Left-Communism

[Искра]

I'm interested in Left-Communist tendency and I would like to ask some Left-Communists to help me with the literature. I'm not an idiot I can Google authors and find their works on marxist.org, so please don't just post me author's pages on marxist.org. I would like that some LefComs give me the most important (key) works regarding Left-Communist tendency.

I read A. Pannenkoek's Workers Councils from AK Press and right now I'm reading Karl Korsch Marxism and Revolution. After that I'm planning to read some works by Paul Mattick I found on Croatian (Croato-Serbian)... I'm talking about collection of his essays.

Also I'm interested in critics of Left-Comminism. I read Lenin's and I would like to read if there are some more... I don't care about tendency (I can even read Hoxha :D).

Also, I have one small question... what is exactly difference between left-comminism and council communism?

Thank you for your time :)

[Aurorus Ruber]

Also, I have one small question... what is exactly difference between left-comminism and council communism?

I was under the impression that council communism was a tendency within left communism.

[28350]

I was under the impression that council communism was a tendency within left communism.

AFAIK, there are two variants of Left Communism: the Dutch-German Left (Council Communism) and the Italian Left. Council Communism is similar to Deleonism and anarcho-syndicalism. The Italian Left upholds Lenin (I don't think the Dutch-German one does).

[Savage]

The Italian Left upholds Lenin
Whilst Bordiga certainly wasn't anti-Lenin, they were still at opposite ends when it came to the United Front and participation in Bourgeois politics, these points (along with one's position on Unionism) more or less defining the ultra-left (I believe the two also disagreed on the definition of socialism).

[Gears]

Are there really any ideological viewpoints of Left Communism other than opposition to certain periods of Bolshevik rule?

Also, would Anarchist Communism be considered part of the Left Communist movement?

[Искра]

Please stay on topic :)


Are there really any ideological viewpoints of Left Communism other than opposition to certain periods of Bolshevik rule?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_communism
It's not just about oppostition to Bolshevik rule, but to certain principles and strategies.



Also, would Anarchist Communism be considered part of the Left Communist movement?

Jesus Christ, no.
Anarchist Communism can be viewed as part of Libertarian Socialism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarian_socialism

[Paulappaul]

Also, I have one small question... what is exactly difference between left-comminism and council communism?

More specifically how do the Italian Left differ from the Dutch/German Left? To put it simply, the Italian Left espoused the party, vanguardism and can basically be called ultra leninists. They didn't outright reject unions either, alot of the Italian Left was not critical of them.

The desendents Dutch/German Left pretty much outright rejected the party. They were critical of the Third International's line and of Italian Left. They were also critical of all Unions, whether they be trade or industrial. In some ways, Dutch/German Left Communism and Italian Left Communism can be seen as opposites.

The Term "Left Communism" seems to me like a combination between these two ideologies, as well as the British and Russian Left Communists.

[Искра]

Thank you.

[Zanthorus]

I would like that some LefComs give me the most important (key) works regarding Left-Communist tendency.

Gorter's Open Letter to Comrade Lenin and Pannekoek's World Revolution and Communist Tactics are probably the two key works with regards the Dutch-German left and their critique of the early Communist International's politics. On the other side, you'll probably want to read Theses of the Abstentionist Communist Fraction of the Socialist Party and The Lyons Theses.


Also, I have one small question... what is exactly difference between left-comminism and council communism?

'Council communism' or more accurately 'councillism' rejects the idea of the party and places all the emphasis on the working-class spontaneously revolting and forming workers' councils. Left-Communists are pro-party.


the Dutch-German Left (Council Communism)

It is probably misleading to equate the Dutch-German Left with 'council communism'. Otherwise, the formation of the KAPD would make little to no sense. Most of the early D-G Left critiques of the Comintern seem to be attempting to basically take the same position with regards to Lenin that Lenin took at the time with regards to Kautsky (A common critique of Lenin by 'councillists' is that Lenin was basically a Kautskyite. More than a little amusing in light of one particular user on this board). I believe that Ruhle had even retrospectively remarked that the KAPD meetings were more Bolshevik than the Bolsheviks (This is mentioned somewhere in Dauve's book on the German Left).


