel mi ngev i denceagai nstt hei rposi t i on. Thei nt er nat i onal communi stmov ementgr ewf armor edur i ngt hePopul ar Fr ontper i odt handur i ngt heThi r dPer i od.TheThi r dPer i odpol i t i cs char act er i st i cofmuchoft heMaoi stl ef ti nt heU. S.pr ov edi t sbankr upt cyi n t he1930’ s.I ti sanhi st or i cal t r agedyt hatt heol d“ soci al f asci st s” ; t he epi t hetdi r ect edagai nstt hesoci al democr at si nt heear l y1930’ s ( r ef or mi st swer econsi der edt obet hewor stenemi esofr ev ol ut i on) , ar e r ebor nast he“ cockr oaches”oft heR. C. P.( whi chseesot herl ef t i st sas hol di ngbackt hewor ker ’ sst r uggl e) .Thepr ogr am oft heRev ol ut i onar y Communi stPar t ydescr i besal l ot herl ef t i standMar xi st Leni ni stgr oupsas f ol l ows: Andt hepr ol et ar i att akesar ut hl essst andagai nstt hosepet t ybour geoi s hust l er swhor ef uset ot akeupt hest andoft hewor ki ngcl ass, but r ecogni zi ngi t sr ev ol ut i onar yr ol e, pr ocl ai mt hemsel v est hel eader soft he pr ol et ar i atandt r yt or i det hewor ker ’ sbackst opower .Thesef or cespose as“ communi st s”or” soci al i st s”andi nt hi swayar eabl eatt i mest oat t r act somesi ncer er ev ol ut i onar i es, ev enaf ewf r om t hewor ki ngcl ass.Butt he l eader soft hesegr oupsar edeadl yenemi esoft hewor ki ngcl ass, act i ngas agent soft hebour geoi si ei nat t empt i ngt oconf useanddemor al i zet he pr ol et ar i at , spl i ti t sr anksandder ai l i t sr ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl e.Whent he wor ker sr ef uset of ol l owt hem i nt ot heswampori nt oanambush, t hey v i ci ousl yat t ackt hepr ol et ar i atandi t sPar t y . Thesev ar i ousagent sofi mper i al i sm, i nandoft hemsel v es, amountt o not hi ngmor et hancockr oacheswhi cht hewor ki ngcl asscoul dsquash

52 underi t sf eet .Butt heset y pesdoposeagr eat erpot ent i al –t heycanactas t he“ shockt r oops”f ort hedev el opmentofaphony“ soci al i st ”or “ pr ogr essi v e”mov ementt hatwoul dai m atdi v er t i ngt hewor ki ngcl assf r om t her ev ol ut i onar ypat handset t i ngi tupt obesmashedbyt hebour geoi si e. ( R. C. P.Pr ogr am) Mar xsuggest edt hat“ al l f act sandper sonagesofgr eati mpor t ancei n wor l dhi st or yoccur , asi twer e, t wi ce...t hef i r stt i meast r agedy , t he secondasf ar ce. ”Mar x’ scat egor i zat i onapt l ydescr i best hecont empor ar y r ebi r t hofThi r dPer i odpol i t i cs. Sect ar i ani sm pr oducesanar r ogantsel f conf i dencewhi chmani f est si t sel f i nsour i ngr el at i onshi pswi t hpeopl eout si deofone’ sgr oup.Excl usi v eness andar r ogantsect ar i anat t i t udesobst r uctt hedev el opmentofr espect necessar yf orassumi ngl eader shi poft heoppr essedandr ecr ui t i ngnonpar t ypeopl ei nt oone’ sor gani zat i on.Thusi naddi t i ont obei ngnotbasedon sci ence, sect ar i ani sm, ev eni fi tbychancehappenst obef oundedona cor r ectanal y si s, i snev er t hel essi mmensel yhar mf ul i nr ev ol ut i onar ywor k. Sect ar i ani sm asast y l eofwor kt ur nspeopl eof fr at hert hanper suades. Sect ar i ani sm i sbasedont hei deal i standpedagogi cal l ysi l l yassumpt i on t hatcor r ectknowl edge, whenr eci t ed, wi l l necessar i l yconv i nce, andt hat t her ef or ei ti sonl ysuf f i ci entt oknowt het r ut ht owi nl eader shi p.The sect ar i anat t i t udet husi gnor est hekeyi mpor t anceofst y l eofwor ki n wi nni ngl eader shi p.I ti snott r uet hatl i nedeci desev er y t hi ng, t hesl oganof t he1930’ sand1940’ st hat“ cadr edeci deev er y t hi ng”i sj ustasv al i d. Cor r ectanal y si sandst r at egyi snomor ei mpor t antt hant hequal i t yof cadr eandt hemodeofpr esent at i ont heyempl oy . Ev eni fsect ar i anshappent obecor r ect , sect ar i ani sm i sst i l l amaj orbar r i er t owi nni ngl eader shi p.Butmostoft het i mesect ar i ansar ewr ongand consequent l yt hei rar r ogantpr esent at i onoft hemsel v esnotonl ybl ocks t hei rachi ev i ngal eader shi pr ol eandwi nni ngr ecr ui t s( whi chi nt hi scase mi ghtbeagoodt hi ng)butal sobl ockst hei rl ear ni ngf r om t hemasses, ot hergr oups, andt hei rexper i encei ngener al .I nv ol v edpr i nci pal l yi n j ust i f y i ngt hei rownl i nei nadef ensi v ef ashi onf r om ot her * sat t acksandi n

53 t r y i ngt odest r oyot her sposi t i ons, l i nedev el opsasmuchi nadef ensi v e mannert ocov eronesel ff r om accusat i onsof“ r ev i si oni sm, ”“ oppor t uni sm, ” “ cent r i sm, ”“ Tr ot sky i sm, ”“ spont anei t y , ”“ ant i t heor et i cal ness, ”et c. , asi t doesi nr esponset opr act i ce.I ngoodpar tt her esponseoft hev ar i ousot her Maoi stgr oupst ot heat t acksoft heRCPi nt heper i od19731975wast o ar mourt hemsel v eswi t hdef ensi v eposi t i onsagai nstt heRCPbr oadsi des, andt hencount er at t ack.Thust heMaoi stl ef ti ngoodpar tf i ght sposi t i onal war f ar eagai nsti t sel f , i nwhi cheachgr oupt r i est oshow( 1)i t sl oy al t yt o Chi naand( 2)i t shat r edoft heSov i etUni on, soast opr ov ei ti snot “ r ev i si oni st ”i nt heey esoft heot her s.Thi sgameofposi t i onal war f ar e par al l el st hebat t l esamongTr ot sky i st saboutwhoi st her eal r epr esent at i v e oft he4t hI nt er nat i onal , andpr ov okesl i t t l emor et hanamusementi nnonMaoi stci r cl es.Ofcour se, suchameansofcomi ngt ocor r ectposi t i onshas not hi ngi ncommonwi t ht heMar xi st Leni ni stt heor yofknowl edgewhi ch ar guest hatcor r ectposi t i onscancomeonl yf r om pr act i ce.Wemustst op bei ngconcer nedaboutwhet herot her scal l usr ev i si oni st s, oppor t uni st s, cent r i st s, t r ot sky i t es, adv ent ur i st s, et c. , andsi mpl ybeconcer nedabout dev el opi ngour sel v esaspar toft her ev ol ut i onar yl eader shi poft hewor ki ng cl ass. Sect ar i ani sm mustnotbeconf usedwi t hpr i nci pl eddi sagr eement sand comr adel ypol emi csamongMar xi st Leni ni st sandbet weenMar xi st Leni ni st sandot hersoci al i st s, norshoul di tbeconf usedwi t hst r ong at t acksonsel f pr ocl ai medl ef t i st swhosabot ager ev ol ut i onar ypr oj ect si na consci ousandconsol i dat edmanner .Theheal t hofourmov ement , especi al l yi ni t spr epar t yst agewher enoonecanbesur ei ft hei ranal y si si s cor r ect , dependsonal i v i ng, f r eeexchangeoft hef ul l r angeofposi t i ons. Suchdi al ogueshoul dbeencour agedr at hert hansuppr essed.Att hi sst age ofourgr owt h, i ti sl egi t i mat et odebat ej ustaboutany t hi ng, br i ngi ngi nour f r agment edandl i mi t edpr act i cewhi chcanmostl egi t i mat el ybei nt er pr et ed i nawi dev ar i et yofway s.Ev enwhenal ar gemassbasedcadr epar t yi sbui l t , i t sv i t al i t yandl eader shi pr ol ewi l l dependonal i v el yi nt er nal di scussi on wi t hi nt hepar t yar oundt hei ssuest hatar ecur r ent l yf aci ngi t–al t houghof cour sewi t hdemocr at i ccent r al i sm t or esol v ei ssuesaf t eraper i odof

54 debat e–andbet weent hepar t yandot herpr ogr essi v es.Sect ar i ani sm does notmeandi scussi onwhi chi st hel i f ebl oodofamov ement , i tmeansr at her t hear r ogantat t i t udet hatonegr ouport endencyknowsev er y t hi ng, t he ot hernot hi ng, andt heconsequentt r eat mentoff r i endl yf or cesasenemi es. Ther ei sofcour sear ol ef orunf r i endl ypol emi csdi r ect edagai nstt he consol i dat edenemi esofwor ki ngcl assst r uggl e.Suchhost i l epol emi cs agai nstr eal enemi esshoul dal sonotbeconf usedwi t hsect ar i ani sm.At anygi v enpoi nti nt hedev el opmentoft her ev ol ut i onar ypr ocesst her ei sa pr i mar ycont r adi ct i onwi t ht hev ar i oussoci al f or cesl i ni ngupononesi deor t heot her .Whenal l egedl yl ef tf or cesl i neupwi t ht hecapi t al i st sor i mper i al i st sagai nstapopul arorr ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl et her ei snol onger anyr ol ef orf r i endl ycr i t i ci sm.I nsucht i mest hemostaci dat t acksar e necessar yi nor dert oexposet heobj ect i v el yr eact i onar yr ol eofsuch gr oups, e. g. , t heMenshev i ksi nt heOct oberr ev ol ut i on, butnoti nt he Febr uar yr ev ol ut i on; Soci al Democr at si nGer manyi nt heper i od19191923; t heTr ot sky i st si nt heant i i mper i al i stst r uggl e; t heAnar chi st sandSoci al Rev ol ut i onar i esi nt heSov i etUni onbegi nni ngi n1919.Gr oupsand t endenci eswhi chmi ghtpl ayapr ogr essi v er ol eupunt i l t het i mef oran ar medupr i si ngcoul dbal katsuchameasur e, andt hust hepol i cyof r el at i ngt ot hem mi ghthav et oswi t chov er ni ghtf r om oneofuni t edf r ont andf r i endl ypol emi cst oshar pat t acksassuchr ef or mi stf or cesdef ectt o t hesi deoft hebour geoi si e.I nsucht i mest her ei sar eal dangeroft he def ect i onofsoci al democr at i cl eader shi pconf usi ngmanywor ker s neut r al i zi ngl ar gesegment soft hepot ent i al l yr ev ol ut i onar ypopul at i on. Consequent l ynot hi ngbutt heshar pestpol emi csmaybei nor der .The ef f ect i v enessofsuchpol emi csi nspl i t t i ngt hesoci al democr at i ct r ai t or st o ar ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl ef r om t hei rr ankandf i l ef ol l ower si saf unct i onof howpr i nci pl edCommuni st swer ei nt hepr ecedi ngper i odi nt r eat i ngsoci al democr at s( bot hl eader sandr ankandf i l e)wi t hr espect .Theshar pt ur n f r om f r i endl yt ohost i l ecr i t i ci sm t huswi l l hav eaconsi der abl ygr eat eref f ect t hancoul dpossi bl yhav ebeent hecasei ft her ehadpr ev i ousl ybeennot hi ng buthost i l ecr i t i ci sm ( l i kei nt hef abl eaboutt heboywhocr i ed: wol f ) .Gr eat car emustbeexer ci sedi nav oi di ngt hemi st akeofhost i l i t yat t acki ng

55 Ref or mi stf or cesbef or et heact ual r ev ol ut i onar yper i odi sathand. Ther ei sal soar ol ef orhost i l ecr i t i ci sm i nat t acki ngconsol i dat edul t r al ef t sect swi t hl i t t l eornopr act i ceorr ol ei nwor ki ngcl assst r uggl eswho concent r at et hei rf i r eagai nstr ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl esandor gani zat i ons r oot edamongt hemasses.Suchul t r al ef tsect scanconf usehonest i nt el l ect ual sandev enpar t soft hemassesdur i ngt i mesofcr i si s, wi t ht hei r cl ai m ofbei ngt heonl yt r uer ev ol ut i onar i esandoppor t uni st i cal l yat t acki ng t hei nev i t abl emi st akes, necessar ycompr omi sesorf l exi bl er ev ol ut i onar y st r at egyoft heCommuni stPar t i es.Mostoft het i nyt r ot sky i stgr oupi ngsi n t heU. S.andar oundt hewor l df al l i nt ot hi scat egor y .Uni t edf r ont swi t hsuch gr oupi ngsar ef ut i l esi ncet hei ronl ypur posei st ounder mi newor ki ngcl ass r ev ol ut i onar i esandbui l dsuppor tf ort hei rownt i nyt endency .Occasi onal l y i tmi ghtbenecessar yt opar t i ci pat ei nacoal i t i onwi t hsuchul t r asect s becauseot herhonestf or ceshav enoty etseent hei rdest r uct i v eness, buti n suchsi t uat i onsnot r ustshoul dbeputi nt hem andnoener gywast edi n wi nni ngov ert hei rmember s, r at hert hef ocusshoul dbeonexposi ngt hem i namannernotdi sr upt i v eoft heov er al l pur posesoft hecoal i t i on.Gr eat car eshoul dbeexer ci sedt oav oi dconf usi ngconsol i dat edandi r r el ev ant sect swi t hhonestf or ceswhoar ecur r ent l yf ol l owi ngmi st akenul t r al ef t l i nes.Uni t yamongr ev ol ut i onar yf or ceswi t hi nt hewor ki ngcl ass, and amongt hepeopl e, i sanecessar ycondi t i onofv i ct or yov ert hebour geoi si e. Sect ar i ani sm ast hedest r oy erofsuchuni t yi st heenemyofr ev ol ut i on. Bot hi nt hest r uggl eagai nstr aci sm, sexi sm, war , unempl oy ment , et c. , wagedbef or et her ev ol ut i onar y , per i odandi nt her ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl e i t sel f ; sol i dar i t yi skey .Sol i dar i t ycanonl ybebasedonmut ual r espect amonggr oupsandt endenci eswi t hdi f f er entpol i ci es.Pl aci ngsecondar y di f f er encesi nt hef or ef r ontf r agment st hel ef tandal l owst hebour geoi si et o wi nbyt aki ngadv ant ageofouruni t y .Wor ki ngcl asspeopl e, whosedai l yl i f e exper i encesont hej obt eacht hei mpor t anceofsol i dar i t y , sense; t hi s, and ar enotr ecept i v et ot hoset hatpr eachi deol ogi cal pur i t yatt heexpenseof wor ki ngcl asssol i dar i t y .Thewor ki ngcl assmustl ear nont hebasi sofi t s ownexper i encet hatar ev ol ut i onar yanal y si si scor r ect .Wecannotst and out si deofmassi v est r uggl escr i t i ci zi ngt hel eadi ngcur r ent si nt hewor ki ng

56 cl assmov ement .Todosoi sol at esusev eni fourl i nei scor r ect .I fwear e ser i ousaboutwi nni ngr ef or ms, aswemustbei fwear eser i ousaboutt he wor ki ngcl assst r uggl e, wemustpr omot euni t yamongal l f or cesont he si deofr ef or ms.I fwear edi v i si v eanddest r oyt heuni t ynecessar yt owi na r ef or m( e. g. , agai nstsexi storr aci stpr act i ces)wewi l l i sol at eour sel v es f r om t hemasses( e. g. , womenorbl acks) .Li kewi se, i fwear eser i ousabout wi nni ngar ev ol ut i onwemusthav et hepat i encet obui l dasol i dmassbasi s f orsuchanact i onandnotl aunchuncomr adel yat t acksagai nstcent r i st l eader shi p, unt i l i ti scl eart hatt heyhav epr et t ymuchal r eadybeenexposed i nt heey esoft hei rf ol l ower sascl asst r ai t or sandt hust hatsuchanat t ack woul dcementwor ki ngcl assuni t yf orani mmanentr ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl e r at her , t hanf r agmentourf or ces.

3.Ul t r al ef t i sm Dogmat i sm asaner r ori nt het heor yofknowl edgei sf oundequal l yamong ul t r al ef t i st sandsoci al democr at s.Sect ar i ani sm asaner r ori nst y l eof wor kandst r at egywhi l ei ti sf oundont hel ef tandr i ghti ssomewhatmor e char act er i st i coful t r al ef t i st st hant hoset hatmaket her i ghter r or .Sel f r i ght eousar r ogant , t hr ashi ngoff r i endsandpot ent i al f r i endsi sabasi c char act er i st i coful t r al ef t i stdogmat i sm.Howev er , notal l sect ar i ans, ar e ul t r al ef t i st s.Manysoci al democr at sar eal sosect ar i anespeci al l yi nt hei r r el at i onswi t hCommuni st s.Howev er , si ncet her i ghtoppor t uni ster r or consi st soft r eat i ngenemi esl i kef r i endsandcompr omi si ngpr i nci pl esf or t hesakeofmai nt ai ni nggoodr el at i ons, sect ar i ani sm i smor el i kel yt ooccur , amongul t r aef t i st s. Adv ent ur i sm i sonemani f est at i onoful t r al ef t i sm, namel yt hel aunchi ngof mi l i t antact i ons, st r i kes, i nsur r ect i ons, guer r i l l awar f ar e, assassi nat i ons, et c. , bef or et hemassescanbebr oughti nt omot i onandt het i mer i pef or suchact i ons.Adv ent ur i sm dest r oy scadr es, i sol at esr ev ol ut i onar i esf r om massst r uggl es, br i ngsdownneedl essandpr emat ur er epr essi onandset s backt her ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl e.

57 Ul t r al ef t i sm neednoti ncl udeadv ent ur i sm, butbydef i ni t i onul t r al ef t i sm i s sect ar i ananddogmat i c.Ul t r al ef t i st sal way sseer ev ol ut i onar ycondi t i ons asmor eadv ancedt hant heyar e.Theyseet hemassesmor er eadyt han t heyr eal l yar ef orr ev ol ut i onar yact i onsandpr opaganda.Becauseoft hei r mi st akenul t r al ef tanal y si st heyt r eatgr oupsandi ndi v i dual swhoar enot y etconv i ncedoft heneedf orar ev ol ut i onar yanal y si sashopel essl y consol i dat edr ef or mi st s, andenemi esoft her ev ol ut i on.I nsum, ul t r al ef t i st s, whet hert heyadoptadv ent ur i stst r at egi esandt act i csornot , al way sadoptst r at egi esappr opr i at ef ormor eadv ancedsi t uat i onst hant he pr esentr eal i t y . Theopposi t eoful t r al ef t i sm andadv ent ur i sm i sr i ghtoppor t uni sm, i . e. , t he bet r ay al ofr ev ol ut i onar ygoal sandst r at egyf ort hesakeofshor tt er m and r el at i v el ymi norgai ns.Forexampl e, i fanal l egedl yr ev ol ut i onar ypar t y pr omi sesnott onat i onal i zeany t hi ngi fi ti sel ect edt opowerbutr at hert o maket hewor ker st i ght ent hei rbel t ssoast oi mpr ov et hef or ei gnexchange posi t i onoft hecount r y , i nor dert ogetamaj or i t yoft hev ot es, i ti sbei ng r i ghtoppor t uni st . Ul t r al ef t i sm canbeaf or m ofoppor t uni sm, i . e.l ef t oppor t uni sm.I tcanbe oppor t uni st i cbecausei texpl oi t st hedi f f i cul t i esoft hemassr ev ol ut i onar y wor ker ’ smov ement , t henecessi t i esf orcompr omi ses, andt hepat i entzi gzagcour ser equi r edi nanysuccessf ul r ev ol ut i on, i ny el l i ng“ sel l out ”f r om t hesi del i nes.Quot i ngTr ot sky , St al i norMao, ahandf ul ofexst udent scan soundv er yr ev ol ut i onar yi ncr i t i ci zi ngat r ul yr ev ol ut i onar ymov ement . Cl oaki ngt hemsel v esi nt hemant l eofr ev ol ut i onar yor t hodoxyt heymay oppor t uni st i cal l ywi nshor tt er m gai nsandr ecr ui t samongt hoset hatdonot under st andt heneedf orcompr omi seandpat i ence. Theul t r al ef tt oday , asal way s, f ai l st or eal l ycompr ehendt henecessar y condi t i onsf orasuccessf ul r ev ol ut i onandasar esul tmakest hesame er r or st hatul t r al ef t i st sal way smakeofi sol at i ngt hemsel v esf r om t he st r uggl esoft hewor ki ngcl ass.Leni n, summedupt het woessent i al obj ect i v econdi t i onsf orsuccessf ul r ev ol ut i oni nhi sLef t Wi ngCommuni sm: AnI nf ant i l eDi sor der , awor kwhi chi sasappr opr i at et odayasi twasi n

58 1920( i tshoul dbev er ycar ef ul l yst udi edbyusal l ) : Thef undament al l awofr ev ol ut i on, whi chhasbeenconf i r medbyal l r ev ol ut i ons, andpar t i cul ar l ybyal l t hr eeRussi anr ev ol ut i onsi nt het went i et h cent ur y , i sasf ol l ows.I ti snotenoughf orr ev ol ut i ont hatt heexpl oi t edand oppr essedmassesshoul dunder st andt hei mpossi bi l i t yofl i v i ngi nt heol d way .Onl ywhent he“ l owercl asses”dowantt heol dway , andwhent he “ uppercl asses”cannotcar r yoni nt heol dway–onl yt hencanr ev ol ut i on t r i umph.Thi st r ut hmaybeexpr essedi not herwor ds: r ev ol ut i oni s i mpossi bl ewi t houtanat i onwi decr i si s( af f ect i ngbot ht heexpl oi t edand t heexpl oi t er s) .I tf ol l owst hatf orr ev ol ut i oni ti sessent i al , f i r stt hata maj or i t yoft hewor ker s( oratl eastamaj or i t yoft hecl assconsci ous, t hi nki ng, pol i t i cal l yact i v ewor ker s)shoul df ul l yunder st andt hatr ev ol ut i on i snecessar yandber eadyt osacr i f i cet hei rl i v esf ori t ; secondl y , t hatt he r ul i ngcl assesshoul dbepassi ngt hr oughagov er nment al cr i si s, whi ch dr awsev ent hemostbackwar dmassesi nt opol i t i cs( asy mpt om ofev er y r eal r ev ol ut i oni sar api d, t enf ol dandev enhundr edf ol di ncr easei nt he numberofmember soft hewor ki ngandoppr essedmasses–hi t her t o apat het i c–whoar ecapabl eofwagi ngt hepol i t i cal st r uggl e) , weakenst he gov er nmentandmakesi tpossi bl ef ort her ev ol ut i onar i est oov er t hr owi t r api dl y . Theuni v er sal char act er i st i coful t r al ef t i sm, orl ef t wi ngcommuni sm, i s t hati tei t herdoesnotappr eci at et her ol et hatcr i si spl ay sorseescr i si sas t heper manentst at eofcapi t al i sm whi chamount st ot hesamet hi ngs j ust i f i cat i onf oradv ent ur i sm andr el i anceont hei rownor gani zat i onsr at her t hanont hemasses.Ul t r al ef t i st sov er emphasi zet hepoweroft hepar t y anddownpl ayt her ol eoft hemasses.Wi t hTr ot sky i st st heyt endt obl ame badl eader shi porsel l out soft he“ r ev i si oni st s”f ort hef ai l ur et owagea r ev ol ut i onar y ; st r uggl e, r at hert hant hel ackofacr i si s, andt heunr eadi ness oft hemassest ot akemi l i t antr ev ol ut i onar yact i onasar esul tofi t .They suggestt hatat r ue“ Communi stPar t y ”woul dl eadar ev ol ut i oni fonl yt hey coul dconv i ncet hemassest hatt heywer ebei ngsol dout .Thewhol e exer ci sei smosti deal i st i candf ort hemostpar twi t houtf oundat i oni n r eal i t y .Rev i si oni stl eader shi pi sapr oductofsoci al condi t i ons, speci f i cal l y

59 t hepr essur ef r om t hemassest opr essf orr ef or msi nanoncr i si sper i od. Thepr essur ef r om t hemassesf orar ev ol ut i onar ysei zur eofpoweroccur s onl yi nt i mesofsoci al cr i si s.Toactt osei zepoweri nanoncr i si sper i od whent hei ssueshav enoty etbecomecl eart ot hemaj or i t yofwor ker sand t hemostbackwar dhav ey ett obedr awni nt opol i t i csandt hegov er nment i sst i l l abl et or ul ei st odoom t hemov ementt odef eatandgr eat l ysetback t hest r uggl e.Rev i si oni sm mustbecombat edbyr ev ol ut i onar i esi nnoncr i si ssi t uat i ons, i fi ti snot , r ev i si oni stl eader shi pwi l l nott aker ev ol ut i onar y act i oni nacr i si ssi t uat i on.Butt hef i ghtagai nstr ev i si oni sm cannotoccur ont het r adi t i onal gr oundsoft hel ef t wi ngcommuni st s( nonsuppor tof r ef or ms, nonpar t i ci pat i oni nel ect i onsandt r adeuni ons, t r eat i ngt hel ar gel y Mar xi stor i ent edwor ki ngcl asspar t i esandor gani zat i onsl i ket heenemy , cal l sf orar medst r uggl e, et c. ) .Thest r uggl emustoccurwi t hi nt hel ar ge wor ki ngcl asspar t i est ot heext entt hati ti spossi bl e, andi nMar xi st Leni ni stgr oupi ngsandpar t i est ot hel ef toft her ev i si oni st / r ef or mi st Mar xi stor i ent edpar t i es, whi chat t emptt obui l duni t edf r ont swi t hsuch par t i es.Si ncet hemassofwor ker sdonoty etseet her eal ( asopposedt o t het heor et i cal )necessi t yofanar medsei zur eofpower( t hi sl asti npar t becausesuchasei zur ei snoty etv i abl e)t hesewor ker sandt he or gani zat i onswhi cht heyaut hent i cal l ysuppor tmustbedeal twi t hi na comr adel yway .Ant i r ev i si oni st / r ef or mi stcr i t i quesmustgoon, buti nway s asnonant agoni stt ot hewor ki ngcl assmember soft her ef or mi st or gani zat i onaspossi bl e–soast okeepf r i endl yandopenr el at i onswi t h t hem.

E.SomePr i nci pl eMani f est at i onsofDogmat i sm 1.Et hni cMi nor i t i esi nt heU. S. Dur i ngt he1960’ st henat i onal l i ber at i onmov ement soft hewor l d, especi al l yt heCubanandVi et namese, caughtt hei magi nat i onoft heNew Lef t .Thei deat hatt heVi et nameseandot her swer ef i ght i ngt of r eet hei r nat i onsf r om U. S.i mper i al i sm wasext endedt ot hei deat hati mmi gr ant s

60 i nt ot heU. S.wor ki ngcl asswi t hi nt hedomest i cboundar i esoft heUS.wer e anal ogoust ot heVi et namese.Theywer econsi der edoppr essed“ nat i ons” andt hei rst r uggl eswer econsi der ed“ nat i onal l i ber at i onst r uggl es. ”The mai nbasi sf ort hi sext ensi onoft heconcept s“ nat i on”and“ nat i onal l i ber at i on”seemst obei nt hef actt hatr ecenti mmi gr antgr oupsi nt ot he U. S.wor ki ngcl asshav ebeenpr edomi nant l yf r om Lat i nAmer i ca, EastAsi a andt her ur al Sout h, andt husshar easki ncol orandof t ent hel anguageand her i t ageoft heki ndsofpeopl ewhomakeupt heoppr essednat i onsofAsi a, Af r i caandLat i nAmer i ca.Theconcept sofnat i onandnat i onal l i ber at i on wer eext endedbey onddomest i c“ peopl eofcol or ”t odescr i bev i r t ual l yal l oppr essedgr oupsandv i r t ual l yal l st r uggl es, suchwast hepopul ar i t yof r at i onal Li ber at i onSt r uggl esi nAsi a, Af r i caandLat i nAmer i ca.Thuswomen, gay s, y i ppi esandev ensoci ol ogi st sf or med“ l i ber at i onmov ement s”usi ng t heanal ogofnat i onst odescr i bet hei roppr essi onandt het r adi t i onoft he r i ghtofoppr essednat i onst osel f det er mi nat i ont oar guef ort hei rr i ghtt o aut onomy . Tosubst ant i at et heunsci ent i f i cuseoft het er msnat i onandnat i onal l i ber at i onsomer edi scov er edt he1928and1930t hesesoft heComi nt er n whi char guedf ort heexi st enceofabl acknat i oni nt heU.S.Sout h, andt he of f i ci al posi t i onpaperoft heBol shev i kPar t y( i ssuedbyapar t ycommi ssi on headedbySt al i n)whi chdef i nedanat i on.Al r eadyconv i ncedt hatt he v ar i ousoppr essed“ peopl eofcol or ”i nt heU. S.wer enat i ons, t heat t empt wasmadet or at i onal i zet hi sposi t i onbyat t empt i ngt oshowt hatBl acks, Chi canos, et c. , r eal l yf i tSt al i n’ sdef i ni t i on, andt hatf ur t her , t heBl acknat i on def i nedbyt heComi nt er nst i l l exi st edandt hatany onet hatdi sagr eedmust bea“ r ev i si oni st ” . Thi snewv er si onoft heoppr essednat i ont heor y , nowdr essedupi n Mar xi st Leni ni stl anguagewi t happr opr i at equot es, doesnotdi f f eri n essencef r om t heear l i ernewl ef tr omant i cnot i on.I tel ev at est hecat egor y ofoppr essednat i on, whi chencompassesal l segment sofacommuni t yof peopl eofcol orov ert hatofcl ass, ast hef undament al expl anat or ycat egor y . I tsuggest st hatsomehowi fBl acks, Chi canos, et c. , wer enotdef i nedas nat i onst hatt hi si nsomewaysuggest st hatt heyar el essoppr essed, or

61 t hatt hei rst r uggl ef orf r eedom i sl essl egi t i mat e.Thedogmat i st st hatt r yt o pr ov et hatt hesegr oupsar enat i ons, i gnor i nganddi st or t i ngt he ov er whel mi ngsci ent i f i cev i dencet ot hecont r ar y , seemst obemot i v at edby t hei rpr i orconcept i ont hatBl acks, Chi canos, et c. , ar eoppr essedandt hat oppr essedpeopl emustal l benat i ons. I nt heat t emptt opr ov et heex i st enceofoppr essednat i onswi t hi nt heU. S. t hedogmat i st smakel i ber al useofci t at i onsf r om t heComi nt er n document sandSt al i nt opr ov et hei rcase.Howev er , i ndoi ngsot heymi ss t heessenceofbot hposi t i ons.I nt het r adi t i onal Mar xi stt heor yofnat i ons, nat i onal i sm i sconsi der edt obeapur el ybour geoi sphenomenonwhi ch obst r uct scl assconsci ousness.Howev er , anat i on’ sr i ghtofsel f det er mi nat i onmustbesuppor t edsoasnott odr i v et hewor ki ngcl assand peasant r yofanoppr essednat i oni nt ot hehandsoft hebour geoi si eoft he oppr essednat i on.I nor dert owi nl eader shi poft heoppr essedcl assesi ti s necessar yt hatt henat i onal i ssuebesol v edsot hatwor ker sandpeasant s cannol ongerbeconf usedwhent hei rownbour geoi si et el l st hem t hat Russi ans, Amer i cans, whi t es, et c. , ar et hecauseoft hei rpr obl ems.Li kewi se, t heComi nt er nnev erar guedt hatBl ackswer eanat i on, r at heronl yt hatt he ar eaoft heSout hwher eBl ackswer eamaj or i t ywasanat i onwi t hi nwhi ch t hewhi t esaspar toft hi snat i on, wer eanat i onal mi nor i t y .Fur t her , i tdi dnot adv ocat eorencour aget hesuccessi onoft heBl ackBel tandt he est abl i shmentofasepar at est at e, al t houghi ti nsi st edt hatCommuni st s, whi l ear gui ngagai nstsuccessi on, woul dhav et ouphol dt her i ghtoft hi s r egi ont osucceed.TheComi nt er nmor eov erdi dnotar guet hatBl ackswho hadmi gr at edt oNor t her ni ndust r i al ar easwer epar toft hebl acknat i on. SuchBl ackswer econsi der edt obeapar t yoft hesi ngl eAmer i canwor ki ng cl ass. TheComi nt er nwaspr obabl ywr ongaboutt heexi st enceofanat i oni nt he 1920’ si nt heBl ackbel t .Anat i ondi dhowev erexi sti nt heSout her nst at es i nt hepr eCi v i l Warper i od.Thi snat i oncomposedofsl av eowner sast he r ul i ngcl assandbl acksl av esast hepr i mar ypr oducer swasahi st or i cal l y const i t ut ed, st abl ecommuni t yofpeopl ewhi chhadacommoneconomi c l i f e( t hecot t oneconomy ) , acommonl anguage( t heSout her ndi al ect i cof

62 Amer i canEngl i sh) , acommont er r i t or y( mor eorl esst hest at est hat at t empt edt osucceedf r om t heuni oni n18601861)andapsy chol ogi cal makeupmani f est edi nacommoncul t ur e( Sout her nt r adi t i ons) .Wi t hi nt hi s Sout her nnat i onBl ackswer eacl ass, t hecl assofsl av es.I nt hepostCi v i l Warper i odBl acksceasedt obesl av esbutbecamepr edomi nant l yshar e cr opper sont heol dpl ant at i onswor ki ngf ort hesamepl ant at i onl or dswho usedt obet hei rmast er s.Onl yav er yf ewbl ackswer eabl et obecomel and owner s, f act or ywor ker s, ar t i sans, busi nessmenorpr of essi onal s–t hese l at t eroccupat i onswer er eser v edf orwhi t es.Bl ackst huscont i nuedt obea cl ass, acl assofsemi ser f s, orshar ecr opper swi t hi nt hecommon economi cl i f eoft hesout h, acommoneconomi cl i f ewhi chcont i nuedt o f ocusoncot t onandot hercommodi t ypr oduct i onwi t hi nt hepl ant at i on sy st em.Thef act or sofl anguage, psy chol ogi cal makeup, andt er r i t or ywent onasbef or e, al t hought heov er al l si gni f i canceoft he“ commoneconomi c l i f e”oft heSout hdi mi ni shedwi t hi nt hewhol eU. S.andev ent ual l ywi t hi nt he Sout haswel l asmechani zat i onandwagel abori ncr easi ngl yaf t erWor l d WarIsuper cededt heol dshar ecr oppi ngsy st em.Today , shar ecr oppi ng andt hepl ant at i onsy st em i sv i r t ual l yext i nctandwi t hi tt he“ common economi cl i f e”oft heSout h.TheU. S.t odayhasone“ commoneconomi c l i f e”mani f est edi nhi ghl yi nt egr at edcommodi t y , capi t al andl abormar ket s. Thust hephenomenaseenbyt heComi nt er ni nt he1920’ s, r at hert han r ef l ect i nganemer gentBl acknat i oni nt heSout h, i nf actr ef l ect edt he decl i ni ngSout her nnat i onwhi chhadat t empt edsel f det er mi nat i oni nt he l 860’ sandl ost . Bot ht hepoorwhi t es, t heBl acksandt hel andowner soft heol dSout her n nat i onhav et odaybeenf ul l yi nt egr at edi nt ot hesi ngl ecapi t al i steconomy oft heU. S.wi t hal mostal l Bl acksnowi nt egr at edi nt ot heur banwor ki ng cl assandheav i l yconcent r at edi ni t sl owerl ev el s.Ther el ent l esspr essur e ofcompet i t i onl eadst ot hehomogeni zat i onoft heAmer i canwor ki ngcl ass i ncl udi ngBl acks, asr aci al bar r i er sagai nstt hem gr adual l ycomedown wi t hi nt hewor ki ngcl ass.Ast hesour ceofcheapl abor er sBl acksi nt he Sout h, hasdr i edup( al mostnoSout her nBl acksar el ef tont hel and)anew sour ceofmeni al l abor er swasf oundi nLat i nAmer i ca.Mexi can, Puer t o

