NOVEMBER 2018 £1.50

Inside: * The Life of Max Levitas * 49th Congress Reports * News, reviews & more EDITORIAL editorial Dear Comrades Welcome to the latest issue of Challenge. The last month has been a busy one for the League and the Party both internally and in terms of political developments. The Party held it’s 55th All-Britain Congress in London on 17-18 November 2018. After much frank democratic debate and discussion, Party comrades decided on a clear program for advancing the class struggle in Britain over the next two years and crucially measures to continue to grow and rebuild the Party. Many noted the high number of YCLers in attendance as voting or consultative delegates. It was widely commented that this was the ‘most youthful’ and energetic Party Congress since the nineties. The League’s own Congress was held the following weekend. This was certainly the most successful and largest Congress since our own Our foremost refoundation. This edition of Challenge contains a report of the Congress priority (p.15) as well as the opening and closing addresses (pp.16-20). The success of the League’s 49th Congress reflects our own growing remains strength and level of organisation. Meeting with comrades from our sweeping branches across the country was a particular highlight for me. Discussion on the floor of Congress was honest about the current limitations we face as away an organisaiton. But more importantly clear conclusions were drawn about how we address these failings and continue to build Britain’s revolutionary Theresa youth. May’s All this being said, we are not an inward looking organisation. The struggle carries on in Britain and internationally. Our foremost priority remains rotten Tory sweeping away Theresa May’s rotten Tory Government and acheiving a Government People’s Brexit! I would also pay tribute to our departed comrade Max Levitas, a veteran of the YCL and legend of our movement. Your spirit lives on in our struggles! In comradeship Johnnie Hunter

As ever, if you want to contribute to Challenge, either through writing articles, poems, reviews or providing artwork then don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing [email protected] or writing to Challenge, Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, CR0 1BD. 2 CONTENTS editorial in this issue Statements 4-9 Autumn Budget 10-11 Max Levitas 12-14 Autumn Budget Congress Report p10 - 11 15 Congress Opening Address 16-18

Obituary Congress Closing Max Levitas Address 19-20 p12-14 Democracy & Dictatorship 21-22 Marxism against Intersectionality 49th YCL 23-24 Congress p15-20 Book@Bedtime 25-27 Back2Basics 28-29 November 2018 Volume 21, Issue 48 Layout & design: Ben Stevenson, James Rodie and Johnnie Hunter What We Stand For 30 Print: Communist Party Published by: YCL, Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Rd, CR0 1BD 3 STATEMENTS CP warns against ‘growing threats’ to peace and security

ommunist Party Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty to the ‘criminal and corrupt’ catastrophe’, he insisted. international secretary with Russia, which bans both Saudi regime and reaffirmed At the CP executive CJohn Foster warned powers from producing, support for the Boycott, meeting, general secretary of the growing threat to possessing and testing cruise Divestment and Sanctions Robert Griffiths reported world peace, the international missiles. campaign against Israeli state a continuing rise in party economy and the environment The CP international policy. recruitment and membership, at the weekend (20 October secretary also argued that Referring to recent IMF which is now more than 7% 2018). the Western imperialist reports, Mr Foster claimed higher than in 2017. Speaking to the party’s powers had not given up their that international capitalism ‘A much stronger executive committee, he attempts to partition Syria, faces a ‘gathering crisis’. Communist Party is needed cited US President Trump’s while US sanctions against Economic growth is slowing, to help secure a “People’s increasingly aggressive attitude Iran’s oil exports would the pools of speculative capital Brexit” and a left-led towards China and Russia, further destabilise the Middle are expanding while leveraged Labour government that in keeping with what the US East. loans by secondary banks have is free to carry out radical National Security Strategy ‘Alongside these threats surpassed pre-2008 levels. policies of public investment, calls a new era of ‘great power to peace and stability, Saudi ‘The world is heading renationalisation, wealth competition’. Arabia’s British-backed towards recession and trade redistribution, sustainable ‘The history of the genocidal war against Yemen wars between the USA, the growth and peaceful 20th century shows how continues as does the EU, the Middle East and cooperation with the rest of the struggle for imperialist open sore of Israel’s brutal China just when the UN the world’, he stated. domination leads to war’, Mr oppression of the Palestinian Inter-Governmental Panel Foster pointed out. He was people’, he declared. on Climate Change is calling Communist Party speaking as Trump announced Britain’s Communists for urgent and coordinated his country’s withdrawal demanded that Britain’s Tory transformational policies 22 October2018 from the Intermediate-Range government halt all arms sales to avert global warming Communists attack ‘bogus budget’ Chancellor

hancellor Hammond understand about the ‘People’s Brexit’ campaign delegates from the communist presented a bogus Chancellor is that he is the of meetings across Britain, and workers’ parties of Ireland, ‘Cbudget for a bogus chief representative in the beginning with a rally in South Africa and Cyprus Brexit and a bogus end to Cabinet of the City and big London on November 22 with would be attending the CP austerity’, Robert Griffiths business. His main mission economists Grace Blakely of Britain’s 55th congress told the Communist Party’s is to keep Britain tied to the and former Greek MP Costas on November 17-18, along Political Committee on pro-market, pro-austerity and Lapivitsas, RMT general with a number of guests from Wednesday evening (October anti-socialist rules of the EU secretary Mick Cash, Guardian embassies and domiciled 31). Single Market and Customs economics editor Larry parties here. ‘His budget sought Union’, the Communist Party Elliott, trade union officer He condemned the recent to browbeat and bribe general secretary insisted. Paula Barker, John Rees of violent attacks on communists Eurosceptic Tory and pro-EU Monday’s budget did not Counterfire, Robert Griffiths in the Ukraine and India and Labour MPs into supporting signal an end to austerity. and chair Mary Davis. said that solidarity messages the Cabinet’s proposed ‘Apart from a small rise The CP Political were being sent to the bogus Brexit deal - or else he next year, public spending as Committee also pledged Communist Party of Brazil and would bring in an emergency a proportion of Britain’s GDP support for the People’s the Workers Party now under austerity budget. At the same is set to continue falling to Assembly’s new ‘Britain is threat after the election of time, he was indicating to the 37.9 per cent by 2024 - down broken - we can’t afford the extreme right-wing president public that if the Commons from 38.5 per cent this year Tories’ initiative, calling for Jair Bolsonaro. votes down any such deal, the - according to the Office for the reinvigoration of local Tories would fight an early Budget Responsibility, with no campaign groups and stronger Communist Party General Election as a cuddly compensation to cover the links with Labour Party pro-NHS, anti-austerity party - cuts of the past eight years’, socialists and the trade union 1 November 2018 possibly under his leadership’, Mr Griffiths pointed out. movement. Mr Griffiths explained. Britain’s Communists International secretary ‘The key thing to welcomed plans to launch a John Foster announced that 4 STATEMENTS Brexit means more powers for Scotland and Wales, say Communists

The secretaries of the cottish and Welsh franchises, equalities legislation, achieve their aim of Scotland Communist Party in Scotland Communists have long agriculture, forestry, land use, and Wales becoming separate and Wales have issued the ‘Ssupported the case for carbon capture and storage, member states inside the EU, followed joint statement: a federal Britain. We believe environmental and energy the prospects of these powers this is the only constitutional standards, planning consent, coming to our two countries settlement that will empower onshore hydrocarbon licences, are zero. What they would the workers and peoples of radioactive shipments, animal achieve, however, is separation our countries to control and welfare, food standards and from our two countries’ develop their economies, while public health and safety biggest trading partner by far, maintaining labour movement protection. namely, a non-EU England’. unity and redistributing the In 43 additional areas, wealth owned largely by the Scotland’s greater degree of Tommy Morrison, capitalist class. devolution will mean new Secretary, Scottish Brexit will take us closer powers over renewable energy, Committee of the to those objectives because rail markets and operating Communist Party it will mean a major transfer licences, social security and of powers from the European criminal justice including child Trevor Jones, Secretary, Commission and other sexual exploitation and human Welsh Communist Party bureaucratic EU agencies to trafficking. the elected legislatures and In all these areas, there is governments in Edinburgh and every prospect that Scottish Cardiff. and Welsh law-makers will As a result of Brexit, develop policies that can decision-making powers in only improve on the low 64 areas of policy will be standards set in Brussels and transferred from the EU and Westminster. Brussels to both the Scottish This makes it all the Parliament and the National more astonishing that, in Assembly of Wales. opposing Brexit, the SNP and In particular, the Scottish Plaid Cymru are presumably and Welsh legislatures content for all these powers and governments will gain to remain with the unelected additional powers over EU Commission and other EU state aid to industry, public agencies. sector procurement, rail Should these parties ever

5 STATEMENTS YCL Statement on Remembrance Sunday 2018 he British Establishment Europe? The vast majority of division and re-division of this Lenin explained: and ruling class have British people could not vote kind of booty.” “We say: our aim is to Tonce again attempted until 1918. The YCL calls on the achieve a socialist system of to use Remembrance Sunday Lenin, leader of the British youth to engage with society, which, by eliminating to stir up militarism and false October Revolution in Russia, Remembrance Day in a the division of mankind into patriotism. The Government who lived through that different way. We must take it classes, by eliminating all claim to be remembering and tumultuous period identified as a poignant reminder of the exploitation of man by man celebrating Britain’s fallen the real nature of the war in horror of war. We can never and nation by nation, will service men and women. Europe: forget that millions of working inevitably eliminate the very The YCL recognises that in “The war of 1914-18 people all over Europe were possibility of war.” reality they are only hijacking was imperialist (that is, an betrayed into slaughtering This Remembrance Sunday, the legacy of Britain’s war annexationist, predatory, war each other in the interests of when the heirs of those who dead for their own interests; of plunder) on the part of their respective ruling classes, sent millions to their graves perpetuating support for both sides; it was a war for their exploiters. try to exploit their memories further imperialist war. In the division of the world, for The ‘land of heroes’ remember the words of last doing so they tarnish and the partition and repartition to which many soldiers British tommy, veteran Harry desecrate the entire legacy of colonies and spheres of returned was one of chronic Patch: and ideal of remembrance, for influence of finance capital.” unemployment, hardship and “War is organised murder the war that was supposed to The motivations of the poverty. It is equally important and nothing else….politicians end all wars. British ruling class to enter to remember the victims of who took us to war should The First World War is the war were exactly same as British imperialism all over the have been given the guns and commemorated throughout that of the French, German, world from past to present told to settle their differences this country. We look to the Austrian or Russian ruling day. themselves, instead of bravery and sacrifice of British classes: Our aim of a socialist organising nothing better than soldiers in that conflict and “The so-called Great society offers the only true legalised mass murder”. cannot help but be humbled. Powers have long been solution for forever ending But what do the British exploiting and enslaving the scourge of war on this Executive Committee Government tell the country a whole number of small planet, which in the age of Young Communist League that those men and women and weak nations. And the nuclear weapons threatens died for? For democracy in imperialist war is a war for the mankind’s very existence. 11 November 2018

