DOCSLIB.ORG

Marxism Today, September, 1977 257

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Marxism Today, September, 1977 257 MARXISM TODAY, SEPTEMBER, 1977 257 Editorial Comments TWENTY YEARS OF "MARXISM TODAY" WITH this September Marxism Today we THE SPREAD OF MARXISM complete 20 years of publication, 240 issues. Whilst reformism remains a dominating The decision to publish a new theoretical influence in the British working class move­ journal arose from the great debates of 1956- ment, there has been an important advance 57, and, in particular from the 25th Congress of Marxism in fields of study and research of the CPGB, held in April of that latter year. during the last 20 years and, particularly, The need was deeply felt for a journal that during the past decade. would examine the broad strategic problems It is reflected in many aspects of the life of facing the British working class, that would the Communist Party—in the work of the record and discuss the developments of the Specialist Groups in the widening pro- international working class, the national revo­ pramme of publication by Lawrence & lutionary and progressive movements, in­ Wishart, in the growth over nine years of the cluding the achievements, problems and Communist University of London (CUL) from weaknesses of the socialist sector of the a couple of hundreds to this year's 1,500. We world, one that would, as best it could, treat, hope that Marxism Today has been a con­ from a Marxist-Leninist viewpoint, all the tributory factor. main areas of human knowledge, all the Pioneers of Marxism in Britain in fields like disciplmes. history, philosophy, aesthetics or natural An especially strong demand was that the science had, in the early thirties to contend new journal should be devoted to theory and with complete ignorance and rejection of discussion. In the intense debates of this Marxism. "Interesting, but certainly not period it was often said that in party life and philosophy" it was said of a thesis on dialec­ journals of the past there had been insufficient tical materialism. discussion and that what there had been had Now much has changed. The crisis of often been too restricted and too formal. bourgeois values, approaches, outlooks, the The desire developed to try to overcome growth of socialism, the new balance of class dogmatic approaches, whilst resisting temp­ relations in the world, the achievements of tations, advanced sometimes in the name of Marxists in every intellectual field, have had combating dogmatism, to lose the essential their effect. In contrast to the early thirties, it tenets of Marxism-Leninism, its essential can almost be said "we are all marxists now". class and revolutionary content. Respectable bourgeois publishers print The demand—no easy one—was for a works—good, bad and indifJFerent-on Marx­ Marxist approach that was militant, partisan, ism and Leninism. Strange thought—Marxism but open, critical, creative. 1 think that it was has become profitable! understood, by many at least, that this was Torrents of projects, dissertations, and no overnight task, but that it would be a long PhD theses on every aspect of Marxism in­ and complex process, which, of course, con­ undate higher education and appeals for help tinues still today, that much study, thinking in research fill the postbag of the editor of and re-thinking would be necessary. Marxism Today. Our first number was published in October In the catalogues of the most eminent (and 1957. The Editorial Board was composed of expensive) antiquarian booksellers the prices J. D. Bernal, Emile Burns, Les Burt, Maurice of belles lettres, topography, theology, pale Cornforth, Maurice Dobb, John Gollan, besides the cost of works on the radical and Arnold Kettle, James Klugmann, John Lewis, labour movement, the women's movement, John Mahon, Frank Stanley .GeorgeThomson socialism, communism. and John Wood. This, of course, in general terms, repre- PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED 258 MARXISM TODAY, SEPTEMBER, 1977 sents a great and important advance, a Pollitt, Marian Ramelson, who have written growth of sincere interest. It sliows that for us articles that will long be studied and IVIarxism cannot be stopped by decrees, dis­ remembered. tortion, denunciation—nor even by silence. Over 20 years we have entered the lists But there are problems. with contributions in nearly every field of Consciously or unconsciously, when the study and thought many