63 Ri canandot herLat i ni mmi gr ant shav enowcomet obet hepr i mar ysour ce ofi mmi gr ant si nt ot hewor ki ngcl ass, andt hepr i mar yr eser v ef orf i l l i ngt he mostmeni al andoppr essi onj obs, andt hust heyar ecomi ngt osuf f eral l t he br ut al consequencesofr aci sm anddi scr i mi nat i onwhi cht hi sSt r at um of t hewor ki ngcl assal way sexper i ences. Bl acks, Puer t oRi cans, Chi canosandot herr ecenti mmi gr ant sf r om Lat i n Amer i caandAsi adof aceaspeci al oppr essi onabov eandbey ondpur el y cl assoppr essi on; howev er , t hatspeci al oppr essi on–r aci sm –i sal ogi cal andnecessar yout gr owt hoft hei rcl assposi t i onandexi st si nor dert o j ust i f yt hi scl assposi t i oni nt heey esoft heowni ngcl ass, separ at et he l owestsegmentoft hewor ki ngcl assf r om t her estoft hewor ki ngcl ass t husunder mi ni ngcl asssol i dar i t y , anddemor al i zi ngt hel owestsegmentof t hewor ki ngcl assi t sel f .Thet heor i est hatt heoppr essi onofBl acksor Br ownsi sduet ot hef actt hatwhi t esdon’ tl i ket hecol oroft hei rski n, ort o t hef actt hat“ Thi r dWor l d”peopl ear eoppr essednat i onsori nt er nal col oni esobscur est hef undament al i dent i t yoft hepl i ghtoft hemostr ecent mi gr ant sf r om r ur al backwar dsar easi nt ot hei ndust r i al wor ki ngcl asswi t h t hepl i ghtofear l i erwor ki ngcl assmi gr ant sf r om Eur opeaswel l aswi t ht he mi gr ant sf r om t heMedi t er r aneanbasi nt oCont i nent al Eur ope, andf r om t he EastandWestI ndi est oBr i t ai nandt heNet her l ands.Thati s, i tobscur est he f actt hatcapi t al i sm necessar i l ygener at esr aci sm andi si t sr ootcause, not whi t epeopl e’ si nbor npr ej udi cesori mper i al i sm.Thespeci al oppr essi onof “ peopl eofcol or ”ef f ect sal l member soft heseet hni cgr oupswhot husal l hav east akei nf i ght i ngagai nstt hecauseofr aci sm–capi t al i sm, ev enwhen t heymi ghtbeamongt hef ewwhoar er el at i v el ywel l of feconomi cal l y .Thus anyr ev ol ut i onar ymov ementmustmobi l i z et hepet t ybour geoi sandev en per hapst hesmal l erbour geoi samong“ peopl eofcol or ”i nt hest r uggl e agai nstr aci sm. Thepr i nci pl er ol eofr aci sm i ncapi t al i stsoci et yi st ospl i tt hewor ki ngcl ass, l eadi ngt hedi f f er entet hni cgr oupst ot hi nkoft hemsel v esf i r staswhi t es, Bl acks, Lat i ns, I t al i ansorwhat ev erandaswor ker ssecond( i fatal l ) .I ti st o t ur n“ r ace”agai nst“ r ace, ”get t i ngt hewor ki ngcl asst of i ghtamongi t sel f whi l et heowner sofi ndust r yl aughal l t hewayt ot hebank.Raci sm

64 under mi nesuni ons, st r i kes, andot herf or msofwor ki ngcl asssol i dar i t yas wel l asi nhi bi t st hedev el opmentofcl assconsci ousness.Thusmember sof t hemaj or i t y“ r ace”suf f erf r om r aci sm, aswel l asmember soft hemi nor i t y “ r aces, ”al t houghofcour semember soft hemi nor i t yr acesbearadoubl e bur den.I thasbeenshownt hatwher er aci sm i nt hemosti nt ense, wor ki ng cl asssol i dar i t yi sweakest( i . e. , t her ear et hef ewestuni ons, t hel east wor ki ngcl assr esi st ance, et c. )andt hust hel owestwhi t ewagesandt he wor stwhi t ewor ki ngcondi t i ons.Thei deol ogyof“ whi t eski npr i v i l ege”i . e. , “ nomat t erhowbady ourcondi t i onsar e, atl easty ougott hesamecol or ski nast heboss, ”i susedr at heref f ect i v el yt okeepwhi t ewor ker sf r om uni t i ngwi t hBl ackagai nstt hei rbosses. Thewor ki ngcl ass, whi t e, Bl ackandLat i n, cannotadv anceunt i l i t ov er comesr aci sm.Thest r uggl eagai nstr aci sm i st husi nt hei nt er estofal l segment soft hewor ki ngcl ass.Ar ev ol ut i onar ypar t ymustt husor gani zeal l “ r aces”i nt hest r uggl eagai nstr aci sm.I tmustappr oachwhi t ewor ker si n t er msofhowr aci sm negat i v el yef f ect swhi t ewor ker s, noti nmor al i st i c t er ms, i fi thopest obeef f ect i v e.Ar ev ol ut i onar ypar t ycannev erpandert o r aci sm, al t hought her ewi l l bet i mesdur i ngt heear l i estst agesofwor ki ng wi t hgr oupsofwhi t ewor ker swhent heant i r aci stst r uggl emi ghthav et obe deemphasi zedunt i l suf f i ci entt r usti sbui l tupi nr ev ol ut i onar yl eader shi p. Ar ev ol ut i onar ymov ementi nt heU. S.wi t houtast r ongbaseamong“ Thi r d Wor l d”wor ker swoul dbeanabsur di t y .Obv i ousl yt hest r uggl esof“ Thi r d Wor l d”peopl eagai nstbot ht hei roppr essi onasmeni al wor ker sandt he bur denofr aci sm must , bet i edupwi t ht hest r uggl eofwhi t ewor ker sand ot heroppr essedpeopl eagai nstcapi t al i sm i ft hecommonenemyi st obe def eat ed.Thus, anaspi r i ngr ev ol ut i onar ypar t ymustsecur el yr ooti t sel f among“ Thi r dWor l d”wor ker sandi n“ Thi r dWor l d”communi t i es.I sol at i on f r om “ Thi r dWor l d”st r uggl eswi l l unquest i onabl ypr ov ef at al t oany or gani zat i ont hataspi r est obecomeaCommuni stPar t yi nt heU. S.Thus t heemphasi sonf i ght i ngagai nstr aci sm, i nt egr at i oni nt her eal st r uggl esof Thi r dWor l dpeopl e, andr espectf or , andsuppor tof , “ Thi r dWor l d” pr ogr essi v es( i ncl udi ngbot hpet t ybour geoi sandr ev ol ut i onar yf or ces)i s essent i al .Thepr i nci pl esofuni t edandpopul arf r ontst r at egi esandt act i cs

65 mustbecent r al i nt her ev ol ut i onar yor gani zat i on’ sr el at i onst ononLeni ni st or gani zat i onsandt r endsi nThi r dWor l dcommuni t i es. Thepr i nci pl emani f est at i onoful t r al ef t i sm andsect ar i ani sm i nr el at i ont o “ Thi r dWor l d”st r uggl esi st heat t i t udeadopt edbygr oupsl i ket hePLPand RCPt hat“ pet t ybour geoi s, ”“ nat i onal i st ”or“ Bundi st ”l eader shi p( e. g. , al l egedl yt heBl ackPant her s)i ssel l i ngoutt hei nt er est sofBl ackwor ker s andt husmustbet r eat edl i ket heenemy .Thi sanal y si sr esul t si nei t hert he ul t r al ef t i st sst andi ngont hesi del i nesoft hemassmov ement sofBl ack, Lat i nandAsi anpeopl e, orofout r i ghtat t acki ngt hem.Whi l epet t ybour geoi s andnat i onal i stl eader shi pmustbest r uggl edwi t h, t hewayt owi nt he“ Thi r d Wor l d”massest oLeni ni stl eader shi pi snott oi sol at eour sel v esf r om t hei r st r uggl es.Ul t r al ef t i sm her easel sewher e, i nf actr esul t si nt he consol i dat i onoft r ul ypet t ybour geoi sandnat i onal i stl eader shi pundert he cov erofat t acki ngi t .Byr emov i ngour sel v esf r om t her eal “ Thi r dWor l d” st r uggl es, wel ooseourr eal baset ocont entwi t ht hem f orl eader shi p.The “ spont aneous”mov ementamong“ Thi r dWor l d”peopl ei nt heU. S.i s t owar dsMar xi smLeni ni sm, onl yourownul t r al ef t i st sdogmat i cand sect ar i anst upi dl ycansl owt hepr ocessoft hemer geroft hi st r endwi t h t hatamongwhi t ewor ker s.

2.Tr adeUni onsandt heWor ker s’ Mov ement Dogmat i sm i sher emani f est edi nt wodi st i nctt endenci es; one, t het r apt he C. Phasf al l eni nt osi ncet hel at e1930’ s, andt heot hert hechar act er i st i cof Tr ot sky i standmostMaoi stgr oups.TheC. P.dogmadi r ect sl ef t i st st odeemphasi zer adi cal pol i t i cs, seekuni onof f i ceorseekt oi nf l uenceuni on of f i cer sast hepr i mar yt hr ustofwor ki ngi nuni ons, t heul t r al ef tdogma di r ect si t spr act i t i oner st osect ar i ani sm i nat t acksonpr ogr essi v ecaucuses andl eader sf orbei ngi nsuf f i ci ent l yr ev ol ut i onar y , andof t en, t of or mi ngt hei r separ at eor gani zat i ons, whi cht endt obecomedual uni onswhi char epur e, buti sol at edf r om t hemai nst r eam oft hewor ki ngcl ass.Si ncet heabol i t i on ofCommuni stf act i onsi nt het r adeuni onsi nt hel at e1930’ st heC. P.has er r edi nt hedi r ect i onofnotof f endi ngpr ogr essi v euni onl eader st ot he

66 poi ntofnegl ect i ngr ev ol ut i onar ypr opagandaandagi t at i onamongr ankand f i l ewor ker s, notl eadi ngmi l i t antr ankandf i l eact i ons, andhi di ngt hegoal of soci al i sm.Ov ercompensat i ngf ort hi soppor t uni stl i neoft heCP. , t heP. L. P. t hent heRU/ R. C. P.andnowt heO. L, hav et endedt or ej ectsuppor tof pr ogr essi v euni onmov ement ssuchast hatofMi l l eri nt heUMWAand Sadl owski i nt heUSWA, ov er emphasi zepr opagandaf orsoci al i sm and r ev ol ut i oni nt heabst r act , andi nt hecaseofsome, suchast heR. C. P.mov e t osetupt hei rsepar at eor gani zat i onsofmi l i t antwor ker s, andt husr emov e t hesewor ker sf r om t hemai nst r eam oft hewor ker ’ sst r uggl e, asdi dt he cl assi cal dual uni oni sm oft heI .W. W.andt heC. P.l edT. U. U. L.oft he19201934per i od.Rev ol ut i onar ywor ker smustbekepti nt hemai nst r eam oft he uni onmov ementnomat t erhowt ought hebat t l e.Tov ol unt ar i l yqui tt he uni onsandr ej ectpr ogr essi v ecaucusesi st odot hewor koft hebossesand bur eaucr at swhowoul dl i kenot hi ngbet t er .Wor ki ngwi t hi npr ogr essi v e caucusesmustconsi stofmor et hansi mpl ycr i t i ci zi ngt hei rl eader shi p.We mustputf or t hacl assconsci ousposi t i oni napr i nci pl ed, nonant agoni st i c andnonadv ent ur i st i cwayi nsuchamannert hatt he“ mi ddl ewor ker s” comet or espectusr at hert hanbecomehost i l e.Farmor eef f ect i v et han har angui ngwor ker sabouthowwehav et hecor r ectl i ne, i shar dand per si st entpol i t i cal wor kwi t hi nt heuni onsandpr ogr essi v ecaucusesi n pur sui toft hegoal st hemaj or i t yofwor ker shav edemocr at i cal l ydeci dedon ev enwhenweour sel v esar enotent husi ast i cal l ybehi ndt hei ri deas.We mustpat i ent l y , pr i nci pal l yandper si st ent l yputf or t houranal y sesand al t er nat i v es.Wecannotsi tbyt hesi del i nesunt i l t hewor ker st ur nt ous, f or t heynev erwi l l i fwei sol at eour sel v es.Wemusti mmer seour sel v esi nt he wor ker ’ sst r uggl es, whi l emai nt ai ni ngouri dent i t yasMar xi st Leni ni st s. Suchemer gencei nwor ker ’ sst r uggl eshast hedual benef i tof( 1)wi nni ng t her espectofwor ker sandhenceput t i ngour sel v esi nal eader shi p ( v anguar d)posi t i onand( 2)modi f y i ngourl i neandanal y si sont hebasi sof l ear ni ngf r om wor ker sandwor ker s’ st r uggl es.Whi l ewehav emucht o t eachwor ker swhi chwehav el ear nedf r om ourst udyoft heSov i etand Chi neser ev ol ut i ons, andt hehi st or yofwor ki ngcl assor gani zat i oni n Amer i ca, t heyhav emucht ot eachusaboutpr esentdaycondi t i ons, . , howt o

67 bestor gani ze, ; whatt hekeyi ssuesar e, et c.I nf actt hemul t i pl i ci t yofv i ews ont her ev ol ut i onar yl ef tabouthowt oor gani zei nt hewor ki ngcl asscan onl yber esol v edt hr oughdi f f er ent , t endenci esact ual l yt r y i ngoutt hei ri deas. Farmor ehumi l i t yaboutwor ki ngcl assor gani zi ngi scal l edf or , atl eastunt i l t hewor ki ngcl asst eachesuswhi chofourl i nesar emor ecor r ectf or cont empor ar yAmer i canr eal i t y .Suchhumi l i t yandwi l l i ngnesst ol ear nf r om wor ker swoul dgr eat l yr educet hemani f est at i onsofsect ar i ani sm ont he quest i onofi nt er medi at ewor ker s’ or gani z at i ons, dual uni oni sm, howt o r el at et opr ogr essi v ecaucuses, whi chsegmentoft hewor ki ngcl asst o st r ess, et c. , quest i onswhi chcur r ent l ydi v i det her ev ol ut i onar yl ef t . Whet herornot“ i nt er medi at ewor ker sor gani zat i ons”hav eausef ul r ol ei n t hewor ker ’ sst r uggl e, t hepr i mar yt hr ustofwor ki ngcl assor gani zi ngmust bet of i ghtwher et hewor ker sar e, i . e. , i nt heexi st i ngmassor gani zat i onsof wor ker s, t het r adeuni ons( bot ht heset hatcur r ent l yexi standt hoset hatwi l l dev el opi nt hecour seoft hest r uggl e) .I ti sessent i al t oav oi dt hecl assi cal mi st akeofdual uni oni sm, aser i ousmi st aker egar dl essoft henamegi v en t oi t : e. g. , “ r ev ol ut i onar yuni ons, ”t heTr adeUni onEducat i onal League, t he Tr adeUni onUni t yLeague, I nt er medi at eWor ker ’ sOr gani zat i ons, et c.We mustf i ghtf orcont r ol oft heexi st i nguni ons, r at hert hanbui l dal t er nat i v e or gani zat i ons, al t er nat i v eor gani zat i onswhi chr emov eour sel v esf r om t he masses.Wemusti nt er j ectour sel v esi nt hest r uggl esofwor ki ngpeopl eas t heyemer ge, gui di ngt hesest r uggl est owar dcl assconsci ousact i onsand soci al i stconsci ousness. Ther ehasbeenconsi der abl edi scussi onoft hequest i onofwhoi san “ adv anced”or“ l ef t ”andwhoan“ i nt er medi at e”wor ker .Thei mpor t anceof t hi squest i onl i esi ni t spol i t i cal i mpl i cat i onofhowdi f f er entcat egor i esof wor ker sar er el at edt obyaMar xi stor gani zat i on. ..“ Adv anced”or“ l ef t ” wor ker sar et hoset hatcanber ecr ui t edbyt heMar xi stor gani zat i ons, whi l e cent erwor ker sar et hoset hatcanbewor kedwi t honspeci f i ci ssues.I ft he oper at i ngdef i ni t i onofadv ancedwor keri st oohi gh, asi tt y pi cal l yi samong ul t r al ef t i st s, i tr esul t si nt heer r orofnott r y i ngt owi nov ert hoset hatcanbe wonov eri nt heshor tr un.I tseemst hatt hedef i ni t i onusedbyt hePWOCi s cor r ect : “ l ef t , ”or“ pr ogr essi v e”wor ker s, ar eal l t hosewhodesi r et oor gani ze

68 t hei rf el l owwor ker sbecauset heyunder st andt hatt hei rst r engt hl i esi n number sanduni t y .Theyar et hesel f mot i v at edl eader shi poft hewor ker ’ s mov ement , hav i ngl ear nedf r om t hei rexper i encet hatweneedt odev el opa sy st emat i cappr oacht oourpr obl ems.Theyar eent husi ast i caboutcaucus bui l di ngandaboutdev el opi ngl i nkswi t hwor ker si not heri ndust r i es, ci t y wi deandnat i onal l y .Theyunder st andt heneedt of i ndpol i t i cal sol ut i onst o ourpr obl ems, andal t hought heymaynotbeal l t hatsy mpat het i ct o communi sm t heyar eopent ot hedev el opmentofacl assanal y si sofour si t uat i on( TheOr gani zer , Jul y1976) .PWOChasal sodef i nedanadv anced wor kerasonewhoconsci ousl yseest heneedt or ecr ui tt hei rf el l owst o st r uggl eagai nstt hebosses.

3.TheWomenQuest i on Dogmat i sm hasbeenmani f est edont hewomenquest i onbot hi nt he asser t i ont hatt heoppr essi onofwomeni st hemostbasi caspectoft he oppr essi onofcapi t al i sm ( orasbasi cascl ass)andi nt heposi t i ont hatt he oppr essi onofwomeni sonl ymani f est edi nt hepr obl emsofwor ki ngcl ass womenonandaboutt hej ob.Sect ar i ani sm hasbeenmani f est edi nbot h camps, t hef i r sti nant agoni st i cr el at i onst oMar xi stmen, womenand or gani zat i onswhi chseet hecl assquest i onast hesi ngl ebasi cquest i on, andt heoppr essi onofwomenasder i v at i v ef r om i t , andt hesecondi n host i l i t yt ot hewomen’ smov ement , andt hei rr ej ect i onofi tasmer el y “ bour geoi sf emi ni sm”whi chdi st r act swomenf r om t hei rr eal f i ght .Bot h t hesemani f est at i onsofdogmat i sm andsect ar i ani sm ar eequal l ymi st aken. Whi l ei ti st r uet hatwomen’ soppr essi oni sessent i al l yapr oductoft he cl assnat ur eofcapi t al i sm i tdoesnotofcour sef ol l owt hatwomenasa gr oupdonotsuf f eraspeci al oppr essi onaswomen.Thi ssi mpl ef act seemst oescapebot hcampsofdogmat i st sont hi squest i on.Sexi sm, si ncet heor i gi nofcl asssoci et y , ser v edt omakepr i v at epr oper t y , t he accumul at i onofweal t handanef f i ci entpr oduct i v ecl asspossi bl e.The pr i mar yr el at i ont ot hemeansofpr oduct i onhashi st or i cal l ygi v enment he meansbywhi chsubor di nat ewomen, andt hedesi r ef ora

69 housewor ker / mot hert or epr oducel aborpowerhashi st or i cal l ypr ov i ded menwi t ht hemot i v e.I ncapi t al i stsoci et ywomenhav eper f or medt het wo keyr ol esof( 1)r epr oduci ngl aborpoweri nt hehome( bot hherhusband’ s l aborwhi chi ssol dont hel abormar ket )andherchi l dr en’ swhowi l l besol d i nt henextgener at i on( orwi l l r epr oducet hei rhusband’ sl aborpower . ) . Thuswhenamal ewor kersel l shi sl aborpowert oacapi t al i st , hei si nf act bei ngpai dawagesuf f i ci entt osuppor tbot hhi msel fandhi swi f e, because t her ear ei nessenceat woper sont eam, oneofwhom st ay si nt hehomeas anauxi l i ar y .Ofgr owi ngr el at i v ei mpor t ancei st hesecondpr i nci pl ef unct i on ofsexi sm f orcapi t al i stsoci et y–t hepr ol et ar i ani zat i onofwomenaswhi t e col l ar , ser v i ceandmeni al bl uecol l arl abor er s.Sexi sm r esul t si nespeci al l y compl i ant , suppor t i v eandnonr esi st ant( “ f emi ni ne” )behav i ori nt hosej obs i nwhi chcapi t al especi al l yneedssucht r ai t s.Thusbot hashousewor ker s andaswagel abor er st hesoci al r ol eofwomenr equi r esasexi sti deol ogy andbehav i ort hatef f ect sv i r t ual l yal l womenaswomenwhet herornott hey act ual l ywor ki naf act or yorar emar r i edt oawor ki ngcl assman.Sexi sm i s gener al , al t hought hecl asspr i v i l egeofr ul i ngcl asswomenf arout wei ghs t heoppr essi onduet ot hei rsex.Thecommonsexual oppr essi onofwomen gi v esar eal soci al basi st oawomen’ smov ementbasedamongbot h wor ki ngcl assandpet t ybour geoi swomen, pr et t ymuchanal ogoust o mov ement sofBl acks, Chi cano’ set c. , dev ot edt oadv anci ngwomen’ s i nt er est sandf i ght i ngf orwomen’ sl i ber at i on.Women’ soppr essi oni s di st i nctf r om t heoppr essi onofwor ker sandt husr equi r essepar at emass or gani zat i ons.Howev er , si ncesexi sm i scausedbycapi t al i sm andbecause t hewor ki ngcl assi st heonl yef f ect i v eant i capi t al i stf or ce, t hewomen’ s mov ementmustbedi r ect edagai nstcapi t al i sm, beal l i edwi t ht hewor ki ng cl assant i capi t al i stmov ementandf ol l owt hel eader shi pofwor ki ngcl ass menandwomenwhohav et hegr eat estst akei nov er t hr owi ngcapi t al i sm. Ther ev ol ut i onar ymov ementmustbui l dauni t edf r ontwi t hal l or gani zat i onsofwor ki ngcl asswomenandor gani zat i onsofwomenwho shar easoci al i stout l ookandapopul arf r ontwi t hal l pet t ybour geoi s women’ sor gani zat i onsandor gani zat i onsofwomenwhoshar eapet t y bour geoi spr ogr essi v eout l ookandat t emptt oper suadet hem t hr ough

70 pr act i cet hatt heov er t hr owofcapi t al i sm i sanecessar ycondi t i onf ort he l i ber at i onofwomen.

4.TheGayQuest i on Themani f est at i onofdogmat i sm ont hegayquest i oni smani f est edi nt he t r eat mentofgay nessasadi seasewhi chwi l l beel i mi nat edi nsoci al i st soci et y .I ngoodpar tt hi sanal y si si sbasedont heunder st andi ngt hat Maoi st shav eaboutt heChi nesehandl i ngoft hequest i on.Thi sanal y si s r unsagai nstbot hasci ent i f i canal y si soft hequest i onandagai nstt he t r adi t i onofsuppor tofal l oppr essedgr oupsbyMar xi st Leni ni st s.The dogmat i canal y si soft heGayQuest i onmani f est si t sel fnotonl yi nhost i l e andsect ar i anr el at i onswi t hgaypr ogr essi v esandCommuni st sbutwi t h sect ar i anr el at i onswi t hot herr ev ol ut i onar i essuppor t i v eofgayl i ber at i onas wel l .Thehost i l i t yofgr oupsl i ket heRCPandt heCLt ogay shasbeenan obst acl et ot hegr owt hoft hei ror gani zat i onsandt hewi nni ngoff r i endsi n t hewomen’ smov ementandamongpet t ybour geoi spr of essi onal sand st udent s. Humanbei ngsbi ol ogi cal l yar eext r emel ypl ast i c.Al t houghwehav eaf ew di f f useneedswecanbemol dedbysoci et yi nt oj ustaboutanyki ndof behav i or .Unl i kemostot herani mal s, wehav enogenet i cal l ydet er mi ned pr ef er encesf orsexual r el at i onswi t hmember sofoneort heot hersex i nbor nwi t hi nus( t hepl ast i ci t yofhomosapi ensi sasour ceofgr eat ev ol ut i onar yadv ant ageov erot herspeci esbecausei tal l owsf ort her api d adapt at i ont oenv i r onment s) .Thegener al mor al codewhi chdi ct at esa pr ef er encef ormember soft heopposi t esexgr ewupandhi st or i cal l y f unct i onedbecauseoft hesoci al andeconomi cconsequencesof het er osexual i t y .Tr i beswhi chpr ef er r edhomosexual i t yhadf ewerchi l dr en t hanhet er osexual t r i bes, andt hussoonl ostouti nt hest r uggl et osur v i v e. St r ongt aboosonhomosexual i t ywer et husdev el oped( per hapst hr ough t r i al ander r or )becauseoft hei rsur v i v al v al ue( aswer et aboosoni ncest ) .I n t het went i et hcent ur yt hedemogr aphi cpr obl em ofhumanbei ngsnol onger f ocusesonhowt ohav et hemaxi mum numberofchi l dr en, butr at heri f

71 any t hi ng, onhowt ohav ef ewerchi l dr en.Thest r ongt abooon homosexual i t yi snowwi t houtani mpor t antf unct i onandt hust endst obe dy i ngofi t sownaccor d.Tot heext entt hati tl i nger son, i ti si ngoodpar t becauseoft hescapegoat i ngf unct i ont hathomosexual sser v ei n( 1) r ei nf or ci ngt hesexi st“ macho”i deal whent heyar ehel dupf order i si on, and ( 2)i ndef l ect i ngt heconcer nofwor ker sandot heroppr essedpeopl es t owar dsnoncl assi ssues.Whi l ei ti spr obabl yt r uet hatopenhomosexual i t y andbi sexual i t yar emor epr ev al enti nt i mesofdecayofaci v i l i zat i on, t hi si s onl ybecauseal l t aboosandnor msdecayi nsuchper i ods( t hegoodal ong wi t ht hebad) .I ti sal sot r uet hatr ebel l i onoft heunder cl ass, st r i kesand r i ot si ncr easedur i ngper i odsofadecayofaci v i l i zat i on.Thei ncr easi ngl y openpr act i ceofhomosexual i t yi nsuchper i odscan, nomor ebe consi der edt ot hemsel v est obedecadentt hancant hel at erphenomena. Whi l ei tmi ghtbet r uet hathomosexual i t yt endst odi scour agemenor womenf r om wor ki ngoutt hei rpr obl emswi t ht heopposi t esexand est abl i shi ngcl oser el at i onswi t ht hem, i ti sequal l yt r uet hathet er osexual i t y t endst odi scour agepeopl ef r om wor ki ngoutcl oser el at i onshi pswi t h peopl eoft hesamesex.Noar gumentagai nsthomosexual i t ycanbe sust ai nedont hi sbasi s. I ti showev ert r uet hatt hecel ebr at i onofacul tofhomosexual i t yandt he el ev at i onofgayoppr essi ont obeapr i mar yi ssuedoesdef l ectt heconcer n oft heoppr essedawayf r om t her eal i ssue–t hecl assquest i on–i nt he samewayast hecel ebr at i onofhet er osexual sex, y out h, nat i onal i sm, et c. , def l ect sconcer nawayf r om t hecl assquest i on.Ther ei st hena cont r adi ct i onbet weent hecul tofgay nessandar ev ol ut i onar ymov ement , butt hi smustnotbemi st akenf orcont r adi ct i onbet weent hedemocr at i c r i ght sofgaypeopl et opr act i ceanyf or m ofsexual i t yt heypl easewi t hout di scr i mi nat i onorr epr essi onandar ev ol ut i onar ymov ementt hatmustf i ght f ort heser i ght s. Ther ei sl i kewi senor easonf oraCommuni stPar t yt odi ct at et oi t s member swhet herornott obehomosexual orhet er osexual .Sol ongasa cadr e’ ssexl i f edoesnoti nt er f er ewi t ht hecadr es’ pol i t i cal ef f ect i v enessor wi t ht hepar t y ’ sov er al l ef f ect i v enesshi s/ hersexl i f ei sent i r el yt hecadr e’ s

72 ownconcer n.Thi si mpl i est hatahomosexual cadr ewor ki ngamong st r ongl yant i gayi ndust r i al wor ker swoul dhav et obedi scr et eabouthi s/ her sexual pr act i cesunt i l wor ker sdev el opsuf f i ci entunder st andi ngoft hei ssue, andt hathomosexual cadr emustt akecar et oav oi dpubl i cscandal s pr omot edbyr eact i onar i esl ooki ngf orachancet odef l ectt heconcer nof t heoppr essedawayf r om cl assquest i ons.

5.TheQuest i onoft heSov i etUni on Dogmat i sm ont hequest i onoft heSov i etUni oni smani f est edi nt he i dol i zat i onoft heSov i etUni onast heexempl arofsoci al i sm andast he gui def orr ev ol ut i onar yanal y si sandst r at egy .Suchdogmat i sm i spr act i ced byt heCPUSAandmanyCP’ sar oundt hewor l dt hatl ookuncr i t i cal l yt o Moscowf orl eader shi p.Dogmat i sm i sequal l ymani f est edont hepar tof Maoi st s, whor egar dt heSov i etUni onasbei ngacapi t al i sm oft heNazi t y pe, andi t sf or ei gnpol i cyasbei ngsoci al i mper i al i standpr obabl yofgr eat er dangert ot hewor l d’ speopl e’ st hanU. S.i mper i al i sm. Mechani cal def enseoft heSov i etUni onhaspr oducedconsi der abl e di saf f ect i onf r om t heCPUSAandot herCommuni stpar t i esbecauseof t en t hedomest i candi nt er nat i onal pol i ci esoft heUSSR( whi l eper haps necessi t at edbyt hedesper at esi t uat i ont heUSSRwasi nf r om t he1920’ s t hr ought he1950’ s)hashadl i t t l et odowi t hwhatsoci al i sm i nt heI SA woul dl ookl i keorwhatl i nest heUSr ev ol ut i onar ymov ementshoul dadopt . Def enseoft heSov i etUni on( andChi na) , whi chhasbeenandcont i nuest o bepar toft heobl i gat i onoft r uer ev ol ut i onar i esmustbeont er msoft he exegenci eswhi cht hatcount r yhasf acedandnoti nt er msofi t scl oseness t ot hei deal soci al i stmodel onwhi cht heU. S.r ev ol ut i onwoul dbebased. Themy t hscr eat edabouthowgoodl i f ewasi nt heSov i etUni oni nt he 1930’ sand1940’ s, whenexpl odedbyKhr ushchev , pr oducedconsi der abl e demor al i zat i on, whi chneednothav eoccur r edhadpeopl ehel dasci ent i f i c anal y si soft heSov i etUni onandwhyi thadt obedef endedasapr ogr essi v e f or cewhi chneednothav ebeeni deal i zed.Sov i etf or ei gnpol i cyhasof t en beendi ct at edbyt heneedsofpr eser v i ngandadv anci ngt hei nt er est soft he

73 Sov i etst at e, andt huscanandhascomei nt oconf l i ctwi t ht heneedsoft he wor l dr ev ol ut i onar ymov ement , whi chi ncr easi ngl y , ov ert i me, hav ecomet o di v er gef r om t hei nt er est soft heSov i etUni on( al t hought heyr emai n f undament al l ycompat i bl ewi t hi t ) .Amor ebal ancedandsci ent i f i cposi t i on ont heSov i etUni onmustbeest abl i shedwhi chappr eci at est hei mmense posi t i v econt r i but i ont heSov i etUni onhasandcont i nuest omaket ot he wor l dr ev ol ut i onar ymov ement , whi l er ef usi ngt osi dewi t hi ti ni t sposi t i on suchasi t spol emi cal at t ackonChi naori ni t si nsi st enceonbei ngt he hegemoni ccent eroft hewor l dcommuni stmov ement .Whi l edecl i ni ngt o seet heSov i etUni onast hemodel f ort hef ut ur eofal l soci al i stcount r i es wemustunder st andt hatwecanl ear nmuchposi t i v easwel l asnegat i v e f r om t hesoci al f or mst heSov i et shav edev el oped. Whi l eunt i l af ewy ear sagot hegr eat estdogmat i cer r oront hel ef twast he dogmat i ci deal i zat i onoft heSov i etUni on, t hi shasbeendwar f edi nt he 1970’ sbyt hev i ci ousandl ar gel ybasel essdogmat i sm ofMaoi st swhohav e t hemi r r ori magev i ewoft heUSSRf r om t hathel dt obyt heCPUSAand ot herpr oMoscowpar t i es.Theyseet heUSSRast heexempl aroff asci st monopol ycapi t al i sm whi chbr ut al l yexpl oi t sandoppr essest hewor ki ng peopl eandmi nor i t i esoft heSov i etUni onandi saggr essi v el yr eachi ngout t ooppr esst hepeopl esoft hewor l d.Thepar odyoft heSov i etUni ont hey pai nti sbasedv i r t ual l yent i r el yi nt heMaoi st sdogmat i caccept anceof Chi nesepr onouncement sf or mul at edont hebasi soft hef earoft he Chi neset hat” r ev i si oni st s”wi t hi nChi nawi l l getcont r ol becauseofbacki ng f r om t heSov i etUni on, andt hatt hi swoul dmeant hecol l apseoft hel ar gest r eal l ySoci al i stsoci et yi nt hewor l d, t husv er yser i ousl yset t i ngbackt he wor l dst r uggl e.Thev ar i ousbookl et spr oducedbyt heRCPandMar t i n Ni col ausamountt ol i t t l emor et hanschol ar l ysoundi ngasser t i onswi t hout subst ant i at i ondesi gnedt opr ov et hatt heSov i etUni oni scapi t al i st .They bot hdi st or tSov i etr eal i t yandf or ei gnr el at i onsbey ondal l r ecogni t i onand ser v eonl yt oconf uset hel ef tanddi scr edi tt heSov i etUni on, Chi naandt hei r r espect i v ef ol l ower s. TheSov i etUni oni sasoci al i stcount r y( al bei tsomewhatdi st or t edduet o t het er r i bl ecost sofbei ngt hef i r st )wher et hewor ki ngcl assi sbet t erof fi n