Statement on Transgender Day of Remembrance 2018

n Transgender Day of inseparable and intrinsically Transphobia and the Remembrance 2018, linked. attacks inflicted on the Othe Young Communist The YCL calls for: community are a sad League condemns transphobia • An end to discrimination indictment on our society. in our society, expresses and transphobia in all its Working people must take solidarity with those facing forms. up the struggle and rid our discrimination and remembers • Increased protection society of transphobia. those killed because of against violence and No to discrimination! Yes transphobia. harassment for members to LGBT+ rights! The YCL opposes of the transgender Not one more death transphobia and discrimination community. in all its forms. Under • Full involvement in public Executive Committee capitalism discrimination and political life. Young Communist League and prejudice are tools of • Increased community the ruling class to divide and medical support 20 November 2018 and distract working people. for members of the Oppression and capitalism are transgender community.

6 STATEMENTS Day for Preventing the Exploita- tion of the Environment in War he 6th of November structure of the world. NATO and environmental disaster. of the environment, for the is declared by the and other imperialist circles WFDY believes that the construction of the new TUnited Nations as the are primarily concerned about only way to put an end to the superior society of peace and International Day for the securing their own economic exploitation and the pollution social justice. Prevention of the Exploitation profits without worrying about of the environment is the of the Environment during the peoples, the environment overthrow of imperialism World Federation of War and Armed Conflict. and the future of the planet. and the final victory of the Democratic Youth The destruction of the It is proven that about 60% peoples. In that direction we environment is an inevitable of wars is “absorbed” by the will keep fighting the root result of the imperialist environment as an ecological cause of wars and destruction 6 November 2018 International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

ovember 9th has been marked the beginning of more Fascism has no place progressive youth to join us established as the systematic use of violence among the youth of the world! in the struggle against fascism, N“International Day against Jews and the creation The crimes fascism committed racism and nationalism for Against Fascism and Anti- of concentration camps. against humanity must remain the overthrow of imperialism Semitism”, in memory of Over the years, we in the collective memory of and the establishment of the the Jewish pogrom that was see fascism reviving and every society. The cultivation society of peace and social released by the Nazi state in threatening once again the of young people with the justice. 1938. peoples of the world. The ideas of equality, freedom, During the night of the 9th rotten ideology of fascism tolerance for difference, of November 1938, the streets finds ground to grow in the #solidarity among peoples World Federation of of Germany were covered by social inequalities caused and #internationalism are the Democratic Youth broken glasses of Jewish shops. by the development of ingredients that can create a This night is known in history imperialism and it is used by broad front for the resistance as the “ Kristallnacht” or “The the same system against the to the revival of fascism. 9 November 2018 Night of Broken Glass” and it peoples. WFDY calls all the 73rd Anniversary of WFDY n 1945 during the Second gathered in London to attend the hope of its continuity to remain untouchable in the World War and the struggle the constitutional congress millions of youth in the world. positions of WFDY. Also, Iagainst fascism, various anti- of the World Federation of Influenced by the ideals of updating its action and fascist and progressive youth Democratic Youth. international solidarity and evaluating the necessities of movements were building Since then the World friendship, WFDY is acting on the youth and peoples, WFDY bridges of communication and Federation of Democratic international level. supports the struggle for cooperation in the face of the Youth chose the path of After 73 years of life the work with rights that insure common enemy. struggling against imperialism, message of WFDY remains the the benefits of the working Millions of youth around alongside all the anti- same! The goal to overthrow and popular class, the struggle the world saw the necessity imperialist youth organizations imperialism is our duty. for free access to education, of uniting their voices and worldwide. Since then WFDY Together, all members of health, culture and sports. joining their hands, for a pledge to be in this position WFDY and all partners will Long live the international common struggle against all until the end of imperialism, continue holding the aspiration solidarity! forms of destruction of life. fascism, colonization, of anti-imperialist youth. After Long live the anti- On the same time they were occupation, war, exploitation, 73 years of life the goals of imperialist struggle! setting the priority of facing and misery of peoples. peace and solidarity remain Long live WFDY! imperialism and struggling for Throughout WFDY history, unconditional in the struggle its overthrow. overcoming all the challenges of WFDY. The demands for World Federation of In November 10, 1945, obstructing its struggle, the end of occupations, Democratic Youth through the ashes of the II WFDY managed to succeed, wars, foreign interventions, World War, thousands of Youth providing on the same time exploitation and oppression 10 November 2018 7 STATEMENTS International Day for Tolerance

he 16th of November and migration is creating the and internationalism! When is declared by the worst conditions of living for imperialism tries to divide TUnited Nations as refugees and migrants. Facing and separate us the response the “International Day for #racism and discrimination, can only be given by unity Tolerance”. As it is mentioned they struggle to rebuild and international solidarity. in the UN’s statement, the their destroyed lives, in new The struggle for a world of strengthening of tolerance “is and unwelcome for them tolerance and respect is one more important than ever in countries. In a world like this and the same with the wider this era of rising and violent it is of course not only the struggle against imperialism. extremism and widening refugees and the migrants who conflicts that are characterized face discrimination. Any kind of World Federation of by a fundamental disregard for diversity is under the attack of Democratic Youth human life.” the conservative forces who The deepening of the try to divide the peoples in 16 November 2018 crisis of the system with any possible way. the intensification of war To this brutal conditions conflicts, austerity measures WFDY opposes with solidarity International Students Day

he 17th of November The imperialist forces of contents and the possibilities struggle for public, free and is celebrated as the the world, while spending of accessing wide and deep quality education for all as part TInternational Students’ huge amount of resources to knowledge is daily more and of the wider struggle against Day. This day, whose origin is safeguard and increase their more limited. imperialism. deeply connected with the profits in the same time they On this day, WFDY brave struggle of the Czech exclude millions of young reaffirms its #solidarity and students’ movement against people from the access to full support to the students’ World Federation of the nazi-fascist oppression and any form of education. For movement. We call upon Democratic Youth occupation over the country, is those who can have access to our member and friendly more than ever up to date. some sort of education, the organizations to continue their 17 November 2018 Africa Industrialisation Day

s the UN state WFDY fully supports the is not enough by itself all the peoples of the world, “Industrialization, procedure of the development for the overthrow of the to reach real development is Awith strong linkages of the African economies existing situation and the the final victory against the to domestic economies, will and the detachment of the true development for the old and outdated system of help African countries to African countries from the African people. As long as imperialism. achieve high growth rates, imperialistic neo-colonialism this procedure is serving the diversify their economies system which with new and interests of colonialism, of World Federation of and reduce their exposure modern tools tries to keep monopolies and their local Democratic Youth to external shocks. This will the African people under the collaborators Africa will still substantially contribute to shackles of the so called “great be suffering from the plans of 19 November 2018 poverty eradication through powers”. Imperialism. employment and wealth Of course, for us the The only way for the creation.” industrialization of Africa peoples of Africa, as well as for

8 STATEMENTS Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

he 25th of November develop a dual action against to the prevention of the free of exploitation, inequality is declared by the this phenomenon. On the phenomenon and in the and violence, something that TUnited Nations as the one hand, it is necessary to cultivation of a culture that can only happen with the International Day for the create a multi-level network includes gender equality as a overthrow of imperialism. Elimination of Violence against that will protect and support principle. Women. the woman victim of violence WFDY once again declares World Federation of Violence against women so that she can decide to that we are at the forefront Democratic Youth is one of the most systematic denounce the incident and of the fight against all forms and widespread violations of the perpetrator and on of violence against women, 25 November 2018 human rights on the planet. the other hand to intensify while at the same time we are For WFDY, the issue of the actions that contribute struggling to create a society violence against women has clear root causes. The same fundamental characteristics of imperialism which create every problematic situation in the world, are those who are responsible for the development of violence, which is intensified in cases of social and economic instability, conflicting and psychological tensions. It is characteristic that the days of violence against women increased due to the crisis of the capitalist system and austerity policies. According to estimates, over 70% of the world’s women have experienced some form of violence during their lifetime. In this context, we believe that society and the different states need to International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