of which have made British ruling class cannot resist the advance their mark. of movements and ideas, it attempts to ab­ Again names are invidious, but to mention sorb, to 'incorporate' them. And, therefore, a few whose works have been most studied, within this general spread in Britain of we think of Maurice Dobb, with comrades like Marxist ideas, there is a danger of what Sam Aaronovitch, Ron Bellamy, Pat Devine, German Marxists once called Katheder- John Eaton, John Purton, Bob Rowthorne in marxismus—a sort of 'academic marxism' political economy; J. D. Bernal with Sam which adopts the externals whilst losing the Lilley in natural science; Maurice Cornforth, revolutionary core, like concepts of class, John Lewis, Martin Milligan In philosophy; state, revolution and party and that 'awkward' A. L. Morton with Christopher Hill, Eric special relation with the working class— Hobsbawm, Monty Johnstone, Andrew Roth- whisky, that is, without the alcohol. stein in the field of history and Hymie Pagan, All the heavier the responsibility on a John Foster, Ruth and Edmund Frow, Mick journal like Marxism Today to endeavour to Jenkins in the specific field of Labour His­ appraise, explore, appreciate every new de­ tory; Arnold Kettle with John Berger, Alan velopment of Marxism in every field, whilst Bush, David Craig, W. H. Evans, Jeremy critically combating attempts to lose the Hawthorn, Margot Heinemann, Hans Hess, essential substance. Jack Lindsay, Raymond Southall, Ray Watkin- son in the field of literature and the arts; Brian Simon on the theory of education; CONTENT OVER 20 YEARS Vic Allen, Alan Hunt, Maurice Levitas and Creating a serious Marxist journal is a long Mary Mcintosh on sociology. and complex process—a process that con­ tinues indefinitely. Many of the articles written by them and by We have tried to open up in the economic many whose names I have omitted (for which and political fields a critique of and a socialist I beg a rare Marxist forgiveness), have been alternative to capitalism, to examine the reprinted, translated, anthologised, even in­ strategic problems of revolutionary advance corporated in university syllabuses, have be­ to socialism, to present a detailed critique come essential sources of Marxist study. We of reformism, to examine the nature of the have a constant demand for back issues. British capitalist state, the problems of women's liberation, of trade unionism, to DISCUSSION follow new developments of Marxism-Lenin­ Discussion was seen as a key component ism, to study the outlook of great Marxists of the new journal in 1957. It has been a like Dimitrov and Gramsci. matter of principle that, so far as space per­ We have tried to discuss the advances, mitted, and space is a harsh taskmaster, that achievements and the problems of the Soviet all articles should be open to critique and Union and other socialist countries. discussion. Living in a world historic centre of im­ Over the 20 years there is no doubt that perialism, we have tried to pay particular discussion contributions have enormously attention to questions of imperialism, neo­ increased. Besides individual articles we have colonialism, the national liberation move­ published a whole series of extended discus­ ment, nationalism and internationalism, sions. solidarity. I think of "Marxism and Morals" (opened We have translated articles from Party by John Lewis in 1958); "Whither Trade leaders and statements from countries all Unions?" (opened by Harry Pollitt in 1958); over the world. "The Artist and Politics" (opened by Arnold It is too invidious to outline names of the Kettle in 1959); "Stages of Social Develop­ comrades who over the years have written ment" (opened by Joan Simon in 1961, and, and are writing in these fields, though we incidentally just translated into Japanese); would like to pay tribute to some of those no "Abstract Art" (opened by Ray Watkinson in longer with us like Emile Burns, J. R. Camp­ 1963); "What does Music Mean?" (opened bell, R. Palme Dutt, John Mahon, Harry by Alan Bush in 1963); "Marxism and Ethics" PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED MARXISM TODAY, SEPTEMBER, 1977 259 (opened by Martin Milligan in 1965); "Laws of rising in recent years with an average print Dialectics" (opened by Maurice Cornforth in this year of 5,500 and a steady rise, too, in 1965); "Dialogue between Christianity and regular subscriptions. Marxism" (opened by John Lewis in 1966); "Of Geese and Men" (opened