Are there really any ideological viewpoints of Left Communism other than opposition to certain periods of Bolshevik rule?

Opposition to participation in parliamentary politics, opposition to the United Front with the Social-Democratic parties and generally to so-called 'anti-fascism', opposition to 'entryism' within the SD parties, the belief that national liberation movements are no longer progressive, opposition to the idea that 'self-management' and state-capitalism constitute substantial alternatives to the classical western model of capitalism, support for the idea of a single world communist party and a belief that trade-unions are no longer the appropriate organs for class-struggle. These are just some of the ideas associated at various times with Left-Communism besides an evaulation of the Russian revolution which sees it degenerating more quickly than accounted for in standard Trotskyist accounts.


Also, would Anarchist Communism be considered part of the Left Communist movement?

No, Left-Communism is called as such because the currents that formed it were originally part of the international Communist opposition to the degeneration of the Second International which formed the Communist International. The Left-Communists were originally defined by being on the Left of the CI at it's founding. As such, Left-Communism traces it's roots historically back to the Marx side of the split in the International Workingmen's Association. Most of it's original militants were ex-members of the Social-Democratic movement initially produced by Marxism.


The desendents Dutch/German Left pretty much outright rejected the party.

Except for those bits where they were in favour of an elite party 'as hard as steel, as clear as glass'.

[Paulappaul]

It is probably misleading to equate the Dutch-German Left with 'council communism'. Otherwise, the formation of the KAPD would make little to no sense.

But the larger organisation, the AAU-E makes definite sense. Pannekoek and Mattick leaned towards this organisation. Mattick would remark that the AAU-E and KAPD had little difference other then rhetoric.


I believe that Ruhle had even retrospectively remarked that the KAPD meetings were more Bolshevik than the Bolsheviks (This is mentioned somewhere in Dauve's book on the German Left).

It was Mattick actually in Anti - Bolshevik Communism in Germany (1947).


Except for those bits where they were in favour of an elite party 'as hard as steel, as clear as glass'.

Which descendent of the Dutch German Tendency said this?

[Zanthorus]

That was Gorter, in his Open Letter to Lenin.

[Devrim]

Which descendent of the Dutch German Tendency said this?

It isn't from any descendent of that tendency. It is a quote from Gorter.

Devrim

[Niccolò Rossi]

Jurko, you might like to have a look at the left communist user group. Topics similar to this have come up there a few times and you will find lots of information.

Might be of help.

Nic.

[Paulappaul]

That was Gorter, in his Open Letter to Lenin.

My original post:
The desendents Dutch/German Left pretty much outright rejected the party.

Key word.

[graymouser]

Well, I wouldn't say "descendants" - I mean, council communism grew out of the same people who were in their time the Dutch and German Communist Left: Pannekoek, Gorter and so on. I think a lot of the confusion is between the early "Left Communist" pro-party phase and the later "Council Communist" anti-party period. The latter has benefited mainly from attention by anarchists, such as Pannekoek's work on Workers Councils. The former are more obscure, which is funny because Lenin's "Left-Wing" Communism is pretty much a polemic against the ideas of Gorter and company.

I don't think either is a particularly strong current today. Left communism really requires a mass movement to be the "left wing" of, while council communism is anti-organization and is at best going to be absorbed by some anarchist elements.

[Obs]

They were also critical of all Unions, whether they be trade or industrial.
Recruiting must have been a breeze for them. What'd they suggest in place of unions for as long as capitalism hasn't been destroyed, though, if anything?

[Devrim]

Recruiting must have been a breeze for them. What'd they suggest in place of unions for as long as capitalism hasn't been destroyed, though, if anything?

The KAPD had about a quarter of a million people in its factory organisations, so it couldn't have been that difficult.