WFDY on this occasion materials have led to negative We will continue to Long live international expresses its total solidarity developments for the peoples support the people of solidarity! and support to the struggling of the region. Palestine and their cause and suffering Palestinian Israel, the main tool of with all of our powers. We Viva Palestina! people. The region of the imperialism in the region support the implementation Middle East for some years continues the attacks on the of UN Resolutions and World Federation of now, has been experiencing Palestinian people, the raids, the withdrawal of Israeli Democratic Youth the most tragic period of the arrests and the settlement. troops from all the occupied its history. The escalation of The Palestinian problem is one Palestinian territories, the 28 November 2018 the imperialist aggression of the timeless conflicts in the Golan Heights and the rest of aiming to the creation of Middle East and it is a major the occupied Arab lands. the “New Middle East”, with obstacle for the peace in the ultimate goal the control of region. Its perpetuation is only Long live the Palestinian energy sources and pipelines increasing the problems of the People! and the exploitation of raw peoples of the region. 9 AUTUMN BUDGET Hammond’s Case is The budget pays lip-service to progressive policies but with no intention of actually ending austerity, says Communist Party General Secretary ROBERT GRIFFTHS

t’s a ‘jam tomorrow’ budget the letter and the spirit of the from Chancellor Philip 2016 referendum result. IHammond and is unlikely Their Chequers-based to fool millions of people bogus Brexit proposal would who are struggling to get by. maintain the Single Market They see and experience regime over much of British local services continuing industry, severely limiting the to deteriorate, whether it’s policies of a left-led Labour longer waiting times in the government in matters of state NHS, cancelled operations, aid, public ownership, regional the closure of facilities for development, the direction of the elderly and young people, investment and the like. school requests for parental Bribed by British donations, the extinguishing maintenance payments of of street lights at night or the £37bn of public money, the disappearance of community EU Commission will probably police officers. reach a settlement with the It appears as though the Tory government extending main purpose of the budget EU membership in all but was to press-gang MPs and name, keeping economic the public into supporting the control of Northern Ireland Tory government’s hoped- and throwing French bankers a for bogus Brexit deal. Hence morsel of trade from the City Hammond’s warning over the of London. weekend that a ‘no deal’ Brexit If enough anti-democratic, ROBERT GRIFFTHS would mean an emergency pro-EU Labour MPs vote to replacement budget that support such a deal - reports would maintain if not intensify in the Financial Times put the Election will almost certainly Universal Credit. Hammond’s austerity. number at around 30 so far follow soon afterwards. puny tinkering with future It’s an old and impotent - then the Theresa May and That’s when Hammond or work allowance reforms and trick - his predecessor George her government may survive his successor will be desperate a £1bn rescue fund over five Osborne threatened just such a while longer. The irony, of enough to promise ‘jam today’ years will not end the cuts that an emergency budget should course, is that these Labour as well as ‘jam tomorrow’. are plunging a million more the people vote ‘Leave’ in rebels would be voting against For sure, there was children into poverty. May 2016, although nothing Keir Starmer’s ‘six-point test’ precious little of either in his The extra £20.5bn transpired except Osborne’s that, with their enthusiastic modest little basket yesterday. promised for the NHS over emergency exit from 11 support, was designed to Although Tory Chancellors the next five years will merely Downing Street. block a real Brexit, rather than and Prime Ministers are ready restore annual real increases Today’s Chancellor is every frustrate the bogus Brexit on to steal Jeremy Corbyn and of around 4 per cent. This is bit as pro-EU as yesterday’s. offer from a largely pro-EU John McDonnell’s clothes - where they used to be until Together with today’s pro-EU Tory Cabinet. whether on ending austerity, 2010, after which they were Prime Minister, Hammond Should there be no deal forsaking new PFI schemes slashed to around 0.9 per cent. is under orders from big with the EU, on the other or introducing a ‘living wage’ The damage done by nine business to keep Britain tied hand, or if one is rejected by - they have ignored the years of austerity will not be to EU Single Market rules, the Commons, then May will Shadow Chancellor’s appeal to repaired. Even the 4 per cent while pretending to implement have to resign and a General reform and halt the roll-out of increases do not keep pace 10 AUTMN BUDGET with rising demand, nor even with the annual 5 per cent increase in NHS spending on medicines. The Institute for Public Policy Research estimates that by 2030 the NHS will need ten times more per year than Hammond’s measly extra rations. Social care will need an additional £10bn a year just to maintain current levels of service. So ‘spread-sheet Phil’ is handing local councils less than one-tenth (£779m) of that annual sum as a sign of his sincere concern for those in greatest need. But the recipients can sleep more soundly in their beds knowing that a bigger sum (£1bn) will be spent on nuclear submarine patrols. The extra inflationary subsidies to house buyers will do nothing to solve a many- NO END IN SIGHT: Chancellor Hammond’s Autmn Budget offered sided crisis. With more than no deviation from almost a decade of austerity a million families homeless, the number of government funded ‘affordable’ and social never be achieved without a pitting many local roads. profits and a super-rich sector homes being built has major local authority council These priorities might suit minority who stash their tax- fallen since 2010 to 28,000 housing programme - and the road freight lobby, but not free dosh in tax havens mostly (from 56,000) and 1,200 Hammond’s £500m addition most motorists and cyclists. under British jurisdiction. (from 36,000), respectively. to the Housing Infrastructure They certainly don’t suit our Chancellor Hammond’s Rent subsidies paid to Fund will make very little society’s eco-system, which speech made an eloquent case private landlords are twice difference to most councils. urgently requires measures to for the urgent election of a the amount of government The Chancellor’s transfer freight to the railways left-led Labour government, spending on new social parsimony when it comes to (especially when almost two- free from EU rules to pursue housebuilding. meeting a basic human need thirds of lorries are partly policies for the many not the For millions of contrasts with his relative loaded or empty). few. ‘Generation Rent’ young generosity when it comes Far from heralding an people, the prospect of home to road transport. Although end to austerity, this Autumn ownership does not exist. absent from yesterday’s Budget retains many of the Robert Griffths is The government has pledged speech, he reportedly intends cuts planned for the next General Secretary of to ensure that 300,000 new to spend an extra £28bn on three or four years, especially the Communist Party. houses are built every year, but improvements to England’s in local government services. the numbers have yet to rise motorways (84 per cent of Yet Britain remains one of to even half of that. Britain’s total mileage) - but the wealthiest societies in the History since 1946 only £420m to local councils world, with one of the lowest indicates that such a target will to fill in the potholes now rates of tax on corporate

11 OBITUARY MAX LEVITAS 1915 - 2018 Professor MARY DAVIS pays tribute to a legendary jewish communist, anti- fascist fighter and last survivor of the Battle of Cable Street who died on 2 November 2018, aged 103

istorians have given but spoke of his support for scant recognition to the synagogue founded in Hthe significant Jewish 1903 on Commercial Road, contribution to the history the Congregation of Jacob of the Communist Party in (Kehillas Ya’akov). Britain particularly during the Similarly, Max identified period 1935-55. as a communist very early in Mainly centred in the East his life. He joined the Young End of London, the party’s Communist League (YCL) in membership among Jews was Glasgow when he was 16 and out of all proportion to the remained an active communist size of the Jewish community throughout his long life. in Britain and constituted Max and his family moved roughly one tenth of total CP to Glasgow in 1927 from membership. Stepney alone Dublin where Max and his had over 1,000 members in younger siblings (Maurice, the 1930s. Solomon, Yitzhak and Celia In 1947 the Stepney CP were born). Borough Committee reported Max’s youngest sister, Toby, that it had “the highest was born in Glasgow. His proportion of party members parents Leah and Harry were per capita in Great Britain Yiddish speaking “Litvaks” — one member per 175 of having, like thousands of other MARY DAVIS population,” most of whom Russian Jews, escaped anti- were Jewish. semitic persecution in Latvia This has raised an (Leah) and Lithuania (Harry). took the form of anti-semitism. the 1930s he worked tirelessly, important question, first Harry was an active The second issue was alongside others, to combat discussed by the party’s member of the Tailors’ and housing. Rack rents and Oswald Mosley’s British Union Jewish bureau (later, in 1943 Pressers’ Union. This made it overcrowded slum conditions of Fascists (BUF). to become the national difficult for him to find work, affected everyone, but given In 1934 Communists Jewish committee) — namely, hence the move to Glasgow, the high concentration of disrupted Mosley’s mass were Jewish members either and thence four years later, Jews in Stepney, it was a major “respectable” ticket only rally communist Jews or Jewish to London’s East End — the problem for this community in Olympia. They were met communists? centre of the garment industry. and a locus of struggle. with unrestrained violence. For Max Levitas, who died There Max joined his father in The anti-fascist fight was Later in the year Max was on November 2 2018 aged the tailoring trade. conducted on the battlefield arrested and fined £5 in 1934 103, this question would have Max, already a communist, and on the streets. for painting “All out against been redundant. He was both. threw himself into the two The battlefield was fascism” on the plinth at Max saw no contradiction main campaigns which drew Spain where Max’s brother, Trafalgar Square. between his Jewish (non- ever increasing numbers Maurice, along with many Two years later in 1936 religious) identity and his of Jewish East Enders other East End Jews joined the Max was a runner at the identity as a communist. into membership of the International Brigade. pivotal and inspirational Battle He is buried alongside his Communist Party. Max fought in London. of Cable Street when working- wife Sarah (Sadie), who died The first question which As an active member and class East Enders — Jewish, in 1988, in an orthodox Jewish affected Jews primarily was secretary of the Mile End (and Irish, and English — turned cemetery where the officiating fascism, which in the 1930s, later Limehouse) branch of the out to blockade the streets, rabbi recognised Max’s atheism under the shadow of the nazis, Young Communist League in successfully preventing 12 OBITUARY