74 v i r t ual l yev er ywayt hani ncapi t al i stcount r i es( especi al l yi ncompar i sont o t hosewi t hequi v al entGNP/ capi t as) .Ther ei sf armor eequal i t yi nt heSov i et Uni on, t her ei snoowni ngormanagi ngcl asswhi chownsor 1cont r ol sgr eat weal t hgener at edbyt heexpl oi t at i onofwor ker s, wor ker sar ewi del yand f undament al l yi nv ol v edi nt hef ul l r angeofi nst i t ut i onswhi chadmi ni st er Sov i etl i f eandmakedeci si ons, t heCommuni stPar t ywhi chcont i nuest o pl ayt hegui di ngr ol ei nSov i etsoci et yi smadeupoft wot hi r dsofcommon wor ki ngpeopl e, consi der abl eandr at herf undament al debat eoccur si nt he massmedi a, t heoppr essi onofunempl oy menti sv i r t ual l yunknown–t her e i snor eser v ear myofl abor–andr at i onal pl anni ngi nt hesoci al i nt er est r at hert hant hei r r at i onal i t i esoft hemar ketar e.i ncommandoft he economy .Whatopposi t i ont her ei st ot heSov i etsy st em comesal most ent i r el yf r om t hepet t ybour geoi si e, notf r om t hewor ki ngcl ass.I nsum t he Sov i etUni on, i nspi t eofi t spr obl ems, t hemostser i ousofwhi char ei t s f ai l ur et opr essf ort heabol i t i onoft hedi v i si onofl abor( asdot heChi nese) , at ooconser v at i v eat t i t udeaboutmassi nv ol v ementi nst r uggl esand conf l i ct s( l i ket heChi nesecul t ur al r ev ol ut i on)aswel l asat oosl ow appr oacht ot hor oughl ydemocr at i zi ngpopul ari nst i t ut i ons, i sessent i al l ya soci al i stcount r yandapr ogr essi v ef or cei nt hewor l d.Amer i can r ev ol ut i onar i esmustf ort hemostpar tt r eatt heSov i etUni onasaf r i end andl i kewi set r eatt hoset hatl ookt oi tmor et hanwedof orl eader shi p, al so asf r i ends. Sov i etf or ei gnpol i cyt y pi cal l ysuppor t st hemor epr ogr essi v eand r ev ol ut i onar yf or cesi nanygi v enst r uggl e.Thi swast r uei nt hecasesoft he postWor l dWarIEur opeanupr i si ngs, t heSpani shCi v i l Warandt hepar t i san st r uggl esi nt heWor l dWarI Iper i od.Howev er , i twasnott r uesomuchof nat i onal i stst r uggl esagai nstBr i t i shandFr enchi mper i al i sm dur i ngt he popul arf r ontper i odi nAsi aandAf r i ca, norwasi tsot r ueoft hest r uggl eof t heChi neseCommuni stPar t yaf t er1935whent hewei ghtoft heSov i et s l eanedt owar dst heKMT.Sov i etpol i cysi nce1953hasbeenatl eastas pr ogr essi v easi twasbef or et hi sdat e.Whi l edur i ngt hef i r sty ear st he Sov i et ssi dedwi t hI sr ael , si ncet hemi d1950st heyhav ebeenoneoft he maj orbacker soft heAr abl i ber at i onmov ement s( asasuppl i erofar ms

75 t hei rsuppor thasbeencr i t i cal ) .Thesuppor toft heSov i et sf orAf r i can l i ber at i onsi ncet he1950’ shasbeenani mpor t antf or cef ordecol oni zat i on andmor er ecent l yf ort her api ddev el opmentofpr ogr essi v ef or ces, e.g. , i n Angol a, Somal i l and, Tanzani a, Nami bi a, et c.I nI ndochi nat hei rmassi v eand gener ousmi l i t ar ysuppor tt ot heVi et namesewasanessent i al component oft heCommuni stv i ct or i esandi nLat i nAmer i cat hei rsuppor tofCuba madet hedi f f er encebet weent hesuccessandf ai l ur eoft her ev ol ut i on.The successofCuba, i ngoodpar tar esul toft heSov i et s, hashada consi der abl eposi t i v eef f ectont hegr owt handmor al eoft heCommuni st mov ementi nLat i nAmer i ca.Notal l Sov i etf or ei gni nv ol v ement ssi ncet he mi d1950’ shav ei nv ol v edact i v esuppor toft hemostr ev ol ut i onar yand pr ogr essi v ef or ceshowev er .TheSov i et ’ ssuppor tofI ndi r aGandhi ’ s capi t al i stcont r ol l edCongr essPar t yandt hei rcool nesst ot hel i ber at i on st r uggl ei nCambodi aar epr obabl yt het wopr i nci pl eexampl esoft he Sov i et snotsuppor t i ngr ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl eswhent heyar eont he hi st or i cal agenda.Bot hoft heseexcept i onsar epr obabl yduet ot heSov i et ’ s pol i cyofbui l di ngal l i ancesamongf or cesi nSout hEastAsi ahost i l et ot he Chi nese, andi l l ust r at ehowSov i etf or ei gnpol i cyr espondst oSov i et i nt er est s, ev enatt heexpensesoft hewor l dr ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl e.I t shoul dbenot edt hatwhi l ei nt he1960’ st her ewer eof t encl eardi f f er ences bet weent heChi neseandt heSov i et sont hequest i onofsuppor tf or r ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl esWi t ht heChi nesecr i t i ci zi ngt heSov i et sf or i nsuf f i ci ent l ysuppor t i ngr ev ol ut i on, si ncet heCul t ur al Rev ol ut i ont he Sov i et ’ sr ecor dofsuppor tf orpr ogr essi v eandr ev ol ut i onar yf or ceshas beenf arbet t ert hant heChi nese, whoi nt hel astt eny ear shav ebeenmor e concer nedwi t hbui l di ngal l i esagai nstt heSov i etUni on( whi chi ncl udet he mostr abi dant i communi stf or cesandconser v at i v eThi r dWor l dr egi mes) t hant heyhav ebeeni npr omot i ngr ev ol ut i onagai nstl ocal r ul i ngcl assand t hei rU. S.i mper i al i stbenef act or s.Chi nesecol dnesst owar dst heChi l ean r ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl e, t owar dst heupr i si ngi nCey l on, t hest r uggl ei nI r an andOmanandt hePor t ugueser ev ol ut i on, ar el eadi ngcasesi npoi nt .Thei r opposi t i ont ot heMPLAst r uggl eagai nstt heCI A/Sout hAf r i canl edat t empt ati nst i t ut i nganeocol oni al r egi mei nAngol a, t hei rsuppor tofpr oNATO r eact i onar yf or cesi nEur opeandt hei rhost i l i t yt ot heCubanr ev ol ut i onar e

76 cl earcasesofobj ect i v ecl asscol l abor at i onpr omot edbyt heChi nese. Ther ei sl i t t l equest i ont oany onet hatcar est ol ookt hatChi nesef or ei gn pol i cyhasr educedi t sel ft oanabsur di t y , andt hatt heSov i etUni onhas comeoutofi t sconf l i ctwi t hChi naonf or ei gnpol i cyquest i ons, t hecl ear v i ct or . TheChi nesear ewr ong, warbet weent heU. S.andt heUSSRi snoti nev i t abl e becauseoft hel ogi cl ai douti nLeni n’ sI mper i al i sm: TheHi ghestSt age, of Capi t al i sm.Fi r stt heSov i etUni oni snotamar ketcapi t al i stcount r y , i ti s gui dedbyaneconomi cpl an.Farf r om hav i ngani nher entdr i v et oi nv est capi t al ov er seaswhi chcannotbepr of i t abl yi nv est edathome, t her ei sa per manentshor t ageofbot hcapi t al andgoodsi nt heSov i etUni on, because t heeconomyi sor gani zedt of ul f i l l needsr at hert hant omakepr of i t s. Second, undercont empor ar ycondi t i onst headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i es l i ket heUS.r el ypr i mar i l yoni nt ensi v edomest i ci nv est mentand, expandi ng gov er nmentspendi ngt opr ov i deout l et sf orpr of i t abl ecapi t al i sti nv est ment andmar ketf orgoodst hewor ker shav ei nsuf f i ci entpur chasi ngpowert o pr oduce.Thuscont empor ar yadv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i eswoul dnotsi nk i nt odepr essi oni nt heabsenceofexpandi ngf or ei gnmar ket sand i nv est mentoppor t uni t i es.Whi l ei mper i al i sm i scer t ai nl ypr of i t abl ef ort he U. S. , i ti snotnecessar yf ort hesur v i v al oft hecapi t al i steconomyasLeni n ar gued.Thusnei t hert heUSSRnort heU. S.i si nexor abl ydr i v ent owart o r edi v i det hewor l di nor dert osecur epr ot ect edmar ket sandi nv est ment oppor t uni t i es.Becauset heyar enotnecessar i l ydr i v ent osuchawarbyt he l ogi coft hei reconomi esdet ent eandpeacef ul coexi st encear er eal r esponsi bi l i t i es.Tot heext entt hatt heU. S.r ul i ngcl assr ecogni zest hat nucl earwar f ar ewoul dbesui ci dal , t heycanber est r ai nedf r om usi ng nucl earweaponsandadi sar mamentcampai gnachi ev er eal success.I t woul dbebet t erf ort hel ef ti fnucl earweaponsdi dnotexi st , butt heydo. Andbecauset heydo, par tofourener gymustbedi r ect edagai nst neut r al i zi ngt hem anddecr easi ngt hepr obabi l i t yoft hei ruse, bot hbecause r ev ol ut i onar ymov ement sar emor el i kel yt osucceedi nl i ber at i ngbi l l i ons wi t houtt hei ruse, andbecausenucl earwar f ar ei ni t sel fi sa.hor r endousev i l t hatal l pr ogr essi v epeopl emustbemobi l i zedt of i ghtagai nst .

77 6.Det ent e/ Peacef ulCoexi st ence Anot herdogmawhi chhasbeenmi st akenl yaccept edbyt hepr oChi nesei s t heposi t i ont hatt hest r uggl ef ordet ent eandpeacef ul coexi st ence bet weent heSov i etUni onandt heU. S. A.i sundesi r abl eori mpossi bl eof r eal i zat i on, andi nanyev entnecessar i l yunder mi nesr ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl es. Ont heopposi t eext r emet her ei st hedogmasuggest edbysomeWest er n Eur opeanCommuni st st hatpeacef ul coex i st enceanddet ent er ul esout r ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i on.Bot hoft hesedogmasar emi st akenand mustber epl acedbyasci ent i f i cunder st andi ngoft hepossi bi l i t i esof nucl eardev ast at i onandt her ev ol ut i onar ypr ocessi nawor l dof t her monucl earweapons. Thedangeroft heanni hi l at i onofl i f ei nNor t hAmer i caandEur opei sv er y r eal , At her monucl earwarbet weent heUSSRandt heU. S.i sadi st i nct possi bi l i t yi fonl ybecauseoft hel ogi cofCubanMi ssi l eCr i si st y pe conf r ont at i ons.Ther esul t sofsuchawar , ev eni fi nt endedt obel i mi t ed ( di r ect edonl yatt heot her ’ smi ssi l ebases)i smostl i kel yt oescal at ei nt oa t ot al exchangeofal l nucl earf i r epowerandt her esul t antdeat h, i mmedi at el yorbyr adi at i onpoi soni ngandst ar v at i onofal l l i f ei nand ar oundt hear easat t acked, andper hapst hr oughmostoft heent i r e Nor t her nhemi spher easwel l .I ti smostl i kel yt hatt hef ewhumanbei ngs whosur v i v eanucl earwarwi l l or gani zet hemsel v esaccor di ngt osoci al i st pr i nci pl es, i . e. , soci al i sm wi l l expandaf t ert heThi r dWor l dwarasi tdi daf t er t hef i r standsecond, butt hecost spai di nt hedeat hofbi l l i onsofpeopl ei s cl ear l yar esul tt obeav oi dedatal mostanycost , r egr essi v eand r ev ol ut i onar yf or cest hushav et heobl i gat i ont odoal l t heycant odecr ease t hepr obabi l i t yofnucl earwar , pr omot edi sar mamentandgener at et he condi t i onsi nwhi cht heU. S.andt heot hercapi t al i stcount r i eswoul dbe unabl et ousenucl earweapons.TheSov i etUni onsi nce1945has consi st ent l ybeenamaj or , i fnott hepr i nci pl ef or ceact i v el ypur sui ngwor l d di sar mament , t hebanni ngofnucl earwar f ar e, andmobi l i zi ngt hewor l d’ s peopl ebehi ndt hesegoal s.Thef i ghtagai nstnucl earweaponsandf or

78 di sar mamentandt heSov i etUni on’ sr ol ei nt hesest r uggl esmustbe suppor t ed.Sov i et U. S.det ent ei sanecessar yi ngr edi enti nany di sar mamentpr ogr am si nceanywor l dscal enucl earexchangewi l l f ocus ont heset wocount r i es, andt husSov i et U. S.det ent emustbeact i v el y encour agedandsuppor t ed.I npr enucl earday s, t hedanger sofwarwer e nowher enearasgr eat , i nf actr ev ol ut i onar ymov ement sst oodt ogai n consi der abl yf r om war sbet weeni mper i al i stcount r i es.Suchi snol onger t hecase. Thest r uggl ef ornucl eardi sar mamentanddet ent edoesnotmeant hatt he st r uggl ef orsoci al i str ev ol ut i onneedst obemi t i gat edhowev er .Thoset hat ar guet hati tdoes( whi chdoesnoti ncl udet heSov i et s)ar emi st aken, What i tdoesmeanhowev eri st hatt hebasi sf or .ar ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i on i nt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i esmustbef i r m, t hesoci al i stpr ocess mustbesel f r el i antandnohel pcanbeexpect edbywayoft r oopsf r om t he exi st i ngsoci al i stcount r i es.Thust hesuppor tgi v ent ot hei ndi genous r ev ol ut i onar ypr ocessi nEast er nEur opebyt hepr esenceoft heRedAr my whi chsuppr essedr eact i onar i esandpr ev ent edr i ghtwi ngcoupsar i d mi l i t ar ysuppor tf r om ot hercapi t al i stcount r i escannotexi sti nWest er n Eur ope, t heU.S.orJapan.Thepr esenceofnucl earweaponsi nt hehands oft hecapi t al i stcl assal someanst hatt hei mpor t anceofpol i t i cal wor k wi t hi nt hemi l i t ar yi senhancedandt hepossi bi l i t i esofGuer r i l l awar f ar e r esul t i ngi nt hebui l di ngupofaRedAr myt of i ghtpi t chedbat t l ewi t ht he r egul arar medf or cesar enowal l t hemor er emot e.I ti sl i kel yt hatt he capi t al i stcl asswoul dr esor tt onucl earweaponsagai nstt hei rownpeopl e r at hert hanpeacef ul l ygi v eupt hei rpower , onl yast r ongor gani zat i onwi t hi n t hemi l i t ar yi sl i kel yt opr ecl udet hi spossi bi l i t y .I ti sal sol i kel yt hatt her ul i ng cl assofanucl earar medcapi t al i stcount r ywoul dbel i kel yt ot r yt opr ov oke anucl earwaragai nstt heSov i etUni onorChi nai nt heev entoft hedanger ofi tbei ngov er t hr ownbyapopul arr ev ol ut i onar ymov ement , i nor dert o mobi l i zet hepeopl e, bl ami ngt heSov i et sorChi nesef oract i v ei nt er v ent i on t ant amountt oi nv asi on( bysuppl y i ngar msandadv i ser st ot hel ocal r ev ol ut i onar i es) .Her eagai nast r ongor gani zat i onwi t hi nt hemi l i t ar ywoul d seem t obekeyt opr ecl udet hi s.

79 F.Rev ol ut i on, Vi ol enceandExt r al egal i t y 1.TheMeani ngofBei ngRev ol ut i onar y Bei ngr ev ol ut i onar ydoesnotmean“ pi cki ngupt hegun, ”r eci t i ngt hewor ks ofLeni n, t al ki ngaboutcl assv i ol enceandt hedi ct at or shi poft hepr ol et ar i at orcondemni ngt hoset hatwor kf orr ef or ms.Bei ng“ r ev ol ut i onar y ”means act i ngsoast oshor t ent het i mel ef tbef or easuccessf ul soci al r ev ol ut i oni n whi cht hewor ki ngcl assandot heroppr essedpeopl esei zecont r ol ov er t hei rownl i v esandconst i t ut et hemsel v esast hedi ct at or shi pov ert heol d expl oi t i ngcl asses.Any t hi ngt hatadv ancessuchasoci al r ev ol ut i oni sby def i ni t i onr ev ol ut i onar y , any t hi ngt hathi nder ssuchasoci al r ev ol ut i oni s ant i r ev ol ut i onar y .Ther ei snonecessar yr el at i onshi pbet ween“ pi cki ngup t hegun, ”t al ki ngaboutcl assv i ol ence, condemni ngadv ocat esofr ef or ms andr eci t i ngLeni n, andbei ngr ev ol ut i onar y .Maki ngasuccessf ul r ev ol ut i on acompl ext aski nv ol v i ngsophi st i cat edst r at egy , pat i ence, and under st andi ngoft hedi f f er encesbet weenpr i mar yandsecondar y cont r adi ct i ons, t heabi l i t yt obef l exi bl e, maneuv er , est abl i shal l i ances, wor k i nst ages, andof t ent i mesr et r eat .Whatseemsl i ket heshor t estst r ai tl i ne cour set or ev ol ut i oncanof t eni nf actbeadeadendr esul t i ngi nf r ust r at i on, def eatanddeci mat i onofr ev ol ut i onar yf or ces.Wi nni ngi nt heshor t estt i me possi bl e( gi v ent her eal obst acl es)r equi r esazi gzagcour se( asdi dt he LongMar chi nChi na)al sowor ki ngt oweakent heenemy , st r engt hen our sel v esandf i ght i ngonl yt hosebat t l eswhi chwewi n( st r at egi cv i ct or i es) . Of t ent i mesi nt hedebat ebet weent woLeni ni stf act i ons, onear gui ngt hati t i st i met opi ckupt hegunandgoi nt ot hehi l l st ost ar taguer r i l l awarand t heot herar gui ngno, i ti sr at hert het i met ogosl owandengagei npat i ent agi t at i onandpr opagandai nt hewor ki ngcl ass, i ti st hel at erandnott he f or mert hati st hemostr ev ol ut i onar y , assumi ngt hatatt hatpar t i cul art i me, t her ei snotacr i si sofsuf f i ci entpr opor t i onsi nt hesoci et y , andt hatsuppor t amongt her ur al popul at i oni snotsuf f i ci entt osnowbal l guer r i l l awar f ar e i nt oasuccessf ul r ev ol ut i on.Undert hesecondi t i onsguer r i l l awar f ar ecoul d

80 beant i r ev ol ut i onar ybecausei tr esul t si nt hedeat hsofsomeoft hemost pr omi si ngcadr es, mobi l i zest hepet t ybour geoi sandmanycent erf or ceson t hesi deoft her i ght , br i ngsdownunnecessar i l yr epr essi on, i nhi bi t s pr opagandaandagi t at i onal act i v i t i esandr esul t si nt hedef eatand demor al i zat i onoft hel ef t( suchwoul dseem t ohav ebeent heef f ectof pr emat ur eguer r i l l awar f ar ei nmuchofLat i nAmer i cai nt hel at e1960’ sand ear l y1970’ s) . Li kewi se, t hedebat ebet weent woLeni ni stf act i ons, onear gui ngt hati ti s t i mef orani nsur r ect i onagai nstcapi t al , andt heot herar gui ngt hatwe; must bui l dacoal i t i onwi t ht henonMar xi stl eduni onst of i ghtf orbet t erwor ki ng condi t i onsandhi gherwages, i ti snotnecessar i l yt hef i r stt hati st hemost r ev ol ut i onar y .I naper i odwhenahi nsur r ect i onwoul dcl ear l ybean adv ent ur i stactdoomedt odef eatsuchanact i onwoul dr esul ti nt hedeat h andi mpr i sonmentofmanygoodcadr e, r epr essi ondi r ect edagai nst f or mer l yl egal wor k, i sol at i onoft hoset hatadv ocat edi nsur r ect i onandt he demor al i zat i onanddef eatoft her ev ol ut i onar yl ef t .Thepol i cyofi nt egr at i ng r ev ol ut i onar i esi nt omassst r uggl esoft he( noty etf ul l yr ev ol ut i onar y ) wor ki ngcl ass, howev er , coul dr esul ti ngi v i ngwor ker saf eel i ngf ort hei r poweraswel l asexposet henat ur eoft hesy st em, t husgr eat l yexpandi ng t hebasi sf oraf ut ur ei nsur r ect i onwhi chhasagoodchanceofbei ng successf ul . Ofcour se, t her ear et i meswhenbot hguer r i l l awar f ar eandi nsur r ect i onar e t heappr opr i at est r at egi esbecauset her er eal l yi sar ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i on, e. g.Cubai nt hel at e1950’ s, Vi et nam i nt he1940’ s, 1950’ sand1960’ s, Russi ai n1905and1917, et c.Buti tonl ydur i ngsucht r ul yr ev ol ut i onar y cr i si ssi t uat i ons, t hati nsur r ect i onandguer r i l l awar f ar ear er ev ol ut i onar y , i . e. , adv ancet hecomi ngoft her ev ol ut i on.Dur i ngnonr ev ol ut i onar ycr i ses suchst r at egi esar eadv ent ur i st i candact ual l yhol dback, andhi ndert hei r r ev ol ut i onar ypr ocess.Thei nabi l i t yt oseet heant i r ev ol ut i onar ynat ur eof ul t r ami l i t antst r at egi esi nnonr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i onsi st hesour ceofa consi der abl el ossoff or cesamongr ev ol ut i onar i es.Wet ooof t enmaket he i deal i ster r orofconf usi ngoursubj ect i v ef eel i ngaboutwhati sr ev ol ut i onar y ( j udgment sbasedont heabsol ut emi l i t ancyofst r at egy )wi t hwhatact ual l y

81 adv ancesasoci al r ev ol ut i on( whi chmustbebasedonacar ef ul sci ent i f i c anal y si sofconcr et econdi t i ons)andwhi chact ual l ymi ghtnotbeespeci al l y mi l i t anti nagi v enper i odatal l . Thequest i onal way scomesdownt ot hef actt hatt her ear enoeasy answer saboutwhati st het r ul yr ev ol ut i onar yst r at egyi nagi v ensi t uat i on, onl yaconcr et est udyofconcr et econdi t i onscangi v eusanswer s.I ti sas easyt omaket heoppor t uni st sr i ghter r orofnonseei ngar eal l y r ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i onwheni texi st s, andt her ef or enotadopt i ngami l i t ant st r at egyofsei zi ngpowerasi ti st omaket headv ent ur i ster r orofseei nga r ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i onwheni tdoesnotex i st .Bot her r or shav eequal l y ser i ousnegat i v econsequencesi nhol di ngbackt her ev ol ut i onar ypr ocess, and.t husi nnowaycanwesayt hatasar ul eonedangeri sgr eat ert hant he ot her .Atanygi v ent i mewi t hi naLeni ni stor gani zat i onormov ementwi t h br oadsuppor tt her ewi l l al mostal way sbesomet hatar guet hatt hi si st he t i met oat t emptt osei zepower , andot her st hatt endt oar guet hatsei zi ng poweri snoty etont heagendar egar dl essoft hesi t uat i on–i . e. , t her e al way st endst obeadv ent ur i st sandoppor t uni st swi t hi nourr anks. Howev er , atanygi v ent i meei t hert hef i r stt y peofer r orort hesecondt ends t obet hegr eat estdanger . Dur i ngnonr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i onsi nsmal l par t i esandmov ement sbased pr i mar i l yamongt hepet t ybour geoi si eandexst udent st her ei sast r ong t endencyf ort headv ent ur i ster r ort opr ev ai l ( al ongwi t hsect ar i ani sm and dogmat i sm) .I nl ar gepar t i esbasedi nt hewor ki ngcl assi nnonr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i onswher et hepr essur et oal l ev i at et hedai l y oppr essi onsofwor ki ngcl asspeopl ei si mmenset het endencyt obecome oppor t uni stt endst opr ev ai l .Wor ker scannotbeexpect edasacl asst o hol dt oLeni ni sm asaf ai t hwai t i ngunt i l ar ev ol ut i onar ycr i si sdev el ops bef or eseeki ngr el i ef .Thepossi bi l i t yofi mpr ov i ngt hei rcondi t i onst hr ough massst r uggl es, andt huswi nni ngl i mi t edr el i ef , i sr eal , andgi v enenough t i mei smani f est edi nat t empt st obui l dal l i ances, coal i t i onsand compr omi sest hatev ent ual l yt endt ounder mi ner ev ol ut i onar yanal y si sand or gani zat i on.

82 I nt r ul yr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i ons, amongmasspar t i est her ei sat endencyt o maket heoppor t uni ster r orbecauset hei ner t i aofwor ki ngsol ongt o i mpr ov et hedai l yl i f eoft hemassesbui l dsconser v at i v ei nst i nct swi t hi nt he r ev ol ut i onar ypar t yandacer t ai ncomf or t abl enesswi t ht hest at usquo( e. g. , f ancypar t yheadquar t er s) , whi chpr edi sposer ev ol ut i onar i esnott oseea r ev ol ut i onar ycr i si swheni tar i ses.Ther eact i v i zat i onoft her ev ol ut i onar y mov ementt husof t enmustoccurt hr oughabr eakwi t ht heol dpar t yand t hel ossofv al uabl et i meandr esour ces.Suchwast hecasei nt heWor l d WarIper i odwhent heol dSoci al Democr at i cpar t i esr ev eal edhowossi f i ed t heyhadbecomebyf i r stsuppor t i ngt hei rr espect i v egov er nment sdur i ng t hewarandt henact i ngt or epr esswor ki ngcl assr ev ol ut i oni mmedi at el y af t er .TheSoci al i stmov ementconsequent l yhadt ospl i ti nt or ev ol ut i onar y andnonr ev ol ut i onar ysegment swi t hmanyhonestwor ker sconf usedand r emai ni ngi nt hesoci al democr at i cpar t i es.Av al uabl eoppor t uni t ywasl ost . Hadt heGer manSoci al Democr at i cpar t yact edi nadeci si v eand r ev ol ut i onar ywayi n1918t osei zepowert hechancesar et hatasuccessf ul r ev ol ut i oncoul dhav ebeenconsol i dat edi nGer many .Butt hewav er i ngand ev ent ual ant i r ev ol ut i onar yat t i t udeofi t sl eader shi p, whi chsponsor edt he r epr essi onoft her ev ol ut i onar yl ef t , pr ov edf at al t ot hepr ospect sf ora Ger manr ev ol ut i on.Onemi ghtwe’ l l ar guet hatt heI t al i anorSpani shCPs mi ghtbehav ei nasi mi l arwaygi v ent hedev el opmentofat r uer ev ol ut i onar y cr i si si nSout her nEur ope. I ti sal sopossi bl et hatt hedev el opmentofar ev ol ut i onar ycr i si smi ght i nst eadpr oducear er adi cal i z at i onoft hesepar t i esduet opr essur ef r om bel owwhi chwoul di nt ensi f ydur i ngar ev ol ut i onar ycr i si s.Asi tbecomes mor eandmor eappar entt ot hewor ker st hatt hest r uggl ef orgr adual i mpr ov ement si snotget t i nganypl ace( ast hei rcondi t i ondet er i or at es) , and ast hepossi bi l i t i esf orsoci al i sm appearmor eandmor er eal i nt heshor t r un, pr essur ef ordeci si v eact i ont osei zepowerwoul dbeexpr essedi nany t r ul ydemocr at i cor gani zat i onofwor ker s.Whet herofnott hi spr essur ei s mani f est edi nt heendi ngofanoppor t uni stl i neori namaj orspl i ti nt he C. P. ’ sdependsont hedegr eet owhi cht hei ror gani zat i onal st r uct ur ei s r esponsi v et ot hewor ker sati t sbase.I t. mi ghtpr ov et obet hecaset hatt he

83 Sout her nEur opeanC. P. ’ sar econsi der abl ymor edemocr at i ct hant heWor l d WarIper i odSoci al Democr at i cpar t i es, andt hust hatt her ev i si oni stC. P. ’ s canr ev er set hei rcour se.Buti nanyev entt hef act st hatt hesepar t i eshav e notr ev er sedt hei rcour se( andar ei nf actaccel er at i ngt hei rspeedal ongi t ) , andt hef actt hatt hepostWor l dWarIphenomenaofmaj orspl i t sf r om t he Soci al Democr at i cPar t i esf i r ml yr oot edi nt hewor ki ngcl asswhi ch af f i l i at edwi t ht heComi nt er nandmor eorl essi mmedi at el ybecamemaj or i nf l uencesi nwor ki ngcl assst r uggl eshasnowher ei nt headv anced capi t al i stcount r i esbeenr epeat ed, i ndi cat est hatat r ul yr ev ol ut i onar y si t uat i ondoesnoty etexi sti nt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i es.Whena t r ul yr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i ondi dexi st , e. g. , 19181921i nEur ope, t he condi t i onscal l edf or t har ev ol ut i onar ypar t ybecauseofpr essur ef r om t he wor ki ngcl ass, notbecausest udent sandexst udent ssawt heneedf ora r ev ol ut i on.Thedev el opmentoft heMaoi st( andt her ev i v al oft heTr ot sky i st ) mov ement si nEur opei nt hel at e1960’ s, and1970’ shaspr et t ymuch r est r i ct edi t sel ft oi nt el l ect ual sandexst udent s.Al t houghaf ew, most l y y oungerwor ker s, hav ebecomei nv ol v ed, nowher ehasei t hert endency dev el opeddeepandmassr oot si nt hewor ki ngcl assoft heor derofwhat t henewCommuni stgr oupswer eabl et oest abl i shi nt he19191921per i od. I nnonr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i onssuchast hecur r entr eal i t yi nt heU. S.and Nor t her nEur opet hemai ndangert endst obeul t r al ef t i sm.Thi sdangeri s especi al l ygr eatwher et her ev ol ut i onar ywor ker ’ smov ementi ssmal l and basedpr i mar i l yamongi nt el l ect ual sandexst udent sst r at awhose i mpat i enceandr emov al f r om t hepul seoft hewor ki ngcl assi sendemi c.I n r ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i onst hemai ndangeri soppor t uni sm, t hi si san especi al l yser i ousdangeri nt hosecount r i eswi t hal onghi st or yofmassi v e wor ker ’ spar t i esl eadi ngt hedai l yst r uggl esofwor ker sf orr ef or ms, whi ch hav econsi der abl ei ner t i ai fnothar deni ngoft hear t er i es.I nnonr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i ons, especi al l ywher et her ev ol ut i onar ymov ementi s smal l , t hepr i mar yt aski st obui l dar ev ol ut i onar ywor ker ’ smov ement , wi n peopl et osoci al i sm, dev el opcl assconsci ousness, gi v ewor ker saf eel i ng f ort hei rst r engt h, cr eat eadi sci pl i nedor gani zat i ont hatcanactdeci si v el yi n t i mesofcr i si s, et c.

84 I nnonr ev ol ut i onar yper i odst hest r uggl esf orr ef or msar e, f ort hemostpar t , const r uct i v e, especi al l ywhenl edbyapar t ywhi chdr awsr ev ol ut i onar y l essonsf r om t hesuccessesandf ai l ur esoft hesest r uggl es.Fr ont swi t h nonr ev ol ut i onar ypr or ef or mf or cesar eal sousef ul meansbywhi cht owi n st r uggl es, gi v ewor ker saf eel i ngf ort hei rpower , bui l dr espectandt r ustf or r ev ol ut i onar yl eader shi pandr ecr ui tmember si nt or ev ol ut i onar y or gani zat i ons.Thusi nnonr ev ol ut i onar yper i odsf i ght i ngf orr ef or msi snot t hemaj ordanger , r at hert hesect ar i an, ul t r al ef tpol i ci eswhi chi sol at et he smal l Leni ni stgr oupsf r om massst r uggl esar e. Thedangerofr ef or m st r uggl esi nnonr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i onswher emost oft hewor ki ngcl assi scl assconsci ousandt heMar xi stpar t i esl ar ge comesnotf r om t hehonestbat t l ef orr ef or mswagedi nal l i ancewi t h r ef or mi stf or ces, butf r om f ai l i ngt oemphasi zei nagi t at i onandpr opaganda t henat ur eoft hecapi t al i stsy st em, t heneedf orr ev ol ut i onandt hel i mi t sof r ef or mswi t hi nacapi t al i stsoci et y .Whati sdanger ousi st opr opagat et he not i ont hatat ot al t r ansf or mat i onoft hel i v esofwor ker scanoccurt hr ough agr adual pr ocessofr ef or m.Thi si sadangerbecauset hi scoul dnot happenundercapi t al i sm.Onl yaqual i t at i v ebr eakwi t hcapi t al i sm under t akenwi t hhegemonyofmi l i t ar yf or cecanqual i t at i v el yi mpr ov et he condi t i onsofwor ker s.Educat i onaboutt hi sr eal i t yshoul dbeunder t aken t hr oughoutcampai gnsai medatr ef or ms.Fai l ur et oeducat et hemasses aboutt hel i mi t sofr ef or msspr eadsi l l usi onswhi chmaywel l pr ov ef at al . Hopesofgr adual changet hr oughr ef or m woul d’ bl ock’ peopl ef r om seei ng t hatt hedeci si v est r uggl ewi l l necessar i l ybemi l i t ar y , andhencepr ev ent t hem f orpr epar i ngf orsuchact i on.Howev er , t hev er yr eal dangerofnot pr epar i ngt hemassesf ort henecessar i l ymi l i t ar yst r uggl ei snott hecent r al i ssueunt i l f i r stt hemassesar ecl assconsci ous, i . e. , bel i ev ei nsoci al i sm.I t doesnogoodt ol ect ur et hewor ker saboutt hei nev i t abi l i t yofv i ol ent r ev ol ut i oni ft hewor ker sst i l l f av orcapi t al i sm.I nst r uct i onaboutwhi ch pat hsar eandwhi char enotv i abl eandi nev i t abl eonl ybecomer el ev ant whenwor ker sact ual l ydesi r et hesoci al i stgoal . Thepr i mar ypr obl em wher et her ev ol ut i onar yl ef ti nanonr ev ol ut i onar y si t uat i oni sbi gi st oemphasi zet henecessi t yofmi l i t ar yhegemony .Thi s

85 mustbeemphasi zedagai nstt hei nher entandmassi v eoppor t uni st pr essur ecomi ngupf r om bel owaswel l asf r om t hel eader shi ps.Butt he pr i mar ypr obl em wher et her ev ol ut i onar yl ef ti ssmal l l i esi nj ustwi nni ng peopl et osoci al i stcl assconsci ousnessandgi v i ngt hem t hef eel i ngoft hei r power .Undersuchcondi t i onsuni t edandpopul arf r ont sar eal l t hemor e i mpor t antasmechani smsofawakeni ngt heoppr essed.Thequest i onof v i ol entr ev ol ut i onv er suspeacef ul t r ansi t i oni snotacent r al onebecause t hei ssuei snotr eal t ot hemassesofwor ker swhohav enoty etdeci ded bet weensoci al i sm andcapi t al i sm.Consequent l ypubl i cl ect ur esaboutt he needf orav i ol entr ev ol ut i ont endt obemi spl aced.I nf act , unduepubl i c emphasi sont hev i ol entnat ur eofr ev ol ut i onatt hi sst agei sl i kel yt obe obj ect i v el yant i r ev ol ut i onar y , si ncei tcanscar ewor ker saway , i sol at e Mar xi st sasext r emi st sandbr i ngdownpr emat ur er epr essi on.Thei ssueof v i ol entv s.nonv i ol entr ev ol ut i oni ssi mpl ynott hecent r al quest i ononmost wor ker smi ndsatt heear l i estst ageoft her ev ol ut i onar ypr ocess.Thepubl i c cent r al i t yoft hi squest i onwoul dseem t obef armor ei mpor t antt ot hepet t y bour geoi si nt el l ect ual swhot endt ogr owupi nl i ber al , -nonv i ol ent env i r onment swher ev i ol ence, guns, i l l egal i t y , et c. , i st aboo.Wor ki ngcl ass peopl eont heot herhandar emuchcl osert ov i ol ence, gunsandi l l egal i t y , andar er at heropent ousi ngal l t hr eei npur sui tofgoal st heyt r ul ybel i ev ei n. Consequent l y , t oconv i ncewor ker st hatcapi t al i sm i st hei renemyand soci al i sm t hei rhopei sal r eadyt ogohal foft hewayt owar dsconv i nci ng t hem t hatmi l i t ar yhegemonywi l l bedeci si v ei nt hest r uggl e.Thi si smost def i ni t el ynott hecaseamongpet t ybour geoi sst udent s, whohav est r ong paci f i standl egal i st i cl eani ngs, andwi t hwhom t he, mer ei nt el l ect ual conv er si ont ot hepr i nci pl esofsoci al i sm hasl i t t l eef f ectont hei rat t i t ude aboutv i ol enceori l l egal i t y .Ther eci t at i onsofbel i efi nv i ol entr ev ol ut i onand i l l egal wor kt husseem t of unct i onpr i mar i l yt obr eakt hemy st i queof l egal i t yandnonv i ol enceamongt hel i ber al pet t ybour geoi si e, r at hert hanas ef f ect i v emeasur esagai nstoppor t uni sm i nt hewor ki ngcl ass. Thepubl i ct r eat mentofpossi bi l i t i esofv i ol entr ev ol ut i ondur i ngt hi sper i od mustnotcar r yov eri nt ot hei nt er nal educat i onanddi scussi onoft he r ev ol ut i onar yor gani z at i ons.Cadr emustf ul l yunder st andt hev er yr eal