by John Lewis PROBLEMS AHEAD in 1968); "Why Did it Happen?" (opened by Looking back with the hindsight of history Marian Sling, and reopened by Maurice Dobb it is easy to see some, at least, of our many in 1969); "Workers' Control" (opened by weaknesses and lines along which our jour­ Bert Ramelson in 1969); "Socialist Democ­ nal can be strengthened. racy" (opened by James Klugmann in 1970); We have not, it seems to me, succeeded "Socialism, Democracy and the One-Party sufficiently in winning the leading political System" (opened by Monty Johnstone in forces of the Communist Party and above all 1970); "The Strategy of Socialist Revolution those with great experience of trade union in Britain" (opened by Bert Pearce in 1971); struggle to writefor our journal. Yet there is a "Marxism and the Family" (opened by Rose­ crying need for developed Marxist study of mary Small in 1972); the now famous "Lewis- industrial problems. More and more young Althusser Debate" of 1972; "Trends in Youth people are contributing to Marxism Today, Culture" (opened by Martin Jacques in 1973); but not sufficiently those with industrial "Inflation" (opened by John Purton in 1974 experience.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Welsh Communist Party) Papers (GB 0210 PEARCE)
    Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Cymorth chwilio | Finding Aid - Bert Pearce (Welsh Communist Party) Papers (GB 0210 PEARCE) Cynhyrchir gan Access to Memory (AtoM) 2.3.0 Generated by Access to Memory (AtoM) 2.3.0 Argraffwyd: Mai 05, 2017 Printed: May 05, 2017 Wrth lunio'r disgrifiad hwn dilynwyd canllawiau ANW a seiliwyd ar ISAD(G) Ail Argraffiad; rheolau AACR2; ac LCSH This description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) Second Edition; AACR2; and LCSH. https://archifau.llyfrgell.cymru/index.php/bert-pearce-welsh-communist-party- papers-2 archives.library .wales/index.php/bert-pearce-welsh-communist-party-papers-2 Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Allt Penglais Aberystwyth Ceredigion United Kingdom SY23 3BU 01970 632 800 01970 615 709 [email protected] www.llgc.org.uk Bert Pearce (Welsh Communist Party) Papers Tabl cynnwys | Table of contents Gwybodaeth grynodeb | Summary information .............................................................................................. 3 Hanes gweinyddol / Braslun bywgraffyddol | Administrative history | Biographical sketch ......................... 3 Natur a chynnwys | Scope and content .......................................................................................................... 4 Trefniant | Arrangement .................................................................................................................................. 5 Nodiadau | Notes ............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • H O N O R a R Ii N Del
    MARXISM TODAY, AUGUST 1968 255 Have I misunderstood him? Then read on— and "integrated economies" is unrealistic and (and I summarise) without working-class participa­ impractical. tion the nationalist movement will be ineffective. And there is the crux of the matter. The most Starting at the End important thing is for the national movement to be effective. And the rest of the argument? Mere Bert Pearce's article is intended to vindicate the dissembling. policy of Welsh and Scottish Parliaments. In fact it The fact that the national idea can be used to does the opposite. If it is read carefully it damns the divide the people is no reason in itself for the Party whole concept. and working class to embrace that idea—as Bert It seems to me that Bert Pearce did not start with Pearce is well aware. the problems of Britain and work towards a solution. I challenge his statement that it is possible to He started with the solution, National Parliaments, create three viable economies in Britain (Section and attempted to prove this to be a correct policy. But on Scottish and Welsh Parliaments). Present-day because he has no solid factual basis he fails. His production methods require large-scale production. arguments are not consistent and regrettably, Britain is large enough to have a viable economy. perhaps inevitably, the article has nationalist Three separate viable economies are impossible. If undertones. And this carries its own dangers, be­ his view cannot be sustained with economic data, cause once nationalist emotions are unleashed we then his case for three Parliaments, Governments will be riding a tiger.