Mosley’s black-shirted BUF were Jews … we must never WORKING CLASS FIGHTER: since joining the thugs from marching through forget that anti-semitism YCL in his youth Max dedicated his entire the streets under police guard. and racial hatred existed life to the struggle The East End was home before Hitler and fascism … to 90 per cent of British All oppressors of the people Jews, which is why Mosley have, when things grow provocatively targeted this difficult for them, diverted the area. just anger of the people by The Jewish Peoples’ pogroms against Jews … such Council against Fascism and people are already at work. Anti-semitism, alongside the To defeat them we Jews must Communist Party, succeeded stand together, and we must in mobilising the entire maintain the unity of Jew and community. Gentile.” The Peoples’ Council Max saw the fight against serves as a model for a broad anti-semitism was indissolubly front anti-fascist organisation. linked to the fight against It was formed of 86 Jewish racism. A very early example organisations, including most of this is a notice in the Daily East End synagogues (despite Worker of him speaking in “stay at home” advice from 1934 at a meeting of the the Board of Deputies), zionist Negro Welfare Association organisations, workers’ circles, in support of the Scottsboro trade unions and dockers. Boys, nine black teenagers, As the last surviving falsely accused in Alabama of participant in the battle, Max raping two white American was frequently interviewed women on a train. and spoke at anniversary In later years, the locus commemorative events, most of struggle in the East End recently the 80th anniversary shifted from anti-semitism in 2016 when he was 100 to opposition to anti-Asian years old. racism. In his nineties Max He rarely mentioned his repeatedly displayed his own role, only the importance solidarity with the Bangladeshi of the collective struggle and community and was asked the political lessons to be to speak at anti-racist rallies, drawn from it. most recently in 2013, in But for Max, the Battle opposition to the English of Cable Street was only the Defence League. beginning of the fight against Again in his later years Max anti-semitism and racism. In returned annually to Ireland Instead of providing fodder the local kosher butcher! 1943 the Stepney Communist for Holocaust Memorial for the BUF, the party, in Phil After pitched battles Party branch published a Day events organised by the Piratin’s words, should “cut with the police and a mighty pamphlet Stepney; A Borough Irish Holocaust Educational the ground from under the demonstration of 15,000 to Be Proud Of. Trust, particularly poignant fascists’ feet” by helping the people organised by the YCL, The pamphlet contains because both his father and people “to improve their the landlords negotiated a section on “Jew & Gentile mother had relatives who conditions of life … [and] compromise. The rent strike Together” authored by Max had remained in Lithuania and show them who was really had been successful. (A Jew Writes) and Tommy Latvia and were murdered by responsible … their real During World War II Rampling (A Gentile Writes). the nazis. exploiters.” rent control was introduced, Because Max was well In addition to being an Thus in 1937 the Stepney but the East End suffered known as an orator, it is worth active trade unionist (a shop Tenants Defence League extensive bomb damage during quoting an extract from his steward for the Tailor and was formed and waged a the Blitz. However, there were written contribution: “What Garment Workers Union remarkable fight against inadequate bomb shelters in is true for me is true for all in one of the East End’s corrupt landlordism. this, arguably the worst-hit Jewish workers. We Jews largest factories), Max was Max lived (as did his future area in London. have the same enemies as an organiser in the tenants’ wife, Sarah) in a tenement In September 1940, our fellow citizens who are movement. building ironically named Brady Max and Phil Piratin led an gentiles … It was in unity that There were sporadic rent Street Mansions. In 1938 he occupation of the luxurious we defeated Mosley in 1936. strikes in Stepney from 1935. organised a famous rent strike deep bomb shelter at the It was in unity as tenants that The Communist Party decided there. Savoy Hotel in order to we won our victories over the to make housing a major focus Monty Goldman’s booba highlight the inequality of landlords … Before and during of its work locally, linking it to (grandmother) also lived in sacrifice — a clear case of “for this war bestial fascism has the fight against fascism. the “mansions.” Sixteen years the few but not the many.” committed the foulest crimes The party recognised that Max’s junior, his friend Monty This was a successful … All progressive people have latent anti-semitic tendencies (also an East Ender) was protest because, a few days been its especial victims, but persisted among poor, often brought up on stories of the later, Tube stations were our people have been done unemployed, rack-rented rent strike, which, he recounts, opened to provide better to death merely because they workers. greatly improved the trade of protection for working-class 13 OBITUARY

Londoners. winning 150 new Daily Worker He visited Ireland many Max served briefly in readers. This was not a one-off times. In 2002, when he the army during the war. His event. Max continued to sell was 87, he was invited to niece, Ruth Levitas, relates the paper, now the Morning Dublin to unveil a plaque the unwritten tale that he Star, everywhere he went well commemorating the Camden was dismissed from the army into his nineties. He regularly Street Synagogue and the during training as unfit for attended (travelling by public Tailors’ and Pressers’ Union military service (but not transport) meetings of his which was upstairs. dishonourably discharged), Hackney and Tower Hamlets His last trip to Ireland was after punching an officer for an Communist Party branch until a week-long trip with niece anti-semitic insult. Thereafter, he was 100 years old. Ruth and her husband Rob according to Stepney: A Before meetings he and shortly after his 100th birthday Borough to Be Proud Of, he I would often have a chat in in 2015. On that visit he was was a deputy senior fire guard. Yiddish over a cup of tea. In received by the mayor and The amazing mass his stentorian voice at our deputy mayor of Dublin. mobilisation led by Stepney meetings, he would tell us, On his 100th birthday held communists on the housing in a comradely way, what at the library (Idea Store) question and the anti- we should be doing to win in Whitechapel Road, Max fascism campaigns led to more members and more received many messages. stunning electoral victories. daily readers. His energy was He was particularly pleased In 1945 Piratin was elected as boundless. with the letter from Michael Communist MP for Mile End When asked how it was Higgins, the President of and in 1946, 10 Communists possible to remain so fit at Ireland who wrote: “To live were elected to Stepney such a great age, he said: “I go so long is a remarkable feat, Borough Council. to the gym twice a week, I go but to have lived such a full Seven of these were Jews, to the Turkish bath twice a and rich life in the service Max among them. He served week, and I walk everywhere.” of others is something as a councillor intermittently The “shvitz” bath was at truly worth celebrating. As for a total of 15 years. He York Hall — quite a walk President of Ireland, I want to and Solly Kay remained as from where Max lived. He Max was the mark this special occasion by councillors until 1971. also relaxed watching football. embodiment expressing the gratitude of the Max lived in the borough Unsurprisingly he was massive, of a glorious Irish people with you, and the now called Tower Hamlets life-long Spurs supporter wider Levitas family for the for the rest of his life where — the “Yiddos” team. He phase of [our] great contribution you have he remained active locally, attended games with his history — but made to the cause of liberty in especially on housing issues. son Stephen until tragically it does not Ireland, in Britain, in Spain and For 40 years Max lived on Stephen died of a brain internationally. You are truly a the third floor (no lift) of a haemorrhage in 2014. end with him citizen of the world Max, but council flat in Sidney Street. On his 100th birthday he we are proud to call you a son From there, aged 99, Max received a card and pennant of Ireland.” waged another battle when signed personally by every With Max’s death an he and all the other residents, member of the Spurs team. important page in British now “owners” of their flats, Although Max lived in Labour and Communist were faced with enormous London almost all his life, he history has been turned. Max repair bills. He refused to pay. still retained his Irish accent was the embodiment of a In 1947 the Stepney despite the fact that he was glorious phase of this history Party congratulated Max on only 12 when he left Dublin. — but it does not end with him. He always insisted that past battles have a contemporary political relevance. For him our history, the history of class struggle, was important, but only if we learn from it. We are the proud inheritors of that history. The only way to honour our inheritance, and Max’s contribution to it, is by continuing the struggle to which he devoted his life. His flag stayed red and so must ours. Professor Mary Davis is a member of the Communist Party.

14 49TH CONGRESS 49TH CONGRESS “THE SOVEREIGN BODY OF THE LEAGUE SHALL BE THE CONGRESS.” he Young Communist Conservative government McLelland, League held its 49th and deliver a People’s Holly Morcos, TNational Congress Brexit. Owain Holland, on Saturday 24 November Delegates warned that Johnnie Hunter, 2018 at Ruskin House, in Nato and US imperialism, Julio Romero, London. which is increasingly Gary Steele, The Congress saw reckless under Trump, Peter Ward- delegates from YCL remain the greatest Stoddart and branches across Britain threat to world peace. Robin Talbot. meet to discuss, debate and On the floor of Congress A fraternal agree on the organisation’s delegates agreed that the delegate from policies, priorities and unfolding climate crisis the Connolly strategies for the next two presented a threat to the Youth years. very existence of humanity Movement, For the majority of and directed the YCL to the YCL’s delegates this was their increase campaigning on sister first time attending a environmental matters. Communist YCL Congress with many Resolutions were passed youth branches only having been committing the YCL to organisation established in the last increase its involvement in in Ireland, two years. YCL outgoing the student and trade union brought A JOB TO DO: the newly general secretary Owain movements. A resolution solidarity elected YCL Executive Holland stated “this reflects calling for increased greetings Committee the reality that we are a representation of women and, in growing and increasingly in the YCL and campaigning addressing active militant organisation.” on women’s issues was Congress, thanked the YCL Key points of discussion unanimously approved. for its longstanding support included Tory government Congress also elected a for Irish unification. great experience and austerity and Brexit. new executive committee Gary Steele, a member there was excellent debate Delegates noted that the to carry out its decisions of the newly elected between delegates. I’m two were intrinsically linked over the next two years. executive committee looking forward to two and vowed to redouble The newly elected attending Congress for the years of building the YCL.” their efforts to remove the committee includes: James first time said that “it was a

15 49TH CONGRESS GREETINGS TO THE 49TH CONGRESS OF THE YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE Address by JOHNNIE HUNTER, outgoing Chair of the Young Communist League, to the 49th Congress of the Young Communist League of Britain

ear comrades, education and real jobs. A third of children in this country D It brings me great grow up in poverty. pleasure to welcome you to We must be clear that this, the 49th Congress of the these cuts are not simply an Young Communist League of attack on working people Britain. with no clear purpose or We meet at a crucial direction. This is a calculated juncture in the struggle for the and ideologically motivated League, for the Party and for enterprise intended to the British working class. facilitate the transfer of wealth For almost a decade from working people and successive Tory Governments the poorest in Britain to the have inflicted misery upon wealthy. working people in Britain. And it has worked Every delegate here will comrades. The wealth of the know the impact vicious cuts richest 1,000 families has more have had in our campuses than double since the 2008 and communities across the financial crisis to over £547 country. Billion. More than 40% of the Recent comments from a poorest households in Britain. special UN reporter assigned This is a trend which has to investigate extreme poverty been replicated across the and human rights in Britain European Union. Austerity has noted that Cameron and May’s been used as a smokescreen JOHNNIE HUNTER Governments have inflicted to rob vast amounts of wealth “great misery” on working from workers across the people. continent. ground for the far right and we NATO remains the The UN expert concluded This has been carried out have seen fascism rear its ugly greatest threat to world that austerity policies by social democratic parties head in Europe, most tragically peace. In our lifetimes alone have been “punitive, mean- and avowedly neoliberal in many of the former socialist it has killed millions, devasted spirited, and often callous” in parties alike. At all levels the countries. In Ukraine, the entire countries and produced nature and - far from being policies of austerity have UK-EU-US-NATO have used tens of millions of refugees. economic necessity as we been rigorously enforced and neo-Nazis to advance their US imperialism, the leading are so often told – they have advocated by the European geopolitical goals and in force in NATO, has become been driven by a political Union and the unelected their struggle against Russian increasingly reckless under desire to undertake social European Commission. imperialism. The result has President Trump. re-engineering. In this context This bankruptcy of been tragedy for the people Trump represents the the youth of Britain face a neoliberalism and social of Ukraine and repression and worst of US reaction but far grim future. A future without democracy across the violence against the country’s from being an aberration, access to government support, continent has proved a fertile Communists. a blip, he is the logical 16 49TH CONGRESS

