Youth Organizations

[Jimmie Higgins]

Why do many "parties" have "youth organizations"? I think the RCP has one and various other gorups. What is the political thinking behind this? Why not just the one group?

[Amusing Scrotum]

As far as I know, most Anarchist organisations don't have "youth organizations" which act under the umbrella of the "grown ups" organisation. Where as it appears most communist parties do have a "youth organization".

To me, as someone who'd likely be classified as a "youth" by these groups -- this would likely be the case in some American States if they used the drinking age (21) as their guide -- I think it is degrading.

It has an elitist stench to it, by basically implying that younger members don't have the knowledge and/or ability to take part in the "grown up" organisation -- it is also another form adult despotism that has it roots in the objective reality of class society.

Personally, I think thew whole concept should be completely abandoned.

That being said, the only good reason I can think of why some groups might have an age limit, is if the type of activity they conduct is really dangerous.

If say Antifa had a policy of only letting people participate who were over 18, then I wouldn't grumble, because the probability of a 14 year old getting their head caved in by some big fascist bastard during a battle, is pretty high.

Other than that, as I said, I think the concept is elitist and to be honest, I think young members of an organisation that has a "little leagues" should either try to get the organisation to change this policy, or tell the organisation to fuck off! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/sauer/angry-smiley-002.gif

[Cult of Reason]

I might be mistaken, but I think that the CNT has (or had) a youth organisation.

EDIT: That is, the one in Spain.

[KC]

It's almost a joke. It seems to me like these youth organizations are created so that the "little kids" are allowed to "play revolution" while the grownups do the "real work" (which is usually reformist crap).

[Xanthus]

The reasoning behind it is two-fold. For one thing, it provides a training-ground for the beurocrats, and volenteers of the future. For another, it provides a ready mass of cheering, energetic youth, which the party can then use (usually waving around signs with the leader's name on them) to give themselves the image of youth and energy.

I disagree quite strongly with the idea that they are allowed to "play revolution". In fact, in my experience, when a strong enough revolutionary current develops within a youth organisation of a labour party, the beurocracy responds by shutting down the youth wing. This has happened countless times in the Labour Party of Britain, as well as the NDP in Canada.

[LoneRed]

this thread is quite funny, its child discrimination, or elitism, or whatever garbage you said. most youth branches are because only the youth know whats best for the youth. the youth groups, YPSL specifically work on issues that directly affect their stratum of the population. yes adults have things to say on it, but the youth in the socialist/communist parties would know whats best in that regard. It is the opposite of elitism, it more democracy. a revolutionary democracy that gives "children" the opportunity to exhibit decision making, where in the capitalist world they cant.

[Jimmie Higgins]

THat's what I was thinking.. maybe it was relic of the 60s radical organizations where "youth issues" were specifically taken up because of the so-called "generation gap" that was percieved at the time (or to keep long-hairs out of sight as to not scare off old-left unionists). I agree that it is kind of elietist and silly, that's why I wanted to see if there was some kind of political reasoning behind it.

As for "youth knowing what's best for youth"... Early American socialists had segregated organizations for Germans and Blacks and Italians: most anarchists and socialists now recognize that this is counterproductive to worker solidarity and interracial organizing. I think that for similar reasons, there is no need for youth organizations. If a protest is dangerous or you are doing union work, then school-age children can do other things within the regular orginzation.

Youth organizations also seem like indocrtination camps because I'm assuming that the Youth group is subordinate to the "parent" oraganization.

[Amusing Scrotum]

Originally posted by Xanthus+--> (Xanthus)In fact, in my experience, when a strong enough revolutionary current develops within a youth organisation of a labour party....[/b]

I think the original question was enquiring about organisation that at the very least pay lip service to revolution and this, by the way, excludes any of the "labour parties" that I know of.


Originally posted by LoneRed+--> (LoneRed)....or whatever garbage you said.[/b]

I aim to please! :lol:


Originally posted by LoneRed
a revolutionary democracy that gives "children" the opportunity to exhibit decision making....

No, accepting the "children" into the main organisation would be "revolutionary democracy" as it would quite clearly show that said organisation values and respects the input of its younger members on issues other than "children's issues".

Additionally, if there really needed to be a young voice within the organisation, then they could always for a separate faction within the organisation.

This of course, in Leninist Parties since the 10th Congress where Lenin himself put an end to open factions, has usually ended in the Party splitting in two and becoming more and more an irrelevant sect! :o

Perhaps further evidence as to why the Leninist organisational model should be dumped into Trotsky's proverbial "dustbin of history". :P


[email protected]
....or to keep long-hairs out of sight as to not scare off old-left unionists....

I think that's probably the real reason for the creation of "youth organisations". After all, the labour aristocracy wouldn't want to come into contact with some young revolutionaries and additionally, you'll likely keep the youngsters around for longer if you stop them from realising what a reformist claptrap the main organisation is!


Gravedigger
Youth organizations also seem like indocrtination camps because I'm assuming that the Youth group is subordinate to the "parent" oraganization.

You're probably right there.

The youth sections of the old Communist Parties for instance, used to organise trips for the children of Party members to go and visit Mother Russia. This started from a very early age and in my opinion, the children were just being taught to follow. :(

Additionally, I don't think the "youth organisations" have very much power. When the youth branch of the RCP started protesting Christian fascism, Avakian and the rest of the (old and senile) Party leadership, put an end to it.

So much for empowering the young! :angry: