Origins of Eurocommunism?

[Lenina Rosenweg]

I know the broad outlines of Eurocommunism..as I understand it was at least partly a reaction against the Soviet invasion of Czechosklovakia in 1968 and what was seen as changes in the nature of the working class at least in the developed world and it was based on a distorted interpretation of Gramsci.

Wikipedia is somewhat superficial on this.

How did/does Eurocommunism distinguish itself from "mainstream" Marxism-Leninism? How does it relate to anti-revisionist currents?

Do/did Eurocommies still regard themselves as revolutionaries..that is seek a revolutionary transformation of society?

Are they around today, besides SYRIZA?

[TheEmancipator]

Are they around today, besides SYRIZA?

Syriza is not eurocommunist. Eurocommunism, according to Ismail, who is undeniably good at Cold War party identification, died in the 1970s/80s.

Eurocommunism saw itself as an oppositionary force that wanted to actually get involved in politics even if it didn't mean revolution. The PCE were one of the first to declare themselves eurocommunists because they still believed in the Popular Frontist ideal. The PCI also did so because they knew they wouldn't get near power as long as they adopted the Moscow line.

Syriza and Eurocommunists are similar in the sense that they both seem to be adhering to the Gramscist idea that you need a hegemonic base before you can engage in any kind of revolution, therefore short term action (yes, the dreaded reformism) is needed. Although it is debatable as to whether Syriza really want that.

[Lenina Rosenweg]

I was under the impression that Synapismos, the largest faction and core of SYRIZA, originated from a Eurocommunist split in the KKE. Perhaps they have moved away from this by now though.

[Tim Cornelis]

The Communist Party of Spain could be said to be Eurocommunist, the Japanese Communist Party is. Many 'communist' parties have likewise moved toward 'democratic socialism', which is virtually indistinguishable.

[Teacher]

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/hoxha/works/euroco/env2-1.htm

http://www.workers.org/marcy/cd/sameuro/euro/euro00.htm