ON THE MARCH: there has been two years of growth and recruitment for the League since our 48th Congress in 2016 conclusion of political system lifeblood of our organisation and their servants in the principle of Democratic dominated by finance capital. cannot be overstated. Our interests of finance capital. A Centralism. Without In their determination to constitution provides that: country where the voice of democracy this is nothing stem Russian Imperialism and “The Sovereign Body the youth, working people and more than bureaucratic undermine Socialist China of the League shall be the our communities is drowned domination. their US military complex Congress.” and smothered by greed and It is the duty of this is prepared to risk nuclear As Communists we are the power that money can so Congress, constituted by you, annihilation. democrats in the fullest easily by. the delegates of our branches But, hard though it may sense of the word. Indeed All of this we have set from up and down the country be to conceive, in our time we have all been lead here, ourselves the task of doing to decide the policies and humanity faces an even more to our membership of the away with and ushering a priorities of the League for pressing threat. Capitalism Young Communist League, new era of working class the next two years. This is no has proven itself unable and to our participation in this state power and real people’s small task in current chaotic unwilling to prevent climate Congress, to a lifetime of democracy based in our domestic and international change and global warming. dedication to the class struggle communities, work places, situation. As delegates you We stand on the precipice by a fundamental belief in schools, universities and should not underestimate not of a climate disaster which democracy. colleges. only the difficulty but also the could render our planet We believe in a truly In this struggle we must fundamental importance of the uninhabitable to human life. democratic society. A society embody and exemplify task before us. If the capitalist class forces controlled by working people. the ideals of working class As the proud chair of human society to continue A society which operates democracy which we fight to this organisation I appreciate on its present path then the not only in the interests of make a reality. Within our own better than most the human story will end on this the working class in Britain organisation, within the League straits that the Communist planet almost as soon as it but also our planet and all we must foster the democratic movement, the Party and the started. humanity. ambitions of our class. Our YCL find themselves in at this This then comrades is the We reject the deception own organisation must stand crucial hour. Our numbers context in which our 49th and cleverly constructed as a beacon, popular and remain pitifully small. Our level Congress meets today. The edifice that is bourgeois incorruptible. of organisation and the effect stakes for our class and for democracy in Britain in 2018. This is the context in of our agitation are at best a humanity could not be higher. A democracy in name only which our Congress is so thorn in the side of the British The importance of the where all political power is essential. We organise on Capitalist class. Nowhere near Congress to the democratic wielded by bankers, financiers according to the Leninist sufficient to meet the task 17 49TH CONGRESS which history has laid before Before time runs out. Before compared with the power of League. Do not doubt for a us. Nothing less than the capitalism poisons the earth. social democracy. single second the importance dismantling of the dictatorship In this setting I would Does this make us of this Congress. Do not of capital and big business ask that no delegate resile from the task at doubt for a single second the and the construction of the underestimate the significance hand? Does this make us importance of your role in it. socialist system. Nowhere near of our Congress or their role accept the limitations of In closing comrades I enough to fulfil our duty to in it. True our organisation is social democracy? As young would reiterate the concluding the class. small but it is growing. Day communists we say no. Not words of the Executive But this is no reason to by day. Member by member. for a day. Not for a minute. The Committee’s Political despair. And we as the young Branch by branch. From the daunting power of the British Resolution! communists do not. Not even acorn comes the oak. From a State has to be smashed and Comrades for a single second. Instead we dedicated and well organised will be smashed. In doing so “We are part of a truly brim with hope and optimism. cadre of young communists we will usher in a victory global political movement and I’m sure that this Congress is the kernel of a mass not just for working people tradition. For the first time would join me in noting that it movement. in Britain but oppressed since the defeats beginning is impossible to be a member Comrades, here in Britain peoples everywhere. Far from in the 1980s before many of of our organisation in the we face an especially hard task. deterring us, the difficulty of our member were even born, absence of both these feelings. Britain remains one of the our task and the importance momentum is shifting back to As communists we have major poles of imperialism. of our task spurs us on to the socialist camp. Across the hope. Hope in the very best Our country plays a pivotal greater dedication to the planet Communists are on the of what makes us human. We role in maintaining the chains struggle. We know that a march. In our hands and in our have optimism. Optimism of the imperialist system. decisive blow for the workers hearts is the birth of a new that society can advance to Historically the Communist of Britain is a mortal blow world based on cooperation socialism before its too late. movement has been small against global imperialism. and human freedom. We proudly raise the Communism is the youth of banner of Communism in the world! Congress demands Britain to a new generation of that no member of the League youth. Only the Communists shrink from their duty to our offer a genuine explanation class and to humanity!” of the chaos of the current Comrades, we have a system and how this can be generation to win to our resolved to offer a future in cause! the interests of the working Comrades, we have Britain class and of humanity. More to win for future generations! and more working class youth Comrades we have a world will join the League if we to win! remain clear in our direction Long live the international and militant in our stance. Communist youth! The next two years will be Peace, jobs and socialism! pivotal not only in rebuilding Solidarity forever! our organisation but in fighting for our class. This Congress is entrusted with determining Johnnie Hunter is how we will fulfil our the outgoing Chair of historically essential role. the Young Communist Do not doubt for a single League. second the importance of the

18 49TH CONGRESS CLOSING ADDRESS TO THE 49TH CONGRESS OF THE YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE Address by ROBIN TALBOT, outgoing member Young Communist League Execuitve Committee, to the 49th Congress of the Young Communist League of Britain

hen Lenin summed Marx and Engels, the whole up the tasks of the world has a concrete basis, WYoung Communist of action and reaction, which League in 1920, he summed it can be understood and even up with one essential task: to predicted. learn. To learn Communism. More importantly, When I first read this the theory of dialectical several years ago, I thought it materialism shows that, if was a rhetorical or general the whole world can be statement, or I didn’t fully understood, then the whole get the gist of it. Now that world can be manipulated. I have been a Communist One person can manipulate for a few years, I understand the world in a small way at that what he meant was that home, at work, as an excellent the essential task of Young doctor who saves lives or a Communists is to learn how teacher who inspires his or to be a Communist. her students to do great things A new person for a new for society when they are society, Socialism led by older. Communists who fight for the Many more people, who working people, Communism act in an organised and built by Communists and the disciplined manner, where they working people - who now discuss and pick and choose fight for nothing, because how to change the world, can exploitation of one person by change the world in a big way. another is eliminated and food, work, shelter and a decent life That is why Lenin and are available to all. the Bolsheviks invented ROBIN TALBOT This new person who democratic centralism and must lead society forwards the basis for the modern The Bolsheviks showed landowners and the Russian to a better future must be Communist Party that is our that workers and peasants Tsar, just over 100 years ago. trained in the School of proud heritage, and what we from throughout the Russian The Young Communist Communism, Marxist-Leninist, are doing at this congress. Empire who were being League in 21st century scientific socialist theory and This is where all our thrown into machine guns Britain must learn the same organisation. members and branches and bled dry for their work lessons in their own School of What does this mean? discuss, decide, bring together, and their grain, in the name Communism. It means that each and make the policies and of King and Country, could How do we do that? Young Communist must actions for the next two understand their conditions Every Young Communist understand that, according to years in a disciplined, friendly, and organise to overthrow the must do their part to learn the materialist philosophy of revolutionary manner. army, the factory owners, the and understand our conditions. 19 49TH CONGRESS

They must ask the questions murder and destruction. of capitalists and their such as how do we do that at With these ideas, machine. my school, how do we do that organisational abilities and You, comrades, must be the at my job, how do we do that proven successes, Communists next generation that graduates in my area? encourage, inspire, guide from this revolutionary school. If Marxism teaches you and lead the people towards You must build our movement, that the whole world can be victory over the capitalist wherever your interests lie, manipulated and changed by exploiters, warmongering and do whatever you can do, one individual, and changed and hatemongering scumbags and bring new inspiration far more by a collective of who get fat off the misery of and victories to the working individuals, then Marxism workers. people of Britain. also teaches you that every But most importantly of all We must all be leaders. individual can be directly the Young Communists train And then we must all responsible for change. more people in the School of be teachers of the next Young Communists must Communism. They train every generation of our movement, be the change that they young worker and student to with new and better want to see in the YCL, in understand the world. They knowledge of our situation the progressive movements train every young worker and organisational skills to in Britain, in the Labour and student to be their own pass on. movement in Britain, in the fighter and their own leader in That is Communism. society in Britain, and can a world that looks scary and That is co-operation, socialist do so if they learn how to out of control. They train the democracy, and the essence of be Communists and act like people to be the masters of the new world that we fight Communists. their own destiny. to create, which understanding Lenin said that Every Young Communist You must of the world tells us that we Communists are the vanguard must learn this. Every Young workers will create, where the of the working class. Not Communist must act like this. build our people united work together because they are Communists, Every Young Communist must movement, to create a world that they not by right or virtue of calling be the proud friend and ally can be proud of, that they pass themselves Communists, but to others who are suffering, wherever on to their children of a new because Communists have the the guiding hand, the organiser your interests world. ideas and the organisation that of the oppressed and the lie, and do That is our mission and take the interests of working resistant, winning people’s faith why we exist and we are people forwards against all in the words and actions of whatever you here today building our odds. the Communists. can do, and revolutionary organisation for In many countries in One community organiser, bring new the young people. just over 100 years winning one active trade unionist, one Capitalism has existed for a socialist revolutions that campaigner, one student union inspiration long time. Communism hasn’t. placed the working people in candidate makes a small but and victories It is time for young, fresh charge of their own lives for concrete difference. ideas to seize the hearts and the first time. One hundred organisers, to working minds of young people in Putting wellbeing, one hundred trade unionists, people Britain. cooperation, scientific one hundred campaigns With your commitment, achievement and human throws the spanner in the this is what we can and will progress at the top of the works of an evil machine win. agenda in governments for the chewing up people all over the For peace, jobs and first time, where before there country. socialism in our lifetime! was exploitation, oppression, One hundred thousand decline and the steady slide organised revolutionaries of human civilisation into war, overthrows the Government Robin Talbot is a member of the Executive Committee of the Young Communist League.

