Why join the PSL?

  1. soso17
    soso17
    I'm in the process of gathering information about several different parties that I may want to join. I've met with someone local from the PSL, and I liked what he had to say, but I'm having trouble getting anyone to tell me why I should choose the PSL over another group. Just being a large and active organization is not enough for me.

    I consider myself a Marxist-Leninist with an appreciation of Mao thought, and admiration for Comrade Enver Hoxha, but I'm still fleshing out the details of my beliefs (a process that will continue throughout my life). I've heard that the PSL is Marxist-Leninist, but then I spoke to someone that said, "Our roots are Trotskyist". I understand that joining a party means accepting the decisions of the whole, even if they don't always line up with mine, but if they really are a Troskyist party, I'm outta there.

    There's also the whole Rosanne-Barr-for-pres-in-CA thing, but a good explanation of that might allay my fears.

    Thoughts? Suggestions?

    -soso
  2. soso17
    soso17
    Okay, I know that there are opinions on both sides of my question...speak up comrades!
  3. Rusty Shackleford
    Rusty Shackleford
    So, Peta will be able to explain the Rosanne-Barr California issue far better than I.

    As for the PSL. Yes our roots are in the Socialist Workers Party. From that, in the 50s the Workers World Party split from it. In 2004 the PSL split from the WWP. Personal opinions on past revolutionaries vary but we uphold the contributions of many of them and understand the contexts for applications and practices in certain contexts. We uphold the soviet union throughout its entire existence but not without criticism on some finer points. You could criticize us as being 'tankies' for upholding the decision to suppress the counterrevolutions in czechoslovakia and hungary. we could also be criticized as 'brezhnevites' or pan socialists because we uphold the contributions and advancements of pretty much all socialist states. though we do not recognize a country as socialist just because they say they are socialist, like Libya, for example.

    We are a growing organization but to say we are large for the left isnt saying much as far as the left goes today. We seek to develop membership on organizing and political education as well.

    Experiences may different from branch to branch. Some are having issues that need to be hammered out and so on but it shouldnt discourage you. Every organization is made up of people, and people act as people, not party troglodytes.

    If you need to be sold on joining the party on here, then i would honestly recommend looking into it more in personal experience with the party more.


    On the party itself, we are trying to build a cadre organization, not a mass party. Committed ideologically developed members of the working class to lead ourselves (our class, the working class) in struggle.

    Tendency wise, yes we seek to apply leninist principles in accordance with marxist critiques. Though, i wouldnt say were 'stalinist' in the term of marxism-leninism. certainly not trotskyist though, at least i havent had that feeling in the last 2.5 years of being a member.
  4. Bardo
    Bardo
    As of this afternoon I'm a candidate for membership with the PSL, my introductory meetings are next week! After a few years of searching around and consideration, I decided to join the PSL because they are the strongest and most relevant marxist party in the united states in my opinion. They're still running candidates instead of backing the Democratic party and are doing more than anyone else in my area to organize a revolutionary base.
  5. soso17
    soso17
    Congrats! After the talk from Peta Lindsay, I chatted with the member whom I initially met here in Chicago. I asked about where to go from here, and he gave me the membership handbook to read over. I really think I'm going to start my candidacy. I've read the Program, the handbook, talked to members, and the local members seem very interested in having me join. I'm going to a Marxism class this Saturday, and I think I'll ask about "officializing" my candidacy. Glad to see comrades who actually have POSITIVE things to say on RevLeft!

    -soso
  6. Rusty Shackleford
    Rusty Shackleford
    Awesome news! Welcome to the PSL Bardo, and i hope to say the same soon soso17!
  7. soso17
    soso17
    So, I received a call yesterday inviting me to join the PSL, and so I've started my candidacy! I went to my first meeting tonight, a good discussion of the Chicago teachers' strike, and I start my candidate classes a week from tomorrow. Nice to know I'm in good company, comrades!
  8. Bardo
    Bardo
    Thanks Rusty! I'll be having coffee with Peta next week

    My first candidate class was very interesting to say the least. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the topic and discussion was very informative and productive.
  9. Rusty Shackleford
    Rusty Shackleford
    great news! Candidacy is such a great experience. I still go to candidacy classes even though i finished mine.
  10. MLunsford
    MLunsford
    I recently applied to join the PSL. How does the process work? How long does it take?
  11. Rusty Shackleford
    Rusty Shackleford
    It can take some time. My apologies for not responding immediately. Being in Arkansas, you are a good distance from an established branch.