Is PSL a Marxist-Leninist Party?

  1. Proletarian Ultra
    Proletarian Ultra
    Okay, obviously the PSL upholds Marx and Lenin. I'm using "Marxist-Leninist" in its common usage, as a polite way of saying "pro-Stalin" or at least "not anti-Stalin."

    So what's their line on Stalin? Is it:
    1. "We uphold Stalin"
    2. "We uphold Stalin but" [limited criticism about trusting the masses or whatever]
    3. "We uphold Stalin but" [torrent of anticommunist boilerplate] (AKA the Avakianist position)
    4. "We don't uphold Stalin but" [he did a couple of cool things]
    5. "F*** Stalin"


    I really dig the way Marcy upheld Mao and the Cultural Revolution. But how much does that translate into actual party practice? Would I be out of place wearing my Mao t-shirt to a party function? Do cadres study the little red book? Any feedback would be appreciated, comrades.
  2. 4 Leaf Clover
    why does marxist-leninist have to think anything about Stalin at all ? again ?

    Marxist Leninist , is the one , as the info on this group says , upholds theories of Marx , Engels and Lenin , and works them in practice
  3. Proletarian Ultra
    Proletarian Ultra
    why does marxist-leninist have to think anything about Stalin at all ? again ?
    "Most Marxist-Leninists claim that the Soviet Union under Stalin's leadership represented a correct and successful practical implementation of the ideas of the scientific socialist ideas of Marx, Engels and Lenin in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). That does not mean; however, that Marxist-Leninists are completely uncritical of Stalin....Anti-revisionism is based on the view that the Soviet Union successfully implemented Marxism-Leninism during approximately the first thirty years of its existence — from the time of the October Revolution until the Secret Speech and peaceful coexistence of 1956."

    Marxist Leninist , is the one , as the info on this group says , upholds theories of Marx , Engels and Lenin , and works them in practice
    Well in that case Trotskyists and most left-Coms count as Marxist-Leninists. And they are Marxists, and Leninists. But they're not Marxist-Leninists.

    Anyway I made it perfectly clear what I mean in the question.
  4. 4 Leaf Clover
    trotskyites indeed do consider themselves marxist-leninist , while left communists arent leninists in any sence. They accept , teaching of Marx and Engels , but not Lenin , they represent libertarian line (idealist and opportunist if you ask me)
  5. The Vegan Marxist
    The Vegan Marxist
    From how I've gathered it they criticize Stalin under the Maoists perception of Stalin, but also uphold Stalin as what any ML &/or MLM would do. And I'm pretty sure wearing a Mao t-shirt will be fine at their meetings.
  6. Rusty Shackleford
    Rusty Shackleford
    Well, heres an example of a criticism of stalin... we criticise his support of the formation of Israel. we also note the contradiction that comes later when the SU supports palestinian liberation.

    personally, i have criticisms of stalin and i also have come to accept certain "stalinist" actions. one of them would be a purge. im not saying "execute anyone suspect of anti-party activity" or whatever. i am saying that things need to be cleaned up and whatever gunk happens to clog the machine needs to be gotten rid of. people dont have to die.

    As a party we really are just Marxist-Leninist. I have not read any of Marcy's work yet but some say there is such a thing as Marcyism(which im guessing would be applied to both the WWP and the PSL) which actually has some origins in trotskyism.

    i hope this is coherent enough. im still only a candidate member but i hope this helped.
  7. dutch master
    The newer membership in both groups are pretty much Marxist-Leninists, though the leadership often does have Trotskyist leanings they attempt to hide. This is especially true of WWP.

    One of the editors of Liberation told me they aren't Stalinists, Maoists, Trotskyists, etc. Basically they don't officially support anyone, but most of them are essentially not very pro-Stalin, but like Mao, and are iffy about Trotsky.
  8. Chimurenga.
    To answer the OP's question, it's the fourth option. And you would not be out of place wearing a Mao shirt.
  9. The Hong Se Sun
    The Hong Se Sun
    Agreeing with Proletarianrevolution, 4th option and I would love to see you come to our meetings wearing a Mao shirt. You wouldn't be alone at my branch The little red book is not required reading but almost everyone I have met has read it. We catch some hell from trot groups and liberal groups for our stance on China and Mao.

    We are not a Trotskyist organization, I wouldn't have joined if we were.

    "Basically they don't officially support anyone, but most of them are essentially not very pro-Stalin, but like Mao, and are iffy about Trotsky."-
    Ive never met one of my comrades who was "anti-stalin" but have only met one who liked Trotsky. As a fact Ive been called Stalinist by many of Trots.