20 DEMOCRACY & DICTATORSHIP DEMOCRACY & DICTATORSHIP A MARXIST VIEW OF STATE POWER SASHA BRYDON discusses what Marxists mean by dictatorship, the nature of the state and democracy under capitalism and socialism

here is plenty thrown ‘dictatorship of the working system of oppression and will for the first time create around about how class’ are both inextricably exploitation of the working democracy for the people, Tunder capitalism we linked. Under the Marxist people.” - V. I. Lenin, ‘The for the majority, along with live in a democracy and if we analysis, the state - being Three Sources and Three the necessary suppression were to suddenly live under an organ of class rule - is Component Parts of Marxism’ of the exploiters, of the socialism we would be living in always maintained by one (1913) minority. Communism alone a dictatorship. But is this really class exercising its power is capable of providing really to be believed? and authority over another 2. Liberal democracy and complete democracy, and class. Under the slavery of the dictatorship of capital the more complete it is, “Think of some of the antiquity, it was the slave- the sooner it will become mining areas of South Wales, owning class, under feudalism “If we live under capitalism unnecessary and wither where a Labour candidate it was the feudal lords and we must live in a democracy!”, away of its own accord.” is not opposed by a Tory. kings, under capitalism it is the it is exclaimed, this of course - V. I. Lenin, ‘The State and Does this mean that there capitalists and under socialism disregards the fact that the Revolution’ (1917) is no democracy in that it will be a dictatorship of United States of America - a constituency? Or does it the working class. So even if country which prides itself To call capitalism mean that the overwhelming the government of the day on being democratic and democratic for anybody majority of the electorate is changes, the state continues to free - has spent the last 70 other than the capitalist so firm in its working-class exist, as such the dictatorship years suppressing movements class is to disregard the fact outlook that no Tory would of the class controlling the for democracy and socialism that it will always crush the have a chance?” - William state remains intact. all over the globe. From the working class if the power of Gallacher MP, ‘The Case for The ruling class of any national liberation struggles capital is challenged. In Chile, Communism’ (1949) nation will seek to suppress in Vietnam, Korea, Nicaragua when it elected a Marxist the class it is organising and many others. To toppling president (Allende) Chile 1. Democracy and dictatorship over, be it the who we would regard as began to nationalise its natural dictatorship capitalist class in socialist democratically elected leaders, resources and challenge the nations or the working class in Salvador Allende in Chile and power of both Chilean and First, we should capitalist nations. They do this Patrice Lumumba in the D.R. foreign capital. Allende was examine what is meant by through the different organs Congo among others. If the then toppled and replaced by democracy and dictatorship. of state power, the umbrella United States, a capitalistic the fascist Augusto Pinochet, A democracy, it is said, is a: organ being the government liberal-democracy, cared about who began murdering and “a system of government and legislatures, with the press, democracy, why would it do disappearing Chilean socialists by the whole population standing army, police and so such things? To defend finance and progressives. Not very or all the eligible members on. These organs of state exist capital at all costs. The wishes ‘democratic’ of them. of a state, typically through under capitalism as well as of the people be damned. Can we dismantle elected representatives.” A socialism, what matters is who capitalism through elections dictatorship on the other hand controls said organs of state. “And so, in capitalist and the ballot box? No. We is defined as: “government by a society we have a can restrict it however, but dictator.” “When feudalism was democracy that is curtailed, it will always remain. Under In Marx’s time, dictatorship overthrown, and “free” wretched, false, a democracy capitalism we have nothing was a scientific term denoting capitalist society appeared only for the rich, for the more than faux democracy, control of the state. From in the world, it at once minority. The dictatorship of a democracy where we can a Communist perspective, became apparent that the proletariat, the period change the government of true democracy and the this freedom meant a new of transition to communism, the day in elections every few 21 DEMOCRACY & DICTATORSHIP years, but the power of the capitalist remains. Often the representatives that are voted in regardless either directly uphold capital or indirectly uphold capital. Take the government of the United States of America for example. Both parties, the Democrats and Republicans, may be divided on domestic social issues, however they are indissolubly united in both their defence of capital and defence of the international imperialist interests of the United States.

“The United States is a one-party state, but REAL DEMOCRACY: the National Assembly of with typical American People’s Power in Cuba extravagance, they have two of them.” - Julius Nyerere, first president of Tanzania aligned with Nazi Germany, then morphed into a public campaign during elections China was under both the platform for proposing policy • A minimum of two 3. Socialism and people’s Kuomintang nationalists and and changing the direction of and maximum of eight democracy Japanese imperial domination, the country, under democratic candidates may stand in Korea was under Japanese debate and uniting around a each ward election Socialism is concerned imperialism, Vietnam, Laos and decision. about extending democracy Algeria were French colonies, Take Cuba for example. The new socialist countries to the working class and Angola and Mozambique were Elections to Cuba’s National constructed on top of the restricting the democracy and Portuguese colonies, Cuba was Assembly take place every five wreckage of the old order, power of the capitalist class as under the US-backed tyrant years and elections to regional created new democratic much as is deemed possible Batista. If these countries were Municipal Assemblies every structures to meet the needs and necessary at a certain not democracies how could 2.5 years. Delegates to the of the people. Workers period. The socialist states that we restore democracy to National Assembly then elect councils, direct democracy in arose, with some still existing, them? the Council of State which multiple forms, the ability for have been and are derided as In all these countries after in turn appoints the Council workers to participate more totalitarian and dictatorial by either the autocracies or of Ministers from which the and more in the activity of the the very capitalist class whose imperialist yoke was thrown President is elected. As of 2018 party, none of this is bad? repression was necessary to off, these countries, liberated there is a term limit of no build socialism. Is that any and under new leadership, more than two five-year terms “The alternatives before surprise? began on a new road toward for all senior elected positions, us today are not democracy a brighter future for the including the President. and dictatorship. They “In the democratic international working class. All are bourgeois democracy countries of east Europe, of these countries were then The nomination process and socialist democracy. they give no scope to the placed under a constant state in Cuba aims to ensure that The dictatorship of the enemies of the people, of siege by the international elected candidates are rooted proletariat is democracy and their nationalised capitalist class seeking to in and supported by the local in a socialist sense.” - Rosa industries have workers’ resist the ever-turning wheel community: Luxemburg participation at every of history and hold back the • Nominations take place stage, from top to bottom. further development of the at community meetings Socialism is liberation. That’s the Communist human race. where residents select Socialism is for all of us, and idea of democracy, a new If you have one party in candidates by a show of represents a step forward and far better type of government which operates hands in achieving a higher form of democracy than the slow, in the direct interests of the • Anybody can be democracy for the working dragging, Parliamentary working class, any party which nominated to be a class. sham of fighting that goes stands in opposition to the candidate. It is not on in this country.” - William party of the working class, a requirement to Sasha Brydon Gallacher MP, ‘The Case for obviously must not operate be a member of the is a member of the Communism’ (1949) in the direct interests of the Communist Party Aberdeen Branch of working class and seeks to • Candidates’ biographies the Young Communist Western politicians talk restore the power of the old are then displayed on League. about “restoring democracy” order, and as such must be community notice boards in the socialist countries. But restricted from operating. before the elections what “democracy” was there This is not something which • No money can be spent before the communists seized is an issue, it is something promoting candidates power? Russia was under a which should be supported. and no political parties Tsarist autocracy, Eastern If we have one party in (including the Communist Europe were fascist states government, that one party is Party) are permitted to 22 MARXISM & INTERSECTIONALITY

BENN LUNN provides a Marxist critique of intersectionality and discusses an understanding of oppression & discrimination from a class perspective

ince the evolution of misogyny in the workplace, assertions about my mental the root cause of societal neoliberalism, personal POC suffer from racism in health quite to the same problems as well as other Sidentity has become the workplace – therefore the degree as others. It is based in materialistic manifestations a much larger proponent workplace needs to change its truth. But ultimately truth is of these problems. If we take of ideology. It became behaviour to become more only part of the battle, if the race as an example, in Britain popularised by Thatcher’s open. It can also be used battle at all. As we have seen anti-Slav sentiment is huge due There is no society only to identify more nuanced with political correctness, as to UKIP’s constant assertions individuals and has been understandings of individual well meaning people policed that Poles/Bulgarians/Czech/ used as a rallying cry against struggle i.e. someone who is it so heavily reactionaries Slovak people are stealing trade unionism, collective Romani, Disabled, Queer, and were able to poison it into all the jobs. So under organisation, and arguably Female suffers multiple forms becoming synonymous intersectional thinking, a Polish simple decency. Obviously the of oppression which either with censorship or ‘Anti- woman faces huge amounts whole of the Western world each impact slightly differently white Racism’. Also what of pressure in society because has not turned into individually or amass into a larger bout of good is saying the correct of being a woman and being obsessed conservatives oppression. terminology if institutions are Polish. However if the same pursuing their own capital Just like political still racist, misogynistic, ableist, Polish woman went to the interests, so a liberal counter correctness, intersectionality homophobic, transphobic US or Canada, the racist had to develop to attempt to has good intentions at heart. and so on. The emergence of sentiment disappears, not challenge this; or in the very It accepts that every single the Alt-right shows us, hiding because the US or Canada least, make it slightly friendlier. person faces various forms of behind correct terminology is some non-racist utopia, Intersectionality has oppression within our culture, merely masks the intent, thus but because the significance evolved to take up that mantle. and that this oppression is allowing the fascists to be of being Polish diminishes as For those outside of university unique to each person. As vague as to avert attention issues of race within North circles, creative industries, a disabled person there are and make the left look like the America pinpoints on skin or vague left wing Facebook elements of life that I struggle real danger as they obsessively colour, so our Polish woman pages, Intersectionality is a with, but being a white call out racism. would simply be a white term to describe activism male doctors do not What woman, so in theory is less based on similar question my intersectionality oppressed. If we followed this struggles i.e. ultimately lacks thinking to an absurd level, if women suffer is identification we kept shuffling people about from of in this manner we could in theory

