Merger: Socialist Alternative and the Revolutionary Socialist Party

[TheGodlessUtopian]

Might be on the horizon. Didn't know the latter party even existed but I found the article interesting nonetheless.

http://directaction.org.au/statement...st_alternative

[citizen of industry]

They've agreed to express their differences publicly. Interesting. I wonder what their press will look like? It means they've rejected democratic-centralism.

[Prof. Oblivion]

It means they've rejected democratic-centralism.

Democratic centralism had nothing to do with keeping disagreements internal. Hell, Lenin even wrote in the publications of rival parties to publicly express his dissent. This is a myth perpetuated by these crazy organizations that want to play revolutionary.

[Smith's Dream]

It'll be interesting to see how this turns out. The RSP split from the Socialist Alliance (formerly a coalition of the Democratic Socialist Party and a variety of smaller left groups) a few years back arguing that a more Leninist approach was needed, that the original programme of the DSP was being watered down and sacrificed in order to try and build a 'broad' party. I could go on into the intricacies of it but ugh, these exchanges get boring fast.

I struggle to see this happening, to be honest. The RSP put a very high priority on championing overseas governments that SocAlt would consider state capitalist. Cuba, Venezuela, even Vietnam - these are all socialist causes worth supporting in the RSP's eyes. They're not quite as hardout about all this as, say, the PSL or the FRSO types in the States... It does take a little more than a government being in America's bad books for the RSP to start a fan club for it, but you get the picture.

That said, SocAlt are probably the biggest show in town on the Australian radical left, and the RSP (amazingly enough) have not managed to achieve stellar growth after splitting and gaining back their cherished programmatic purity. They wouldn't have more than 30-40 people, whereas SocAlt have hundreds, especially in Melbourne. In a practical sense, it makes sense for RSP people to jump onto the bigger ship.

A key RSP activist, Jorge something or other, has recently resigned from the group and joined SocAlt, and apparently the whole Cuba/Venezuela/Vietnam/Stalinist/State-capitalist interminable debate thing hasn't gotten in the way of that. I guess his mates in the RSP see which way the wind is blowing and want to get in while the going's good.

Intriguingly, the Socialist Alliance has also started 'unity discussions' with SocAlt. It seems everyone's jumping on the bandwagon. The real question, imho, is whether this is actually genuinely about trying to negotiate far-left unity, or whether there's a more strategic motive on the part of the Castroist lot of trying to negotiate unity in the full knowledge SocAlt probably won't go for it (not with STALINISTS!!!!!), thus exposing them for all the world to see as unrepentant sectarians. Who knows, maybe I'm just cynical.

Anyway, long post at an end. One final point which might have some relevance is that the RSP lot and the SocAlt lot tend to be, from my experience, quite strident, earnest and confrontational on a personal level, more so than the Socialist Alliance people. Political line aside, these guys may be perfect for each other. Obviously that's quite a subjective thing, I haven't met that many people from any of those groups, but just a wee observation based on what I've seen/heard.

[citizen of industry]

Democratic centralism had nothing to do with keeping disagreements internal. Hell, Lenin even wrote in the publications of rival parties to publicly express his dissent. This is a myth perpetuated by these crazy organizations that want to play revolutionary.

Can you link to the articles Lenin published in rival parties' papers publicly criticizing the Bolsheviks? I know there was quite the controversy on armed insurrection where he threatened to resign from the Central executive committee in order to agitate at the party congress, and went over the heads of the central committee and wrote directly to the Petrograd and Moscow committees. On the other hand, shortly thereafter he demanded the expulsion of Kamenev and Zinoviev for publishing an article in a rival paper criticizing his resolution to insurrection.

Anyway, personally I wouldn't want to read a paper where the different writers are bickering all the time, that's what conventions and voting and internal discussion bulletins are for. It's not really democratic if the minority, after losing a vote inside the party, has to criticize the majority publicly.

[Smith's Dream]

For those interested...

Roberto Jorquera

Why I am joining Socialist Alternative

I joined the socialist youth organisation Resistance and the Socialist Workers Party in 1988 and was active as a full-time organiser for many years. I came to the conclusion in 2006 that the old DSP/SWP had taken an liquidationist turn (masked as Socialist Alliance).