86 possi bi l i t i esofv i ol ence, t heabsol ut enecessi t yofgai ni ngmi l i t ar y hegemonyandt her eal i t yofbegi nni ngt opr epar ef ori t , i fonl y psy chol ogi cal l yandbyemphasi zi ngmi l i t ar yor gani zi ng.Cadr emustbe f ul l ypr epar edf oral l t hecont i ngenci esoft hest r uggl e. Oncet hewor ki ngcl assi scl assconsci ousness, publ i cemphasi sont he quest i onofmi l i t ar yhegemonyi snol ongeradv ent ur i st i cormi spl aced, but i snowcent r al .Thequest i onofhowdoest hewor ki ngcl assgetsoci al i sm hasr epl acedt hequest i onofhowt odev el opcl assconsci ousnessi nt he wor ki ngcl assont heagenda.I nnonr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i onst hei mmense pr essur et owar dr ef or mi sm exer t edbyt her ankandf i l ehast obeact i v el y count er edwi t hst r ongeducat i onal pr ogr amsf ocusi ngont henat ur eoft he st at eandt hei mpossi bi l i t yofgr adual t r ansi t i on.Her e, whent hemai n dangerr eal l yi soppor t uni sm, t hemaj ort hr ustofr ev ol ut i onar yef f or t smust bet owar dsemphasi sont het heor yoft hedi ct at or shi poft hepr ol et ar i at , andt hepr epar at i onf ort hemi l i t ar yst r uggl e, sot hatt hesomewhat successf ul st r uggl esf orr ef or mswagedwi t ht heweaponofuni t edand popul arf r ont sdonotl ul l wor ker st osl eep, set t i ngt hem upf ort he sl aught erofami l i t ar ycoupde’ et at .Theext entt hatsuchapr epar at i on t akest hef or m ofcr eat i onofawel l ar medwor ker ’ smi l i t i a, wi nni ngov ert he r ankandf i l ewi t hi nt hear my , t heact ual cr eat i onofaRedAr myi nt hehi l l s, ormer el ypr epar i ngt hewor ker sf ort henecessi t yofcr eat i ngami l i t i a/ Red Ar my / orwi nni ngt her ankandf i l eoft hear myi sapr oductoft heconcr et e condi t i onsandt hest ageofdev el opmentoft her ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl e. Si ncei ti si mpossi bl et ohav ear ef or mi stt r ansi t i ont osoci al i sm i tamount s t omur der / sui ci denott opr epar ef ort hemi l i t ar yr eact i ont hatnecessar i l y wi l l comef r om t oosuccessf ul abat t l ef orr ef or ms. I tmustbeemphasi zedt hatsuchmi l i t ar ypr epar at i onhasnot hi ngt odo wi t hei t hersect ar i ani sm oradv ent ur i sm.Pr emat ur ef i ght i ngwi t ht hear my bef or et hewor ker sar ei naposi t i ont owi nsuchbat t l eswoul dbe adv ent ur i standf at al .Pr epar at i onf orsuchbat t l esi nt hef ut ur ei s appr opr i at e.At t acksonpeopl ewhocoul dbewont ot her ev ol ut i oni na cr i si sbutwhowi l l bedr i v enawayi ft r eat edl i ket heenemyi ssect ar i ani sm, butat t acksonpeopl ewhoatt hedeci si v emomentsi dewi t ht heenemyi s

87 necessar y . 2.TheRol eofVi ol enceandExt r al egal i t y Pr ov i di ngt her ev ol ut i onar yf or ceshav emi l i t ar yhegemonyei t hert hr ough hav i ngwont her ankandf i l eoft hear myorhav i ngaRedAr mywhi chcoul d Obv i ousl ysquashanyat t emptatar i ghtwi ngcoupi ti sar eal possi bi l i t y t hatasoci al r ev ol ut i onneed, notbev i ol ent( onl ybecauset hewor ker sar e bot hpr epar edt obev i ol ent , andt heyhav eamassedsuper i ormeansof v i ol ence) .Whi l er ev ol ut i onsneednotbeext r al egal , t heymustal way s i nv ol v er el at i v el ysuddent r ansf or mat i onsi nwhi cht hewor ki ngcl assexer t s mi l i t ar yhegemony .At t empt st omakesoci al r ev ol ut i ongr adual l yt hr ough r ef or msnecessar i l yf ai l , ev eni ft hewor ki ngcl asshasmi l i t ar yhegemony . Li kewi se, at t empt satr api dsoci al t r ansf or mat i onnecessar i l yf ai l i ft he wor ki ngcl assdoesnothav emi l i t ar yhegemony . Nor ul i ngcl asshasev erv ol unt ar i l ygi v enupi t spr i v i l egesmer el ybecause t hemaj or i t yofpeopl ewantt hem t o.Asl ongasapr i v i l egedgr ouphast he meanst opr eser v ei t spr i v i l egei twi l l r esi stbei ngr educedt ot her anksof commonwor ki ngpeopl e.Al i f eofl ei sur e, commandandpoweri sf art oo v al uabl et oanuppercl asst ogi v ei tupmer el ybecauseofagener al mor al pr i nci pl et hatoneshoul dnotuseal l t hemeansav ai l abl et oi ti npur sui tof one’ sends.Asl ongast heuppercl assr et ai nsspeci al accesst ot hemi l i t ar y andpol i cet hr ought i esofbl ood, f r i endshi pandcommoni nt er estbet ween t opof f i cer sandt heuppercl ass, t heywi l l actt oget hert opr eser v ehi er ar chy andcapi t al i str el at i onsofpr oduct i on.Themi l i t ar ywi l l necessar i l yi nt er v ene onbehal foft heuppercl asst opr ev entsoci al r ev ol ut i onev eni f100%oft he peopl ewantsoci al i sm.Theonl yt hi ngt hatwoul dpr ev entmi l i t ar y i nt er v ent i oni st heobv i ousr eal i t yofdeci si v emi l i t ar ydef eatf oracoupd’ et atshoul di tbet r i ed, i . e. , super i ormi l i t ar yf or cei nt hehandsoft he wor ki ngcl ass.Undermoder ncondi t i onst hi scant akeoneoft hr eef or ms: ( 1)ar ankandf i l eor gani zat i oni nt hear myst r ongenought odi sobeyor der s f oracoupd’ et atandsi dewi t ht her ev ol ut i onagai nstt hei rof f i cer s; ( 2)an i ndependentRedAr my , ei t herofl ocal soranar myofcomr adel ynei ghbor s whi chi sguar ant eedt ocr ushar i ght wi ngcoup.I ti snotenought hatt he

88 wor ker shav er i f l es, f oragai nstr i f l es, t hear myandai rf or ce, undermoder n condi t i ons, canputupdev ast at i ngf i r epowerwhi chi ssur et odr i v e r esi st anceunder gr oundori nt ot hemount ai nst of i ghtar ear guar dact i on. Thi si snotenought of or est al l acoup, andl i kewi sei ti snotenought owi n anof f ensi v ei nsur r ect i on.Ev enawel l t r ai nedwor ker ’ smi l i t i aar medwi t h l i ghtweaponscanhotexpectt owi ni nur banar easagai nstanar my / ai r f or cewhi chhasamonopol yonheav yweaponsandwhi chkeepsi t s di sci pl i ne.Notev ent heVi etCongwasabl et ohol danyci t i esunt i l t hel ast mont hsoft hewar . Guer r i l l awar f ar ewhi chgr adual l ybui l dsupt oconv ent i onal war f ar ei s pr obabl ynotar eal opt i oni nt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i es, ast he Tupamar oi nUr uguayshowed; unl esspopul arsuppor toft heguer r i l l asi s soov er whel mi ngast oef f ectt hear myt ot hepoi ntofmassi v e di saf f ect i onsandr ef usal st oobeyor der s.I nanyev enti nt headv anced capi t al i stcount r i est hekeyt or ev ol ut i onwoul dseem t ol i ei ni nsur i ngt he l oy al t yoft her ankandf i l esol di er st ot hewor ki ngcl assst r uggl e.Whet her t her ev ol ut i ont akes, t hef or m ofl egal andsemi l egal pr ocessesi nwhi ch t her ev ol ut i onar yor gani zat i onswi nanel ect i onandat t emptt oi mpl ement r ev ol ut i onar ydanger s, orwhet herunconst i t ut i onal meansar er esor t edt o, t her ankar i df i l eoft hemi l i t ar yi skey .I nt hef i r stcasebecauset heyar e neededt opr ev entar i ghtwi ngunconst i t ut i onal mov eandi nt hesecond, becauset heyar enecessar yt oei t hersei zet her ei gnsofpower , oratl east neut r al i zet hear mywhi l et hewor ker s’ mi l i t i asei zespower . Chi l ei st hemostr ecentcaseofwhathappenswhi chsoci al i sm i s at t empt edby r ef or mswi t houtmi l i t ar yhegemony .Theat t emptnotonl y f ai l edbutr esul t edi ngr i ev ousl ossest or ev ol ut i onar ycadr eand or gani zat i ons.Ther i ghthadnoi nhi bi t i onatal l aboutv i ol at i ngl egal i t yand r esor t i ngt ov i ol ence, nei t hercant her ev ol ut i onar yl ef t .Theonl yquest i oni s whatst r at egyandt act i csar ebestsui t edt oal l owt hewor ki ngmaj or i t yt o sei zecont r ol oft hei rl i v esf r om t hesmal l mi nor i t yofexpl oi t er s, asmal l mi nor i t ywhi chnotonl ymakest hel awsbutf eel st ot al l yf r eet ousel egal or i l l egal meansasi tsui t st hem.

89 Thepr i mar yquest i oni snotoneofl egal i t y / const i t ut i onal i t yor i l l egal i t y / unconst i t ut i onal i t y .Asoci al r ev ol ut i onneednotnecessar i l ybe madeei t herwi t hi nt hel egal f r amewor kort hr oughsei zi ngpoweri n v i ol at i onofbour geoi sr i ght .Justast hebour geoi si eusesl egal andi l l egal meanst opr eser v ei t sr ul e, sot omustt hewor ki ngpeopl eusel egal and i l l egal meanst oasser ti t sr i ght s.Fi r sti tmustbeunder st oodt hatt he Const i t ut i onandt hel egal sy st em wer esetupby , f or , andi nt hei nt er est sof t hepr oper t i edcl asses, andar edesi gnedt osy st emat i cal l yf r ust r at et he popul arwi l l andoper at ei nt hei nt er est sofcapi t al .Secondi tmustbe under st oodt hatl ar gepor t i onsoft hel owercl assesar econf usedby r el i gi on, pat r i ot i sm, i ndi v i dual i sm, al cohol , dr ugs, et c. , andof t ent endt o v ot ef ort her el i gi ousandcapi t al i stpar t i eswi t houtr eal l ybei ngconsci ous ofwhatt heyar edoi ng.Asar esul ti ti snotnecessar yt opl aybyt hel egal r ul esest abl i shedbyt heuppercl asses, r ul eswhi cht heyt hemsel v esv i ol at e orchangewhenev ert hewor ki ngcl ass, asi nChi l e, usest hem agai nstt he i nt er est soft heuppercl ass.I ft heov er whel mi ngmaj or i t yofpol i t i cal l y act i v epeopl egi v esuppor tofoneki ndoranot hert ot her ev ol ut i onar y v anguar d’ sact i ons, andt heuppercl assi sexposedandi sol at ed, t hi si sa suf f i ci entcondi t i onf orbot hr ev ol ut i onar yact i ont obet akenandf orsuch act i ont osucceed, whet herornotr ev ol ut i onar yact i onwast akent hr ough l egal orext r al egal channel s.I ft hev anguar dpar t yt r i est omaker ev ol ut i on wi t houtsuchov er whel mi ngsuppor tf oract i onst aken, andwi t houtt he uppercl asshay i ngbeenexposedandi sol at ed, t her ev ol ut i onar yat t empti s boundt of ai l , whet herornoti tusesl egal ori l l egal means. Thebour geoi si ef el tabsol ut el ynogui l taboutv i ol at i ngf eudal l egal l ywhen i tmadet heBr i t i shandFr enchr ev ol ut i ons, cut t i ngof ft her espect i v eheads oft heBr i t i shandFr enchki ngs, andest abl i shi ngr epubl i cs.Nei t herdi dt he uppercl assesi nt heCol oni es, wheni tov er t hr ewBr i t i shcol oni al r ul e, nor t heNor t her ncapi t al i st swhent heysuppr essedt hei nsur r ect i onofSout her n Pl ant at i onl or ds.I nal l t hesecasest hepr oper t yofopponent swas expr opr i at edwi t houtcompensat i on.Thesamef ol kst hatf r eel yr esor t edt o ext r al egal meansandv i ol entmet hodst ot hemsel v escomet opowernow pr eachnonv i ol encet ot hewor ki ngcl ass.Hy pocr i sy .Eachcl ass

90 est abl i shesi t sownpol i t i cal andmor al pr i nci pl es, i t sownl egal i t y , i t sown concept i onofr i ghtandwr ong.Whent hebour geoi si ef oughtt hef eudal l or dseachsi depl ay edbyi t sownr ul es.I twasr i ghtagai nstr i ght .Thecl ass warbet weencapi t al andl abori snecessar i l ywagedont hesamet er ms– bour geoi sr i ghtv er suspr ol et ar i anr i ght .Nei t hersi dei sobl i gedt opl ayby t her ul esl ai ddownbyt heot her .Thev i ct ori st husnotdeci dedbyhowwel l onesi deort heot herst uckt ot her ul es, butsol el ybywhi chwasabl et o mobi l i zesuper i ormi l i t ar yf or ce.Mor al i t yandr i ghtent eri nonl yt ot he ext entt hatt heygi v el egi t i macyt oonesi deort heot herandhenceser v et o mobi l i zebi ggerar mi es* f oroneort heot hersi de. Gr adual t r ansf or mat i onf r om capi t al i sm t osoci al i sm i seconomi cal l yand soci al l yi mpossi bl e, ev enwhent hewor ki ngcl assmai nt ai nsamonopol yon mi l i t ar yf or ce.Ther ei snor eal mi ddl egr oundbet weencapi t al i sm and soci al i sm.Ei t hert heeconomyi sor gani zedessent i al l ybycapi t al i st pr i nci pl esr el y i ngathear tonmar ket sandcompet i t i onamongent er pr i ses wi t hdeci si onmaki ngconcent r at edi nowner sormanager sori ti sathear t or gani zedbyacent r al pl angear edt ot hei nt er est soft hewor ki ngcl assand r el i antonpopul armobi l i zat i onr at hert hanel i t esandmar ket st okeepi t r unni ng.At t empt st or el ypar t i al l yonmar ket sandcompet i t i onandpar t i al l y . onwor kerr unent er pr i sesandahal fhear t edpl anal way sr esul ti nt he wor stofbot hwor l ds.Capi t al f l eest hecount r y , r ef usest oi nv est , and sabot agespr oduct i on.Wor ker sar eunabl et osuccessf ul l ymanage i ndi v i dual ent er pr i sesr el at i ngt ooneanot hert hr oughmar ket s, t hepl an f ai l sbecausei ti sonl ypar t i al , et c.Asar esul tdi scont entspr eadsand demor al i zat i onset si n, andt hegr oundwor kl ai df orr eact i on.Such phenomenaoccur r edi nNkr umah’ sGhana, Sukano’ sI ndonesi a, Al l ende’ s Chi l e, andPor t ugal i n19741975.At t empt st ost r addl et hef encebet ween soci al i sm andcapi t al i sm necessar i l ypr oduceeconomi ccr i seswhi ch necessar i l yl eadt osoci al andpol i t i cal cr i si s.Anymov ementont hepar tof agov er nmentt owar dssoci al i sm mustber api dandt hor oughl eav i ngno r oom f orcapi t al i st st oconsci ousl yorunconsci ousl ysabot agepr oduct i on orf ori nt er nat i onal orl ocal mar ketf or cest ounder mi net hepl anorwor ker ’ s power .Thegapbet weensoci al i sm andcapi t al i sm i saquant um whi chcan

91 notbebr i dgedi nl i t t l epi eces, butonl yt hr oughonebi gqual i t at i v el eap.Thi s qual i t at i v el eapi nt osoci al i sm, al t houghi tcanl ogi cal l yoccurbyl egal met hodsandwi t houtv i ol encei sv er yl i kel yt oatsomepoi nti nv ol v eei t her Vi ol enceorext r al egal met hodsorbot h.Thequal i t at i v el eapmusti nv ol v ea t hor oughr eor gani zat i onoft hest at eappar at usandt hest at e’ sr ol ei n soci et y .I nf acti tmustessent i al l yi nv ol v et hedest r uct i onoft heol dst at e setupt of unct i onasani nst r umentoft hebour geoi si eandi t sr epl acement wi t hav er ydi f f er ent l yor gani zedst at e–ani nst r umentoft hepr ol et ar i at . Thi smeanst hatt hemechani smsofdeci si onmaki nghav et obeput secur el yi nt hehandsoft hepeopl ewhoi ncr easi ngl ycomet oadmi ni st er t hei rownaf f ai r s. Al l r ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i onswhet herbasi cal l yv i ol entornotv i ol ent , l egal orext r al egal necessar i l yi nv ol v ebr oadanddeeppopul ar mobi l i zat i onsandst r uggl esout si deofmer eel ect i onsandpar l i ament ar y bat t l es.El ect i onsandpar l i ament ar yv ot eswhi l et heymayhav ear ol ei na pr ocessofl egal t r ansi t i ont osoci al i sm ar emer el yt heexpr essi onsoft he r ev ol ut i onar ypopul armov ement swhi char eact ual l yt hesol esour ceoft he ener gyf orr ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i on.Themassesmustdoi t t hemsel v es, nol egi sl at ur eorbal l otboxcandoi tf ort hem.I ti spopul ar ener gywhi chcani nt i mi dat et her i ghtf r om maki ngacoup, whi chf or ces r api dchange, whi cht akesov erandr unsf act or i esandgov er nment admi ni st r at i on, whi chi sbehi ndt heal l ar oundr ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i on ofl i f e.Onl yt hemassescansei zecont r ol ov ert hei rownl i v es.Ar ev ol ut i on f r om abov ewi t hmer el yt hepassi v ev ot eoft hemassesi sani mpossi bi l i t y . Theessent i al quest i oni st hennotl egal i t y ext r al egal i t y , v i ol encenot v i ol ence, butr at herwhet herornett her ei samassr ev ol ut i onar ymov ement capabl eofsei zi ngst at epowerornot .I ft her ei ssuchamov ementi tmay wel l beabl et ousepar l i ament ar yf or mst ogai nl egi t i macyf ori t scause, neut r al i zi ngopponent sbecauset hel awi soni t s’ si de( i twoul dbef ool i sh t or ef uset ouset hel awasi t sweapon, ast heCommuni st sdi di nSpai ni n 19361939, wheni tpor t r ay edt hemsel v esas“ Loy al i st s” )andi twoul dbe f ool i sht or esor tt ov i ol encei fi tal r eadyhadt her i ghti nt i mi dat edand i sol at ed, si ncegr at ui t ousv i ol encemi ghtmobi l i zesuppor tf ort hecount er -

92 r ev ol ut i on.

3.TheLessonsofChi l e Fart oof aci l el essonshav ebeendr awnbybot ht he“ r ev i si oni st s”andsoci al democr at sont her i ght , andt heul t r al ef t i st soft hel ef t , aboutt hemeani ng oft hedef eatofAl l ende’ sat t emptt obui l dsoci al i sm i nChi l e.TheI t al i an CP’ sanal y si si st hatAl l endeshowedt hatauni t edf r ontgov er nment wi nni nganel ect i onev enwi t h51%oft hev ot e)i si nsuf f i ci entt omov et o soci al i sm, si ncet hepet t ybour geoi si eandt hear mywi l l r esi stand necessar i l yf r ust r at et heat t empt , andt hatsuppor toft heor derof7585% oft hepopul at i oni snecessar yt opr ev entr eact i onandami l i t ar ycoupand i nsur et her oadt osoci al i sm.Fur t hert osecur et he7585%suppor tal l ki nds ofi nsur anceshav et obegi v ent omi l i t ar ymen, t hepet t ybour geoi si eand ev ent hecapi t al i st s, t oqui ett hei rf ear sandal l owv er ysl owandgr adual measur est obet akent owar dssoci al i sm.Thi sl essoni spur eandsi mpl e r ef or mi sm/ r ev i si oni sm. Theul t r al ef tar oundt hewor l ddr ewav er ydi f f er entl esson, t heyar guet hat t hebl amef ort hedef eati nChi l el aynotwi t hAl l endemov i ngt oof ast wi t houtadequat esuppor t , butr at herwi t hhi sgov er nment ’ sr ef usal t o di st r i but ear mst ot hewor ker sorr el yonani nsur r ect i onar yst r at egy , i nst eadspr eadi ngf al sehopest hatt hemi l i t ar ywoul dnoti nt er v ene.Such ul t r al ef tcr i t i ci smsar ebasedmor ei ndogmat i casser t i onsaboutnev er nev erl andt hant heyar eonacol dhar dl ookatconcr et eChi l eancondi t i ons. Al l ende’ sascendancyt ot hePr esi dencyi n1970wasanacci dent .I nf acthe hadact ual l ygot t enmor ev ot est hel astt i meher ani n1964.Ther i ghtwas soconf i dentofwi nni ngt heel ect i ont hati tdi v i dedi t ssuppor tamongt wo st r ongcandi dat est husal l owi ngAl l endet owi nwi t honl ysl i ght l yov eronet hi r doft hepopul arv ot e.Ther ewasnor ev ol ut i onar ycr i si si nChi l eatt he t i meandt her ewasnocl earpopul arupsur gef orr api dandr ev ol ut i onar y change.Theuppercl asshadnotbeeni sol at edandt hear myr emai ned st r ong.Ther ev ol ut i onar yl ef thadt ocont estel ect i onsi fi twant edt obea par toft hepol i t i cal l i f eoft hemasses, i thadt ohonest l yf i ghtf or

93 i mpr ov ement si nt hecondi t i onsoft hewor ker si thopedt owi nand mai nt ai nt her espectoft hewor ker swhower ei t ssuppor t er s.Ther ef or e, Al l endewasf or cedt oser i ousl yr unf orof f i ceandat t emptt oi mpl ement whatchangeshecoul d, usi nghi sposi t i onorf acet hewr at hofwor ker swho woul dhav el egi t i mat el yf el tbet r ay edhadhenotkeptpushi ngf ormor eand mor ef ort hewor ki ngcl ass.Tomai nt ai nt hatt her ev ol ut i onar yl ef tshoul d nothav espr eadi l l usi onsaboutpeacef ul t r ansi t i on, butshoul dhav e concent r at edi nst eadonar mi ngandt r ai ni ngt hewor ker si sbesi dest he poi nt .Thesoci al i standCommuni stpar t i esdi dconsi st ent l yt eacht hatt he capi t al i stst at ewasani nst r umentofv i ol enceagai nstt hewor ki ngcl ass andt hatt hewor ki ngcl asswoul dhav et ohav esuper i ormi l i t ar yf or ce. Nev er t hel esssol ongasel ect i onsexi st edi nChi l ev astnumber sofwor ker s andpr ogr essi v esf el tt her eal i t yofpeacef ul change, i . e. , boughti none degr eeoranot hert hemy t h.I ft her ev ol ut i onar yl ef tst ar t edt r ai ni ngand ar mi ngwor ker si n1960, t heywoul dnoti nf acthav ebeeni naposi t i ont o l eadasuccessf ul i nsur r ect i oni n1970.Mostwor ker swoul dnothav et aken t hecampai gnv er yser i ousl y .Thesi mpl ef acti speopl ear ewi l l i ngt ov ot e f orsoci al i sm bef or et heyar ewi l l i ngt opi ckupt hegunf ori t .Thi sofcour se meansel ect or al v i ct or i est endt ooccurbef or epeopl ear emi l i t ar i l yr eadyt o wi naci v i l war . Thepol i ceandmi l i t ar ywoul dhav ebeenabl et osuppr essawor ker ’ s mi l i t i asbecauset hegov er nmenthadnoty etbeent hor oughl ydi scr edi t edi n t heey esoft hemasses, i . e. , t hepol i cehadey es, ear sandf r i ends ev er y wher e.Thev er yexi st enceoff r eeel ect i onsi n1964and1970i nwhi ch t hemaj or i t ydi dnotsuppor tt hel ef tpar t i esi ndi cat est hatar ev ol ut i onar y cr i si shadnoty etoccur r ed, i . e. , t hatmostpeopl ewer est i l l suppor t i ngt he sy st em.At t empt satmassi v edi st r i but i onofweaponst ot hewor ker saf t er 1970woul dhav ecer t ai nl ypr ov okedacoupbef or e1973i nor dert opr ev ent t hecr eat i onofaRedAr my .I ndeedsol ongast hemassesr et ai n consi der abl ef ai t hi npar l i ament ar yf or ms, i . e. , hel di l l usi onsaboutt he pr ocessofsoci al i stt r ansf or mat i on, t heel ect i onofAl l endewasi nev i t abl e. I twasl i kewi sei nev i t abl et hatAl l endewoul dbeunabl et ogener at emi l i t ar y hegemonyei t herbef or eoraf t erhi sel ect i on, becauseoft her ef or mi st

94 i l l usi onsamongt hemassesandt heabsenceofar ev ol ut i onar ycr i si s.The whol et hi ngwasat r agedycompar abl et ot heChi nesemassacr eof1927or t heI ndonesi anmassacr eof1965.Par toft hezi gzagpr ocessof r ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i oni st hatt hemassesmustl ear nf r om t hei rown exper i enceswhati snecessar yt omaker ev ol ut i on.Thei l l usi onsof par l i ament ar ydemocr acymustbeshat t er edbyexper i ence, t headv anced consci ousnessofl eadi ngcadr esi si nsuf f i ci ent( seeSt al i n; Not eson Cont empor ar yThemes: Chi na, 1927, Pr av daAr t i cl e) . Thememor yoft heher oi cAl l endey ear swi l l l i v eandgr owamongt he Chi l eanmassesandev ent ual l ybur stf or t hi nagenui ner ev ol ut i on. Thet r agi cev ent sof19701973wer emor eorl essnecessar y .Atbest Al l endecoul dhav eusedt hesey ear sbet t eri ndr awi ngshar perl essons aboutt henat ur eoft hest at e, andhel pi ngt odi spel i l l usi onsaboutt he pr obabi l i t yofsuccess.Butt oappeart ooskept i cal aboutwhathecoul d accompl i shwoul dpr obabl ydemor al i zesoci al i sm’ ssuppor t er sf r om ev en t r y i ng.Thecor r ectl i nef orr ev ol ut i onar i esdur i ngt hi sper i odseemst obe t hatoft heMI Rwhi chgav ecr i t i cal butact i v esuppor tt ot heAl l ender egi me wi t houtbecomi ngpar toft hegov er nment .TheMI Rt i r el essl ypoi nt edout t hei mpossi bi l i t yofcompl et i ngt hepr oj ectwi t houtgai ni ngmi l i t ar y hegemony , andcont i nual l ywar nedoft hepr obabi l i t yoft hecoup.I tact i v el y encour agedt hedev el opmentofawor ker ’ smi l i t i aandwor kedwi t hi nt he ar medf or ces.Unf or t unat el yt her i ghtdi dnotgr antt heMI Rsuf f i ci entt i me t ogai nenoughst r engt hi nt hear medf or cesort obui l dupast r ongenough mi l i t ar ycount er f or cet oneut r al i zet her i ght .Noonewhounder st andst he nat ur eofst at epowershoul dhav eexpect edany t hi ngdi f f er ent .

4.Scenar i osf orRev ol ut i oni nt heAdv ancedCapi t al i stCount r i es Anysoci al i str ev ol ut i onwi l l necessar i l ybe( 1)ar med, i . e. , t hewor ki ngcl ass andi t sal l i esmusthav esuper i ormi l i t ar yf or ce, and( 2)r api d, i . e. , pi ece meal r ef or mscannotaddupt ot hequal i t at i v et r ansf or mat i onnecessar y . Whet herornotar ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i onoccur sbasi cal l yi next r a-

95 l egal way sandi sv i ol ent , howev er , i sanopenquest i on.Rev ol ut i onar i es mustbepr epar edf orbot hext r al egal st r uggl eandf orv i ol enceandmust notbeatal l i nhi bi t edf r om usi ngei t herast act i csandst r at egi es.But nei t hermustt heyf et i shi zet hem.Whet herornotext r al egal , st r at egi esand t act i cs, andv i ol ence, i sr esor t edt oi smost l yapr oductofhowt heupper cl assr espondst ot hegr owt hofr ev ol ut i onar yf or cesi nacr i si ssi t uat i on, whi chi nt ur ni si ngoodpar tapr oductoft her esponset ot hest r engt ht he r ev ol ut i onar yf or ceshav ebeenabl et obui l duppr i ort ot her ev ol ut i onar y cr i si s, andoft heabi l i t yandwi l l oft her ev ol ut i onar yf or cest of ol l owat r ul y r ev ol ut i onar yst r at egy( nei t heradv ent ur i st i corv aci l l at i ng) . I ti scer t ai nl yar eal possi bi l i t yt hati nacount r ywher et hewor ki ngcl ass mov ementi sv er yst r ong, al mostal l wor ker sar ei nuni ons, wor ker shav ea mi l i t antt r adi t i on, t her ankandf i l esol di er sar edr af t eesf r om t hewor ki ng cl ass, ar eor gani zedi nsol di er suni onsandhav econnect i onswi t ht he wor ker ’ spar t i es, wher ef i r mt i esexi stwi t ht hepet t ybour geoi si e, et c., t he “ r ef or mi st ” / “ r ev i si oni st ”par t i esi ngov er nmentcoul dat t emptaser i esof r at herbasi cbutnotr ev ol ut i onar yr ef or ms, whi ch, becauseoft he unt enabi l i t yofami ddl ecour sebet weensoci al i sm andcapi t al i sm woul d r esul ti nt hecapi t al i st sr ef usal t oi nv est , sabot ageofpr oduct i on, et c, , r esul t i ngi nt hecr eat i onofar ev ol ut i onar ycr i si s.Att hi spoi nta r ev ol ut i onar ysei zur eofpowerwhi chi smani f est edi nanel ect or al v i ct or y aswel l asi namassi v epopul armov ementset t i ngupf act or ynei ghbor hood counci l s( wi t ht hel egal sanct i onoft henewl yel ect edgov er nment )coul d i nst i t ut esoci al i sm.I ft heal l i ancebet weent hepet t ybour geoi sandt he wor ki ngcl asshol ds( i . e. , nomassi v ef asci stmov ementi scr eat ed)andt he uni t yoft her ankandf i l esol di er spr ev ent sami l i t ar ycoup, i . e. , t her ankand f i l esol di er ssuppor tt her ev ol ut i onar ygov er nment , t hecapi t al i stcl assi s i sol at edandunabl et osponsoracount err ev ol ut i on.Thusbecauset he r ev ol ut i onar i eshav emi l i t ar yhegemonyandt akesdeci si v eact i oni nacr i si s si t uat i onagenui nesoci al i str ev ol ut i oncoul doccurwi t hnei t hersi gni f i cant bl oodshednorext r al egal i t y .I ti sapossi bi l i t yt hatsoci al i sm mi ghtcomei n acount r yl i keSweden, Fi nl and, Denmar koranot herNor t her nEur opean count r yi nt hi smanner .