23 MARXISM & INTERSECTIONALITY

rights is a journey more than LGBTQIA+ community to be a singular event that ‘fixes the who they are and to love who problem of racism’. As we they love – we Communists saw white people in America show solidarity as our strength responded to the first Black comes from unity. president by electing one of To conclude, in reality I do the most rabid dogs the right not have much of a problem could muster. with intersectionality due Beyond the historical to its good intentions and failings, intersectionality fails genuine sincerity to fight solve all the world’s problems being cattle to a possible to truly engage with the root for what is right but like without addressing the fact threat to their livelihood. The cause of the problem. As Democratic-Socialists they that racism exists, but merely effects of segregation are still Marxists we know capitalism fail to see that equality and move the people away from felt today, as people are still and imperialism are the fairness simply cannot be the racism. alive who lived through it, and sources of this oppression, won under capitalism. In This lack of material in reality the apparatus built as all the various oppressors our future peoples’ utopia, awareness starts to highlight has not been demolished, so are granted their power Intersectionality will be an the flaws in intersectionality. ‘Black Neighbourhoods’ still by the state and by capital. amazing tool as then we will Mostly due to being the exist, worse credit ratings, Intersectionality is correct be in a situation to ponder and product of academic study and higher incarceration rates. in highlighting all elements address each specific problem research, it itself is rooted in Intersectional thinking would of society are oppressed one by one. But until then, a certain layer of privilege and highlight how wrong these differently, however instead intersectionality, like political protection, which ultimately circumstances are, however, it of highlighting nuanced correctness is very fine icing shelters it from needing to would struggle to truly analyse oppression but mustered on a cake we have yet to bake, assess these wider problems. the situation well, namely in each other highlighting and when the capitalist class It also fails to include the some cases African-Americans their problems and uniting has all the cake, who really historical circumstances were treated better as slaves together because they are gets the enjoy the icing? too, namely oppression of because animal rights in the our kin not just because they certain groups has changed US has far exceeded the ‘suffer uniquely’ real societal Ben Lunn is a over time. If we take African- rights of ethnic minorities, change could occur. Equality member of the Glasgow Americans as our example, and the cruellest problem can never occur for just Branch of the Young up until the end of the Civil being lynching only began to one group, it is equality for Communist League. War, African-Americans gain momentum after the all or it is equality for none. were treated like cattle, not slaves were emancipated, As Communists we have a human, but where cared for so one form of oppression strong history of accepting like cattle as their owners was replaced with another. A each community knows their needed them to survive to Marxist understanding shows struggle the best and how to be productive. After that, us, oppression goes through address particular issues they segregation started to become stages, from feudalism to face, and we show solidarity implemented, which saw a capitalism to socialism, and so with that – be it picketing rise in anti-black sentiment we can begin to understand against racist thugs, fighting because they changed from the fight for African-American for disabled rights, defending

24 BOOK@BEDTIME Book@Bedtime In a new book reviewed by KENNY COYLE, Chile’s Communist Party critically assesses the 1970 - 73 Allende government of Popular Unity

On the morning of September 11 1973, British-made Hawker Hunter jets bombed La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago, Chile. Hours later, Chile’s elected head of state President 1,000 Days of Revolution Salvador Allende was dead. Communist Party of Chile Soldiers raided working-class districts across the country rounding up left-wing activists. Around 40,000 were incarcerated in Chile’s National Stadium, awaiting interrogation. Many faced torture and imprisonment, others execution. Hundreds of other militants simply “disappeared.” Allende’s government of Popular Unity was replaced by a military junta headed by General Augusto Pinochet. The experience of Popular Unity and its dramatic and bloody end is dealt with in a new book from Praxis Press, 1000 Days of Revolution. This book contains nine chapters, each one written by a prominent Chilean communist as part of their party’s attempt to self-critically analyse the weaknesses of Popular Unity. These articles were originally published in the Prague-based World Marxist Review and subsequently published as a book in 1978. The Chilean experience was a sustained attempt to advance to socialism through a non-armed strategy based on a constitutionally elected government. Popular Unity’s failure has often been taken by its leftist critics as definitive proof of the impossibility of any such path. Other commentators from the then powerful Eurocommunist current drew opposite conclusions, stressing instead the need for a purely “democratic road” to socialism, one that would seek compromise and consensus between mass political forces and traditions rather than through the intensification of class conflict. The conclusions reached in this volume reject both these extremes. Specifically, they stress the confirmation of two fundamental insights of Marxism. First, that the left cannot simply take over the existing machinery of government and the state from the existing ruling class and use it for different ends. Second that no successful revolutionary movement can succeed unless it can consolidate and maintain a political majority in society. Leftist critics of Popular Unity tend to emphasise the first factor, reformist critics the second. In reality, they are complementary elements and are fused within all revolutionary processes. Popular Unity’s defeat was due to the failure to resolve these questions. Key economic changes by Popular Unity, above all the nationalisation of the copper industry, sent shock waves to Wall left for a reactionary rising, let alone for its success.” Street and the White House, where they feared that the Chilean The creation of Popular Unity was a remarkable achievement, experiment would be repeated elsewhere unless it was stopped bringing together Marxists, radicals, secularists and Christians. — at any cost. However, as Gladys Marin points out in her chapter, “one of the Starting with just 36 per cent of the vote in the 1970 main problems of the Chilean revolutionary process was that no presidential elections, Popular Unity faced constant challenges to solid and homogeneous revolutionary leadership was brought create and sustain a political majority. into being.” This was not an arithmetical challenge but a political one, as The unity of the Communist and Socialist parties was communist theoretician Volodia Teitelboim stressed. more highly advanced and longer established than in most “We have said that the peaceful path is practicable only if other countries. Nonetheless differences of emphasis, pace and the idea of the revolution wins the minds of the majority of the direction emerged, sometimes these were successfully resolved people and prompts it to act. When the forces favouring change but at other times they became a source of friction. have achieved overwhelming superiority no opportunities are The nature of the Chilean revolutionary process itself was 25 BOOK@BEDTIME debated While many in the Socialist Party and other left groups saw Chile as undergoing a fully socialist revolution, the Chilean communists categorised the initial stage of the revolution as being national democratic. This meant that, to begin with, revolutionary measures should be directed not against private property in general but focused instead on foreign imperialism and the domestic oligarchy, whose monopolistic exploitation of the economy set them not only against the working class and peasantry but also against the middle strata and even sections of the smaller bourgeoisie. Efforts had to be made to COUP D’ETAT: Allende’s Popular Unity government either win these forces or at was overthrown by a bloody US back military revolt least to neutralise them. The Christian Democrats took over a quarter of the was essential to democratise decisively towards military 1970-73 as illustrating every votes (28 per cent) in the every field of activity, to action. possible challenge that left 1970 presidential poll and carry out far-reaching In the view of Teitelboim, governments will automatically were influential among these democratisation measures in “ ‘Peaceful transition’ is a face from the right. middle strata. They retained economic management, extend correct term only in so There are nonetheless significant working-class democracy to the judiciary and far as it rules out civil war, sufficient common features to influence, with just over a the control machinery, achieve but because of the many encourage today’s generation quarter of the total votes a balance of forces in favour of vicissitudes, it cannot bypass of activists to study the past. cast in the main trade union democracy among the military the law which says that 1000 Days of Revolution sets federation in 1972, but its and bring the administrative violence is the ‘midwife’ of out to do that. leadership also had close ties system into line with genuinely history. to big business. democratic standards. “We should have always Kenny Koyle is The vacillation of the “We stopped halfway borne this in mind, should a member of the middle strata is also illustrated in this respect. The Popular have remembered that the Communist Party. by the fact that two successive Unity government failed to very act of changing path left splits from the Christian establish effective democracy presupposes ‘changing horses’ 1000 Days of Revolution: Democrats, MAPU in 1969 in decisive fields. Its gains, and continuing our advance.” Chilean Communists on the and the Christian Left in 1972, while impressive and highly The downfall of Popular Lessons of Popular Unity entered Popular Unity. noteworthy, were clearly Unity was first and foremost 1970-73, can be pre-ordered Travelling in the opposite inadequate.” a political defeat, the later by Morning Star readers at the direction, the Radical Party In Washington, the “40 military blows came only once special price of £10 including suffered right-wing splits to Committee,” US president the political atmosphere had post and packing (Britain and the opposition. Richard Nixon, national been created that allowed the Ireland only) from Unity Books, Initially, the Christian security adviser Henry coup to succeed. 72 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, Democrats confirmed Kissinger, CIA representatives Communist Party of G2 7DA. Bulk order and other Salvador Allende’s presidency and others, met to discuss US Chile general secretary Luis enquiries to praxispress@ and supported the interference in Chile. Corvalan remarked: “Since me.com nationalisation of the copper Pedro Rodriguez notes: 1963 the party had been industry. However, by 1973, “In Chile, imperialism did giving its members military the Christian Democratic its utmost to destabilise training and making efforts leadership had allied with the the popular government. to acquire enough arms far-right National Party. Economically it resorted to to defend the government Despite mounting a financial and technological that we were confident the difficulties, the March 1973 blockade. With the help people would set up, but this parliamentary elections saw of Chile’s financial clans it was not enough, because Popular Unity win 44 per mounted desperate opposition our activity in this direction cent of the vote, preventing inside the country, boycotting was not accompanied by the the right-centre bloc winning production, leaking currency main thing, namely persistent the two-thirds parliamentary abroad and speculating in and sustained propaganda to majority needed to oust capital.” give the popular movement Allende. Once electoral defeat of a correct attitude to the Orlando Millas writes: Popular Unity had proved military.” “At a time when we had impossible, the counter- It would be wrong to won power only in part, it revolutionary forces turned take Chile’s experience in 26 BOOK@BEDTIME MARY DAVIS recommends a classic biography of socialist and feminist pioneer Eleanor Marx

