The finances of revolutionary organizations

[Catma]

While reading a thread in Politics, I came across some horror stories about the financial and labor practices of a few revolutionary organizations.

That leads me to wonder, is it reasonable to expect that a proper revolutionary organization should keep fully transparent, open books? I can think of a few reasons it might not be, but I'm curious what those who have been involved longer than me think about this issue.

[Q]

A comrade of mine recently noted that there is quite a bit of irony in revolutionary left organisations demanding to "open the books" from the capitalists, yet they themselves are often in darker shadows, even for their own membership.

I tend to agree. Ok, I can see the argument coming up that the state would also be interested in this info, so they have avenues of undermining this income. In my view this is a bit of a stretch though. Most income from most groups is based on membership dues. How is the state going to undermine that?

On the contrary, being generally open about your finances gives the example you would like to see. Of course one can be a little more shady in finances concerning OPSEC stuff, like underground work. But why shouldn't the class know what you spend in general as an organisation, where your priorities are and what impact you have on the movement?

[Iraultzaile Ezkerreko]

I would also be careful with this, however. This whole subject of transparency in finances often stems from the fact that other groups create fake documents for the sole purpose of discrediting an organization.

[theblackmask]

I would also be careful with this, however. This whole subject of transparency in finances often stems from the fact that other groups create fake documents for the sole purpose of discrediting an organization.

Perhaps if some groups were more open with their finances, even if it is only with members, fake documents would hold less weight. The fact is that even trusted members in many organizations are completely in the dark as to where money comes and goes. Finances are usually only handled by a handful of unelected people who are also usually the ones getting paid salaries from said finances.

Basically, the rank and file pay dues, buy magazines/papers, pay to attend conferences, and donate even more for special fundraising events...all to have absolutely no say in how all this money is spent.

This is not to say all money in these "revolutionary" organizations comes from the sweat of the rank and file. This sort of thing also happens when large sums of money are gifted to the organization. Instead of collectively deciding what to use monetary gifts on, the funds are usually locked away for future use on salaried members.

In the end, the higher levels of hierarchical organizations will always place themselves and their own security before any meaningful revolutionary act.

[Martin Blank]

I don't understand either why self-described socialist and communist organizations don't have more transparency when it comes to their finances, especially among their own members.

We have it in our Constitution that every Party organization, including the C.C., files a monthly financial statement that every member can receive. We also conduct an outside audit of our budget and finances every six months, with the report also available to members. At our Conventions, there is a report on budget and finances, with a Term Report provided to delegates and later included in the post-Convention materials sent to members.

[Coach Trotsky]

I totally agree with the concerns and sentiments expressed here.