96 Butf ort her ev ol ut i onar ypr ocesst ooccurwi t houtr esor tt oext r al egal i t yor v i ol enceev er y t hi ngmustgor i ght .Thechancesar et hati nmostadv anced capi t al i stcount r i est hewor ki ngcl assmov ementi snotsuf f i ci ent l yst r ong, t heal l i ancewi t ht hepet t ybour geoi si enotsuf f i ci ent l yf i r m, and or gani zat i onwi t hi nt her ankandf i l eoft hear myi nadequat et oguar ant ee t hatapopul armov ementmani f est edi nanel ect or al v i ct or yandt her api d i nst i t ut i onofsoci al i sm coul df or est al l ei t heraf asci stmov ementbasedi n t hepet t ybour geoi si eoranat t empt edcoupd’ et atbyt hear my .I nsuch cases, whi char el i kel yt obei nt hemaj or i t y , ei t herabl oodyci v i l warwi l l be pr eci pi t at edbecauset hest r engt hoft hef asci st sandt hegener al si s I nsuf f i ci entt ocr usht her ev ol ut i onar ymov ement , i . e. , par toft hear my obey sor der s, andpar tsi deswi t ht hel egal gov er nment , andacondi t i onl i ke Spai ni n19361939dev el opsort hemi l i t ar ycoup/ f asci stcount err ev ol ut i on succeeds( asi nChi l ei n1973)andpar l i ament ar yr ul esar eabol i shedbyt he capi t al i stcl assi t sel f .I nt hef i r stcaset hest r uggl ei mmedi at el ybecomes pr i mar i l ymi l i t ar yandast her esul tofv i ct or yi nsuchaci v i l wart hewor ki ng cl asscomesi nt opower , andt hest epst owar dat hor oughsoci al i st r ev ol ut i onmade.Ser i ousr ev ol ut i onar i esmustpr epar et hemsel v esf orsuch aci v i l war .I nt hesecondcaseanyopposi t i ont ot hemi l i t ar ydi ct at or shi pi s necessar i l yext r al egal andanyr ev ol ut i onar yact i v i t yi smostl i kel yt ol eadt o ar medst r uggl esi ncet hepar l i ament ar ycour seofr ef or mi snowcl osed.I t i spr obabl yonl yi nt hi ssi t uat i on, wher et heov er whel mi ngmaj or i t yof peopl ear eopposedt omi l i t ar ydi ct at or shi p, t hatt heobj ect i v econdi t i ons exi sti nt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i esf orguer r i l l awar f ar eandt he bui l di ngofaRedAr myi ndependentoft heof f i ci al ar my , i . e. , asi nt he par t i sanwar f ar eagai nstt heNazi occupat i onsi nt hecl osi ngday sofWor l d WarI Ii nEur ope.Ser i ousr ev ol ut i onar i esmustal sobepr epar edf ort hi s ev ent ual i t y . Ther ei sal sot hepossi bi l i t yt hatal t hought hemaj or i t yof“ cl assconsci ous, t hi nki ng, pol i t i cal l yact i v ewor ker sf ul l yunder st andt hatr ev ol ut i oni s necessar y ”and“ ar er eadyt osacr i f i cet hei rl i v esf ori t , ”andt her ul i ngcl ass i si nacr i si swhi chi tcan’ tsol v e, t hatt heconser v at i v epar t i escoul dput t oget heranel ect or al coal i t i onwhi chcoul dnar r owl ywi napopul arel ect i on

97 ont hebasi sofdesper at eappeal st ot hemor ebackwar dssegment soft he masses–pai nofexcommuni cat i onf orCat hol i cswhov ot ef ort hel ef t , l i es aboutt heCommuni st st aki ngawaypeopl e’ schi l dr enandsendi ngt hem t o Cuba, useofr aci sm andnat i onal i sm, et c.I ft hepeopl ewhov ot ef ort he conser v at i v epar t i esi nacr i si ssi t uat i onar ei nf actpol i t i cal l ypassi v e peopl ewhohav ebeenmani pul at edbyt her i ghtandnotpol i t i cal l yact i v e wor ker sandpet t ybour geoi swhowoul dbepr epar edt of i ghti nt hest r eet s agai nstar ev ol ut i onar ygov er nmenti ti sappr opr i at ef ort hewor ki ngcl ass t osei zepowert hr oughext r al egal means, i fi tl ooksl i keabl oodyci v i l war wi l l notbeper ci pi t at edandt hemassesofpeopl ewi l l accepta r ev ol ut i onar ygov er nmentmor eorl essi mmedi at el yaf t eri tt akespower . Suchanext r al egal r out et opowercanbesuccessf ul i fbot hoft he f ol l owi ngcondi t i onsexi st : ( 1)mi l i t ar yhegemony , i . e. , l eader shi poft her ank andf i l eandmanyof f i cer si nt hear mywhoar epr epar edt odi sobeyt he or der soft heunpopul argov er nment , di st r i but ear mst ot hepeopl e, andput t hemsel v esatt hedi sposal oft her ev ol ut i onar ygov er nmentasdi dt he Russi anar myi nOct ober1917, and( 2)amassi v epopul arupheav al whi chi s r esul t i ngi n, t het akeov er , off act or i esandi not herpopul aract i onswi t hout , pr ov oki ngmassi v ef asci stt y peact i onsi nr esponse.Suchanext r al egal cour semi ghthav et obef ol l owedi nasi t uat i onwher eacount r y ’ s const i t ut i ondoesnotpr ov i def or , ort her ul i ngpar t i esdonotper mi t el ect i onsdur i ngcr i si sper i ods, i . e. , t hati ti scl eart hatt hemaj or i t yofpeopl e wantar ev ol ut i onbutnoel ect i oncanbehel df ort wo, t hr eeorf oury ear s, andbyt hatt i mer ev ol ut i onar yener gi eswoul dhav ebeenspentandt he r ev ol ut i onar ymov ementsuppr essed.Rev ol ut i onar i esmustbepr epar edt o acti ndependent l yofconst i t ut i onsest abl i shedbyandf ort heuppercl asses, pr ov i dedonl yt hatt heov er whel mi ngmaj or i t yofpeopl ewoul dsuppor text r a l egal act i onswhent heyoccur( ei t herbef or eoraf t ert hef act ) , .The bour geoi si ehasnoqual msaboutext r al egal means, nei t hercant hel ef t . Rev ol ut i onar i esmustbepr epar edf oranyoft hef ourpossi bl escenar i os. Guar di ngagai nstbot hadv ent ur i sm andput t i ngt hepar t yi npl aceoft he masses, andoppor t uni sm/ v aci l l at i on, wor ki ngcl asspowermustbe br oughtabout“ byanymeansnecessar y . ”

98

G.Or gani zat i ons, Coal i t i onsandCl assAl l i ances 1.TheRol eoft hePar t y Ther ear et wobasi cer r or st hathav ehi st or i cal l ybeenmadeont hequest i on oft her el at i onshi poft hepar t yt ot hemassmov ement : t heer r orof downgr adi ngt her ol eoft hepar t yt oamer eagi t at orandpr opagandi st whi chdoesnotpl ayadayt odayl eadi ngr ol ei nt hemassst r uggl eand gui det her ev ol ut i onar ypr ocess, andt heer r orofsubst i t ut i ngt hepar t yf or t hemassmov ement , whi chi mpl i esnegl ect i ngt her ol eoft hemasses. Par al l el er r or sar et hef eel i ngt hatat t ent i ont ot hequest i onofpar t ybui l di ng i smi spl acedsi ncet hemassst r uggl eandl ooseor gani zat i onal f or msar e adequat et odeal wi t ht hepr obl emsofmasswor kand, t heopposi t eer r orof , obsessi onwi t hbui l di ng“ t hepar t y , ”t heunwi l l i ngnesst odoany t hi ngunt i l “ t hepar t yi sbui l t ”andt hef eel i ngt hatt her ev ol ut i onwi l l ber i ghtar oundt he cor neroncewehav e“ t hepar t y . ”Thef i r stt y peofpr obl em, t hatof or gani zat i onal l oosenessandt hel ackofappr eci at i onoft hepowerof di sci pl i nedr ev ol ut i onar yf or ms, pl aguedusi nt he1960’ s.I nt he1970’ s ev ent shav eswungt ot heopposi t eext r eme.Nowal mostev er y oneseems obsessedwi t h“ bui l di ngt hepar t y ” ; ev ent ot heext entofnegl ect i ngpopul ar st r uggl es.Theopt i mi sm ofnewconv er t s, t hef eel i ngt hatt her ev ol ut i onwi l l beeasyoncewehav e“ bui l tt hepar t y ”i sper v asi v e.Whati nf acthappensi s t hatgr oupsl i ket heCommuni stLeague, t heRev ol ut i onar yUni onandt he Oct oberLeaguer ecr ui taf ewpeopl eandchanget hei rnames, becomi ng mor ear r ogant , sect ar i an: anddogmat i ci nt hepr ocess, si ncet heyar e conv i ncedt hatt heyar enowt her ev ol ut i onar yv anguar d.Notwant i ngt obe l ef tbehi ndeachgr oupi nt ur nannouncest hatnowi st het i met obui l da par t yandpr oceedst oi nt ensi f yi t sl ev el ofdogmat i sm andsect ar i ani sm, f al l i ngv i ct i mt ot hemagi cl i kebel i eft hati ft hewor d“ par t y ”i si nt hei r names, andi ft hei ri nt er nal uni t yi shi ghenough, t hensuddenl yt hewor ki ng cl asswi l l acceptt hei rl eader shi p.Ther at i onal i sm andi deal i sm oft he

99 whol eent er pr i sei ssad. Thepar t ybui l di ngent husi ast sconf uset heneedt ohav eademocr at i c cent r al i stor gani zat i onwhi chhassuf f i ci entexper i encei nmassst r uggl e, andwhi chmostr ev ol ut i onar i esr ecogni zeashav i ngsuf f i ci entexper i ence t odev el opsci ent i f i cal l yv al i dl i nes, andwhi cht hewor ki ngcl assandot her oppr essedgr oupshav ecomet or espectast hel eadi ngf or cei nmass st r uggl e, wi t ht heobj ect i v econdi t i onsoft hecr eat i onofsuchan or gani zat i on.Assucht heyar egui l t yofaser i oussubj ect i v i ster r orofl et t i ng t hei rownsubj ect i v eneedssubst i t ut ef ort hehi st or i cal possi bi l i t i esoft he mov ement .Thef acti si nt heU. S.i nt he1970’ snoMar xi stt endencyhas comeany wher ecl oset ohav i ngsuf f i ci entexper i encesi nt hewor ki ngcl ass st r uggl et oser v easasuf f i ci entbasi sf orasci ent i f i cdet er mi nat i onofl i nes, andnoMar xi stt endencyhascomeany wher ecl oset owi nni ngt he conf i denceofl ar gesegment soft hewor ki ngcl assandot heroppr essed peopl e.Li kewi se, honestMar xi stf or cesar ei sdi sar r ayandt endt osuppor t mor eorl esst hef ul l r angeoft endenci es.Apr epar t yper i odhasnev ermor e cl ear l yexi st edany wher et hani nt heU. S.t oday .Thedogmat i st sr ef usal t o seet hi smer el yr ef l ect st hei rownsubj ect i v i sm.Butal l owi ngt hemsel v est o ber ul edbysubj ect i v ef eel i ngsr at hert hanbyt heobj ect i v er equi r ement sof t hemov ementf ansal l t heul t r al ef tdogmat i sm andsect ar i ani sm oft he cur r entper i od.Thesubj ect i v enot i ont hatt heCLP, t heRCPort heOLar e t hepar t ygr ant sl i censet oi ssuepr onouncement swi t ht heaut hor i t yt hat “ t hepar t y ”hasear nedbyi t sv anguar dst at us, andt oexcommuni cat e ot her soutoft hel egi t i mat er ev ol ut i onar ymov ementas“ ant i par t yf or ces. ” Onewonder si ft heobsessi v epar t ybui l di ngent husi ast shav ean under st andi ngofwhataMar xi st Leni ni stpar t yr eal l yi s, orwhet hert hey mai nt ai naChr i st i anl i kemessi ani cconcept i ont hatknowi ngt het r ut hand hav i ngt her i ghtnamewi l l pr oducesal v at i on?Thepar t ybui l di ngobsessi on t endst ousel eader shi pi napecul i arway .Leader shi pt endst omean “ hav i ng, t hecor r ectl i ne, ”“ bei ngcor r ect ”asi nt heexpr essi on“ l i nedeci des ev er y t hi ng. ”Theanal oguewi t ht heChi neseCommuni stPar t y , t hatst ar t ed wi t ht enorsomember sandcamet opowerwi t hi nt went y f i v ey ear s, i s f r equent l ymade.I nt hi sconcept i onofl eader shi p, t hecor r ectl i nei sder i v ed

100 f r om Peki ngRev i eworf r om oneoranot herl eader ’ s/ gr oupl et ’ sr eadi ngof St al i n, Leni n, Mao, et c. Leni nwasoft womi ndsont hequest i onoft her ol eoft her el at i onbet ween consci ousnessandspont anei t y ; Cl asspol i t i cal consci ousnesscanbebr oughtt ot hewor ker sonl yf r om wi t hout , t hati sonl yf r om out si det heeconomi cst r uggl e, f r om out si det he spher eofr el at i onsbet weenwor ker sandempl oy er s.( Leni n, WhatI sToBe Done? , 1902) ...t heeconomi cst r uggl e, t hest r uggl ef ori mmedi at eanddi r ect i mpr ov ementofcondi t i ons, i sal onecapabl eofr ousi ngt hemostbackwar d st r at aoft heexpl oi t edmasses, gi v est hem ar eal educat i onandt r ansf or ms t hem –dur i ngar ev ol ut i onar yepoch–i nt oanar myofpol i t i cal f i ght er s wi t hi nt hespaceofaf ewmont hs.( Leni n, Lect ur eont he1905Rev ol ut i on, 1906) [ summi ngoft heexper i encesof19051907]Al l cl assescomeouti nt ot he open.Al l pr ogr ammat i cal andt act i cal v i ewsar et est edbyt heact i onoft he masses.Thest r i kest r uggl ehasnopar al l el any wher ei nt hewor l di next ent andacut eness.Theeconomi cst r i kegr owsi nt ot hepol i t i cal st r i ke, andt he l at eri nt oi nsur r ect i on.Ther el at i onsbet weent hepr ol et ar i at , ast hel eader s, andt hev aci l l at i ng, unst abl epeasant r y , ast hel ed, ar et est edi npr act i ce. TheSov i etf or m ofor gani zat i oni sbor ni nspont aneousdev el opmentoft he st r uggl e.( Leni n, Lef t Wi ngCommuni sm, 1920) Ast heabov equest i onsshowt hoset hatci t eonl yt he1902wor k, apr oduct oft hest r uggl eagai nstt hev er yr eal er r or soft hosewhower eant i t heor y , t ai l edt hewor ki ngcl assandwhodi dnotunder st andt heneedf ora v anguar dpar t y , r epr esent sonl yonesi deofLeni n’ sposi t i onont he r el at i onshi pbet weent hepar t yandt hewor ki ngcl ass.Thedogmat i st s t y pi cal l yseet hi sonesi deandr ej ectt her ol eoft hewor ki ngcl assi ngi v i ng bi r t ht or ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl esandv al i dat i ngr ev ol ut i onar yt heor y .I ti st r ue t hatav anguar dpar t yi snecessar y , butt hi spar t yandi t sl i negr owupi na cont i nuoust wowayi nt er act i onbet weent heor gani zat i onandt hemasses

101 ofwor ker s.I ti snot , ast hedogmat i st sseem t ohav ei t , t hatf i r stapar t yof exi nt el l ect ual si scr eat edwhi chdev el opst hecor r ectl i neandonl yt hendo t heybr i ngt het r ut ht ot hemasseswhot henr i seup.Notonl ycannogr oup ofexi nt el l ect ual s, nomat t erhowmucht heor yt heyunder st andcomeup wi t hacor r ectl i nei sol at edf r om t hest r uggl esoft hewor ki ngcl ass, but ev eni ft heywer eabl et o, i twoul dhav enomeani ngt ot hewor ki ngcl ass unt i l i twasv al i dat edi nt hei rownexper i enceandi nt hei rownl i v est hr ough t hei rownst r uggl es.Apar t yi snotsepar at ef r om t hecl assasmany dogmat i st ssuggest .I ti scomposedmai nl yofadv ancedwor ker sgui dedby at heor ywhi chemer gesi nt hecour seofwor ki ngcl assst r uggl es.Thepar t y andt hewor ki ngcl assst r uggl ef eedoneachot her , nei t heri sapr i or condi t i onf ort heot her ’ ssuccess.Eachar eequal l ynecessar ycondi t i ons f ort hegr owt handsuccessoft heot her .“ Wewoul ddowel l t onotonl y st udyWhatI sToBeDone, butal soLeni n’ sl at erwr i t i ngssuchasLef t Wi ng Communi sm: AnI nf ant i l eDi sor der .I ti si ndeedf l at t er i ngt ous, as i nt el l ect ual s/ exst udent st ot hi nkt hatwecanbyour sel v esdev el opa r ev ol ut i onar yt heor ywhi chwecant henbr i ngt ot hemasseswhowi l l seei t s t r ut handt heni nshor tor dergoi nt omot i on( t hest r at egyoft heCLP/ RW) . Buti nt her eal wor l d, i tj ustdoesn’ twor k.Pr ef or mul at edt heor i esand st r at egi esal mostnev erel ect r i f yt hemasses.Ther ear enoshor t cut s.Onl y pr ot r act edst r uggl eandf ul l i nt egr at i onorf usi onwi t ht hewor ki ngcl asscan pr oduceasci ent i f i ct heor yt hatcant r ul yel ect r i f yt hemasses. I ti st hemassesandnott hepar t yt hatmakesar ev ol ut i onandi nst i t ut es soci al i sm.I tseemst hatul t r al ef t i st st endt of or gett hi s.Thepar t yi smer el y t hel eader shi poft hewor ki ngcl ass.Unl esst hewor ki ngcl assandot her oppr essedgr oupsandpr ogr essi v epeopl eacceptt hepar t yast hei rl eader , unl esst heyhav el ear nedt hr oughy ear soft hei rownexper i encet or espect i t , anal l egedpar t yi smer el yapol i t i cal par t yandnott hepar t yoft he wor ki ngcl ass.Bef or eapar t ycangui det her ev ol ut i onar ypr ocessorl ead t hewor ker st osoci al i sm, f i r sti tmustcomet obeaccept edbyt hewor ker s andot her sast hei rpar t y .Onl yt hen, oncet her ei suni t ybet weent he wor ki ngcl assandot heroppr essedpeopl eandaMar xi st Leni ni st or gani zat i onwi t hLeni ni stst r at egy , wi l l t het wof or cescomet oshapeeach

102 ot her .Theor gani zat i onandt heor yoft hepar t ywi l l comet oexpr esst he “ massl i ne”ofar t i cul at i ngandexpr essi ngt hei nt er est soft hewor ker s– whi chmeanschangei nt hepar t yf r om whati tusedt obe, andt hatt he wor ki ngcl asswi l l becomecl assconsci ousandunder st andt heneedf or r ev ol ut i onar yor gani z at i onandst r at egy .Thepar t ycannotbr i ngabout soci al i sm separ at edf r om t hemassesofpeopl e.Soci al i sm cannotbe i mposedont hewor ki ngcl assev eni fi ti si nt hei ri nt er est s, soci al i sm by def i ni t i onmeansWor ker ’ spower , andt hi s, ofcour se, meanst hewor ki ng cl assi nal l i ancewi t hot her s, sei zi ngcont r ol ov ert hei rownl i v es.Nopar t y candot hi sf ort hewor ki ngcl ass, t hecl assmustdoi tf ori t sel f .Ther ol eof t hepar t yi smer el yt oi nspi r eandgui det hi spr ocess. Toi nt egr at ei t sel fwi t ht hewor ki ngcl assmeanst hati tmustwi nt he r espectoft hewor ker sbypar t i ci pat i ngsuccessf ul l yi nal l t hest r uggl esof t hecl ass, i . e. , i tmustef f ect i v el yf i ghtt hebat t l ef orr ef or ms.I tmustpr ov i de successf ul st r i kest r at egy , f or ce, t hegov er nmentt ogr antmor edemocr at i c r i ght st owor ker s, t ogr anthi gherunempl oy mentbenef i t s, t oabol i sh di scr i mi nat i onagai nstwomenandmi nor i t i es, et c.Oncei thaswon l eader shi poft hedai l yst r uggl esofwor ker si ti si naposi t i ont oconv i nce t hemassesofwor ker soft heneedf oraqual i t at i v et r ansf or mat i oni n soci et yandt osuccessf ul l ygui det hatst r uggl e.I tcannotwi nl eader shi pby har angui ngagai nstr ef or mi sm f r om t hesi del i nesofmassst r uggl es. Thest r at egyandl i nesofaMar xi st Leni ni stpar t yi nt heU. S.mustcomeout ofi t sownst udyandpr act i cei nt heU. S.Whi l emuchcanbel ear nedf r om t heexper i encesoft heRussi ans, Chi nese, Cubans, Vi et namese, et c. , no par t ycanmechani cal l yacceptt hesol ut i onsadopt edbyanyoft hese par t i es, norcani tmechani cal l yacceptt hei rl eader shi pt oday .Si ncet he 1950’ st her ehasbeennocent ert ot hewor l dCommuni stmov ement .The Chi nese, Kor eans, Vi et namese, Al bani ansandmanyot herpar t i espubl i cl y af f i r mt hi sr eal i t y .Ev er yPar t ymustar r i v eati t sanal y si sandl i neont he basi sofi t sownst udyandpr act i ceandcannotwai tunt i l Moscow, Peki ng, Hav ana, et c. , i ssuesapr ocl amat i on.Thef actt hatsomany “ r ev ol ut i onar i es”don’ tknowwhatt omakeofasi t uat i onunt i l t heyr ead Peki ngRev i ewi sasadcommentont hest at eoft hel ef t .Theer r or soft he

103 f l unky i sm t owar dst heSov i etUni onoft he1940r sand1950’ sar ebei ng r epeat edal l ov eragai nwi t hr esul t satl eastasdi sast r ousast heear l y exper i ence.“ Chi na’ sl i t t l ehel per s”hav egoneev enf ar t hert hant he mechani cal appl i er soft heSov i etl i neev erdi dbydenounci ngr ev ol ut i onar y r egi mes, e. g. , CubaandAngol a. Thewor l dMar xi st Leni ni stmov ementi smul t i cent er edandwi l l r emai nso unt i l t her ev ol ut i onhast r i umphedt hr oughoutt heent i r ewor l d.The Amer i canMLmov ementmustr espectandl ear nf r om al l t heot herpar t i es –t heSov i et s, Cubans, Vi et namese, Chi nese, Al bani ans, et c.I ti snotourj ob t oei t herpubl i cl ycr i t i ci zeori mi t at eanyoft hem.Wemustr ef uset of ul l y si dewi t hei t hert heSov i etUni onorChi na, doi ngwhatwecant or est or e somemeasur eofuni t yt ot hewor l dMLmov ement , andnotl et t i ngbat t l es bet weent het wol eadi ngsoci al i stcount r i esdi sr uptt heuni t yoft heU. S.l ef t .

2.Uni t y , Uni t edFr ont sandPopul arFr ont s Uni t yi st heLef t ’ sgr eat estweapon.Sol i dar i t yi st hebasi sofwor ki ngcl ass st r engt h.Theseel ement ar yf act smustnotbef or got t en.St andi ngt oget her wecannotbebeat en, f r act i onat edwecannotwi n. Ther ear et hr eedi st i nct i v edegr eesofwor ki ngt oget herwhi chmustbe r ecogni zed, i nt ur nappr opr i at ef orr el at i onsamongMar xi st Leni ni st s; bet weenMar xi st Leni ni st sandl ef tandcent ersoci al democr at i cgr oups whi char ei ngoodpar tbased, orhav et her eal pot ent i al ofbei ngbased, i n t hewor ki ngcl ass; andbet weensoci al i stgr oupswi t har eal orpot ent i al wor ki ngcl assbasi sandot herpr ogr essi v ef or cespr i mar i l yofapet t y bour geoi snat ur e. Thet heor yoft hePopul arFr ontasendor sedbyt heComi nt er n’ s7t hWor l d Congr essmai nt ai nst hatt heuni t edf r ontofwor ki ngcl assor gani zat i ons shoul dest abl i shapr i nci pl eduni t yofact i onpr ogr am wi t hnonwor ki ng cl assor gani zat i onsi npur sui tofcommongoal sagai nstt hebl ocoff or ces or gani zedbymonopol ycapi t al .Thi snot i onofPopul arFr onthassi nce 1934r emai nedanessent i al i deawi t hi nbot ht hepr oSov i etandpr oChi nese

104 Communi stmov ement s.I ti sanessent i al par toft heMaoi sti deaofan al l i anceoff ourcl assesi nt heThi r dWor l dcount r i esandt hr eecl assesi n t headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i es, andi ti sanessent i al par toft heSov i et Mar xi sti deaofant i monopol ycoal i t i ons.I tshoul dber emember edt hatt he Chi neseCommuni stPar t ycamet opoweraspar tofaPopul arFr ont cont ai ni nganumberofpr ogr essi v ebour geoi spar t i eswhi chcont i nuet o exi sti nChi nat oday .Thepr opensi t yofEur opeanMaoi st st oachi ev euni t y ofact i onwi t hant i C. P.gr oupsshoul dal sobenot ed.Thedi f f er ences bet weent het woappr oacheshast odowi t ht hef ocusoft heuni t yoft he Popul arFr ont , t her ol eoft heCommuni stPar t ywi t hi ni t , andt he expect at i onsf orhowmuchsuchaf r ontcanaccompl i sh( t ot al soci al i st t r ansf or mat i onaccor di ngt ot heI t al i anPar t y , ormer et act i cal gai nsi nt he caseofmor er ev ol ut i onar yt endenci es) .I ti si mpor t antt ounder st andt hat al t hought hei deaoft hePopul arFr ontwasf i r stdev el opedi nr esponset o t hef asci stof f ensi v eagai nstt hewor ki ngcl ass, i twasputf or t handi thas beenmai nt ai nednotasadef ensi v est r at egy , asi sof t encl ai medbyt hose t hatopposei t , butr at herasanof f ensi v est r at egyf oradv anci ngt he pr ogr essi v eandCommuni stmov ement s. Thenot i onoft heuni t edf r onthasbeenapr omi nentnot i oni nMar xi st Leni ni stt heor ysi ncet heBol shev i kRev ol ut i on.TheBol shev i kst hemsel v es i ni t i al l ycamet opoweri nauni t edf r ontwi t ht heLef t Soci al Rev ol ut i onar i es. ’ Auni t edf r ontmeansuni t yofact i onamongt hosepar t i es andor gani zat i onsbasedi nt hewor ki ngcl assandr ef l ect i v e( i nhowev era di st or t edmanner )ofwor ki ngcl assi nt er est s.Thi shasmeantsoci al i stand communi stuni ons, par t i esandy out hor gani zat i onscooper at i ngon pr oj ect swhi cht heycanagr eeoni npur sui tofdi st i nct i v el ywor ki ngcl ass goal s.Auni t edf r onti sofnecessi t yt i ght ert hanapopul arf r ontbecausei t s cl assbasi s, andhencepol i t i cal uni t y , i sgr eat er .I nt heComi nt er n’ s1934 st at ementonPopul arFr ont s, t heuni t edf r onti sseenaspl ay i ngt hel eadi ng r ol ewi t hi nt hePopul arFr ont .Wi t hi nt heuni t edf r ontt hev ar i ouspar t i esand or gani zat i onsr emai nf r eet oof f ercomr adel yandpr i nci pl edcr i t i ci sm of eachot her , i . e. , t heyar enotr equi r edt osuppr essdi scussi onoft hei r di sagr eement s, butsuchdi scussi onofdi sagr eement smustbe

105 subor di nat edt owhatt hepar t i eshav ei ncommon–j oi ntact i ont owar dsan i mpor t antwor ki ngcl assgoal . I nt he19281934per i odi nt hehi st or yoft hei nt er nat i onal Communi st mov ement , anot herconcept i onofwhatt heuni t edf r ontmeanswas pr edomi nant .Thi sconcept i onhascont i nuedt obedi scussedand occasi onal l ymani f est si t sel fi nt heposi t i onofoneoranot hersmal l gr oup. I nt hi sper i odt henot i onof“ uni t edf r ontf r om abov e”oracoal i t i onof wor ki ngcl assor gani zat i ons, wascount er posedt ot henot i onof“ uni t ed, f r ontf r om bel ow”whi chmeantget t i ngt her ankandf i l esuppor t er sofnonCommuni stl edor gani zat i onst owor kwi t ht heCommuni stPar t y , i . e. , t o t r ansf ert hei ral l egi ance“ f r om t hei rsoci al democr at i c“ mi sl eader s” t ot he Communi stPar t y .Whatt heR. C. P.cal l st he“ uni t edf r ont ”i sact ual l yt he not i onofa“ popul arf r ontf r om bel ow”i . e. , t hei deat hatv ar i ouscl asses suchast hepet t ybour geoi si ewi l l f ol l owt hel eader shi poft hewor ki ng cl assasmani f est edi nt heR. C. P.Thenot i onofuni t edf r ontf r om bel ow amount st o: t hesamet hi ngasunpr i nci pl edr ecr ui t i ngf r om soci al democr at i cor gani zat i ons, andassuchpr ov okescount err eact i onsand consi der abl esect ar i ani sm. Thet heor yofuni t edf r ontf r om bel owf ai l edt ocompr ehendt hatwor ker s suppor tsoci al democr at i cl eader shi pbecauset heyst i l l bel i ev ei ni t , r at her t hanbecauset heyar edecei v ed.Suchwor ker sr esentunpr i nci pl edat t acks onpeopl ewhot heyt hemsel v eshav eel ect edandsuppor t .Theaby smal f ai l ur eoft heuni t edf r ontf r om bel owst r at egy , whi chunder mi nedwor ki ng cl assuni t y , andt endedt oi sol at et heCommuni stmov ementbor ei t sf r ui ti n f aci l i t at i ngt her i seofFasci sm, Thewor l dcommuni stmov ementcor r ect l y summedi tupi n1934asanul t r al ef t st r at egy . Thei deaoft heuni t edf r ontf r om bel owwasr epl acedbyt henot i onofa “ uni t edf r ontf r om abov eandbel ow”t odi st i ngui shi tf r om t hest r awman st er eot y peof“ uni t edf r ontf r om abov e”usedasaboogeymanby pr oponent soft he19281934“ t hi r dper i odl i ne. ”The“ uni t edf r ontf r om abov eandbel ow”orsi mpl y , t heuni t edf r ont , meantt hator gani zat i onal coal i t i onsont hebasi sofuni t yofact i onamongwor ki ngcl ass

106 or gani zat i onshadt obef or med, butt hatt heseshoul dnotbesi mpl y agr eement sbet weenl eader s.Uni t edf r ont sshoul dal soi nv ol v ewor ker sof al l t endenci esatal l l ev el soft hei ror gani zat i onsandi nal l act i v i t i es. Communi stwor ker sshoul dgooutoft hei rwayt oest abl i shandmai nt ai n f r i endl yr el at i onswi t hSoci al Democr at i cwor ker s, bui l di ngt heuni t y necessar yf orj oi ntact i onaswel l asf orev ent ual dev el opmentofuni t y( i nt o asi ngl epar t y )associ al democr at sr eal i zet hemi st akesi nt hei ranal y si s. Thenot i onsofuni t edf r ontandpopul arf r onthav et hei rgr eat estr el ev ance f orl ar gemassbasedpar t i es, butnev er t hel essar er el ev antf orsmal l er gr oups, l i ket hosei nAmer i ca, t hatar ebasedi npopul arst r uggl es, Pet t y bour geoi sandnonr ev ol ut i onar yi deasar er ef l ect edamongpr ogr essi v e f or cesher eandnowasmuchaswher et hepar t i esar emassi v e.Many di f f er entgr oupshav epl ay edi mpor t antr ol esi nmanypopul arst r uggl es, especi al l yi nt heant i war , st udent , ant i r aci standant i sexi stand, i ncr easi ngl y , i nt hewor ki ngcl assmov ement .Thuspopul arf r ont sbasedon t hepr i nci pl eofuni t yofact i onwi t hant i i mper i al i stpaci f i storl i ber al democr at i cgr oupsopposedt oU. S.i nt er v ent i on, wi t hBl acknat i onal i stor l i ber al gr oupssuchast heNAACP, wi t hwomen’ sgr oupssuchasNOW, wi t h t r adeuni onl i ber al ssuchasMi l l erorSadl owski ar ei mpor t antt ool si n wagi ngandwi nni ngmassst r uggl es, adv anci ngt hecauseoft hewor ki ng cl assandbui l di ngbot hapopul armov ementandar ev ol ut i onar ypar t y .The Communi st sshoul dst r i v et opr ov i del eader shi p( wi nni ngconf i dence, not i mposet hemsel v es)i nt hesest r uggl esbyt hewi sdom oft hei ranal y si s, t hei rdedi cat i onandhar dwor k, andt hemanneri nwhi cht heyconduct t hemsel v es.Popul arf r ontst r at egy , whi chput sCommuni st si nt hemi ddl e ofmassst r uggl esandgi v est hem t heoppor t uni t yt owi nt heconf i denceof ; hemasses, i sf armor eef f ect i v et hent hesel f r i ght eoussect ar i ani sm t hat separ at esandi sol at esf r om t hemai nst r eam ofpopul arst r uggl es. Li kewi se, uni t edf r ont( “ f r om abov eandbel ow” )st r at egycanbeexpect ed t opl ayani ncr easi ngl yi mpor t antr ol east hepr esenceoft hel ef ti nt hel abor mov ementgr ows.Wor ki ngwi t ht heCommuni stPar t y , NAM, andt hecent er soci al democr at i ct endencyt hati sboundt odev el opi nt hewor ki ngcl ass mov ement , i si mpor t anti nwagi ngandwi nni ngwor ki ngcl assst r uggl es,

107 maki ngt hest r uggl eswagedmor emeani ngf ul andcent r al t ot heconcer ns oft hewor ki ngcl ass, andgi v i ngMar xi st Leni ni st ’ st heoppor t uni t yt owi n t her espectandconf i denceofwor ker s. Thepr ogr essi v ecaucusesi nAmer i canuni onssuchasSadl owski ’ si nt he USW orMi l l er ’ si nt heUni t edMi neWor ker scoul dl egi t i mat el ybei nt er pr et ed asi mpl y i ngei t heruni t edf r ontorpopul arf r ontt act i cs( dependi ngon whet hert heyar econsi der edt obeessent i al l ysoci al democr at i cwor ki ng cl assf or cesoressent i al pet t ybour geoi spr ogr essi v ef or ces) .Si ncesuch mov ement smakenocl ai mt obesoci al i standseem t obei ni t i at edand suppor t edbypr ogr essi v euni onl eader shi pandi nt el l ect ual s, mor et han mani f est i ngaspont aneousr ankandf i l er ebel l i on, t heyshoul dpr obabl ybe t r eat edwi t hpopul arf r ontt act i cs, t husi mpl y i ngl essuni t yofanal y si sand act i ont henwoul df i t t i ngt hem underauni t edf r ontst r at egy .Uni t edf r ont t act i csandst r at egywoul dbeappr opr i at ewi t har ankandf i l emov ement l edbyNAM ort heCPwi t hwhi chwewoul dhav econsi der abl ygr eat eruni t y ofanal y si s, andhenceofact i on. Thegener al j ust i f i cat i onf ort het heor yoft hepopul aranduni t edf r ont si s ar t i cul at edbet t erbyMaoTset ungt hanper hapsany oneel se.I nhi s i mpor t antessayOnCont r adi ct i on, wr i t t ent hr eey ear saf t ert heSev ent h Comi nt er nCongr esst hatadopt edt hepopul arf r ontst r at egy , t oel abor at e oni t smeani ngf ort hest r uggl eoft heChi nese, Maoar t i cul at edt he cent r al i t yoft henot i onofpr i nci pl econt r adi ct i on, i . e. , t hei deat hatatany gi v ent i met her ei sonepr i mar yenemywhi chi mpl i est hatal l f or ceswhi ch ar ei nopposi t i ont ot he“ pr i nci pl easpectoft hepr i mar ycont r adi ct i on”must uni t et oov er comei t .ForMaoi n1937t hi smeantapopul arf r ontwi t ht he Kuomi nt angandacoal i t i onwi t hU. S. , Fr enchandBr i t i shi mper i al i st s, as wel l aswor ki ngt owi nov ert her i chpeasant s, smal l shopkeeper s, i nt el l ect ual s, nat i onal bour geoi si es, ar i dev ent hecompr adorbour geoi si es t i edt oBr i t i sh, Fr enchandAmer i cani nt er est s, i nor dert ost r i ket hedeat h bl owagai nstJapanesei mper i al i sm.Thegr eatpoweroft heComi nt er n not i onasar t i cul at edbyMaoi nhi sOnCont r adi ct i onwasdemonst r at edi n f i r stt hedef eatoft heJapanese, t heni nt hedef eatoft heKuomi nt ang, and f i nal l yi nt het r i umphofpr ol et ar i anpoweraseachofpr i nci pl easpect sof

108 t hepr i nci pl econt r adi ct i onwasi nt ur ni sol at edanddest r oy edundert he l eader shi poft heCommuni stPar t ywhi chut i l i zedpopul aranduni t edf r ont t act i csev er yst epoft heway .Mao, asdi dt heComi nt er n, i nsi st edt hatf or uni t edandpopul arf r ontt act i cst owor ki n; adv anci ngt hel ongt er m( as opposedt oj ustt hei mmedi at est r uggl es)t hesepar at ei dent i t yoft he Communi stPar t yhadt obemai nt ai ned( whi chi ncl udes, whenappr opr i at e, t hemai nt enanceofi t sownar my ) .I tmustal sobest r essedt hatpopul ar anduni t edf r ontt act i csdonotmeant hel i qui dat i onofor gani zat i onal and mi l i t ar yi ndependence, nordot heymeant hesuppr essi onofal l pol i t i cal di f f er ences, pr opagandaandr ecr ui t ment . Thet hi r dt y peofuni t yi smostr el ev anti napr epar t yper i odsuchast hati n t heUni t edSt at esi nt he1970’ s.I ti sacent r al pr obl em whennooneMar xi st or gani zat i onhasassumedl eader shi p( whi chmeansbei ngr ecogni zedas l eader sbyt hewor ki ngcl ass)ofwor ki ngcl assst r uggl es.Whennogr oup hasdemonst r at edt hatt hei ranal y si s, st r at egyandpr ogr am i scor r ect t hr ought hei rpr act i ce.Whennopar t yhasemer gedf r om t hemass st r uggl esoft hewor ki ngcl ass, r ev ol ut i onar yMar xi stf or cesofnecessi t y wi l l al way sbedi v i dedamongmanydi f f er entsmal l gr oups, di f f er i ngont he f ul l r angeOfi ssueswhi chhav et r adi t i onal l ybeeni ssuesofcont ent i oni n t hei nt er nat i onal communi stmov ement( aswel l asonper sonal and or gani zat i onal r i v al r i es, j eal ousi es, r esent ment sandf ear schar act er i st i cof sect ar i angr oups) .Whent her ehasbeeni nsuf f i ci entpr act i cet opr ov i det he basi st oknowwhi choft hecompet i nganal y sesandst r at egi esi scor r ect , whenobv i ousl ysi ncer eandhar dwor ki ngCommuni st sr oot edi nwor ki ng cl assandpr ogr essi v est r uggl esf i ndt hemsel v esscat t er edamongmany smal l gr oupsandt endenci es, whennonepft hev ar i ouscompet i ngsmal l Mar xi st Leni ni stgr oupsar el eadi ngmanywor ki ngcl assst r uggl es, whenno onei sgr owi ngr api dl ywi t hi nt hewor ki ngcl assbecauseoft hel eader shi p t heyar epr ov i di ng, t heni ti scl ear l ya“ pr epar t y ”per i od.By“ pr epar t y per i od”i smeantaper i odi nwhi cht hewor ki ngcl assdoesnothav ea v anguar dor gani zat i onwhi chi sact ual l yl eadi ngi t sst r uggl es.Whati s meantbyav anguar di sanor gani zat i onwhi chhasgai nedt her espectand conf i denceoft hewor ker sandact ual l ypr ov i desgui dancewhi chWor ker s

