Wanted to discuss here the problems that have been noticed with the Trotskyist movement in general. I ask these questions here in the 'House of Trotsky' because I wanted to see what the comrades here thought of them rather than take it out in the open forum for the usual Stalinist/Anarchist bash-fest. Here are two problems I've noticed, others can comment on them or add some more of their own: 1. Sectarianism - No surprise here as anyone vaguely famaliar with Trotskyist groups knows. Why is it that we seem to have so many more splinter groups than all the leftist groups? Or at least it seems that way. Too many so called vanguard parties of 3 people claming to the biggest, baddest, reddest sect on the block. Uniting the parties sounds great to say on paper, but the reality is that it hasn't happened, why? And what can be done about it? Do we agree that all these myriad parties and sects running around are having a negative effect on the movement on a whole? I've often wondered about the possibility of reviving something like the "International". No, not another party outright but a completely unsectarian 'umbrella' association of Trotsky organizations in which admittance would be to uphold the very basic beliefs of Marxism that are shared by a majority of the groups. It would be a loose alliance of sorts; groups would keep their independence but allows for more communication, coordination, opportunities for mutual struggles when it is possible. I thought of this as a possible compromise solution between the isolation and sectarianism of what we have today versus a full-blown unification which seems highly unlikely. 2. Overemphasis on print media - While this is a critique that could apply in general to the socialist movement I've personally found it sort of troubling how a group that proclaims itself to be 'revolutionary' seem so fixated on means of communication that are quickly becoming outdated. Even in mainstream newspapers, circulation is going down and they are rushing to get more and more online. To the point where some major newspapers are rumored to be on the verge of bankruptcy. My point is, shouldn't a revolutionary organanization try to be a bit more ahead of the curve? My generation hardly reads a newspaper if at all, and for the younger generation this is even more so. I think we can all agree the younger generation will be incredibly important as this is where firm ideas begin to form about politics and history. Also consider that the huge anti-communist propaganda offensive has calmed down (relatively speaking) significantly in recent years not to mention that they weren't even alive when the USSR fell so they didn't get the whole "this is communism!" every night on the news. It's pretty obvious by now that newspapers are dying and that online media will be the main means of communication, at least in the advanced capitalist states. I personally do not feel that "our" groups (in the general sense) are utilizing this to the fullest and that is hurting us, especially with the younger generation who again will be critical in the years to come. Thoughts?
First of all sectarianism. sectarianism somethimes is necessary (not that I view it as a good thing) . For example some trot internationals are outright reformist. some others uphold the theory of State capitalism. Do it is impossible to incorporate these internationals in a group with the revolutionary organizations and those who have differences with them on the question of , what is Cuba etc. Those are very important differences and we cannot afford to unite for the sake of unity with them only to be counter-productive as we will always argue about that stuff. Also I don't think that there are so many trotskyist internationals. There are mainly 3 , the IMT , CWI and USFI . Also I don't think that the fact that there are more than one international is a problem. The problem is not with how many we are etc. The thing is that there need to be the correct objective conditions in order to grow. So far there were no such conditions but we see a change right now , as Stalinism is bankrupt and capitalism in crisis. As I say always the crucial thing needed is to win over the workers. The Bolsheviks were tiny (but influencial) before 1917. At the revolutionary period they grew by leaps and bounds. The same thing will happen to the organization who has the correct tactics and theory. for me that theory is trotskyism and the tactics are mainly those employed by the IMT. Now about the print press. There are websites that do their job I think but you re are right , they could be better. But you see the advantage of having a newspaper is that you can make contact with the one you sell it to.,talk to him/her explain to them some ideas and get their contact info in order to invite them to an event, discussion group etc. The web is too impersonal , but of course it is useful. I think there should be emphasis on the paper of the organization as well as the website . Both are very important and we cannot underestimate the paper as a tool. certianly through my experience in the IMT in Canada , the paper has been proven very useful and the website useful as well.
Thanks for the detailed response, solid points there. On the first part I didn't mean at all to imply that these were the main reasons why we haven't grown. You are completely correct that the biggest factor is that the objective conditions aren't there yet for an upsurge of class consciousness and militant workers movements, though that may (I think will) change very soon. merely brought them out as issues that may hinder from us from being as strong as we could be, which would be particularly damaging when those openings emerge. From what I understand there's the International Committee of the Fourth International (aka from the WSWS.org) and the ICL www.icl-fi.org/, which seem to be a bit crazy. On how big and influential they are I cannot say. In the final analysis the workers will be the ones who choose the 'correct' tendency you are right about that. On the print issue I think we pretty much agree, I do wish though we could have something more dynamic with our online communication because I cannot stress enough that for young people forums, chat rooms, e-mails, IMs and what not have largely taken the place of what public meeting places used to be. We can question and moralize if that is good or not, but I think that's the reality and I don't see that changing looking at this younger generation coming up.
Not only sectarianism but also a lack of democratic centralism I think.
The pints made are truly foolish trotskyism is the most new age marxist idea and is the true path in which communism should take.