Devrim

[Devrim]

Well, I wouldn't say "descendants" - I mean, council communism grew out of the same people who were in their time the Dutch and German Communist Left: Pannekoek, Gorter and so on. I think a lot of the confusion is between the early "Left Communist" pro-party phase and the later "Council Communist" anti-party period. The latter has benefited mainly from attention by anarchists, such as Pannekoek's work on Workers Councils. The former are more obscure, which is funny because Lenin's "Left-Wing" Communism is pretty much a polemic against the ideas of Gorter and company.

I don't think either is a particularly strong current today. Left communism really requires a mass movement to be the "left wing" of, while council communism is anti-organization and is at best going to be absorbed by some anarchist elements.


The latter has benefited mainly from attention by anarchists, such as Pannekoek's work on Workers Councils. The former are more obscure, which is funny because Lenin's "Left-Wing" Communism is pretty much a polemic against the ideas of Gorter and company.

This is probably true.


I don't think either is a particularly strong current today.

Both are tiny.


Left communism really requires a mass movement to be the "left wing" of,

I think that the term is a historical one relating to the left wing of the Third International. I think that we can say that radical ideas are adopted by masses of workers outside of periods of mass struggle, but I don't think that left communism aspires to be the 'left wing' of a mass movement.

Devrim

[Paulappaul]

I think a lot of the confusion is between the early "Left Communist" pro-party phase and the later "Council Communist" anti-party period. The latter has benefited mainly from attention by anarchists, such as Pannekoek's work on Workers CouncilsEven in the "early phase" they were critical of the party. Considering what they had seen by formally the model Marxist of the World, the SPD and the betrayal of the 2nd International, the KAPD was a mix between those Marxists for a Party not in the traditional sense of the word (because already they wanted out of Unions and out Parliament, two activities which characterized that of the SPD) or as in this idea of a small elite party, which does not lead a class, but shows them along the right way. The Program of the KAPD calls this the "Unflinching Compass towards Communism". Which for them meant "unflagging propaganda" and unifying the party and factory organization branches. Which was later taken up by the "anti - party" faction the AAU-E. But really even the supposed "pro-party" faction was critical of its form, but they didn't want to give it up and side with Ruhle and Anarchists.


The former are more obscure, which is funny because Lenin's "Left-Wing" Communism is pretty much a polemic against the ideas of Gorter and company.I too find that ironic.


I don't think either is a particularly strong current today. Left communism really requires a mass movement to be the "left wing" of, while council communism is anti-organization and is at best going to be absorbed by some anarchist elements. Council Communism isn't anti-organization. I am a Council Communist and I organize and work with numerous parties and the IWW. It's not an arm - chair intelletuals theory, rather Council Communism puts alot of stress on organization.'


The KAPD had about half a million people in its factory organisations, so it couldn't have been that difficult.

Devrim, do you have a link to that? I would mighty apperciate it. What the fuck are "Factory Organizations" anyways. It seems a little unspecific. I asked it on the Left Communist board and got no answer.

[Devrim]

Devrim, do you have a link to that? I would mighty apperciate it. What the fuck are "Factory Organizations" anyways. It seems a little unspecific. I asked it on the Left Communist board and got no answer.

Sorry, I have made a mistake. The figure is 250,000. I misremembered the passage. It is from Gorter:


Your KPD embraces, according to its own figures, 500,000 members. But the KPD also admitted (at its last congress), and everyone knows quite well, that the majority are not communists. Let us assume, however, that half of them are communists. In that case, your tactics and those of the Third International have attracted, out of the nine million trade unionists in Germany, 250,000 communists to your party.

But how many communists are there in the Workers Union (AAU), which was founded on the basis of the principles of the KAPD? A ballpark figure: 250,000. Judged by the numbers, our tactics have therefore been just as successful as yours.

http://libcom.org/library/lessons-march-action

Factory organisations refers to the AAUD.


Council Communism isn't anti-organization. I am a Council Communist and I organize and work with numerous parties and the IWW. It's not an arm - chair intelletuals theory, rather Council Communism puts alot of stress on organization.'