109 acceptenmasse.I tmakesabsol ut el ynodi f f er encei fv ar i ousgr oups decl ar et hemsel v est obet hev anguar d, andev eni foneoft hesel f decl ar ed v anguar dgr oupsi nf acthasacor r ectanal y si s.Noonecanbet hev anguar d orl eadi ngf or ce( bydef i ni t i on)unt i l t hatgr oupi sr ecogni zedassuchbyt he wor ki ngcl assandact ual l yi spr ov i di ngt hel eader shi pi ni t sr eal st r uggl es ( notj ustt oaf ewmi noract i onst hatt he“ v anguar d”def i nesast het r ue st r uggl es) . I nsuchapr epar t yper i odr ev ol ut i onar ycadr ewhowi l l f ort hemostpar tal l bei nt hewor ki ngcl asspar t yoncet hest r uggl esoft hewor ki ngcl assgi v e bi r t ht oi t , ar escat t er edamongawi der angeofcompet i ngor gani zat i ons andt endenci es.I nsuchaper i odawi der angeofdi f f er i ngcompet i ng or gani zat i onsandst r at egi esi snotonl yi nev i t abl e( si ncenoonehast he pr act i ceonwhi cht osci ent i f i cal l yshowt hatonel i neoranot heri sv al i d) , butal soagoodt hi ngi nt hati spr ov i desadi v er si t yofv al i dexper i ences whi chcanbesummedup, andf aci l i t at est hedev el opmentofv i abl e st r at egi esbyt het r i al ander r ormet hodofcompet i t i onamongst r at egi es. Asonegr oup, ormor el i kel yaf ewgr oups, bei ngst ot akeof fhasi ncr easi ng successi nr ecr ui t i ngwor ker s, l eadi ngst r uggl esandmodi f y i ngi t sposi t i ons i nt hecour seofgr owt h, whi l et her estoft hegr oupsr emai nst agnantand i sol at ed, t hi swi l l pr ov i det hebasi sonwhi cht oj udget hecor r ect nessoft he l i nesofv ar i ousgr oups.I fal l ser i ousr ev ol ut i onar i eswer euni t edi none cent r al i zedor gani zat i oni napr epar t yper i odt hi scoul dwel l pr ov et obea maj orhi ndr anceandbl ockt hedev el opmentofar ev ol ut i onar ymov ement si nceonl yoneanal y si sandst r at egycoul dbet r i edoutatat i me, andt hus v er yl i kel ymuchv al uabl et i mewast ed, bef or eacor r ectst r at egywashi ton. Wi t hmanycompet i nggr oups, howev er , eacht r y i ngdi f f er entt hi ngsatt he samet i me, i ti smor el i kel yt hatonewi l l hi tonsuccessf ul pr act i ce, andt hen t hatt hededi cat edcadr ei not heror gani zat i onswi l l t akenot eandpr essur e f oror gani zat i onal mer ger s, ori ft hi sf ai l s, def ectt ot hepr epar t ygr oupt hat i sact ual l ydev el opi ngi t sel fi nt ot hepar t y , i . e. , i si nf actcomi ngt obe r egar dedasal eadi ngf or cebyt hewor ki ngcl assi t sel f .Thusi ti sv er y i mpor t antt ogauget heobj ect i v econdi t i onswhi chdet er mi nei fi ti sapr epar t yper i odornot .Thequest i onoff or mi ngasi ngl epar t ymustt hen

110 i nv ol v emuchmor et hansubj ect i v er eadi nesst osubmi tt oasi ngl e democr at i ccent r al i sm.Becausenoneofushast hepr act i cal basi st osay t hatourl i nei scor r ectandt hatt heot her sar ewr ong, becauseobv i ousl y si ncer eanddedi cat edr ev ol ut i onar i esar ei nawi dev ar i et yofor gani zat i ons, andbecausemostofuswi l l f i ndour sel v esi nt hesameor gani zat i onone day , wemustst r i v ef orahi gherdegr eeofuni t yamongourv ar i ousgr oups, t hanneedbet hecasei nei t herpopul aroruni t edf r ontt act i cs.Si ncet he uni t yofouranal y si s( t hepr i nci pl esofdi al ect i cal mat er i al i sm, hi st or i cal mat er i al i sm, cl assst r uggl e, sur pl usv al ue, di ct at or shi poft hepr ol et ar i at andLeni ni stor gani zat i onal f or ms)i ssomuchgr eat ert hanwi t hcent er soci al democr at i corpet t ybour geoi spr ogr essi v ef or ces, ouruni t yofact i on canandshoul dbeatamuchhi gherl ev el t hanwi t hcent ersoci al democr at i candpet t ybour geoi sgr oups.Ourmut ual di sagr eement smust besubor di nat edt oourcommonpur pose, wi t ht heunder st andi ngand humi l i t yt hatanyofuscoul dber i ght , andt hatwemost l yal l wi l l ev ent ual l y mer geont hebasi sofwhosev erpr act i ceev ent ual l ypr ov est hemost successf ul .Unt i l t hewor ki ngcl assi t sel fdeci dest hei ssuesdi v i di ngusal l ofourexper i encesar emor eorl essequal l yv al i d.Wemustr especteach ot her ’ spr act i ceandst r at egi esunt i l t hewor ki ngcl assdeci desot her wi se. Weshoul dst r i v et osuppor teachot her ’ swor ki ncoal i t i ons, e. g. , i nt he ant i warmov ement , women’ smov ement , ant i r aci stst r uggl esandi npl ant andar eawi dewor ki ngcl assact i ons.Rat hert hanunder mi ni ngeachot her s ef f or t sandcompet i ngwi t honeanot herf orsuppor tweshoul dei t her r especteachot her ’ spl acesofst r engt h, l endi ngsuppor tt oot hergr oup’ s st r uggl essot hatwecanal l bet t erknowhowagi v enst r at egywor ksout whengi v enaf ai rchance, orwor koutt i ghtuni t yofact i onpr ogr amsf ora gi v enpl ant , ar eaori ndust r yasexper i ment si nhowagi v enst r at egywor ks out .Pol emi csshoul dbecomr adel yandsuppor t i v e, t r ul ydesi gnedt o per suader at hert handest r oy , andshoul dbel i mi t edt of or mssuchas j our nal s, whosef ocusi sonhar dcor emember sofor gani zat i ons.When t al ki ngandwor ki ngwi t hwor ker st hest r ongpoi nt sofone’ sownanal y si s andst r at egyshoul dbeemphasi zed, andt heal l egedweaknessesand f ai l i ngsofot hergr oupsshoul dei t hernotbedi scussed( si ncei tgi v esr i se

111 t obewi l der mentanddi suni t yont hepar tofwor ker s)andadr awi ngback f r om al l Mar xi st sorpr esent edi ncomr adel yandhumbl et er ms.When t went ygr oupsspendhal foft hei rt i meat t acki ngt heot her st her esul t sar e t hesameasamul t i f acet edf i ghtoft went ygl adi at or swher eonl yonecoul d comeoutoft her i ngal i v e–mut ual dest r uct i on. Thehi st or yofpr epar t yper i odsandsect ar i ani sm, howev er , showst hatany at t emptt obui l duni t y , bef or eest abl i shi ngaf i r m wor ki ngcl assbaseas r easonabl easi tseems, i sapi pedr eam.Thepet t ybour geoi ssoci al basi s oft i nysect ar i angr oupl et si npr epar t yper i odsnecessar i l ydr i v eseach gr oupi nt omut ual ant agoni sm t ot heot her s.Thet heme“ l i nedeci des ev er y t hi ng”i susedt oj ust i f yt her at i onal i st i c, ar r ogantandmut ual l y cont r adi ct or ycl ai mst hateacht i nygr oupi sTHEpar t y .Thecompet i t i v e i ndi v i dual i sm andi nt el l ect ual exper t i seoft heexst udentcadr eoft hese sect scombi neswi t ht hef ut i l i t yoft hei rpr act i cet or ei nf or ceul t r al ef t i sm. Eachoft hegr oupl et si ndependent l ycomest ot heconcl usi ont hati tal one hast her ev ol ut i onar yt r ut h, andwi l l t her ef or enecessar i l ygr owt obecome t hel eader shi poft hewor ki ngcl ass, i nspi t eoft he“ t empor ar yr ev er ses”and shor tt er mf ai l ur est oassumel eader shi pofwor ki ngcl assst r uggl es.Thei r Chi l i ast i cf ai t ht endst oi mmuni zef r om t hef ut i l i t yoft hei ref f or t sandt he f r at r i ci dal compet i t i onamongt hegr oups.Thus, howev erdesi r abl ei tmi ght be, i ti sunl i kel yt hatv er ymanygr oupsori ndi v i dual swi t hi nt hem wi l l see t hemi st akeof t hei rway sandwor kf orat i ghtuni t yamongal l r ev ol ut i onar y f or cesi napr epar t yper i odbef or et hewor ki ngcl assgoesi nt omot i on. Nev er t hel ess, becausei ti st hemostdesi r abl ecour sei tmustbef oughtf or . I fenoughofust r yt her ei sar eal chancet hatenoughuni t ycanbecr eat ed t ohav ear eal ef f ecti nact ual l ydev el opi ngar ev ol ut i onar yor gani zat i on. Themostl i kel yscenar i oi st hatoncet woort hr eegr oupsdi st ance t hemsel v esf r om t her estont hebasi sofl eadi ngmassst r uggl est hen t heset woort hr eegr oupswi l l r eal i zet henecessi t yofwor ki ngt i ght l y t oget her , whi l epr eser v i ngt hei ror gani zat i onal aut onomyunt i l sucht i meas i ti sr eal l ycl earwhi chl i nei scor r ect( atwhi cht i met heywoul dmer gei nt o one) .Thef i nal mer germi ghtnotact ual l yoccurunt i l , orev enaf t er , a r ev ol ut i on.I nt hemeant i met hemi nor i t yofr ev ol ut i onar ygr oups,

112 t endenci esandi ndi v i dual st hatseet hei mpor t anceofuni t yshoul df or ma r ev ol ut i onar ycent erwhi chhasagoodchanceofbei ngt hel ocusf ort he dev el opmentoft hepar t y , oratl eastoneoft het woort hr eegr oupswhi ch mayev ent ual l ymer gei nt ot hepar t y .Thei mpor t anceoft i ghtuni t yamong r ev ol ut i onar yf or cesbecomesal l t hegr eat eraswegr owi nsi zeand cent r al i t yt ot hewor ki ngcl assst r uggl e.Theneedsoft hewor ki ngcl assf or cent r al i zedandcoor di nat edl eader shi pdoesnotal l owofor gani zat i onal r i v al r i eswhi chcanwr eckst r uggl es.Thei ncr easi ngwor ki ngcl ass composi t i onofouror gani zat i onswi l l t husnecessar i l yf or ceust oget heri n ev ergr eat ersol i dar i t yunt i l ev ent ual l yf ul l or gani zat i onal uni t yi sachi ev ed.

3.TheRol eoft hePet t yBour geoi si e Per hapst hemostcent r al f actMar xi st Leni ni st si nt headv ancedcapi t al i st count r i esmustf acei soural mostt ot al f ai l ur et osuccessf ul l yl eada r ev ol ut i oni nadev el opedcapi t al i stcount r y( Czechosl ov aki acanbe consi der edt obet hesol eexcept i on) .Ourf ai l ur eal mostbecomesan embar r assmenti ncont r astt o( 1)ourv er yi mpr essi v eandcont i nui ng v i ct or i esi nl eadi ngst r uggl eswhi cht r ansf or mt hemsel v esi nt osoci al i st r ev ol ut i onsi nThi r dWor l dcount r i es, and( 2)ourt heor ywhi char guesf ort he cent r al r ev ol ut i onar yr ol eoft hei ndust r i al pr ol et ar i atwhi chhasal way s beenst r ongesti nt hemostdev el opedcapi t al i stcount r i es. TheComi nt er ni nt he1920’ sdev el opedar ev ol ut i onar yanal y si sand st r at egywhi chhassuccessf ul l ygui dedt heChi nese, Vi et namese, Cambodi an, andLaot i anr ev ol ut i ons.Thi sanal y si shasbeenmosthel pf ul i n t hedev el opmentofl i ber at i onmov ement si nGui neaBi ssau, Angol aand Mozambi queaswel l ast hest r uggl esofmanyot hermov ement si nt he Ar abwor l d, Bl ackAf r i ca, Lat i nAmer i caandSout handSout hEast er nAsi a. Thet heor i esoft hef ourcl assal l i anceagai nsti mper i al i sm andi t sdomest i c al l i est oget herwi t ht hecompani ont wost aget heor yofr ev ol ut i on( new democr at i c, t hensoci al i st ) , bot hundert hel eader shi poft heCommuni st Par t y , hasi nspi r edThi r dWor l dr ev ol ut i onar i est obui l dnat i onal l i ber at i on f r ont swhi chhav ebeenabl et omobi l i zet hebr oadmassesoft hei rpeopl e

113 ( ofv i r t ual l yal l cl asses)behi ndar ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl ewhi chdev el opsi nt o soci al i sm.I ngoodpar tourf ai l ur ei nt headv ancedcount r i escanbeseenas ar esul tofouri nabi l i t yt odev el opacompar abl eappr oacht her e.Unl i ke, as i nt heThi r dWor l d, wehav enotnor mal l ybeenabl et ocapt ur et he ent husi asm ofal l segment soft hemassesofpeopl eandmobi l i zet hem behi ndt hepr ol et ar i att omakeasoci al i str ev ol ut i on.Whi l ei nmany count r i essuchasFr ance, Fi nl and, I t al yandper hapsGr eece, Spai n, Por t ugal andI cel andwehav ebeenabl et owi nhegemonyi nt hei ndust r i al wor ki ng cl ass, wehav ebeen( excepti nCzechosl ov aki a)unabl et obr eakt hr ought o gai nt hesuppor tamongt hemaj or i t yoft hepol i t i cal l yact i v emassesof peopl ewhi chi snecessar yt omakeasuccessf ul r ev ol ut i onagai nstt he capi t al i stcl ass–acl asswhi chhasav i r t ual monopol yonweapons, t he medi a, money , communi cat i ons, t r anspor t at i on, et c.I tshoul dbenot edt hat t heper i odofgr eat estgr owt hofmostoft heEur opeanpar t i eswasi nt he per i odofant i f asci str esi st ancewhent heywer eabl et ousenat i onal oppr essi ont omobi l i zewi desegment soft hepopul at i on.Theel ect or al st r engt hoft heCommuni standl ef tsoci al democr at i cpar t i esi nt heabov e Eur opeancount r i est endst ost abi l i zeatar ound2530%oft het ot al ( except i nI t al ywher ei ncr easi ngl yr ef or mi stpol i ci eshav er esul t edi nagr owi ng shar eoft hev ot e) , whi l er ev ol ut i onar ycr i sessuchasPor t ugal 1975and Fr ance1968pr oduceasmuchpopul armobi l i zat i on( pr i mar i l yamongt he pet t ybour geoi si e, l umpenandmar gi nal wor ker s)agai nstr ev ol ut i onar y t r ansf or mat i onast her ev ol ut i onar i esdof ori t( i nt hewor ki ngcl ass) .The gr owt hoft heMar xi st Leni ni stmov ementi nt headv ancedcapi t al i st count r i eshasappar ent l yr eachedabar r i er .I npar tourf ai l ur ecanbe at t r i but edt ot hef actt hataser i ousenoughcr i si shasy ett odev el opi n Eur opeansoci et y , buti npar tourf ai l ur emustbeat t r i but edt oouri nabi l i t y t omobi l i zet hepet t ybour geoi si ebehi ndar ev ol ut i onar ypr ogr am si nce t her ehav ebeenmaj orandpr ol ongedcr i sesi nt hel astsi xt yy ear swhi ch wer enott akenadv ant ageof .I fwear et ot akeadv ant ageofacr i si st o makear ev ol ut i on( cr i sessuchast hegr eatdepr essi onoft he1930’ sort he wari nducedcr i sesof19171921and19441948)wemustbeabl et o mobi l i zet hewhol epeopl ebehi ndt hel eader shi poft hewor ki ngcl ass.

114 Whi l et hekeyandl eadi ngr ol ei nanyr ev ol ut i on( whet heri nt heThi r dWor l d ori nt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i es)mustbepl ay edbyt hewor ki ng cl ass, t omai nt ai ni nei t herpar toft hewor l dt hatt hi scl asscanmaket he r ev ol ut i onessent i al l ybyi t sel fi st odenyi tt hev anguar dr ol et hatMar xi st Leni ni st shav et r adi t i onal l yseeni tpl ay i ng.Thi smi st ake, whet heri nt he Thi r dWor l dori nt headv ancedcount r i es, hasbeent r adi t i onal l yaner r or madebyt hoseLeni ncal l ed“ Lef t Wi ngCommuni st s” .

4.Mar xi st Leni ni stTheor yandt heModer nHi st or yofPet t yBour geoi s Mov ement s Leni n’ sar gumentt hatCommuni st smustappeal t oal l segment soft he peopl ei ncl udi ngt hepet t ybour geoi si ewasmeantt oappl ybot ht oThi r d Wor l dcount r i est hathadnoty etachi ev edademocr at i cr ev ol ut i onandt o t hemostadv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i eswi t hpar l i ament ar yf or ms: I tcannotbet oost r ongl y mai nt ai nedt hatt hi si sst i l l notSoci al Democr acy , t hatt heSoci al Democr at ’ si deal shoul dnotbet het r adeuni onsecr et ar y , butt het r i buneoft hepeopl e, whoi sabl et or eactt oev er ymani f est at i onof t y r annyandoppr essi on, nomat t erwher ei tappear s, nomat t erwhat st r at um orcl assofpeopl ei taf f ect s; whoi sabl et ogener al i zeal l t hese mani f est at i onsandpr oduceasi ngl epi ct ur eofpol i cev i ol enceand capi t al i stexpl oi t at i on; whoi sabl et ot akeadv ant ageofev er yev ent , howev ersmal l , i nor dert osetf or t hbef or eal l hi ssoci al i stconv i ct i onsand hi sdemocr at i cdemands, i nor dert ocl ar i f yf oral l andev er y onet hewor l dhi st or i csi gni f i canceoft hest r uggl ef ort heemanci pat i onoft hepr ol et ar i at .. ..Wemust’ goamongal l cl assesoft hepopul at i on’ ast heor et i ci ans, as pr opagandi st s, asagi t at or s, andasor gani ser s....Thepr i nci pl et hi ng, of cour se, i spr opagandaandagi t at i onamongal l st r at aoft hepeopl e.The wor koft heWest Eur opeanSoci al Democr ati si nt hi sr espectf aci l i t at edby t hepubl i cmeet i ngsandr al l i eswhi chal l ar ef r eet oat t end, andbyt hef act t hati npar l i amentheaddr essest her epr esent at i v esofal l cl asses.Wehav e nei t herapar l i amentnorf r eedom ofassembl y ; nev er t hel ess, wear eabl et o ar r angemeet i ngsofwor ker swhodesi r et ol i st ent oaSoci al Democr at .We

115 mustal sof i ndway sandmeansofcal l i ngmeet i ngsofr epr esent at i v esof al l soci al cl assest hatdesi r et ol i st ent oademocr at ; f orhei snoSoci al Democr atwhof or get si npr act i cet hat’ t heCommuni st ssuppor tev er y r ev ol ut i onar ymov ement ’ , t hatwear eobl i gedf ort hatr easont oexpound andemphasi zegener al democr at i ct asksbef or et hewhol epeopl e, wi t hout f oramomentconceal i ngourSoci al i stconv i ct i ons.Hei snoSoci al Democr atwhof or get si npr act i cehi sobl i gat i ont obeaheadofal l i nr ai si ng, accent uat i ng, andsol v i ngev er ygener al democr at i cquest i on.( Leni n, What I sToBeDone? )( Emphasi si sLeni n’ s. ) Thi si snot , ofcour se, t ocl ai m, t hatt hepet t ybour geoi si ehasanequal i nt er esti nsoci al i sm wi t ht hewor ki ngcl ass, ort hatanequal amountof t i meoughtt obegi v ent owor ki ngwi t ht hi scl ass, butonl y , aswi t ha r ev ol ut i onar ysol ut i ont ot henat i onal quest i onwhi chcansucceedi n maki ngnat i onal mi nor i t i esal l i esoft hepr ol et ar i ati nt hedeci si v est r uggl e agai nstcapi t al , wemustal soof f erar ev ol ut i onar ysol ut i ont ot hepet t y bour geoi si ei nor dert ot ur nt hi scl assi nt oal l i esaswel l .Leni ncer t ai nl y r eal i zedt hev aci l l at i ngnat ur eoft hepet t ybour geoi si e( seeLef t Wi ng Communi sm, sect i on8) , butheal sounder st oodt hatar ev ol ut i oncannot t akepl aceunt i l “ t hehi st or i cal l yef f ect i v ef or cesofal l cl asses–posi t i v el y ofal l t hecl assesoft hegi v ensoci et ywi t houtexcept i on–ar eal i gnedi n suchawayt hatev er y t hi nghasmat ur edf ort hedeci si v ebat t l e, ”andgoes ont oar guet hatasuccessf ul r ev ol ut i oncanoccuronl ywhent hev aci l l at i ng pet t ybour geoi smov ement sandl eader shi phav e” suf f i ci ent l ydi sgr aced t hemsel v est hr ought hei rpr act i cal bankr upt cy ”andar et husr eadyt of ol l ow pr ol et ar i anl eader shi p.( Lef t Wi ngCommuni sm, Sect i on10) Thebasi cpoi nti s, t hatev eni f , i nt heabst r act , i twoul dbebet t erf ort he pr ol et ar i att omakeapur esoci al i str ev ol ut i onwi t houtcompr omi si ngand maneuv er i ng, i nt her eal wor l di ti snecessar yf ort hatcl asst ohav eal l i es amongnat i onal mi nor i t i es, t hepeasant r yorsmal l f ar mer sandt heur ban pet t ybour geoi si ei fi ti st osucceedi ni t shi st or i cal mi ssi on.Ev enwher ea wor ki ngcl assr epr esent s80%oft het ot al popul at i oni thasnev erbeenabl e t omobi l i zemor et hanabouthal fofi t smember st ogi v eev ent okensuppor t t or ev ol ut i onar yl eader shi pbecauseoft heper v asi v ei nf l uenceofr el i gi on,

116 bour geoi snat i onal i sm, cy ni ci sm, pet t ybour geoi sst r i v i ngs, dr ugs, et c.I n addi t i ont hepr ol et ar i atmustcont endwi t ht hebour geoi si e’ sv i r t ual monopol yoft hemedi a, t heschool s, t hear my , t hepol i ce, money , et c.I ft he pet t ybour geoi si est andsf i r ml ywi t ht hecapi t al i stcl ass, ev eni fi t r epr esent sonl y20%oft hepopul at i on, t hi si sadequat et osmasha r ev ol ut i onar ymov ementwhi chhassubst ant i al suppor ti nt hewor ki ngcl ass. Thepet t ybour geoi si enotonl ycanbemobi l i zedt obet hef r ontl i nef i ght er s oft hebour geoi si e, buti t sconsi der abl ei nf l uence, bot hf or mal l yi npopul ar or gani zat i onsandi nf or mal l yt hr oughf r i endshi pnet wor ks, wi t hwi de segment soft hewor ki ngcl ass, i sof t enusedt oneut r al i zeorwi nov ert o r eact i onmi l l i onsofwor ki ngpeopl e( r ememberov erami l l i onGer man wor ker sbel ongedt ot heNAZIpar t y ) .Wi nni ngov ert hepet t ybour geoi si eas acl asshashi st or i cal l ybeenandwi l l r emai nasnecessar yt oachi ev ea pr ol et ar i anr ev ol ut i onaswi nni ngnat i onal mi nor i t i es. Thei nt er nat i onal Communi stmov ementoncebef or emadet henear l yf at al mi st akeofnotunder st andi ngt hedual ( v aci l l at i ng)nat ur eoft hepet t y bour geoi si eandt hatsegmentoft hewor ki ngcl ass[ t her i ghtandcent er soci al democr at s)underi t si nf l uence.Di r ect i ngi t sappeal al most excl usi v el yt ot hewor ki ngcl assandi npr act i cer ej ect i ngout r eacht ot hese gr oups, t he“ Thi r dPer i od”oft heComi nt er n( 19281934)f aci l i t at edt he gr owt hoff asci stmov ement st hr oughoutt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i es byi sol at i ngi t sel fi nasect ar i anf ashi onf r om t hosei tshoul dhav ebeen r eachi ngoutt oandmobi l i zi ngbehi ndwor ki ngcl assl eader shi p.The7t h Comi nt er nCongr esshel di n1935anal y zedt heseser i ousul t r al ef t mi st akesanddev el opedacor r ect i v epol i cyencapsul at edi nt heCongr ess r epor t sofGeor gi Di mi t r ov : “ I ni t sagi t at i onf asci sm, desi r ousofwi nni ngt hesemassest oi t sownsi de, t r i est osett hemassofwor ki ngpeopl ei nt ownandcount r y si deagai nstt he r ev ol ut i onar ypr ol et ar i at , f r i ght eni ngt hepet t ybour geoi si ewi t ht hebogeyof t he“ Redper i l . ”Wemustt ur nt hi sweaponagai nstt hosewhowi el di tand showt hewor ki ngpeasant s, ar t i sansandi nt el l ect ual swhencet her eal dangert hr eat ens.Wemustshowconcr et el ywhoi ti st hatpi l est hebur den oft axesandi mpost sont ot hepeasantandsqueezesusur i ousi nt er estout

117 ofhi m; whoi ti st hat , whi l eowni ngt hebestl andandev er yf or m ofweal t h, dr i v est hepeasantandhi sf ami l yf r om t hei rpl otofl andanddoomst hem t o unempl oy mentandpov er t y .Wemustexpl ai nconcr et el y , pat i ent l yand per si st ent l ywhoi ti st hatr ui nst hear t i sansandhandi cr af t smenwi t ht axes, i mpost s, hi ghr ent s, andcompet i t i oni mpossi bl ef ort hem t owi t hst and; who . . . . .i ti st hatt hr owsi nt ot hest r eetanddepr i v esofempl oy mentt hewi de massesoft hewor ki ngi nt el l i gent si a.( G.Di mi t r ov , Fort heUni t yoft he Wor ki ng. . Cl assAgai nstFasci sm) Thei nt er nat i onal Mar xi st Leni ni stmov ementt husseti t sel ft het askf r om whi chnei t hert heChi nesenorSov i etl eani ngpar t i eshav ewav er ed, of at t empt i ngt owi nt hepet t ybour geoi si et opr ol et ar i anl eader shi pagai nst t hei rgr eat erenemy–t hemonopol ycor por at i ons.Thepr ogr am out l i nedby t he7t hCongr esswasdesi gnedasmuchmor et hanat empor ar yexpedi ent t ost opt hegr owt hoff asci sm i nEur opei nt he1930’ s, butr at herast he out l i neofagener al st r at egymeantt ohav ev al i di t yunt i l t het ot al col l apse ofcapi t al i sm.Fasci sm wasseenasanecessar yout gr owt hofdecay i ng capi t al i sm whi chwoul dal way st endt ocomet opoweri ncr i si ssi t uat i ons unl essi t spopul arbase, t hepet t ybour geoi si ecoul dbewonbyt he pr ol et ar i at .Di mi t r ovgoesont oar guet hatAmer i canMar xi st Leni ni st s shoul dor gani zeaFar mer sWor ker sPar t ywhi chwoul ddi r ecti t sel fagai nst t he“ banks, t r ust s, andmonopol i es, agai nstt hepr i nci pl eenemi esoft he peopl e”whi chmustdef end“ t hei nt er est sofmember soft hel i ber al pr of essi ons, smal l busi nessmenandar t i sans”( Di mi t r ov , Fort heUni t yof t heWor ki ngCl ass. . . ) .The7t hComi nt er nCongr essdi dnotconf uset he Popul arFr ont , whi chi ncl udedpet t ybour geoi sor gani zat i ons, wi t ht he uni t edf r ontofwor ki ngcl assor gani zat i onswhi chwasdesi gnedt opr ov i de t hel eader shi pt ot hePopul arFr ont .Thepoi nti st hatt hei nt er est soft he pr ol et ar i atr equi r edi tt omobi l i ze( notappease)t hepet t ybour geoi si e behi ndanant i monopol yf r ontasanecessar ycondi t i onf ormaki nga soci al i str ev ol ut i on.

5.AnAnal y si soft hePet t y Bour geoi si eAsaCl ass

118 Thepet t ybour geoi si e’ smostf undament al di v i si oni sbet weeni t s“ ol d”and “ new”sect or s, i . e. , t hesel f empl oy ed, i ndependentsmal l busi nessmen, pr of essi onal s, andsmal l f ar mer sont heonesi de, andt heempl oy ed pr of essi onal s, sci ent i st s, andl owerl ev el managementper sonnel ont he ot her .Tr adi t i onal l yt heol dpet t ybour geoi si ewassol ar gecompar edt o empl oy edpr of essi onal sandl owermanagementt hati twasi dent i f i ed, as t hepet t ybour geoi si e.Ther api dgr owt hofcor por at i onsbot hi nt heci t i es andont hel andov ert hel ast100y ear shas, howev er , dr i v enal mostal l of t heol di ndependentsmal l busi nessmenandf ar mer sbankr upt , f or ci ng t hem t osel l outt ot hecor por at i onswhi chnowpr oduce, andsel l ; most ev er y t hi ngmadeandsol di nt headv ancedcapi t al i stcount r i es.Thegr owt h andconsol i dat i onofmonopol ycapi t al i sm, ont heot herhand, haspr oduced t her api dexpansi onofanewpet t ybour geoi si eofsci ent i st s, uni v er si t y t eacher s, pr of essi onal st at ewor ker s( e. g. , soci al wor ker s) , ar chi t ect s, account ant s, wr i t er s, l owerl ev el manager s, et c. , whodonothav e f undament al cont r ol ofcor por at epol i ci es.I nmanyway st hecl assi nt er est s oft heset wobasi csegment soft hepet t ybour geoi si ear ei dent i cal , buti n somei mpor t antway st heydi v er ge. Bot hsegment soft hepet t ybour geoi si ehav et hesamedual ant agoni sm t o t hecor por at ecapi t al i stcl assont heonesi deandt ot her ev ol ut i onar y wor ki ngcl assont heot her .Whi l et heol dpet t ybour geoi si e’ sant agoni sm t o monopol ycapi t al i sm wasbasedont heeconomi ccompet i t i onbet ween t hem, whi chwasbei ngwonbyt hemor eef f i ci entmonopol ycapi t al i st swho wer edr i v i ngt hem i nt ot hepr ol et ar i at , t henewpet t ybour geoi si e’ s ant agoni sm i sbasedont hei rl ackoff undament al cont r ol ov ert he condi t i onsoft hei rl aborandt heusesoft hei r“ pr oduct ”( or“ ser v i ce” ) . Sci ent i st sar enotr eal l yabl et odet er mi newhatki ndofr esear cht heywi l l do orhowt hei rwor kwi l l beusedbecauseofcor por at ef undi nganddi r ect i on oft hei rwor k; uni v er si t yt eacher sar eundergr eatpr essur et omasspr oduce st udent swi t houtr ai si ngf undament al cr i t i ci smsoft hewayt hi ngsar e; soci al wor ker sar ef or cedt oactl i kepol i cemen; ar chi t ect sar emadet o desi gnmonst r osi t i esr at hert hansoci al l yusef ul bui l di ngs; engi neer sar e r equi r edt odesi gncar swhi chf al l apar tandf act or i est hatpol l ut e, et c.