his single volume new Kapp describes the second edition of Yvonne Kapp’s period of Eleanor’s life as Tbiography of Eleanor “the crowded years.” She was Marx, first published over engaged in a frenetic wave of 40 years ago, was deservedly political activity, all underlined highly acclaimed at the time. EJ by her socialist feminism, Hobsbawm praised it as “one and reviewed August Bebel’s of the few unquestionable book Women and Socialism masterpieces of 20th century (1879) for Commonweal, biography” and Michael Foot the paper of the Socialist described it as “a work of League. Her own pamphlet, scholarship but also a work of The Woman Question, was art.” groundbreaking for the time. Those accolades and Her theme in it was that “we many others remain as true must seek the real cause on today as when the first two women’s enslaved position in volumes were published and her economic dependence the new edition, coming in at upon man and that her more than 850 pages, reveals ‘emancipation’ means nothing Kapp’s meticulous scholarship, but economic freedom.” historical intelligence and In her activity in the sensitive insight, bounded socialist and trade union Pictured: Eleanor Marx 1855 - 1898 by flawless prose, for a new movement she was confronted readership. with commonplace sexism, There are uncanny parallels which particularly revealed between the lives of Marx and itself by the hostility shown Eleanor Marx: A Biography her biographer. Both were by male trade unionists to by Yvonne Kapp born into German Jewish the demand for equal pay families. Both were linguists for women. For them it Hefin Wyn (Verso, £21) and translators. Both were undermined what they saw as feminists and worked with and “the family wage” paid to the for trade unions. But, above all, male “breadwinner.” both were Marxist socialists. Family life and important Kapp was a member of insights into Marx’s work are the Communist Party for revealed in the first half of the over 60 years, while Marx book. Of the three daughters was a member of the pre- of Karl Marx, Eleanor (“Tussy”) communist Socialist League was the undoubted favourite until her untimely death aged and the most active politically, 43. Significantly, Kapp also with Laura and Jenny both wrote a book about the birth marrying Frenchmen and living of new unionism in 1889. The in France. Marx entrusted his Air of Freedom (1989) was papers to Eleanor and, on his an important development death in 1883, she and Engels in British trade union history, preserved, translated and in which Marx played an published as much as possible. important role, resulting in the Clearly, Eleanor was a Marxist rapid growth of trade unions in theory and in practice. among unskilled and semi- In her memoir Time Will skilled workers. Tell, Yvonne Kapp reveals Marx was particularly that “the writing of Eleanor involved in the birth and Marx, which drew in one way growth of the National Union or another upon my whole of Gasworkers and General accumulated experience, left Labourers in 1889 and worked me wonderfully enriched.” It is alongside its general secretary to be hoped that today those Will Thorne. They became who read her Eleanor Marx firm friends, with Thorne will be similarly enriched and acknowledging her as his inspired. mentor and he was one of the few among close friends Professor Mary Davis and family who attended her is a member of the funeral in 1898. Communist Party. 27 BACK2BASICS Back 2 Basics Part Two: Dialectics

Back2Basics is a regular feature in Challenge, an ongoing series of articles of Marxist Concepts made easy.

very scientific investigation must have Ea method. The choice of method will affect the whole course of the investigation and it is important to base your method on the reality of the situation you are studying. The method used by Marxists in studying the world around them is Dialectical-Materialism. The materialists of the eighteenth century were heavily influenced by the major scientific advances of their era. These were primarily in the mechanical and chemical sciences. The biological sciences were only examined and explained in terms of mechanical causes. The other major defect of scientific thought at the time was that, except for mechanical interactions, it studied the world as a collection of static the origin and development within the essence of things” deep within is the beginnings objects taken apart from their of these things and of the (Lenin). The world is made of a new tree which, in time, interconnections. Both of inter-connection which binds up of matter in motion. All will devour the nutrients these problems were reflected all these natural processes into matter from the most complex that make up the rest of the in the materialism of the time. one great whole.” Dialectical right down to the smallest seed. Thus the tree from the This was inevitable in Materialism is the reflection, sub-atomic particle known seed negates the seed itself, the course of scientific in philosophy, of this scientific today, is in motion. This has resolving the contradiction. development. In the words revolution and its first premise been shown to be the case by There are several general of Engels, “it was necessary is that all things must be rigorous scientific investigation. rules which govern the to examine things before studied in the context of Indeed matter without motion development of contradictions it was possible to examine their interconnections and is as inconceivable as motion in nature. It must be the processes. One first had interdependencies. without matter. emphasised that these are to know what a particular The term dialectics was Similarly, all matter contains very general rules which thing was before one could used by the Ancient Greeks contradictory sides which pick out important features observe the changes going to refer to a style of debating make up its unity. It is the of dialectical development. on in connection with it in which a philosopher would development and balance of They are true because they -natural science up to the expose the contradictions in forces in these contradictions occur in the natural world, end of the last century was an opponent’s argument then which drive forward its not vice-versa. G.W.F. Hegel, predominantly a collecting overcome them. Dialectics motion. Take, for example, a the first philosopher to science, science of finished in the sense in which it is seed from a tree. The seed, recognise these rules, made things, in our century it is used by Marxists today has a from the very beginning the mistake, upon finding them essentially a classifying science, slightly wider definition. It is of its existence, contains a at work in the human mind, of a science of the processes, of the “study of the contradiction contradiction. Somewhere assuming that they were laws 28 BACK2BASICS of thought and that, where nature could be explained dialectically, it was conforming to these intellectual laws. He thus failed to recognize that the laws which govern our thought processes are merely reflections of the laws at work in nature. The first is that quantitative changes can lead to qualitative changes and vice-versa. Small, imperceptible changes in quantity can lead to fundamental changes in the nature of things. Consider the periodic table of elements. All are made up of protons, neutrons and electrons. A simple change in the number of one of these sub-atomic particles could completely change the substance. Similar1y, a quantitative change in the temperature of an amount of water can change it from a solid, to a liquid, to a gas and back again. This pattern is repeated in many natural and social processes. The next rule concerns negation. Traditionally, when we think of something being negated, we consider it as the end of a process. However, dialectically, every end is a beginning. When a contradiction is resolved by the negation of one part by the other, the negating part carries within it its own negation, the beginnings of a new contradiction. This is what is referred to as the negation of the negation. This is not simply a return to the original phase but a progression to something higher, which may contain elements of both the original and its negation but which is entirely new in essence. Armed with Dialectical Materialism as a growing, living analytical tool, we can study the world around us and, in doing so, inform our Classical German Philosophy. warned: Hegel is a notoriously to keep up a running criticism of revolutionary theory and If you’re using Comforth’s difficult author (Marx referred to his anti-materialism (his dialectic practice. introduction to Marxist thought, the “grotesque craggy melody” of is “standing on its head”. Marx) Further reading.: Neither then the section on dialectics is his writing), and this is book is in otherwise you’ll get into all Marx, Engels nor Lenin wrote the second half of volume one places very obscure. The situation kinds of problems. Arguably at a book which could serve as a (Materialism and the Dialectical is made worse by the fact that the other end of the spectrum, “beginners’ guide to dialectics”. Method). Or if you want to see it’s very hard to translate Hegels Stalin’s essay Dialectical and But most of the works listed where it all started, you could terminology into English without Historical Materialism is pretty under materialism in the previous try Hegel: he gives a reasonably producing something so far from straightforward but has been could be of use, including Marx concise explanation of his (non- natural English that you might accused of oversimplifying things. and Engels’s The German materialist) dialectic in Logic as well learn German. And even Ideology and Engels’s Ludwig (volume one of his Encyclopaedia once you do work out what Feuerbach and the End of of Philosophical Sciences). But be Hegel is getting at, you’ll still need 29 YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE What we stand for The Young Communist League is...

...Communist ...The youth wing of the Communist Party We work to abolish capitalism and establish a socialist society based on The YCL aims to build support among young people for the Communist common ownership and democratic control, drawing on the ideas of Marx, Party’s programme, Britain’s Road to Socialism and to increase young Engels, Lenin and others, as well as on the experience of socialist countries people’s involvement in politics. The YCL is autonomous and decides its since 1917. In the context of this struggle we seek to defend and strengthen own activities and priorities. public services, the welfare state and the NHS. We believe that everyone has the right to free and inclusive secular education including access to nursery care, schools, universities, community colleges and adult education centres. ...Democratic The struggle for socialism must go hand in hand with the struggle to protect the environment, which is wilfully damaged by trans-national corporations and Policies are formulated by a Congress which must be held at least once capitalist governments in the drive for short-term profits. every two years, and are carried out by an elected Executive Commit- tee. The YCL also fights to defend and strengthen democratic rights. It rejects unfair discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, sexuality or ...Part of an international movement religious or other belief. It calls for the abolition of the monarchy and the House of Lords and regards the European Union as an undemocrat- The YCL has been a member organisation of the World Federation of ic and reactionary institution which serves the interests of big business Democratic Youth since its foundation in 1945. WFDY represents millions of rather than those of Europe’s working people. progressive anti-imperialist youth in more than 100 countries. We campaign in solidarity with sister Communist Youth organisations around the World and defend existing socialist countries. We fully support the right to self determi- ...Centralised nation and oppose any attempt by imperialist countries & forces such as Brit- ain, the USA and the EU to impose their will on the peoples of the world or Democratically taken decisions are carried out across the organisation, to exploit and control the world’s resources and markets for capitalist profit. although local YCL groups decide how best to implement them in their We call for unilateral, immediate and unconditional nuclear disarmament. own areas. ...Revolutionary

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