Together with some other comrades in Melbourne we left and formed the Marxist Solidarity Network (later Direct Action).
Throughout this period we often prioritised Latin American solidarity work as one of the few viable options for practical work for our small group. In addition, a number of us had been politically formed and inspired by the revolutionary movements of Latin America. This is a continuing source of inspiration and a central part of my political history. I will continue to support the Cuban revolution and am no less inspired by the example and political thinking of Che Guevara.

In fact it his thinking that is uppermost in my decision to join Socialist Alternative and encourage others to do likewise. Che's most fundamental legacy is to remind us that it is our duty to make the revolution wherever we are. The point of solidarity work – which I aim to continue to do – is to support other struggles but not to hide behind them. The most important thing a revolutionary can do for the world revolution is to build their own revolutionary movement.

I am joining Socialist Alternative because of the role they are playing in Australia. How we see Cuba or the Latin American revolution developing can be discussed over time and patiently.

Revolutionary politics is always about learning, discussion and being open to new ideas to work out the best course of action. With this approach we can work towards a more united and clear revolutionary left in Australia.

comradely
Roberto Jorquera

[TheGodlessUtopian]

A update...

Joint statement by Socialist Alliance and Socialist Alternative representatives
A meeting was held in Melbourne on November 4 between Peter Boyle, Sue Bolton and Susan Price (representing the leadership of Socialist Alliance) and Mick Armstrong, Sandra Bloodworth and Corey Oakley (representing the leadership of Socialist Alternative), to explore the possibility of closer collaboration and unity between the two organisations.
The meeting was comradely and constructive, and both sides agree that the basis exists to begin a process of discussion to clarify our respective political positions and engage in collaborative work, with the aim of establishing if unity is possible.
It was acknowledged that there are real political differences between the groups, both historic and to do with immediate questions of day-to-day politics and a conception of what kind of organisation the left needs. We had only the most provisional discussion of these issues, and it is clear that we are just at the start of a lengthy process of clarification.
We both consider that, in a context of global capitalist crisis and an increasing offensive by the ruling class in Australia, it is incumbent on the left to try to work towards unity where it can. Nonetheless, neither organisation wishes to rush the process. We do not want unity at any cost, but unity that will be able to take the socialist movement forward.
We have agreed on the following:
1. Scheduling a series of discussions between the organisations to clarify our respective views on important political questions such as the socialist attitude to parliament and elections; to alliances and questions of party form; to the environment; to trade unions; and to women’s rights.
2. There was provisional agreement that Socialist Alliance would be involved in the Marxism 2013 conference at Easter, that Socialist Alliance speakers would be invited to Marxism 2013, and that Socialist Alliance would help to build the conference.
3. We will continue and where possible increase the level of collaboration between our groups in movement and union struggles.

Source: http://sa.org.au/index.php?option=co...ive&Itemid=546

[Q]

Although I think the title is a little premature (there is no merger yet), I think this is good news from down under. Are there any comrades on Revleft involved that can keep us updated?

Edit:
And I hope the new group chooses a new name, so we can stop being confused over whether Socialist Alternative is the Australian CWI branch or not (it isn't btw)

[Ostrinski]

Good news. We need more of this.

[Sentinel]

Great news indeed, even though I first though it was the US CWI branch and some other party merging.. But total awesomeness if it goes through anyway, after all the hundreds of splits in Trotskyism.

I know there was quite the controversy on armed insurrection where he threatened to resign from the Central executive committee in order to agitate at the party congress, and went over the heads of the central committee and wrote directly to the Petrograd and Moscow committees. On the other hand, shortly thereafter he demanded the expulsion of Kamenev and Zinoviev for publishing an article in a rival paper criticizing his resolution to insurrection.

I think the main difference is that Lenin threatened to resign while Z and K afaik didn't, when they kept agitating against revolution even after the CC vote (where they were the only two voting against, to their eternal disgrace considering how things went).

[Ostrinski]

Although, I don't know how much of a merger this is than an absorption of one smaller org into a much larger international org. What are the obstacles of the merges of the various internationals? That's what needs to be asked.

[Q]

Although, I don't know how much of a merger this is than an absorption of one smaller org into a much larger international org. What are the obstacles of the merges of the various internationals? That's what needs to be asked.

Socialist Alternative was expelled from the IST, so as far as I'm aware they're not part of any international grouping.

As for your question, it's a good one. Say if the German IST and CWI section were to fuse, what would that mean internationally? Would they be expelled from the IST and/or CWI? Would they be in both?

But before that could happen, I think the first thing that needs to be adjusted is culture. The Dutch IST section for example would simply never tolerate the Dutch CWI.