119 Al t houghf aul t yasgener al anal y si s, i ti susef ul t oexami neSer geMal l e’ s, Essay sont heNewWor ki ngCl ass, Andr eGor z’ , St r at egyf orLaborand Thor st ei nVebl en’ s, Engi neer sandt hePr i ceSy st em, i nt hi scont ext .The “ newwor ki ngcl ass”ofwhi cht heseaut hor sspeak, howev er , mustbe r eal i st i cal l yconsi der edanewpet t ybour geoi si e.Theseaut hor ssuggest t hatt hi sgr oupcanpl ayal eadi ngr ol ei nt her ev ol ut i onar ypr ocess, but cl ear l yt hei rcl ai msmustbedi scount ed, ast hi sgr oupi sunl i kel yt opl ayany r ev ol ut i onar yr ol eatal l unl essi tf ol l owst hel eader shi poft hewor ki ngcl ass. Ther ei scont i nui ngpr essur eont henewpet t ybour geoi si et o “ pr ol et ar i ani ze”t hecondi t i onsofi t sl abor( i naf ashi onanal ogoust ot he pr essur eont heol dpet t ybour geoi si e) .Thet eachi ngl oadofcol l ege pr of essor sandcl asssi zesgoup, ar chi t ect sandengi neer sar esubj ect edt o . i ncr easi ngpr oduct i v i t y demands, soci al wor ker smustt akeonhi gherCase l oads, et c.I tshoul dbenot edt hatt hemat er i al pr i v i l egesoft henewpet t y bour geoi si ehav ebeenexagger at ed, t heav er agei ncomeofempl oy ed pr of essi onal si nr ecenty ear shasav er agedonl yabout30%mor et hant hat ofski l l edwor ker s( compar i ngmal esonl yt oel i mi nat et heef f ectofsexi sm) . I ti sal sot r ue, especi al l ysi ncet heoccur r enceofasur pl usofcol l ege gr aduat eswhi chdev el opedi nt heear l y1970’ s, t hatt her ehasbeen consi der abl edownwar dpr essur eont hesal ar i esoft henewpet t y bour geoi si e. Whi l et henewpet t ybour geoi si ehasf undament al ant agoni smswi t ht he capi t al i stcl asst hatcont r ol sandpr essur est hem, i ti snoti ni t i al l yi nas desper at easi t uat i onv i sav i st hi scl assasi st hei ndependentpet t y bour geoi si ewhoar eaboutt ogobankr upt( exceptofcour sef ort hose engi neer sandt eacher s, et c. , whoar ebei ngl ai dof forcan’ tf i ndwor k) .Thi s sect oroft hepet t ybour geoi si econt i nuest ogr ow( al t houghnotasr api dl y asbef or e)whi l et heol dpet t ybour geoi si econt i nuest oshr i nk.Ont heot her handt heant agoni sm oft heol dpet t ybour geoi si et ot hewor ki ngcl assi s f armor ei nt enset hani st hatoft henewpet t ybour geoi si e.Ast hev i ol ent l y ant i uni onef f or t sofsmal l gr ower si nCal i f or ni aandsmal l f ar mer si n Nor t her nI t al yaf t erWor l dWarI , aswel l ast hest r ongl yant i uni onef f or t sof smal l busi nessmenal mostev er y wher e^show*t hi scl assi sv er ybadl yhur t

120 byuni oni zat i on, whi chr esul t si nwagei ncr easeswhi cht hi ssect orcanonl y meetatt hecostofpr of i t s( i tcannot , l i kemonopol ybusi nesses, passon t heWagei ncr easest oconsumer sbyi ncr easi ngpr i ces) .Thi scl ass per i odi cal l ybecomesv i ol ent l yhost i l et ot heCommuni st sandSoci al i st si t seesast r y i ngt ot akeawayt hel i t t l epr oper t yt heyhav e.Thef actt hatt he newpet t ybour geoi si ehasal r eadybeen“ soci al i zed”i . e. , hasnopr i v at e pr oper t yanddoesnotdi r ect l ydependonpr of i t st osur v i v emakesa f undament al di f f er encei nt hei rat t i t udeaboutbot huni onsandt he soci al i zat i onofpr i v at ebusi ness( al t houghnotofcour seaboutt he pr eser v at i onoft hei rownr el at i v epr i v i l egesv i sav i st hewor ki ngcl ass) . Uni oni zat i onandt hei mpr ov ementi nt hecondi t i onsofwor ker sdonot adv er sel yaf f ectt henewpet t ybour geoi si e( sol ongast heycanmai nt ai n t hei rpaydi f f er ent i al s, whi ch, byt heway , ar eof t engear edt ot hei ncr eases i nuni onset t l ement s) .Pr oposal sf ort henat i onal i zat i onofent er pr i sesand t heexpansi onofsoci al ser v i ces, andt hepubl i csect ori ngener al , notonl y donothur tt henewpet t ybour geoi si ebutposi t i v el yhel pi tbyi ncr easi ngi t s j oboppor t uni t i esi nwor ki ngf ort hest at e, r ai si ngi t spr est i geandst at usby el ev at i ngt hei mpor t anceoft hesoci al i zedsect orandexpandi ngf unds av ai l abl ef orsci ent i f i cr esear ch, medi ci ne, et c. , f r om whi chi tbenef i t s. Thesedi f f er encesbet weent heol dandnewpet t ybour geoi si eshav emaj or i mpl i cat i onsf orhowt hesegr oupsr espondt oappeal sf r om t he r ev ol ut i onar yl ef tandt hemonopol ycapi t al i st si nacr i si ssi t uat i onwher e t heyar ef or cedt osi dewi t honesi deort heot her . Toanext ent , t henewpet t ybour geoi si est i l l mai nt ai nsi t si deal ofa“ t hi r d pat h”bet weenmonopol ycapi t al i sm andpr ol et ar i ansoci al i sm as mani f est edi nsuchphenomenaast he“ smal l i sbeaut i f ul ”t r end, f i ght i ngf or secur et enur ef ort eacher sandot herpr of essi onsandgener al l yt r y i ngt o i ncr easej obaut onomy , mi ni mi zei nt er f er encef r om admi ni st r at or sand owner set c. , ont heonehand, whi l epr eser v i ngpr i v i l egesv i sav i swor ker s ont heot her .Thegener al st r i keofpr of essi onal por ker si nSwedenaf ew y ear sago, Whosegoal wast or est or et het r adi t i onal paydi f f er ent i al wi t h manual wor ker s, i sani mpor t antexampl eoft hi sl at t erpoi nt , ashav ebeen t hev ar i ousdoct or sst r i kes’ ar oundt hewor l d., Butt hei deal soft henew

121 pet t ybour geoi si ear ei nt hel astanal y si sasmuchaf r audast heol d Jef f er soni ani deal oft heol dpet t ybour geoi si ebecauseoft hei nsat i abl e dr i v ef orgr eat erandgr eat erpr oduct i v i t yandcont r ol demandedbycapi t al . Thenewpet t ybour geoi si e, l i ket heol d, i sf acedi nt hef i nal anal y si swi t h hav i ngt osi dewi t hei t hert hemonopol ycapi t al i st sort her ev ol ut i onar y pr ol et ar i at .Becauseoft hesi gni f i cantdi f f er ence, i nt hecondi t i onsofwor k oft henewpet t ybour geoi si e, whi chconsi der abl yweakenst hi scl ass’ s t r adi t i onal host i l i t yt ot hepr ol et ar i ati ncr i si ssi t uat i ons, wecanexpecti tt o hav eaconsi der abl ygr eat erl i kel i hoodofsi di ngwi t ht heWor ki ngcl ass whi chneedof f ermuchl essofat hr eatt oi t si mmedi at ei nt er est st hant he monopol ycapi t al i st s. I ti sofcour set r uet hatt hegoal ofasoci al i str ev ol ut i oni st obegi nt he t r ansf or mat i ont oacommuni stsoci et yi nwhi cht hedi v i si onofl abor bet weenment al andmanual wor kwi l l beabol i shed, andt hust hati nt he l ongr unt her ecanbenopr eser v at i onoft hepr i v i l egesoft henewpet t y bour geoi si e.Butt hi si st hel ongt er m goal ofsoci al i str ev ol ut i on, nott he i mmedi at epr ospect .Justast heCuban, Russi an, Chi nese, Vi et namese, et c. , r ev ol ut i onshel doutt hepr omi seoff ul l andsoci al l yusef ul empl oy menti n f ul f i l l i ngagr eathi st or i cal t ask, andonl yagr adual wi t her i ngawayoft hei r mat er i al pr i v i l eges, t ot hei ri nt el l ect ual sandpr of essi onal s, t her ei sno r easont hatr ev ol ut i onsi nt heWestwi l l notdot hesame.Suchan al t er nat i v emaywel l pr ov et obef armor eat t r act i v et hant he “ pr ol et ar i ani zat i on”of f er edt hem byt hemonopol ycapi t al i st si nacr i si s si t uat i on.( I ti sunl i kel y , ofcour se, t hatt hi scl asswi l l mov easacl assi n any t hi ngbutav aci l l at i ngwayunt i l ar ev ol ut i onar ycr i si sf or cesi tt ochoose bet weent het wov i abl eopt i ons. ) Whi l et het r adi t i onal opposi t i onoft heol dpet t ybour geoi si e, becauseofi t s nat ur easpr oper t yowner s, hasal way sbeenexer t edagai nstt he soci al i zat i onofpr oper t ybyasoci al i str ev ol ut i onwhi chwoul dexpr opr i at e i t spr oper t y( e. g. , t heopposi t i onoft heKul akst ocol l ect i v i zat i oni nt he Sov i etUni on) , t henewpet t ybour geoi si ehasnoi nt er esti nopposi ngf ul l soci al i zat i onbyaf ul l ysoci al i str ev ol ut i on, si ncei townsnopr oduct i v e pr oper t yand, i nf acti nt heshor tr un, st andst ogai nbyt hei ncr easi ng

122 oppor t uni t i essoci al i zat i onpr ov i des, e. g. , mor esci ent i f i cr esear ch, cr eat i v e ar chi t ect ur eandconst r uct i on, ef f i ci entcar s, mor emoneyf ormedi ci ne, et c. Thet wosegment soft hi scl asscant husbeexpect edt odi v er gepol i t i cal l y att hest ageoft her ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i onwhi chmov esf r om ant i bi g andmi ddl ecapi t al i sm, whi chsoci al i zeonl ymedi um andl ar gebusi nesses ( whi chi si nt hei nt er estoft hei ndependentpet t ybour geoi si eandempl oy ed bour geoi si e) , t of ul l soci al i zat i on( whi chi sonl yi nt hei nt er est soft he empl oy edsect i onoft hepet t ybour geoi si e) .I ti snotunt i l t het hi r dphaseof ar ev ol ut i onar yt r ansf or mat i on, t het r ansi t i ont of ul l communi sm, whi ch i mpl i est heabol i t i onofal l pr i v i l egeanddi v i si onbet weenment al and manual l abor , t hatt henewpet t ybour geoi si e’ si nt er est sdi v er gef r om t hose oft hepr ol et ar i at .Thi si st hecur r entst ageofdev el opmenti nbot ht he Sov i etUni onandChi na.Thest r uggl ebet weent henewpet t ybour geoi si e andt hepr ol et ar i atandpeasant r yhasbeenmani f est edi nbot ht heChi nese Cul t ur al Rev ol ut i onandi nt het r endt owar ds“ r ev i si oni sm”( orast he Chi nesesayt hemov ementt owar dst he“ r est or at i onofcapi t al i sm” )i nt he Sov i etUni on.Thebur eaucr at si nt hepar t y , i ndust r i esandst at ewantt o mai nt ai nandsecur et hei rpr i v i l egesv i sav i st hewor ki ngmassesandt hus t heyr esi stt hemov ementf r om soci al i sm t ocommuni sm, whi l et hewor ki ng massesdemandpr ogr esswhi chent ai l st heel i mi nat i onofal l pr i v i l eges i nher enti nasoci al i st( asopposedt ocommuni st )f or m ofsoci al or gani zat i on.Thuswhatwasacont r adi ct i onamongt hepeopl eatbot ht he st ageoft heor i gi nal r ev ol ut i onagai nstt hebour geoi si eandi mper i al i sm, as wel l asatt hest ageoff ul l soci al i zat i on, hasr ecent l y , i nbot hChi naandt he Sov i etUni on, becomet hepr i mar ycont r adi ct i onwi t hi nt hesoci et y .Butf or ust ot r eatwhathasbecomet hepr i mar ycont r adi ct i oni nr ev ol ut i onar y t r ansf or mat i onst wost agesmor eadv ancedt hanour sasacont r adi ct i on bet weent hepeopl eandt heenemyi st omaket hesamemi st akeast hose l ef t adv ent ur i st si nChi naandVi et nam madewhot r eat edt henat i onal bour geoi si ei nt hei rcount r i esaspar toft heenemy . Thecur r entappr oacht owi nni ngov ert hepet t ybour geoi si el i esnoti n “ appeasi ng”t hem ori nl i mi t i ngchangessoasnott oof f endt hem, buti n mobi l i zi ngt hem t of i ghtagai nstmonopol ycapi t al .I twoul di ndeedbea

123 mi st aket omov esl owl y , soasnott oof f endt hepet t ybour geoi si e, si ncet he pet t ybour geoi si ei sal r eady( i nacr i si ssi t uat i on)qui t eof f endedbyt he t r ansgr essi onsoni t si nt er est sont hepar tofmonopol ycapi t al , andi s l ooki ngf oranswer s.Unl esst hel ef tmov esdeci si v el yi npr ov i di ng l eader shi pt ot hepet t ybour geoi si e, t hi scl asswi l l l ookel sewher e. Tempor i zi ngonl ygi v est i met ot hebour geoi si et odev el opi t sf or ces.The pet t ybour geoi si ehas, i fonl yi nasel f dest r uct i v ewayi nt went i et hcent ur y f asci stmov ement s, pr ov eni t sabi l i t yt osuppor twhati tt hi nksar edr amat i c andsuddenchanges, pr ov i di ngi tbel i ev est hem i ni t si nt er est .I ti snot i nher ent l yconser v at i v ebynat ur e( conser v at i v emeansconser v i ngt he st at usquoofmonopol ycapi t al i sm) , andt hust her ei snoneedt ol i mi t changest oappeaset hi scl ass.Whati snecessar yi nor dert owi n l eader shi pi nt hi scl assi st omov edeci si v el yagai nstmonopol ycapi t al , whi l eguar ant eei ngt hei nt er est soft hepet t ybour geoi si e.Monopol y capi t al i sm i sal r eadyr educi ngt hepower , pr i v i l egeandaut hor i t yoft hi s cl ass; whatt hepr ol et ar i atmustdot owi nl eader shi poft hepet t y bour geoi si ei st ohol doutt her eal pr omi seofdr ast i cal l yr educi ngt hepower , pr i v i l egeandaut hor i t yoft hemonopol ycapi t al i st s, andt hendeci si v el y car r yt hr oughwi t ht hepr omi se.I nt heconcr et et hi smeanst hata r ev ol ut i onar ymov ementmustguar ant eet heshor tr unpr eser v at i onof smal l f ar msandbusi nessesandpr omi se( andl i v eupt oi t spr omi se)t o pr omot eonl yv ol unt ar ycol l ect i v i zat i ont hr ougheducat i onandexampl e, whi l eexpr opr i at i ngt hebanksandcor por at i ons, t husal l ev i at i ngt he f i nanci al pr essur eonsmal l ent er pr i ses.I tal someanst hatt he Rev ol ut i onar ymov ementmusthol doutt hepr ospectofsecur eand r ewar di ngempl oy mentf orpr of essi onal swhi l epr omi si ngt heendoft he abusi v epr ost i t ut i onoft hepr of essi onal st ot hepr of i tseeki nggoal sof capi t al .Fur t heri tmeansguar ant eei ngt hatonl ygr adual l yov ert hecour se ofagener at i onort wowi l l t heyl oset hei rpr i v i l egesast hecondi t i onof ev er y onei sgr eat l yi mpr ov ed( i . e. , t hatr at hert hant hem si nki ngt ot hel ev el oft hecur r entpr ol et ar i at , t hatt hecondi t i onoft hepr ol et ar i atwi l l be br oughtup) .Af t eral l i si tr eal l ysobadt odosomephy si cal l aborunder soci al i stcondi t i ons?Themodel oft heChi nesepr omi set ot heChi nese nat i onal bour geoi si e, t hati ft heysuppor t edt henat i onal democr at i c

124 r ev ol ut i ont hei rweal t hwoul dnotbeconf i scat ed, shoul dbest udi ed.I ti s suf f i ci ent , andact ual l ysoci al l ynecessar y , t hatt hedi v i si onofl aborbeonl y gr adual l yabol i shed( asuddenabol i t i onwoul dpr oducet ot al soci al di sr upt i on) , andt hust her eneedbenof al sef eargener at edamongt henew pet t ybour geoi si et hatt hei rposi t i onwi l l bedest r oy edov er ni ght .

H.TheCausesofLef tEr r or s Rev ol ut i onscanonl ybemadei nt i mesofmaj orandpr ol ongedsoci al cr i si s suchast heaf t er mat hofser i ousmi l i t ar ydef eatordur i ngapr ol onged economi ccr i si s.Nopar t yhowev erwel l r oot edi nt hewor ki ngcl ass, andno mat t erhowgoodi t sanal y si sand“ l i ne”canmakear ev ol ut i onwi t houtsuch acr i si s. Communi stpar t i esar ef acedwi t hadi f f i cul tt aski nmai nt ai ni ngt hei r bear i ngsi nnonr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i ons.Smal l r ev ol ut i onar ygr oupsi nnonr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i ons, gr oupswhi cht endt obecomposedheav i l yofexst udent sandi nt el l ect ual s( manyofwhom mayhav ecol oni zedt hewor ki ng cl ass)t endt obl amef ai l ur esofl i neandanal y si sf ort hei rf ai l ur et ogr ow, t o engagei nheat edi nt er nal debat esaboutl i neandt ospl i tt of or m separ at e gr oupl et seachhost i l et oal l t heot her s.Sect ar i ani sm i st hust hei nher ent char act er i st i cofnonr ev ol ut i onar yper i odsi nwhi cht heCommuni st mov ementi ssmal l .I npar t , t hesect ar i ani sm i nher enti nsuchsi t uat i onsi s gr eat l yaggr av at edbyt hecl assbasi sofsmal l Communi stmov ement s whi chhav er ecr ui t edmai nl yf r om st udent sandt hei nt el l i gensi awhohav e j oi nedmai nl yf ori deol ogi cal r easons( r at hert hanbecauseoft hei rown oppr essi on) .Theexper i enceofsuchpeopl ehasbeenoneofdeal i ngwi t h i deasi nt heabst r act .I deol ogi cal pol emi csandr at i onal i st i cdebat ear e endemi ct ouni v er si t yandcof f eehousel i f e. Theonl ycur ef ort hi ssect ar i ani sm i st hedi sci pl i nei mposedbywor ker s whobecomei nv ol v edi nr ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl est hr oughnecessi t y .Needi ng uni t yi nor dert osur v i v eandadv ance, t hewor ki ngcl asshasnoi nt er esti n f r at r i ci dal andabst r actpol emi cs.Thesci ent i f i canal y si si tneedsi sder i v ed

125 f r om t het r i al ander r orofpr act i cesummedupi naut hent i ccr i t i ci smsel f cr i t i ci sm.Onl yt hei nt egr at i onofCommuni st si nt ot hemai nst r eam of wor ki ngcl assl i f eandst r uggl eswi l l succeedi nov er comi ngsect ar i ani sm. I naddi t i ont ot hei mpedi ngef f ect soft hepet t y bour geoi sbasi sofsmal l l ef t gr oupsi nnonr ev ol ut i onar ysi t uat i onst hespeci al t r adi t i onsofbot h Amer i cansoci et yandpol i cepr ov ocat i onandmani pul at i onpl ayi mpor t ant r ol esi npr omot i ngsect ar i ani sm, dogmat i sm andul t r al ef t i sm among Amer i canMar xi st s. Amer i canr adi cal swhol i ket ot hi nkoft hemsel v esasf r eedf r om t hev al ues ofAmer i cancapi t al i stci v i l i zat i ondeci ev et hemsel v es.Thewi neof Mar xi smLeni ni sm i sbei ngpour edi nt ot heol dbot t l esofi ndi v i dual i sm.We ar esocondi t i onedt ot r ustnoone, t ogetal l wecan, andt ogi v easl i t t l eas wecan, t ot hi nkofour sel v esf i r st , t obesel f r i ght eouswhenconv i ncedof somet hi ng, t odi st r ustcol l ect i v eact i v i t yandt ol ackf ai t hi not her s, t hatal l t heseaspect sofi ndi v i dual i sm ar emani f est edwi t hav engeancei nt he i nt er nal l i f eoft heAmer i canl ef t .Oncesomeoneorsomegr oupbecomes conv i ncedt hati thast hecor r ecti nt er pr et at i onal l hel l br eaksl ose, mi nor di f f er enceswhi char er esol v abl et hr oughcomr adel yst r uggl eandpr act i ce becomemagni f i edi nt of undament al di f f er encesofpr i nci pl ewor t hspl i t t i ng ordest r oy i ngor gani z at i onsabout .Ourcomr adescomet obeseenast he “ r oadbl ockst or ev ol ut i on”whi chmustbesmashedbef or epr ogr esscanbe made. Theendemi cdi v i si v enessoft heAmer i canl ef ti sconsci ousl ypr omot edby pol i ceagent swhoconsci ousl yusedi v i si v et act i csi nor dert ot earl ef twi ng or gani zat i onsapar tt husdest r oy i ngt hepot encyoft hel ef t .Thet act i cof i nf i l t r at i ngl ef tor gani zat i ons, andoncei naposi t i onofsomer espect , t o si dewi t hmi nor i t yf act i ons, ort odev el opf act i ons, whi chopposet he domi nantt endenci eswhat ev ert heymi ghtbe, i sat i met est edpol i ceand wr eckert act i c.Thepoi nti st opr omot edi suni t yanddi st r ustoft he l eader shi p, pr ev enti tmer gi ngwi t hi nsi mi l aror gani zat i ons, i fpossi bl espl i t t heor gani zat i on, andconsequent l ydemor al i zeasmanyl ef t i st saspossi bl e. Sucht act i cswer eadopt edbyt heAmer i canFBIi nt he1960’ st odeal wi t h

126 t her i si ngnewl ef t ; andBl ackpowermov ement s. Underl egal pr essur ef r om t heSoci al i stWor ker sPar t yandsomeBl ack or gani zat i ons, t heFBIi sbei nggr adual l yf or cedt or ev eal t hedet ai l sofi t s pr ogr am t odest r oyt heNewLef tandBl ackr adi cal gr oupsi nt heper i od 19671971.( Seet he1, 000pagesoft est i monyanddocument si ssuedby t heU. S.Senat e’ sSel ectCommi t t eet oSt udyGov er nmentOper at i onswi t h Respectt oI nt el l i genceAct i v i t i es, Vol .6, TheF. B. I . , 1976. ) : Agent swer e senti nt oBl ackor gani zat i onst odi sr uptandpr ev entt hei rmer gerand gr owt h.Agent ssenti nt omi l i t antnat i onal i stor gani zat i onsemphasi zedt he i mpossi bi l i t yofwor ki ngwi t hwhi t esandt hosesenti nt oor gani zat i onsl i ke t hePant her semphasi zedt hei mpossi bi l i t yofwor ki ngwi t hcul t ur al nat i onal i st s.Unsi gnedl et t er saccompani edbyf akepol i cer epor t swer e sentt ov ar i ousr adi cal or gani zat i onsi mpl i cat i ngoneoranot heroft hei r l eader saspol i ceagent s.Ther adi cal or gani zat i onswer el edt obel i ev et hat suchi nf or mat i onwasbei ngpr ov i dedt hem bysy mpat hi zer si nt heFBIor l ocal pol i cewhenact ual l yi twasbei ngsentaspar tofanov er al l dest r uct i v e st r at egy .ThePant her sandU. S.i nCal i f or ni awer epr ov okedi nt ov i ol ent war f ar e.TheFBIt act i csusedonatl eastonepr edomi nant l ywhi t egr oup– t heSoci al i stWor ker ’ sPar t y , hav ebeenexposedi ngr eatdet ai l –dot he Maoi stgr oupst hi nkt hatt heyar esomuchl essdanger oust ot her ul i ng cl asst hatt hesecr etpol i cehasnotbot her edgi v i ngt hem t hesame t r eat ment .Whent hef ul l f act sbecomeknownwear ev er yl i kel yt of i ndt hat t her ehasbeenwi descal ei nf i l t r at i onanddi sr upt i onoft heent i r el ef tf r om t hemi dsi xt i esunt i l t oday .I ti snotunl i kel yt hatt heFBIpl ay edamaj orr ol e i nt hedest r uct i onofSDSi n1969, i nt hespl i ti nt hePant her sataboutt he samet i me, andi nmostoft hespl i t sandant agoni smsoft heMaoi st s dur i ngt hemi d1970’ s.

I .ACal lFort heRegr oupmentoft heUS.Lef t Al mostal l oft hev ar i ousl ef tt endenci esandgr oupsi nt heU. S.ar e composedofmost l ywel l i nt ent i onedr ev ol ut i onar i es.Thesect ar i ani sm,

127 i deal i sm, dogmat i sm, r ef or mi sm andt ai l i sm oft hev ar i ousgr oupsi sa pr oductoft hef ai l ur eoft hel ef tt obef ul l yi nt egr at edi nt omassst r uggl es andt her esul t anti nt el l ect ual i zedpol emi csandr el i gi oussectl i ke ent husi asm t hatar ei t sconsequence.Whenpr act i cecan’ tdeci de, whent he massl i nei snotoper at i v e, whenexst udentcadr ear eunabl et ogetr eal f eedbackandcr i t i ci sm f r om t hest r uggl esofwor ki ngpeopl e, amessl i ke t heonewehav et odayi st hei nev i t abl er esul t .Thef ai l ur eofal l l i nesi nt he massst r uggl et ur nsusi nwar dt obl ameeachot herandf acul t yl i nesf orour pr obl ems, t huspr omot i ngspl i t sandul t r asect ar i ani sm. Thedev el opmentofspl i t sandt heev ol ut i onofsect shaspr oduceda par al l el ev ol ut i oni nt hedi f f er entt r adi t i ons.Whent heSWPf i r stbr okeof f f r om t heCPt hedi f f er encesbet weent het wogr oupswer eascl earast he di f f er encesbet weent heSPandCPwhent heywentt hei rsepar at eway s. Howev er , asgr oupsbr okeof fbot ht heSWPandt heCPandspl i t swi t hi n eachspl i tdev el oped, gr oupswi t hv er ydi f f er enthi st or i est endedt o conv er geonsi mi l arl i nes.Thi spar al l el ev ol ut i oni sv er ysi mi l art ot he par al l el ev ol ut i onofAust r al i anMar i supal sandmammal si nt her estoft he wor l d.Ev ent hought het woani mal phy l um hav el ongev ol v edsepar at el y t hesi mi l arenv i r onmentofAust r al i a, andmuchoft her estoft hewor l d r esul t edi nt hedev el opmentofsi mi l arspeci esmor eorl essequal l y adopt edt ot hei recol ogi cal ni chesi nsi mi l arenv i r onment s.Thus, outoft he hi st or yofspl i t si nt heSWPemer gedt heSpar t acusLeaguewhi chi n v i r t ual l yal l t hi ngsi si dent i cal t ot hePLPwhi chemer gedoutaspl i tf r om t he CP.Aboutt heonl ypr i nci pl eddi f f er encebet weent het wogr oupsi st hatt he f i r sthangspi ct ur esofLeonTr ot skyont hei rwal l swhi l et hesecondhangs pi ct ur esofSt al i n.Bot har eul t r al ef tpur estgr oupswhi chr ef uset owor k wi t horgi v esuppor tt opr ogr essi v emov ement sandSoci al i stcount r i es becauset heyar eal l egedl ynotr ev ol ut i onar yenough.Bot hhav eanul t r al ef t st andof f i shl i neonal l exi st i ngpr ogr essi v enat i onal i st , f emi ni standt r ade uni onmov ement s.Ev ent heCPandt heSWPi t sel fhav et akenapar al l el cour sei nf ocusi ngt hei rwor konr ef or mi stnonmi l i t antmassor gani zat i ons suchast hepeacemov ement , l i ber al t r adeuni ons( t heCP)andt he women’ smov ement( t heSWP)r at hert hanpr esent i ngar ev ol ut i onar yf ace.

128 Theul t r ahost i l esect ar i ani sm oft het i nygr oupl et swhi chhav ebr okenof f f r om t heSWPandf r om t hev ar i ousbr eakof f sf r om t hatgr oupi smor eor l essexact l ypar al l el edbyt heul t r asect ar i ani sm oft hev ar i ousgr oups whi chhav edev el opedi nt he“ Maoi st ”mov ement .Out si deoft heOLandt he RCP, t het womor eorl essMaoi stgr oupsi nt heU. S, wi t hmor et hana mi ni scul ef ol l owi ng, t hepr i mar yf ocusoft hei rpaper sandpol emi csi s at t acksont heOL, t heRCPoroheachot her .Thepr oductoft heseul t r adogmat i cMaoi stgr oupswhof i ghtaboutwhor eal l yr epr esent st het r ue t houghtofMaoTset ungi st husi dent i cal t ot hatoft heul t r aTr ot sky i st gr oupst hatf ocust hei rv enom ont heSWP, ort hei rv ar i ouspar entspl i nt er s f r om t heSWP.Her et hepr i mar yf i ghti sonwhi chgr oupr eal l yr epr esent s t het r ueFour t hI nt er nat i onal .Justast hev ar i ousTr ot sky i stgr oupl et s condemneachot herf ordev i at i ngf r om t r ueTr ot sky i stpr i nci pl es, t he v ar i ousul t r aMaoi stgr oupsaccuseeachot herof“ r ev i si oni sm”–whi ch meansabsol ut el ynot hi ngmor et handev i at i ngf r om t hei ri nt er pr et at i onof MaoTset ungandSt al i n’ st hought .I nnei t hert heul t r aTr ot sky i stgr oupsor i nt heul t r aMaoi stgr oupsdoespr act i ceorsci ent i f i ci nv est i gat i onof concr et econdi t i onspl ayt hesl i ght estr ol ei nset t l i ngdi sagr eement s.Al l pol emi csandf ur t herspl i t s( i ssuesar enev erset t l edi nanami cabl ewayso ast opr oduceuni t y )ar ehandl edi napur el yi deal i standr at i onal i stmanner wi t hquot esbei ngt hr ownbackandf or t hasweaponst ol egi t i mat eor del egi t i mat ev ar i ousposi t i ons, eachasunsubst ant i at edbypr act i ceast he ot her .Thef ut i l i t yoft hewhol eexer ci sei sappar entt oev er y onebutt he handf ul ofpar t i ci pant s.Di f f er encesar emai nt ai nedf orhi st or i cal r easons andbecauseofper sonal andor gani zat i onal host i l i t i esandj eal ousi esand cont i nuet oexi stbecauseoft hel ackofr oot ednessi nmassst r uggl es.A wor ki ngcl assmassr ev ol ut i onar ymov ementwoul dnotst andf ort he nar r owmi ndedsect ar i ani sm oft heexst udentl ef tandwoul df or ceal l honestr ev ol ut i onar i esi nt ooneor gani zat i onf or ci ngt her esol ut i onof di f f er encesont hebasi sofpr act i ce, cr i t i ci sm, democr at i ccent r al i sm and mut ual r espect . Gr oupsl i ket heMI Ri nChi l eshoul dser v easamodel ofwhatt he dev el opmentofar ev ol ut i onar yl ef ti nt heU. S.woul dl ookl i ke.Young

129 peopl ewhohadbeenmi l i t ant si nt heSoci al i stPar t y , t heCommuni stPar t y andt heTr ot sky i stmov ementj oi nedwi t hpr oChi neseandpr oCuban act i v i st sandot heri ndependentr ev ol ut i onar i est of or m anor gani zat i on dev ot edt oassumi ngl eader shi pofmassst r uggl es, l ear ni ngf r om al l oft he r ev ol ut i onar yt r adi t i ons( i ncl udi ngTr ot sky , St al i n, Fi del andMao) , wi t hout i dent i f y i ngwi t hanysi ngl ehi st or i cal t r adi t i on.Theydev el opedt hei rt heor y andst r at egyont hebasi sofpr act i ceandmut ual r espectf ort het r adi t i ons ofeachofi t scomponent s.Themaxi m oft heor gani zat i onhasbeent o l ear nwhatcanbel ear nedf r om t heexper i enceofeachandappl yt hese l essonst ot hespeci al condi t i onsofChi l easdet er mi nedt hr ought he pr act i ceoft heor gani zat i on.TheMI Rt husr epr esent edar adi cal br eakwi t h t heev eri ncr easi ngi r r el ev anceandsect ar i ani sm ofbot ht heTr ot sky i stand Maoi stt r adi t i ons.I ngoodpar ti twasi nspi r edbyt hest r uggl esoft he Cubans; butbynomeansdi di tmechani cal l yaccepti deol ogi cal gui dance f r om Cuba.I nspi t eofi t si nsi st encet hatposi t i v et hi ngscoul dbel ear ned f r om t hewr i t i ngsandexper i enceofTr ot sky i sm, t heMI Rr epr esent eda r adi cal br eakf r om t heessent i al sofTr ot sky i sm ( i deal i sm, ul t r al ef t i sm, host i l i t yt onat i onal l i ber at i onmov ement s)andi nnosenseoft het er m can becal l ed“ t r ot sky i st . ”Li kewi se, al t houghi tgav ecr i t i cal suppor tt ot he Al l ender egi me, i tcani nnowaybecal l ed“ r ev i si oni st ”si ncei tact i v el y combat t edt hei l l usi onsomet i mesencour agedbyt hePopul arUni t y gov er nmentt hatagr adual t r ansi t i ont osoci al i sm woul dbepossi bl e wi t houtmi l i t ar yhegemony .Al t houghgr eatadmi r er soft he accompl i shment soft heChi nese, t heMI Rcl ear l yhasnott ai l edt hei r f or ei gnpol i cyandi nnosensei sMaoi st . Ther econst i t ut i onoft heU. S.r ev ol ut i onar yl ef twoul dv er yl i kel yi ncl udea mer gerofi ndi v i dual s, or gani zat i onsand, smal l gr oupsdr oppi ngoutoft he exi st i ngsect sj oi ni ngwi t hi ndependenti ndi v i dual sandl ocal col l ect i v est o f or m anewor gani zat i onsomewhatont hemodel oft heChi l eanMI R, an or gani zat i onwhi chwoul dst ar twi t hamoder at el ev el ofuni t yanddi sci pl i ne andgr adual l yt i ght enupont hebasi sofi t sI nv ol v ementi nmassst r uggl es andsum upsofi t sownpr act i ce( ast hebasi sonwhi cht or esol v et he pol i t i cal di f f er enceswhi chobv i ousl ywi l l bei mpor t edi nt osuchan

130 or gani zat i on) .