    [Show full text]
  • Editorial Comments
    MARXISM TODAY. FEBRUARY, 1978 Editorial Comments CONTROVERSY ON COMMUNIST The arrival of D. F. Springhalt from Moscow HISTORY with the Comintern's anti-war line, argued A debate on an important and contro­ Rothstein, only reinforced a widespread versial period of Communist history has feeling of revulsion in the Party against its enlivened recent issues of the Bulletin of the initial support for the war, and was "not the Society for the Study of Labour History.1 In decisive event" in bringing about the change its Spring 1977 number, Andrew Rothstein to an anti-war line. He also sought to demon­ strongly contested the approval expressed strate that the latter led to a growth in Com­ by Monty Johnstone of Harry Pollitt's "criti­ munist membership and influence in this cal support" for the war against Nazi Ger­ period. many, which was the Communist Party's When Germany attacked the Soviet Union official policy in the first weeks of the war in and September 1939. In a review of John Mahon's Harry Pollitt. A Biography in the previous "the whole character of the war changed on issue, Monty Johnstone had expressed the June 22, 1941", view that in the debates in the Party leader­ ship that month Pollitt had shown "a far he concluded: greater capacity for realistic political analy­ sis" than R. Palme Dutt, who championed "it was not surprising that the Communist Party the Communist International's line that the began to gain membership and influence far more war in that period was equally imperialist and swiftly.
    [Show full text]
  • SUMMER 2003 ISSN 1365-9170 Lord Goronwy- Roberts Papers He Welsh Political Archive Was Especially Delighted to Patriotic Gwerin Movement
    The Welsh Political Archive NEWSLETTER NUMBER 33: SUMMER 2003 ISSN 1365-9170 Lord Goronwy- Roberts Papers he Welsh Political Archive was especially delighted to patriotic Gwerin movement. Standing on a notably nationalistic Treceive from Lady Marian Goronwy-Roberts during platform, he captured Caernarfonshire in 1945, defeating long February 2003 a large group of the political and personal serving Liberal MP Major Goronwy Owen. A fervent patriotic papers of her husband Goronwy O. Roberts, Lord Goronwy- Welshman throughout his life, he consistently advocated Roberts (1913-81), Labour MP for Caernarfonshire from 1945 devolutionary solutions during the post-war Attlee until 1974. administrations. A native of Bethesda, Goronwy Roberts enjoyed a brilliant Goronwy Roberts was one of the most prominent leaders academic career at the University College of North Wales, of the Parliament for Wales campaign of the early 1950s and Bangor, where he was one of the founder members of the was indeed personally responsible for presenting the petition to parliament in May 1956. When the embryonic Welsh Office was established in 1964, he was appointed one of the first ministers of state. Subsequently he also served at the Department of Education and Science, the Foreign and Colonial Office and the Board of Trade. Following his defeat at Caernarfonshire in February 1974, Goronwy Roberts was immediately awarded a peerage and served with some distinction at the Foreign Office under George Brown during the Wilson and Callaghan governments. He was also Deputy Leader of the House of Lords from 1975 until 1979. He died prematurely aged 67 in July 1981. The sorting and listing of the papers are nearing completion.
    [Show full text]
  • Communists Text
    The University of Manchester Research Communists and British Society 1920-1991 Document Version Proof Link to publication record in Manchester Research Explorer Citation for published version (APA): Morgan, K., Cohen, G., & Flinn, A. (2007). Communists and British Society 1920-1991. Rivers Oram Press. Citing this paper Please note that where the full-text provided on Manchester Research Explorer is the Author Accepted Manuscript or Proof version this may differ from the final Published version. If citing, it is advised that you check and use the publisher's definitive version. General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the Research Explorer are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Takedown policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please refer to the University of Manchester’s Takedown Procedures [http://man.ac.uk/04Y6Bo] or contact [email protected] providing relevant details, so we can investigate your claim. Download date:30. Sep. 2021 INTRODUCTION A dominant view of the communist party as an institution is that it provided a closed, well-ordered and intrusive political environment. The leading French scholars Claude Pennetier and Bernard Pudal discern in it a resemblance to Erving Goffman’s concept of a ‘total institution’. Brigitte Studer, another international authority, follows Sigmund Neumann in referring to it as ‘a party of absolute integration’; tran- scending national distinctions, at least in the Comintern period (1919–43) it is supposed to have comprised ‘a unitary system—which acted in an integrative fashion world-wide’.1 For those working within the so-called ‘totalitarian’ paradigm, the validity of such ‘total’ or ‘absolute’ concep- tions of communist politics has always been axiomatic.
