If the KKE dropped its Stalin fetish...

[Die Neue Zeit]

If I were a Greek, and if the KKE only dropped its Stalin fetish, I probably would join it critically, despite its non-commitment to alternative culture (cultural societies, sports clubs, funeral homes, food banks, etc.).

Much has been said about the "Third Periodist" KKE denouncing protests and strikes other than those organized by it. Look at it from another perspective, however:

1) The student protests were, well, student protests. They weren't an act of the Greek working class.
2) The potential for class unionism in Greece has a better chance of emerging from something like the red unionism practiced by the KKE than by either typical tred-iunionizm on the part of the main union confederation or IWW-style apolitical/anti-political syndicalism.
3) While its refusal to work with SYRIZA can be seen as electoral sectarianism, it's part and parcel of the party's strategic rejection of coalitions. Without the Stalin fetish, however, the accusation of electoral sectarianism loses its full weight, as the refusal should be seen as a signal for all the groups in SYRIZA to dissolve into the KKE - the oldest Greek left formation.

[There are certainly sub-tactical issues within the broader tactics.]

[What Would Durruti Do?]

1) The student protests were, well, student protests. They weren't an act of the Greek working class.

1. Not all anarchists are students.
2. Students usually have to work, therefore they are workers.


2) The potential for class unionism in Greece has a better chance of emerging from something like the red unionism practiced by the KKE than by either typical tred-iunionizm on the part of the main union confederation or IWW-style apolitical/anti-political syndicalism.I don't see how this would be the case. KKE is such a tiny minority I have no idea how to expect the entire working class to unify behind them, especially with such major sectarian differences.


3) While its refusal to work with SYRIZA can be seen as electoral sectarianism, it's part and parcel of the party's strategic rejection of coalitions. Without the Stalin fetish, however, the accusation of electoral sectarianism loses its full weight, as the refusal should be seen as a signal for all the groups in SYRIZA to dissolve into the KKE - the oldest Greek left formation.Is old supposed to be something good? All it says to me is "outdated".

Even dropping its Stalin fetish would not cure the woes of the KKE, sorry. I think the Greeks have moved beyond party politics. The next election isn't until 2013 so any electoral campaign by the KKE would have to start extremely early and they have such minor support it would be useless anyway.

[S.Artesian]

If I were a Greek, and if the KKE only dropped its Stalin fetish, I probably would join it critically, despite its non-commitment to alternative culture (cultural societies, sports clubs, funeral homes, food banks, etc.).

Much has been said about the "Third Periodist" KKE denouncing protests and strikes other than those organized by it. Look at it from another perspective, however:

1) The student protests were, well, student protests. They weren't an act of the Greek working class.
2) The potential for class unionism in Greece has a better chance of emerging from something like the red unionism practiced by the KKE than by either typical tred-iunionizm on the part of the main union confederation or IWW-style apolitical/anti-political syndicalism.
3) While its refusal to work with SYRIZA can be seen as electoral sectarianism, it's part and parcel of the party's strategic rejection of coalitions. Without the Stalin fetish, however, the accusation of electoral sectarianism loses its full weight, as the refusal should be seen as a signal for all the groups in SYRIZA to dissolve into the KKE - the oldest Greek left formation.

[There are certainly sub-tactical issues within the broader tactics.]


That's just not true; the student protests were not JUST student protests, divorced from the material reality of the society, or the economic dislocation that's been becoming more acute for the last 2.5-3 years.

Those were no more JUST student demonstrations than the recent, and ongoing demonstrations against public university cutbacks and tuition hikes were JUST student demonstrations.

Does anybody know what the KKE is demanding?

[punisa]

Student demonstrations have the potential to attract workers, but that doesn't happen often.
Don't want to generalize, but student demonstrations I had a chance to witness were actually quite reactionary and contra revolutionary.
For example, recent wave of student protests over Europe demanding free education had some very strange demands and points.
I've read a pamphlet on "why provide free education for all?"
one of the keypoints: educated people will attract more foreign investment in the country (?!).
To hell with that, I hope that protests in Greece will be dominated by the working class.

[Proletarian Ultra]

That's just not true; the student protests were not JUST student protests, divorced from the material reality of the society, or the economic dislocation that's been becoming more acute for the last 2.5-3 years.

Those were no more JUST student demonstrations than the recent, and ongoing demonstrations against public university cutbacks and tuition hikes were JUST student demonstrations.

I can confirm this. The student movement has significant worker support.


Does anybody know what the KKE is demanding?

Inter alia, a new constitution.

[Raúl Duke]

News reports talk about segments of the working class taking action in Greece...
In fact, the news reports recently have been quiet concerning students.

Consider that currently the Greek state is passing austerity measures and cutting salaries and perhaps jobs of public sector workers I think it'll be incorrect to say that there's no worker's presence in the current situation in Greece.

[Barry Lyndon]

My understanding is that the broad appeal of the anarchists among students and workers is at least in part due to the past betrayals and failure of the Stalinist KKE throughout Greece's modern history, from the civil war of the 1940's to the military dictatorship of the 1960's-70's.

[FSL]

News reports talk about segments of the working class taking action in Greece...
In fact, the news reports recently have been quiet concerning students.

Consider that currently the Greek state is passing austerity measures and cutting salaries and perhaps jobs of public sector workers I think it'll be incorrect to say that there's no worker's presence in the current situation in Greece.

Actually, everything that has been happening during the last few months is solely the work of workers.

If anything, it's surprisinlgy dissapointing that so few things have come out of universities. Not their struggle but it is their future...

[What Would Durruti Do?]

Actually, everything that has been happening during the last few months is solely the work of workers.

If anything, it's surprisinlgy dissapointing that so few things have come out of universities. Not their struggle but it is their future...

huh? The students, like people have said, have been leading this struggle for YEARS. What do you mean few things have come from them?

The anarchists and student riots have been Greek tradition since 2008. This is far from doing nothing.

Anarchists have been the most motivating tool of the working class these past few years, not your beloved KKE. Stop acting as if this struggle has just started yesterday.

[Die Neue Zeit]

News reports talk about segments of the working class taking action in Greece...
In fact, the news reports recently have been quiet concerning students.

My first point doesn't refer to the current strikes, but to past incidents up to and perhaps including the anti-police protests a year ago.

[Delenda Carthago]

The only worker that got arrested in students movement in 06-07 was S.Stergiou, a construction worker,anarchist.

[∞]

What about it's central committee fetish?