1.Sev enRev ol ut i onar yCur r ent s Themaj ort hr ustoft hest udentmov ementoft he1960’ swhi chgr adual l y dev el opedi nt oMaoi sm: t heRCP, t heOLandt hemy r i adoft i nyul t r aMaoi st gr oupsi sl i kel yt oi ngoodpar tdi si nt egr at e, wi t hmanyofi t shi ghl y ener get i candr ev ol ut i onar ymember si ncr easi ngl yr eal i zi ngt hedeadendof t hepol i ci est hathav edev el opedsi ncet hebegi nni ngoft he1970’ s.The hy peropt i mi sm oft hesegr oupswhi chhav ebel i ev edt hatt heywoul d r api dl ygr owandi nt egr at et hemsel v esi nt ot hewor ki ngcl ass, aswel l asi n t hei mmi nentawakeni ngoft hemassr ev ol ut i onar yst r uggl e, shoul dbe expect edt omor eorl essqui ckl ydi ssi pat ewi t ht hest agnat i onoft hei r mov ement .Ther esul t antdemor al i zat i onshoul df or cemanyoft he member soft hesegr oupl et st or eev al uat eanddr opoutasi ndi v i dual sor gr oups.Manywi l l bel ooki ngf oranondogmat i str ev ol ut i onar yappr oach whi chdoesnot , r equi r ei sol at i onf r om mostpr ogr essi v eandr ev ol ut i onar y st r uggl es.Thesepeopl eshoul dmost l ydev el opnondogmat i cant i r ef or mi stpol i t i cs. Theconsol i dat edsectl i kenat ur eoft hePLPandmostTr ot sky i stgr oupsi s not( y et )char act er i st i coft heMaoi stgr oups( assect ar i anast heymi ghtbe i nt hei rpol emi csandr el at i onshi pt oot herpr ogr essi v eandr ev ol ut i onar y f or ces) .Maoi stgr oupsar est i l l newandar ecomposedmai nl yofy oung hi ghl yener get i cpeopl ewi t hv er yopt i mi st i cExpect at i onsaboutshor tt er m successes.Thei rmember shi pi sconsequent l yconsi der abl ymor eopent o changi ngposi t i onsasar esul toff ai l ur esi npr act i ce, aswel l ast oact i v el y r oot i ngt hemsel v esi nst r uggl esf r om whi cht heycanl ear nf r om t he wor ki ngcl assandt husbr eakoutoft hei rsect ar i ani sm.Theyal sohav et he i mpor t antadv ant ageofl ooki ngt oChi naandt het houghtofMaoTset ung r at hert hant oLeonTr ot skyorev enSt al i nf orl eader shi p.Suchwor ksby MaoTset ungasOnPr act i ce, OnCont r adi ct i on, Wher eDoCor r ectI deas

131 ComeFr om, OnRect i f y i ngt hePar t y ’ sSt y l eofWor k, et c. , aswel l ast he whol ehi st or yoft heChi neseCommuni stPar t y ’ scomi ngt opower( wi t ht he ongoi ngandshar pst r uggl ewagedbyMaoTset ungagai nstdogmat i sm andsect ar i ani sm)cannotbuthav eaposi t i v eef f ecthel pi ngt odef use dogmat i sm andsect ar i ani sm i natl eastt hoseMaoi stgr oupst hatar e r oot edi nt hewor ki ngcl ass.ThusmanyMaoi st scanbeexpect edt ot ur n awayf r om adogmat i c: Maoi sm andbackt owar dsanondogmat i c/ ant i r ev i si oni stpat h. Maj ordev el opment shav eal r eadyoccur r edamongMaoi st sov ert hel ast t woy ear swhi chshowst hepot ent i al f orr ev er si ngt hei rcour set owar ds compl et ei sol at i onandconsol i dat edsect ar i ani sm.Thekeyev enti nt hi s t r endhasbeent heopposi t i onoft heGuar di annewspaper , t hemost i nf l uent i al pr oChi naMar xi stper i odi cal i nt heU. S.t oChi nesef or ei gnpol i cy ( especi al l yi nAngol aandCuba) .Ot heri mpor t antdev el opment si nt hi s t r endhav eal sobeent hesi mi l aropposi t i onoft hei nf l uent i al j our nal Mont hl yRev i ewt ot hesameChi neseposi t i onsandt heev ol ut i onoft he Communi stLaborPar t y , awayf r om suppor tofChi nesef or ei gnpol i cyand t owar dsamor ei ndependentl i nesuppor t i v eofCuba, Vi et nam, et c.As si gni f i canthasbeent hef or mat i onoft heBayAr eaCommuni stUni on, whi chwhi l esuppor t i ngChi nesef or ei gnpol i cyemphasi zesant i dogmat i sm i nev er y t hi ngel se, andt hedev el opmentofanant i dogmat i c/ ant i r ev i si oni st nat i onal t endencyi ngoodpar ti ni t i at edbyt hePhi l adel phi aWor ker s Or gani zi ngCommi t t eeandsuppor t edbyanumberofl ocal i ndependent Mar xi st Leni ni stgr oupsf or mer l yi dent i f i edas“ Maoi st . ”I ndeedt hei ni t i at i v e f orandker nel ofanondogmat i c/ ant i r ef or mi stCommuni stmov ementand par t yi nt heU. S.wi l l al mostcer t ai nl ycomef r om t heset endenci eswhi ch ar enowi nt hepr ocessofsepar at i ngt hemsel v esf r om Maoi sm. Anot heri nputi nt oar eor gani zedanduni f i edr ev ol ut i onar yl ef tmi ghtwel l be t hey out hgr oupoft heCommuni stPar t y–t heYoungWor ker ’ sLi ber at i on League( oramaj orspl i tf r om i t )t oget herwi t hsomeoft hey oungermor e ener get i candl eastmechani cal l ypr oSov i etCP( especi al l yy oungerThi r d Wor l d)member swhowoul dl eav et heCPoutoff r ust r at i onwi t hi t s r ef or mi sm, accommodat i ngl i ber al at t i t udes, gener al l ackofener gyand

132 di sci pl i ne, andi t sapol ogi st i cat t i t udet ot heSov i etUni onandkneej er k host i l i t yt oChi na.Suchamaj orspl i tf r om t heCPwoul dmostl i kel ybe mot i v at edbyt hei nv ol v ementofi t sy oungermember si nwor ki ngcl assand Thi r dWor l dst r uggl es, andt hei rr esul t antr eal i zat i onoft hebankr upt cyof CPpol i cyasar ev ol ut i onar yl i ne.I ti si mpor t antt or eal i zet hatt heCPhas beenr ecr ui t i ngy oungThi r dWor l dwor ker saswel l asexst udentr adi cal s whocannotr el at et ot hest er i l esect ar i ani sm ofMaoi stgr oupsandwantt o dopol i t i cal wor k, buthav enost r ongcommi t mentt odef endi ngt heSov i et Uni onort or ef or mi sm asamat t erofpr i nci pl e.Thesepeopl ear el i kel yt obe t hebasi sofaspl i tt ot hel ef ti nt heCP, aswel l asacont i nui ngsour ceof r ecr ui t menti nt oanondogmat i c/ ant i r ef or mi stor gani zat i on.Ther eshoul d t husbeaconv er genceoft hesef ol kswi t ht hoset hatar ebecomi ng di si l l usi onedwi t hMaoi sm. Weshoul dexpectsomepar t i ci pant si nt heTr ot sky i stt r adi t i ont ol i kewi se conv er geonaant i dogmat i c/ ant i r ef or mi stpol i t i cs.Themostpr omi si ng or gani zat i oni nt hi st r adi t i onot hert hant heWor ker ’ sWor l dPar t y / Yout h Agai nstWarandFasci sm i st heI nt er nat i onal Soci al i st swhoar ef ai r l ywel l i nt egr at edi nwor ki ngcl assst r uggl es( asl ef tgr oupsgo) , andi nspi t eof t hei rgener al condemnat i onofal l soci al i str egi mesas“ bur eaucr at i c col l ect i v i st ”showacer t ai nopenness, ser i ousness, f l exi bi l i t yand, wi l l i ngnesst ol ear nf r om pr act i ceabsentamongmostTr ot sky i stgr oups. They out hgr oupoft heSWP, t heYSA, shoul dal sobeexpect edt opr ov i de somei ndi v i dual r ecr ui t st oanondogmat i cant i r ef or mi stposi t i on, i fonl y becausei t sr at herl oosenat ur eandabsenceofhy persect ar i anpol emi cs ( whi chsett heSWPaswel l ast heI SandWWPof ff r om t her estoft he Tr ot sky i stgr oups)at t r act smanyser i ousy out hnewt oMar xi sm, whot hen t endt ogoont oot hert hi ngsast heyr eal i zet hei sol at i onandbankr upt cyof t heSWP.TheYSA/ SWPhasandmaycont i nuet oser v easat r ansmi ssi on bel tofst udent sf r om l i ber al i sm t oMar xi st Leni ni sm. Thedi ssi pat edr emnant soft he“ newl ef t ”t endenci esoft hel at e1960’ s: t he Weat herunder gr ound, Pr ai r i eFi r e, Vencer emosandt hev ar i ousgr oups at t r act edt o“ Thi r dWor l di sm, ”t her omant i ci sm ofguer r i l l awar f ar eandt he r ev ol ut i onar ypot ent i al i t i esofYout hCul t ur e, hav eal l shownasubst ant i al

133 ev ol ut i ont owar dsMar xi st Leni ni sm, andagr owi ngappr eci at i onoft he l eadi ngr ol eoft hewor ki ngcl assov ert hel astf ewy ear s.Thesegr oups hav et endedt oav oi dt hesect ar i ani sm andpol emi csoft heTr ot sky i st s, Maoi st sandt heCP, i npar tbecauser eact i ngmor eonanemot i onal l ev el t o gi v esuppor tt o, oppr essedpeopl et heynev erbot hert ol ear nt hef i nepoi nt s t hatdi v i det hel ef t , andi npar tbecauset heysenset hef ut i l i t yofi tal l , bei ng somewhatmor er oot edi nt her eal st r uggl esofThi r dWor l dpeopl esi nt he U. S.andar oundt hewor l d( andi nmanycasesofhav i nghadr ecent exper i enceasl eader sofamassst udentmov ementaswel l ) .Whi l et he Weat herUnder gr oundOr gani zat i on/ Pr ai r i eFi r eseemst ohav ev i r t ual l y di sappear edt heNat i onal LaborFeder at i on, anout gr owt hoft heol d Vencer emoswhi chr enouncedt her omant i candadv ent ur i stt endenci esof t hator gani zat i oni nf av orofpat i entor gani zi ngi nt hepoor estsegment sof t hewor ki ngcl ass, i sgr owi ng, andshowspr omi seofbecomi ngan i mpor t antf or ceont her ev ol ut i onar yl ef t .Thededi cat i on, ent husi asm, f l exi bi l i t yandnonsect ar i ani sm oft heset endenci esmaywel l pr ov et obea v al uabl econt r i but i ont ot hedev el opmentofanant i dogmat i st / ant i r ev i si oni stmov ementi ft hel astr emnant sofr omant i ci zi ngguer r i l l awar f ar e, Thi r dWor l di sm andopt i mi sm abouty out hcul t ur ear el ef tbehi nd.I tcanbe expect edt hatt hemai nst r eam oft heset endenci esandgr oupswi l l f ort he mostpar tgoi nt osuchanor gani zat i on, wi t honl yami nor i t yr ef usi ngduet o t hest ubbor nper si st enceof“ NewLef t i st ”i deal s. Amaj orsour ceofr ecr ui t sf oranant i r ef or mi st / ant i dogmat i ct r endi st obe f oundi nt heMar xi st Leni ni stcur r ent samongThi r dWor l dpeopl e–t hi s cur r entmaypr ov ei nt hei nt er medi at er unt opr ov i det hegr eat estsi ngl e sour ceofener gyandr ecr ui t s.Dur i ngt he1970’ st her ehasbeena consi der abl et ur namongBl acks, Lat i nsandAsi ansi nt heU. S.awayf r om nat i onal i sm andt owar dsMar xi smLeni ni sm, e. g. , t heBl ackPant her s, Ami r i Bar aka’ sAf r i canPeopl e’ sCongr ess, t heBl ackWor ker s’ Congr ess/ League ofRev ol ut i onar yBl ackWor ker sandt hei rsuccessoror gani zat i onsand i nf l uences, t heAugust29t hMov ement , LaCasa, ThePuer t oRi canSoci al i st Par t y , t heKDP, El Comi t e, et c.I ndeedi ti sonl yamongsegment sofThi r d Wor l dwor ker st hatMar xi smLeni ni sm hasanyr eal wor ki ngcl assr oot si n

134 t heU. S.i nt he1970’ s.Unf or t unat el y , f ort hemostpar t , t heThi r dWor l d r ev ol ut i onar yt r endsar easdi v i ded, sect ar i an, anddogmat i cast hosebased i nt heexst udentandpr edomi nant l ywhi t eMLgr oups.Assomeoft hese gr oupsgr owt heywi l l exper i encegr eat erandgr eat erpr essur ef r om t hei r const i t uenci est owor kt oget herandt ouni f ywi t heachot heraswel l aswi t h t hemov ementout si deofThi r dWor l dcommuni t i es.Ar ev ol ut i oni s i mpossi bl eonl yamongBl acksorChi canos, andr equi r est hel eader shi pof amul t i r aci al Communi stPar t y .I ti sabsol ut el yessent i al t hatany dev el opi ngr ev ol ut i onar ypar t y / pr epar t i esi nt heU. S.keept hecl osest r el at i onswi t ht hev ar i ousgr oupi ngsar i si ngamongThi r dWor l dwor ker s andi nt el l ect ual s.Li kewi se, i ti sessent i al t hatThi r dWor l dr ev ol ut i onar i es seekoutt hecl osestoft i eswi t ht her estoft her ev ol ut i onar yl ef t . Asi xt hst r eam ofr ecr ui t sf oranondogmat i cant i r ef or mi stt endencycan beexpect edt obef oundi nt heMar xi st Femi ni st sandt heMar xi stgay mov ement .Theset wocl osel yr el at edmov ement shav eadamant l yr ej ect ed t hedogmat i stcur r ent swhi chmechani cal l yi nt er pr etandappl ywhatt hey seet obet heChi nesel i neont hef ami l yandhomosexual i t y .Theyi nsi ston cent r al at t ent i onbei nggi v ent oi nt er per sonal r el at i onswi t hi nagener al l y Mar xi str ev ol ut i onar yf r amewor kwhi chseest hewor ki ngcl assst r uggl eas keyandChi na, Vi et nam andCubaasi nspi r at i ons.Thesect ar i anand dogmat i cat t i t udeofmostoft her estoft her ev ol ut i onar yl ef tt owar ds t hesepeopl e( t hepol i ci esofmuchoft heTr ot sky i stl ef tbei nganexcept i on) haskeptt heset endenci essepar at ef r om t her est .Thesepeopl ear e i ncr easi ngl yr eal i zi ngt hei ri mpot enceasl ongast heyr emai ni sol at edand i nsi stont hepr i macyoft hei rsexual concer ns.Theyar ei ncr easi ngl y r eal i zi ngt hecor r ect nessofawor ki ngcl assper spect i v eandt heneedf ora Leni ni stpar t yaswel l ast henecessi t yofmer gi ngt hei rmov ementi nt oa br oaderwor ki ngcl assbasedf or ce.Wecant husexpectmuchoft hi s mov ementt obecomepar toft henondogmat i st / ant i r ef or mi stcur r ent , al t houghundoubt edl ymanyoft hecur r entpar t i ci pant si nt hi scur r entwi l l dr awbackbecauseoft hei runwi l l i ngnesst odeemphasi zewhathasbeen seenast hepr i macyofsexual f r eedom, f l aunt i nggay nessandmechani cal at t acksonmal echauv i ni sm.

135 Asev ent hst r eam ofpeopl ecanbeexpect edt oj oi nf r om t hev aguel y r ev ol ut i onar yandweakl yor gani zedsoci al democr at i cmov ement sofwhi ch NAM i st hemostpr omi nent , butwhi chal soi ncl udi nggr oupsl i ket he Wi sconsi nandNor t her nCal i f or ni aAl l i ances. Manymember soft hesegr oupswi l l pr obabl yendupconsol i dat i ngbehi nd ar econst i t ut edsoci al democr at i cor gani zat i onandpar t y , butmanycanbe expect edt oseet hef ut i l i t yoft henewl ef tor gani zat i onandst r at egi es whi chhav ebeenpar tofNAM si ncei t sf oundi ng.NAM i snotaconsol i dat ed soci al democr at i cor gani zat i on, whi chasamat t erofpr i nci pl econdemns al l Communi stl edmov ement sandor gani zat i onal f or msandst r at egi es. NAM gener al l yi sast r ongsuppor t erofChi na, CubaandVi et nam, f or exampl e, andmanyofi t smember sconsi dert hemsel v est obe “ communi st s. ”NAM peopl eal soal mostuni v er sal l yconsi dert hemsel v est o behost i l et ot heSoci al Democr at i cPar t i esofEur ope, al t houghr ecent l y t her ehasbeenconsi der abl ei nt er estgener at edbyt her ef or mi st dev el opment si nt heFr enchandI t al i anPar t i es.Exci t ementhasbeen gener at edbyt he“ Gr amsci an”dev el opmentoft heAust r al i anCommuni st Par t y( whi chhasbeenemphasi zi ngapol i cyofmassst r uggl eswhi ch chal l enget hehegemonyoft hebour geoi si e, r at hert hanpi ecemeal par l i ment ar yr ef or ms) .NAM bei ngav er yl ooseor gani zat i oncont ai nsa wi deassor t mentofpeopl ewhi chi ncl udeananar chosy ndi cal i st / ant i Leni ni stcur r ent( r epr esent edbypeopl esuchasSt anl eyAr onowi t z )anda mer et r adi t i onal cent ersoci al democr at i ct endencywhi chemphasi zes el ect or al campai gnsandwor ki nmassor gani zat i ons( r epr esent edbymany associ at edwi t hSoci al i stRev ol ut i on, andJamesWei nst ei n) , aswel l as t hosegener al l yor i ent edt owat er eddownLeni ni sm, I ti sunl i kel yt hatei t her t heanar chosy ndi cal i st( Ar onowi t zt endency )ort hecent ersoci al democr at i ct endencywhosei deal i sr econst r uct i onoft hepr e1919 Soci al i stPar t ywoul dmer gei nt oahewant i dogmat i c/ ant i r ef or mi st or gani zat i on, butt heGr amsci ant endencyandot herv aguel yLeni ni st or i ent at i onsar eal i kel ycandi dat e, si ncet heyconv er gewi t ht heot her cur r ent sonaf l exi bl er ev ol ut i onar yst r at egyandmor edi sci pl i ned or gani zat i onf or m.

136 Ther ecentadopt i onofaLeni ni stor gani zat i onal f or m byt heWi sconsi n Al l i anceseemst oi ndi cat et hatgr oupsl i ket hi sar el i kel yt oconv er gewi t h t heot hercur r ent s.Manyi ndependentMar xi st( nonant i Communi st ) i nt el l ect ual ssuchasmuchoft hemember shi poft heURPE, NACLA, HEALTHPAC, et c. , canal sobeexpect edt obeat t r act edt oanondogmat i c ant i r ef or mi stor gani zat i ononcei ti scr eat ed. ThePr ogr essi v eLaborPar t y( aswel l asmostexpl i ci t l yTr ot sky i stgr oups) i sunl i kel yt opr ov i der ecr ui t st oanondogmat i cnonr ef or mi stt r endsi nce hav i ngbeenar oundf orsol ongt hepeopl et hathav er emai nedi ni tseem t o bepr et t yconsol i dat edandi sol at edf r om out si dei nf l uences.Themaj or spl i tf r om t hePLPwhi choccur r edaf ewy ear sagoi nNewEngl and, wi t ht he f or mat i onoft hePar t yf orWor ker ’ sPower , whi cht ookmostofPLP’ sNew Engl andcadr e, t ookmanyoft hemor er oot ed, f l exi bl epeopl eoutoft he or gani zat i on.ThePWPal t houghi tst i l l shar esmuchoft hei deal i st i cand sect ar i anl i neoft hePLPi samor el i kel ycandi dat ef ormer geri nt oanew ant i dogmat i ccur r ent .Byt hi st i memostPLPmember shav eundoubt edl y i nt er nal i zedt hecl assi cal Tr ot sky i stsy ndr omechar act er i st i cofgr oupsl i ke t heSpar t acusLeagueaswel l asoft heanci entSoci al i stLaborPar t y , of i sol at i onf r om massst r uggl es, i nnerdi r ect edness, andi mper meabi l i t yf r om out si decr i t i ci sm ort hef ai l ur eofpr act i ce.I not herwor ds, l i ket heSLPand t heTr ot sky i st sbef or ei t , i thashar denedi nt oar el i gi oust y pesectcont ent wi t hpr eser v i ngt hepur i t yofdoct r i nei nst eadofl eadi ngr ev ol ut i onar y st r uggl e.Suchgr oupscanbeexpect edt obeunaf f ect edbyany dev el opment si nt her estoft hel ef tupt oandi ncl udi nganact ual wor ki ng cl assr ev ol ut i on, anev entt hey ’ l l undoubt edl ydi smi ss, onl yt obei nt ur n di smi ssedbyi t .Onl yaf ewi ndi v i dual swi t hi nt hehar denedTr ot sky i st or gani zat i onscanbeexpect edt obewonov eroncet hef ut ur er ev ol ut i onar y par t yhascl ear l yest abl i shedal eadi ngr ol ei nmassst r uggl es. Themodel pr esent edher eofaconv er genceamongsev endi f f er ent t endenci esdi f f er sf undament al l yf r om t hatputf or t hbyal l sect ar i ans.The sect ar i ans, whet herOL, RCP, CLP, CP, SWP, PLP, I Sorwhoev er , t hi nkt hat t hel i neoft hei rownsmal l gr oupwi l l soonerorl at erpr ov ei t scor r ect ness, andt hatl ar genumber sofwor ki ngcl assandot heroppr essedpeopl eswi l l

137 t henj oi nt hei rr espect i v eor gani zat i ons.Theyeachseet hemember sof ot heror gani zat i onsaspr et t ymuchhopel essandi r r el ev antt ot he r ev ol ut i onar ypr ocess.I nf actj ustaboutal l t endenci esar ej ustabout equal l yr el ev ant / i r r el ev antatt hi spoi nt , eachmor eorl essr ef l ect i ngt her eal mat er i al condi t i ons, i . e. , t hecl assbasi soft hei rpar t i ci pant sandt henoncr i si scondi t i onsofAmer i cancapi t al i sm.Asar ev ol ut i onar ycr i si sdev el ops andt hel ef tgr ows, wewi l l f i ndt hati nt heshor tr unmostoft heexi st i ng sect swi l l gr owmor eorl essequal l y , i . e. , t hatnosect ar i angr oupwi l l cl ear l y emer geast hel eaderoft hewor ki ngcl ass.I nst ead, t hepr act i ceofhonest r ev ol ut i onar i esofal l t endenci eswi l l l eadt hem t oseet heser i ousbl ocks t hatsect ar i ani sm anddogmat i sm ar eput t i ngi nt hewayofr ev ol ut i onar y l eader shi pi nt hewor ki ngcl assandamongot heroppr essedpeopl es.The awakeni ngofwor ker ’ sst r uggl eswi l l f ur t her mor ef or cehonest r ev ol ut i onar i es, ofv ar i oust endenci est ouni t ei noneser i ousr ev ol ut i onar y or gani zat i ons, ori nt oaf ewsuchor gani zat i onswhi chwor kcl osel yt oget her . Thust hehonestr ev ol ut i onar i es, whoar et odayf oundi nmanydi f f er ent mut ual l yhost i l et endenci eswi l l f i ndt hemsel v esi nt hesameor gani zat i on( s) i nt hef ut ur e.( Weshoul dkeept hi sf acti nt hef or ef r ontofour consci ousnesswhenweengagei npol emi cs. ) Anat t emptt ocal l aconf er enceofal l r ev ol ut i onar yt endenci es( i . e. , t he sev enf or cesl i st edabov e)woul datt hi spoi ntbeabsol ut el yf ut i l e, and r esul ti nnot hi ngmor et hanpol emi cs, di v i si v enessanddemor al i zat i on. Ev ent hesuggest i onofamer geroft heset endenci eswoul dt odaybe r egar dedbyt hemaj or i t yofal l oft hem asl udi cr ous.Butev ennowi nal l t heset endenci es( i nsomemor et hanot her s)i ndi v i dual sandsubgr oups ar ebegi nni ngt ohav edoubt saboutsect ar i ananddogmat i cappr oaches, andast hei rv ar i ousmessi ani cexpect at i onspr ov et obegr oundl essmany shoul dbecomei ncr easi ngl yopent oanant i dogmat i c/ ant i sect ar i an anal y si s.Wi t hi nashor tt i memanycanbeexpect edt oei t herf or cet hei r or gani zat i onst or ev er secour seori ndi v i dual l ydr opoutandt henj oi nt he gr owi ngant i sect ar i an/ ant i dogmat i ccur r entwhi chi st hemostl i kel y candi dat ef orgi v i ngbi r t ht oar ev ol ut i onar ypar t y , wi t har eal chanceof wi nni ngl eader shi pofwor ker s’ st r uggl es.I ti scl eart hatmor epr act i ce, and

138 speci f i cal l yt hesuccessf ul pr act i ceofanonsect ar i an/ ant i dogmat i ct r end ( i . e. , t heact ual accept anceofi tbywor ki ngcl asspeopl e)i st henecessar y condi t i onf ort hemaj or i t yofhonestr ev ol ut i onar ycadr e, cur r ent l yscat t er ed amongagr eatmanyt endenci es, r ecogni zi ngt hecor r ect nessoft he posi t i ondev el opedher e.

J.WhatMustBeDone 1.Ont heNat i onalLev el Thet wopr i nci pl et asksf aci ngser i ousr ev ol ut i onar i esar e( 1)t oi nt egr at e our sel v esi nt hest r uggl esoft hewor ki ngcl assandot heroppr essedpeopl e, l ear ni ngf r om t hem, mol di ngour sel v esi nt hesest r uggl esandwi nt he r espectandconf i denceoft hemasses; and( 2)t ocr eat eanor gani zat i on whi chcanuni f yourwi sdom, exper i enceandener gi essoast oef f ect i v el y accompl i sh( 1) , andev ent ual l yassumet heposi t i on, ofl eader shi pi n wor ki ngcl assandot herpr ogr essi v est r uggl es.Theset wot asksar enot separ at eanddi st i nctpr ocessesbutmustoccurt oget her .Some dogmat i st s, e. g. , t heCommuni stLaborPar t yandt hegr oupsf or mer l y associ at edwi t ht heRev ol ut i onar yWi ngar guedt hatt hepar t yhadt obe cr eat edbef or ewor kamongt hemassescoul dcommence, si ncea sci ent i f i cst r at egyandanal y si shadt obewor kedoutsor ev ol ut i onar i es woul dknowwhatt odo.Ot her s, ar guet hatwedon’ tneedanat i onal ora di sci pl i nedor gani zat i ony et , becausewear enoty etsuf f i ci ent l yi nt egr at ed i nt ot hewor ki ngcl ass, nordowehav eenoughexper i encet oj ust i f ysuchan or gani zat i on( whi chwoul dhav enoi nt el l i gentbasi sonwhi cht omake st r at egyandwhi chwoul dt husgeti nt hewayofadi v er si f i edand mul t i f acet edpr act i cet hatwi l l somedayser v east hebasi sf ort he f or mat i onofsuchanor gani zat i on) .Bot ht hesel at t erposi t i onsar e mi st aken.Nei t hert hepar t ynort hemassmov ementi st hepr econdi t i onof t heot her .Bot hhi st or i cal l yhav egr ownt oget her , shapi ngeachot heri nt he pr ocess.Thebasi sf oruni t yandst r at egi cdeci si onscanonl ycomef r om di r ectandcont empor ar yi nv ol v ementi nmassst r uggl es, butst r uggl escan

139 bestbeadv ancedt hr ought hel eader shi pofor gani zat i onst hatar enoty et t heacknowl edgedl eader soft hecl ass. Whati st huscal l edf ori st hecr eat i onofbot hsomewhatdi sci pl i nedand hi ghener gyl ocal col l ect i v esandnat i onal or gani zat i onswhi chdonotcl ai m oraspi r et obet hepar t y , butf r ankl yadmi tt hatt heyar econt r i but i ngj ust oneexper i encet ot heov er al l pr ocessofbui l di ngar ev ol ut i onar ymov ement andor gani zat i onandatf i r star er at herl ooseassoci at i onsofl ocal col l ect i v esandnat i onal or gani zat i onswhoshar eagener al ant i r ef or mi st / ant i ul t r al ef t i stper spect i v e.Thi sl ooseassoci at i oncanonl y gr adual l ygr owi nt oamor eandmor edi sci pl i nedbodyasexper i encei s achi ev edi nl eadi ngmassst r uggl es, andmostpeopl esum upt hemeani ng oft hei rexper i encesi nt hesameway .Thepr ocesscannotbef or cedas bot ht heRCPandt heOLhav eat t empt edt odo.Pat i encei sav i r t ueandwe mustt akeasl ongasnecessar yt oachi ev ebot ht heexper i enceand consensusnecessar yt ocr eat eanor gani z at i onwi t haser i ouspot ent i al f or becomi ngapar t y , i .e. , whi chi saccept edbyt hewor ki ngcl assandot her s ast hel eadi ngf or cei nt hei rst r uggl es.Atf i r stal oosenat i onal associ at i on woul dconcent r at eonpr ov i di ngl i t er at ur epamphl et s, books, aj our nal , and per hapsanewspaper , hol dr egi onal andnat i onal conf er encest oal l ow r ev ol ut i onar i est oexchangeexper i ences, andf r om t i met ot i mesponsora nat i onal orr egi onal act i on( ont hebasi sofnearconsensusamongt he par t i ci pat i ngor gani zat i ons) .Gr adual l yasexper i encewasgai ned, andt he uni t yofmostoft hepeopl ei nt heassoci at i onr oseor gani cal l yont hebasi s ofmut ual t r ustandcol l ect i v ewi sdom achi ev edont hebasi sofst r uggl i ng t oget her , agenui nepr epar t yor gani zat i onwoul demer ge.Asapr epar t y gr oupi ng, howev er , suchanat i onal cent erwoul dnotcl ai mt obet heonl y r ev ol ut i onar yf or cei nt hecount r y , norwoul di thav easi ngl edet ai l ed st r at egywhi chev er y onehadt owor kar ound.Themul t i pl i ci t yof exper i enceswoul dst i l l beav al uabl et hi ngsi ncet hewor ki ngcl asshasnot y etcomet oacceptt hel eader shi pofanyr ev ol ut i onar yt endency .Oneoft he pr i mar yt hr ust soft hi sor gani zat i onwi l l bet oachi ev eor gani zat i onal uni t y amongal l r ev ol ut i onar yf or ces, bui l dauni t edf r ontwi t hal l soci al i st sand wor ki ngcl assor gani zat i onsandbui l dapopul arf r ontwi t hal l pr ogr essi v es,

140 al l whi l epr epar i ngi t scadr eandi t ssuppor t er si nt hewor ki ngcl assf ort he ev ent ual i t yt hatt heout comeoft hedeci si v est r uggl ewi l l dependonwho hasmi l i t ar yhegemony . Thet askoff i ght i ngsect ar i ani sm maywel l pr ov et obeequal oft he t r i bul at i onsofJob.Ref usi ngt oanswerhost i l epol emi csi nki nd, bear i ng accusat i onsofr ev i si oni st , adv ent ur i standcent r i stwi t hasmi l e, suppor t i ng act i onsl edbyt heCP, t heI S, t heOLandt heRCPwi t houtbat i nganey el ash, consi st ent l yandwi t houtgui l torhesi t at i onr epeat i ngov erandov eri na comr adel ysuppor t i v emannert hear gumentagai nstsect ar i ani sm, dogmat i sm, andul t r al ef t i sm, canandshoul dpr ov ev er yper suasi v ei n def eat i ngt heset hr eebanesont hewor ki ngcl assmov ement .Bygr adual l y wi nni ngt her espectandconf i denceofsuppor t er sofot hert endenci es t hr oughcomr adel ybehav i or , ev eni nt hef aceoft hewor sti nsul t s, and t hr oughhar dwor ki nt hemassmov ementwhi chi sboundt owi nus l eader shi pofsomest r uggl es, wewi l l t ur nheadsar oundi nor gani zat i ons whi chhav ehadnot hi ngbutf ai l ur es.Weshoul dbeabl et owi nov ermost , or atl eastl ar genumber sof , f ol ksf r om t hesev ent endenci esdi scussed abov e, t her ebycr eat i ngt hegr oundwor kf oraheal t hynat i onal or gani zat i on.

2.Ont heLocalLev el Ont hel ocal l ev el t hepr i mar yt askmustbet obui l dupl ocal or gani zat i ons ont hemodel oft heBayAr eaCommuni stUni on, t hePhi l adel phi aWor ker s Or gani zi ngCommi t t eeort heMar xi st Leni ni stOr gani zi ngCommi t t ees cal l edf orbyt heGuar di an.Suchl ocal or gani zat i onsmustf ocusont he samet asksasf aceal l ser i ousr ev ol ut i onar i esi nt hecur r entper i od.( 1) i nt egr at i oni nt ot hewor ki ngcl assandpr ogr essi v emov ement s, atf i r st mai nl yt ol ear nf r om t hem, buti ncr easi ngl yt opr ov i der ev ol ut i onar y l eader shi p, ( 2)ov er comi ngsect ar i ani sm, bui l di nguni t yamong r ev ol ut i onar yf or ces, uni t edf r ont samongal l soci al i st sandwor ki ngcl ass or gani zat i onandpopul arf r ont swi t hal l pr ogr essi v es. Concr et el y , aBACUPWOCl ocal Mar xi st Leni ni stt y peor gani zat i onmustbe

141 or i ent edt ot het asksofbui l di ngupabr oadl ocal or gani zat i on, cont r i but i ng t ot hegr owt hofanat i onal or gani zat i on, andhel pi ngt odev el opt hewor ki ng cl assandot herpr ogr essi v est r uggl esont hel ocal l ev el .Ev er y t hi ngdone mustbej udgedbyt hecr i t er i aofhowwel l agi v enpr oj ect , st r at egyort act i c adv ancest hepr obabi l i t yofmaki ngasoci al i str ev ol ut i onandbui l di ngan or gani zat i ont hatcanl eadt hepr ocessoft r ansf or mat i on.Thef ourbasi c goal sofaBACUPWOCt y peor gani zat i onshoul dbe: ( 1)Agi t at i onandpr opagandai nt hewor ki ngcl asst or ai set hel ev el ofcl ass consci ousnessandunder st andi ngofwhatsoci al i str ev ol ut i onmeans.Thi s musti ncl udepar t i ci pat i oni nt hemassor gani zat i onsofwor ker s( t r ade uni ons) , suppor tgr oupsandst r i kes.Justasi mpor t antasourcont r i but i on, andatt heear l yst agesev enmor ei mpor t ant , i swhatwel ear nf r om i nt egr at i onwi t hwor ker sandwor ker sst r uggl es. ( 2)Par t i ci pat i oni not herst r uggl eswhi char eal soant i capi t al i st .I nt hese st r uggl es, wemustal way skeepi nmi ndt hatourgoal i ssoci al i str ev ol ut i on. Thus, wemustsubt l yandi nanonsect ar i anmanner , gui det hesev ar i ous st r uggl est owar dssoci al i sm.Successatt hi si mpl i es( a)comr adel ywor k st y l est hatdonott ur npeopl eof fbybei ngt ooadv anced, pushyorsect ar i an, ( b)of f er i nggoodpr act i cal day t odayl eader shi pi ncl udi ngwi l l i ngnesst o v ol unt eerf orshi twor kwhi chest abl i shescr edi bi l i t yandshowst hatour l eader shi pcanr esul ti nsmal l v i ct or i es, ( c)nothi di ngourMar xi st Leni ni sm andoursoci al i stgoal .Wemustbeabov eboar dandhonestr at hert han mani pul at i v e.Agai n, especi al l yi nt heear l yst agesofouri nv ol v ementi n suchact i v i t i eswhatwel ear ni satl eastasi mpor t antaswhatwecant each. ( 3)Rel at ei nanact i v e, notapassi v eway , t ot heongoi ngdev el opmentof t hemov ementi nt heU. S.t ocr eat eanondogmat i c, nonul t r al ef t , nonsect ar i anr ev ol ut i onar yor gani zat i on, e. g. , act i v epar t i ci pat i oni nt hecent er cal l edf orbyt hePhi l adel phi aWor ker sOr gani zi ngCommi t t eeandi t s associ at edgr oups. ( 4)At t emptt obr i nguni t yt ot hel ocal ant i dogmat i c, ant i ul t r al ef tf or ces, bui l di ngf i r mt i est hr oughwor ki ngt oget her , st udy i ngt oget her , t r eat i ng peopl ewi t hr espect , suppor t i ngact i onsofot hergr oups, et c. , sot hatwe

142 canev ent ual l yf or mi nt ot henucl ei oft hel ocal mani f est at i onofanat i on wi depr epar t yf or mat i on, andev ent ual l yi nt her at herdi st antf ut ur e, i nt ot he nat i onal or gani zat i oni t sel f . Theact ual dev el opmentofl ocal Mar xi st Leni ni stgr oupsshoul dpr oceedi n mor eorl esst hesamemannerast hedev el opmentoft henat i onal cent er . Atf i r stpeopl eshoul dcomet oget hert of or m gr oupswhi chspendequal amount soft i me( a)st udy i ngt hecl assi csofMar xi smLeni ni sm, r eadi ng posi t i onpaper sofv ar i ousgr oupswhi chr el at et ol ocal wor kanal y zi ngl ocal condi t i ons, et c. , and( b)di scussi ngandev al uat i ngt hei ndi v i dual pr act i ce andont hej obpr obl emsofv ar i ousmember soft hegr oups, gi v i ngsuppor t andgui dancet opeopl ewher epossi bl e–wi t houty etdev el opi nga col l ect i v epr act i ceorgr oupdi sci pl i near oundext er nal pr act i ce.Gr adual l y , ast hemember soft hegr oupgai nconf i dencei neachot her , l oset hei rf ear s ofbei ngmani pul at edandf or cedt odosomet hi ngt heydon’ twantt odo, andbegi nseei ngt hemagni f i cat i onofbot hwi sdom andst r engt ht hatj oi nt pol i t i cal act i ongi v esouri ndi v i dual act i on, acol l ect i v epr act i cecanbegi nt o dev el op.Atf i r stper hapst hegr oupasawhol ewi l l docommonact i on, e. g. , par t i ci pat ei napi cketl i neor gani zedbysomeoneel se.Lat er , per haps or gani zeademonst r at i onorpi cketont hei rown.Att hesamet i met he i nf or mal suppor tgi v eni ndi v i dual member sshoul dor gani cal l yand gr adual l yt ur ni nt ocol l ect i v edeci si onmaki ngandcommi t mentaspeopl e gai nt r usti nt hedeci si onsoft hegr oupandcomet of eel t hatt heycanbe mor eef f ect i v e, act i ngcol l ect i v el yr at hert hani ndi v i dual l y .Thusdi sci pl i ne anddemocr at i ccent r al i sm shoul dgr adual l yev ol v eont hebasi sof exper i enceandgr owi ngt r ust .Theamountofdemocr at i ccent r al i sm r eal i st i cal l ypossi bl ei nal ocal gr oup, howev er , ofnecessi t yshoul dbe r at herl esst hannecessar yi napar t y , si ncet hel i mi t edexper i enceofal ocal gr oupgi v esonl yal i mi t edbasi sf ordev el opi ngsci ent i f i cl i nesandcor r ect pr act i ceout si deoft hel i mi t edar easi nwhi cht hegr oupi si nv ol v ed.Ahi gh l ev el ofdemocr at i ccent r al i sm anddi sci pl i nemustwai tunt i l t he dev el opmentofanat i onal or gani zat i onwi t hi ndept handmul t i f acet ed exper i enceandt henecessi t yf ordi sci pl i nednat i onal act i ons.Toomuch cent r al i zat i onanddi sci pl i nepr emat ur el ycoul dwel l i nhi bi tcr eat i v epr act i ce

143 andpr omot espl i t samongpeopl ewhodonotacceptt hegr oup’ sl i neand, pr obabl yr i ght f ul l y , ar guet hatt hegr oupdoesnothav easuf f i ci entbasi st o makeagi v endeci si on.