    [Show full text]
  • Churchill's Socialism 3
    Churchill’s Socialism Churchill’s Socialism: Political Resistance in the Plays of Caryl Churchill By Siân Adiseshiah Churchill’s Socialism: Political Resistance in the Plays of Caryl Churchill, by Siân Adiseshiah This book first published 2009 Cambridge Scholars Publishing 12 Back Chapman Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2XX, UK British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Copyright © 2009 by Siân Adiseshiah All rights for this book reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN (10): 1-4438-1318-4, ISBN (13): 978-1-4438-1318-1 For Charlie and Xanthe TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements .................................................................................... ix Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 Chapter One................................................................................................. 7 Socialist Contexts Chapter Two.............................................................................................. 37 The Politics of Utopia Chapter Three............................................................................................ 93 Churchill’s History Plays: Light Shining in Buckinghamshire and Vinegar Tom Chapter Four...........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • I Will Send an Invoice with the Book(S) If Available
    Usual terms and conditions - please don't send payment with order: I will send an invoice with the book(s) if available. Payment can be made by cheque drawn on a UK bank. I also accept Visa and Mastercard. Postage and packing is extra. Books may be returned if not as described. The condition of the book is described before that of the dustwrapper if there is one. This is a special 50 th copy of my catalogue – all the books are signed by author, illustrator, editor or somebody of interest often with a dedication. In some cases I refer to another item where there is more information on the author, dedicator or dedicatee. If your interest is just, for example, in the Spanish Civil War, you will obviously find books under “Spain”, but there are books signed by members of the International Brigades in different categories; if you want books by early British Trotskyists, have a look in Religion and USA; if you want books signed by Harry Pollitt search under Fiction, China and so on. Some of these books came from the collection of Monty Johnstone (1928-2007). In compiling the catalogue it became apparent how widely respected he was, even by those who disagreed with him (with the exception of Palme Dutt and a few Trotskyists!), so I would like to dedicate this catalogue to his memory. My Bibliography of the Communist Party of Great Britain is at last accessible via my web site, thanks to the Barry Amiel/Norman Melburn Trust. It’s worth having a look at my web site if you haven’t already done so – there are pages with material on the history of Radical Bookshops, Bibliography of the Paris Commune, Political Pseudonyms, images of some of my ephemera stock as well as special offers.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of Parapolitics Lobster 96 Is Edited and Published by Lobster Individual Issues: Stephen Doml
    THE COMMUNIST PARTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 16 King Street. London, W.C.2. Telephone : TEMplr Bar 2151.55 Secrersq : H. Pollin Teleg<am, e: Communel Rend London London DZs-krict . Dear Betty, Will you check for me what is known about a man called Fred Ga~nseywho was a bricklayer and a member in Battersea. Could the Battersea comrades be asked why he left the Party and anything they may how about him and his personal contacts. Yours frat ernally, STALINISTS SPYING ON THE LEFT BANKS: THE MONEY FOUNTAIN JOHN NEWMAN AND JFK SCOTTGATE Journal of Parapolitics Lobster 96 is edited and published by Lobster individual issues: Stephen Doml. 62.50 (inc p&p) 135 School Street Lobster subscriptions (forfour issues): Netherthong E8.00 (inc pGp) Holmfirth West Yorkshire Please indicate from which Issue No you HD72YB wish your subscribtion to start Tel: 01484 681388 Cheques payable to S Doml October 1996 Lobster Europe f 10.00 Lobster USICanadalEurope: 612.00 Cash (dollars accepted), International money orders, cheques drawn on UK bank (foreign cheques cost too much to convert into Sterling). LOBSTER SPECIAL OFFER I PAPERBACK COPY OF 1 SMEAR! WILSON AND THE SECRET STATE Stephen DowillRobin Ramsay £5.00 inc P&P 1 CHEQUES PAYABLE TO S DORRlL Ibc ssrociarion of radical and rlleroative pubiisbcrr 87 Kirksfall Road London S WZ 4HE Independent News Collective Lobster is a member of INK, o loose ossociotio17 of inc/ependent ond olternotive puhlicotions which co-operafe on distribtttion ondpttb/icit.y matters. INK Ioztnches oflcially in November wit??a joint s~tbscl-Q)tior?ofler, o website, ond the puhlica~ionofopilot list ofnewsagents wlzo stock at least hilo INK titles ond corly lhe INK logo.