[chebol]

Smith's Dream:

SocAlt are probably the biggest show in town on the Australian radical left,

Not by a long shot. The Socialist Alliance is around three times their size, and has branches in a range of regional cities that SAlt have no presence in.

whereas SocAlt have hundreds, especially in Melbourne

SAlt have almost exactly 250 members, mostly in Melbourne. The RSP would be lucky to have 30 (let alone 40 or 50). Many of those who took part in the split have since resigned.

Nonetheless, this is a welcome development for the radical left in Australia. The RSP-SAlt merger is going ahead a-pace, and the discussions between Socialist Alliance and SAlt have begun on a remarkably comradely footing.

It's about time we *all* got our shit together comrades. We have one hell of a fight on our hands.

[chebol]

Q;

Socialist Alternative was expelled from the IST, so as far as I'm aware they're not part of any international grouping.

Correct. SAlt are from the Cliffite tradition, but not in the IST. They are close collaborators with the ISO in the US, however, and similar 'renegade' Cliffite groups.

[chebol]

Ostrinski:

this is than an absorption of one smaller org into a much larger ... org

Not quite. SAlt has recently decided that it is not *just* a propaganda group, but has grown to the size where it ought to also build the movements (not just recruit form them). Somewhere along the line, they've decided that differences over things such as Cuba or Russia, etc etc etc, are no longer the rivers of blood they once were.

SAlt members will tell you now that their new-found openness was *always* the case, but this is of course rubbish. Nonetheless, it is welcome rubbish, and the kind we should gather more of.

So, while the RSP is more 'joining' SAlt than 'merging' with it, it is an effective 'merger', albeit very lopsided. What will be *much* more interesting will be the process and outcome if SAlt and Socialist Alliance deepen their collaboration...

[Q]

In the latest Weekly Worker they reproduce an SA article on this merger from 2 November.

I'll repost the commentary at the start of that reproduction here:

Australian SA: Regroupment in a revolutionary party

Have the hard-line ‘Cliffite sectarians’ seen the light?

Real unity effort, or just a pose?

The article below, headed ‘A new kind of left unity’, is the editorial from the latest issue of the magazine, Socialist Alternative, published by the Australian organisation of the same name. Socialist Alternative - now the largest of the Australian far-left groups with around 300 members - split from the Socialist Workers Party’s International Socialist Tendency a decade ago, and has generally been regarded by the rest of the left as the most sectarian of all the revolutionary groups in Australia.

A great deal of scepticism has been expressed about not only the call for Marxist unity made in the article, but about the proposed merger with the Revolutionary Socialist Party. While both SA and the RSP seem to reject standing in elections almost on principle, their world outlook is very different. The RSP is an ex-Fourth International grouping, which now places its hopes in Cuba, Vietnam and the Venezuela of Hugo Chávez. It has set up ‘Chávista’ clubs on a number of campuses, while SA retains its IST, state-capitalist viewpoint. What is more, it is pointed out that an SA merger with the RSP would represent no more than a fait accompli - many leading RSP members have already left to join SA.

As for the SA’s new-found understanding of democratic centralism, some say that its practice has been typically bureaucratic, with minority positions being denied publication and comrades being allegedly expelled for raising criticisms. It is also claimed that it has a very hostile attitude to the IST affiliate, Solidarity, which it seems, is one group “with whom it would be impossible to genuinely unite” (see below).

The Weekly Worker was told that SA would not respond to our approach, when we expressed an interest in republishing this article. And so far that has turned out to be the case.

Nevertheless, even if all the allegations above are true, we believe the unity call should be welcomed. We should treat it as having been made in good faith until proved otherwise.

We invite the views of others on the left, particularly in Australia.

[Ostrinski]

My bad I'm a dumbass and didn't read. I didn't know this was Australia.

[chebol]

Socialist Alternative - now the largest of the Australian far-left groups with around 300 members

It constantly amazes my how this particular meme continues to reproduce itself. I would have thought the CPGB might have tried a bit harder though.

Socialist Alternative has about 250 members (according to a leading member, a week or two ago). Even with the RSP, and ex-RSP members, they'd be struggling to hit 300.

The Socialist Alliance, by contrast, has around 700 members.

This isn't meant to be a criticism or a pissing-contest, but it's important to keep all these things in perspective.

Of course, SAlt's is a "cadre" membership, and is focussed on the inner-city and campus areas of Sydney and Melbourne, so the level and nature of their activity is "higher" in the traditional left grouplet sense, and - because of its member base - it is much stronger on campus.

