revolutionaries and elections

[spartafc]

Can anyone provide some pointers on books that deal with the attitudes and position of revolutionaries towards electoral politics? In particular - how revolutionaries can formulate demands within this context and best utilise this method to agitate for revolutionary change.

I've read about this issue in reference to Russia and the U.K. but only in passing, and I could really do with some more material on this topic. So thoughts and comments are very much welcome.

[Jimmie Higgins]

I think Lennin talks about the tactical use of elections by communist parties in "Left-wing communism".

[spartafc]

I think Lennin talks about the tactical use of elections by communist parties in "Left-wing communism".

yeah, i'm re-reading this book. A very good book - will make sure I look at his chapter on parliamentarianism.

[Perhaps an obscure point for most - but it's perhaps interesting to those of you in the U.K. I think Lenin once used a phrase suggesting that the labour party could support a revolutionary socialist party in much the same way that "a rope supports a hanged man". And elections subsequently formed a part of this policy for the British Communist Party. Though this was when revolution in the U.K. seemed a lot more imminent. If someone knows any more about this - feel free to expand on it.]

[Rawthentic]

i have a question, what is anarchism, its ideologies, and its practices? responses will be greatly appreciated. thanks comrades

[workersunity]

that seems that this is the wrong place to post that about anarchism, i would read the posts about anarchism in the theory section, and if your still not satisfied post a new thread about your questions

[DisIllusion]

Anarchism, in a nutshell, is the dissolution of government and voluntary self-rule.

It would make sense for Socialist governments to have at least some form of elections if the government truly represents the People. But that's just my take and i'm not too sure about what other Socialist thinkers believe.

[Martin Blank]

In terms of method and approach to bourgeois elections, I would suggest Jack Conrad's In the Enemy Camp, which is published by the Communist Party of Great Britain.

Miles

[spartafc]

In terms of method and approach to bourgeois elections, I would suggest Jack Conrad's In the Enemy Camp, which is published by the Communist Party of Great Britain.

thanks for the suggestion - i've read his book on Europe and 'From October to August'.