    [Show full text]
  • Malcolm Harvey
    UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING School of Arts and Humanities Division of History and Politics Conversing with the nation: Consultations and referendums in Scotland and Wales under devolution Malcolm Harvey Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy November 2014 Abstract The creation of devolved institutions in Scotland and Wales in 1999 provided nationalist parties in both the opportunity to act within an institution solely within their nation’s territorial boundaries. In 2007, they entered government for the first time. In so doing, the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru embarked upon public engagement strategies in office which were designed to build support for their constitutional ambitions – namely, independence for Scotland and (in the short-term) full legislative powers for the National Assembly for Wales, as outlined in the Government of Wales Act 2006. This thesis explores the public engagement strategy of both parties, focusing on the respective consultations of the parties in government – A National Conversation and the All Wales Convention – and the following campaign for (in Scotland) and at (in Wales) a referendum intended to deliver their preferred outcome. The aim of this thesis is to consider why public engagement strategies were considered the best vehicle to take forward the respective parties’ constitutional goals and to evaluate the success each party achieved in relation to these objectives. This thesis argues that, while both the SNP and Plaid Cymru have achieved some success with regard to their constitutional objectives, this success can be measured differently depending whether short-term or long-term goals are the defining standard. In Wales, Plaid Cymru’s constitutional consultation found limited engagement with the wider Welsh population, and though the referendum succeeded in securing legislative powers for the National Assembly for Wales, public engagement with the constitutional debate in Wales continues to lack enthusiasm.
    [Show full text]
  • The Welsh Political Archive Newsletter
    The Welsh Political Archive NEWSLETTER NUMBER 32: WINTER 2002–2003 ISSN 1365-9170 A Refuge in Peace and War ast summer the National Library of Wales published a publication of the book. Lsubstantial tome by one of its former Librarians Dr David This in-depth study examines in detail the attempts to Jenkins, a volume which chronicles and analyses its foundation establish a national library for Wales in the eighteenth and and its development up to 1952. nineteenth centuries before proceeding to analyse the successful The author, a native of Blaenclydach in the Rhondda, was a campaign inaugurated at the Mold national eisteddfod of 1873. It member of the Library’s staff from 1939 until his retirement at the looks at the contentious decision to locate the fledging library at end of 1979. Originally a member of staff of the Department of Aberystwyth rather than Cardiff, a step encouraged by royal Manuscripts and Records, he later joined the Department of physician and primary NLW benefactor Sir John Williams. Printed Books where he served as Keeper from 1957 until 1969. Subsequently, the volume outlines the development of the Subsequently, he was the fifth National Librarian, holding office Library under its first two Librarians Sir John Ballinger (1909-30) from 1969 until 1979. The researching and writing of this and Sir William Llewelyn Davies (1930-52). impressive volume occupied much of his long retirement. Sadly Quite apart from quarrying exhaustively the Library’s own he died during March 2002, just three months before the extensive archives, and employing a wide range of printed and illustrative source materials, Dr Jenkins has made use of the papers of numerous Welsh politicians and public figures, among them J.
    [Show full text]