SAlt also organises the biggest left conference in Australia - Marxism - held every Easter in Melbourne.

The Socialist Alliance, on the other hand, while large in those areas too, also has large branches in places like Wollongong, Geelong, and Perth, and branches in a number of country cities and towns.

They have a local councillor in Fremantle, and a recently-elected one in Moreland in Melbourne, and a strong representation in the union movement, including the Secretary of Geelong Trades Hall and a number of members recently elected to the Central Council of the NSW PSA on the Progressive PSA ticket (for example).

These are all good things, but they are not enough. Combined, these groups could begin to pose a serious left alternative in the unions, on campus, in the movements and in elections.

Throw in the good work of the Socialist Party in Yarra in Melbourne, and some of the gains made by the Communist Party in Sydney (in the Maritime Union, a new local councillor in Auburn, etc), and this could get very interesting indeed.

Discussions have begun between Socialist Alliance and Socialist Alternative, but it is likely to move slowly at first. Still, it is a welcome sign that the left is beginning to work more closely together.

[chebol]

Smith's Dream:

Intriguingly, the Socialist Alliance has also started 'unity discussions' with SocAlt. It seems everyone's jumping on the bandwagon. The real question, imho, is whether this is actually genuinely about trying to negotiate far-left unity, or whether there's a more strategic motive on the part of the Castroist lot of trying to negotiate unity in the full knowledge SocAlt probably won't go for it (not with STALINISTS!!!!!), thus exposing them for all the world to see as unrepentant sectarians. Who knows, maybe I'm just cynical.

Yes, you are incredibly cynical, and misinformed.

The unity process between the RSP and SAlt is going ahead, and the Socialist Alliance and SAlt have held initial discussions, with more planned.

The RSP has nothing to gain by "exposing" SAlt because the RSP is in a terminal position as an organisation, and is in no position to capitalise on any such "exposure".

The Socialist Alliance has nothing to gain from further animosity from SAlt either - SAlt is stronger on campus, where the left generally needs to build and recruit youth. Turning a reasonably peaceful form of co-existence into internecine warfare would be stupid, and wouldn't help anyone.

Furthermore, the Socialist Alliance (which isn't "Castroist", by the way) isn't "jumping on the bandwagon" - it has been openly calling for greater left unity ever since its formation, and is absolutely, 100 percent, genuine in this call.

SAlt has responded to this in an apparently honest and open manner to their call, which is good news for all involved.

The cynicism is all yours.

[Crux]

It constantly amazes my how this particular meme continues to reproduce itself. I would have thought the CPGB might have tried a bit harder though.

Socialist Alternative has about 250 members (according to a leading member, a week or two ago). Even with the RSP, and ex-RSP members, they'd be struggling to hit 300.

The Socialist Alliance, by contrast, has around 700 members.

This isn't meant to be a criticism or a pissing-contest, but it's important to keep all these things in perspective.

Well, it should tell you something about how reliable the Weekly Worker is though.

Of course, SAlt's is a "cadre" membership, and is focussed on the inner-city and campus areas of Sydney and Melbourne, so the level and nature of their activity is "higher" in the traditional left grouplet sense, and - because of its member base - it is much stronger on campus.

SAlt also organises the biggest left conference in Australia - Marxism - held every Easter in Melbourne.

The Socialist Alliance, on the other hand, while large in those areas too, also has large branches in places like Wollongong, Geelong, and Perth, and branches in a number of country cities and towns.

They have a local councillor in Fremantle, and a recently-elected one in Moreland in Melbourne, and a strong representation in the union movement, including the Secretary of Geelong Trades Hall and a number of members recently elected to the Central Council of the NSW PSA on the Progressive PSA ticket (for example).

These are all good things, but they are not enough. Combined, these groups could begin to pose a serious left alternative in the unions, on campus, in the movements and in elections.

Throw in the good work of the Socialist Party in Yarra in Melbourne, and some of the gains made by the Communist Party in Sydney (in the Maritime Union, a new local councillor in Auburn, etc), and this could get very interesting indeed.

Discussions have begun between Socialist Alliance and Socialist Alternative, but it is likely to move slowly at first. Still, it is a welcome sign that the left is beginning to work more closely together.

Yeah, it's interesting times. The question, as always, though what kind of unity. I know the SP comrades had some reservations about Socialist Alliance before.