I think that it was, or let us say anti-political organisation. That doesn't mean that they were 'armchair intellectuals', but that they didn't see much of a role for political organisations.

Devrim

[The Man]

Wait a minute. Left Communists support a Vanguard? Also, Do Council Coms support DOTP?

[Devrim]

Wait a minute. Left Communists support a Vanguard? Also, Do Council Coms support DOTP?

Of course left communists are for a vanguard party, and of course council communists are for the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Devrim

[The Man]

Of course left communists are for a vanguard party, and of course council communists are for the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Devrim

What are the main differences between Marxism-Leninism and Left Communism then?

[Devrim]

What are the main differences between Marxism-Leninism and Left Communism then?

What exactly do you mean by 'Marxism-Leninism'. To me it signifies Maoism, but a lot of people on here seem to use it differently.

Devrim

[The Man]

What exactly do you mean by 'Marxism-Leninism'. To me it signifies Maoism, but a lot of people on here seem to use it differently.

Devrim

Marxists that advocate DOTP, as well as a Vanguard Party during a Capitalist system.

[graymouser]

What are the main differences between Marxism-Leninism and Left Communism then?
As far as I know, it comes down to: Left Communists were for "red" unions over reformist trade unions, they were against "united front" work, parliamentarism and critical electoral support for social democratic parties, and generally positioned themselves to the left of Lenin and the Communist International. Read Lenin's "Left-Wing" Communism: An Infantile Disorder (http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1920/lwc/index.htm) for his critique of the Communist Left, and Gorter's Open Letter to Comrade Lenin (http://www.marxists.org/archive/gorter/1920/open-letter/index.htm) for their side.

I believe that they also opposed Lenin on the national question, although I'm not completely sure on that count.

[Zanthorus]

I believe that they also opposed Lenin on the national question, although I'm not completely sure on that count.

This is correct. The two main Left-Communist organisations in existence support Luxemburg over Lenin on the national question.

[Paulappaul]

I think that it was, or let us say anti-political organisation. That doesn't mean that they were 'armchair intellectuals', but that they didn't see much of a role for political organisations.

For them Political Organizations were synonymous with the Political Rule of those organizations. For example "revolutionary parties" are founded on specific revolutionary programs which may go aganist those spontaneous and self-liberating aspects of workers. Pannekoek expressed his contempt for revolutionary parties in "Party and Working Class":


The very expression 'revolutionary party' is a contradiction in terms, for a party of this kind could not be revolutionary. If it were, it could only be so in the sense in which we describe revolutionary as a change of government resulting from somewhat violent pressures, e.g., the birth of the Third Reich. When we use the word 'revolution,' we clearly mean the proletarian revolution, the conquest of power by the working class. The basic theoretical idea of the 'revolutionary party' is that the working class could not do without a group of leaders capable of defeating the bourgeoisie for them and of forming a new government, in other words, the conviction that the working class is itself incapable of creating the revolution. According to this theory, the leaders will create the communist society by means of decrees; in other words, the working class is still incapable of admnistering and organizing for itself its work and production.


And you're are well of aware of this, I hope you don't think I am preaching to you, this is for OP and other readers sake.

For Council Communists, Political organization was the system of Workers' Councils. So in this they didn't reject Political Organization like Anarchists, but just thought that Workers' associations themselves were political. Like Marx said, you can't look at the Strikes in economic terms, they have a Political character. The KAPD had a similar line to this:


The phase of taking political power by the proletariat demands the firmest repression of capitalist-bourgeois movements. That will be achieved by putting in place an organisation of councils exercising the totality of political and economic power. In this phase the factory organisation itself becomes an element of the proletarian dictatorship, carried through into the factory. This latter moreover has the task of transforming itself into the base unit of the councils' economic system.


The factory organisation is an economic condition for the construction of the communist community (Gemeinwesen). The political form of the organisation of the communist community is the system of the councils. The factory organisation intervenes so that political power is only exercised by the executive of the councils.


This is my favorite expression of what Council Communism is. The KAPD however saw itself as a Political organization too.