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Socialist Outlook
SO/02 - Winter 2003
Socialist Outlook 2 takes as its theme the question of political parties. Why is this so important? Firstly in many countries in Europe and in other parts of the world too, new political parties are being created to the left of social democracy, or, in those cases where social democracy has not existed, on the left of the spectrum of reformism. In Britain this process is represented by the important new coordination, Respect – The Unity Coalition. For revolutionary Marxists, whose strategic goal is to build a revolutionary party, there is the question of how to operate in these parties: how to build them in a principled fashion, avoiding both premature division and opportunism. Secondly, there is a current within the anti-globalisation and anti-capitalist movements, cynical of the lies and corruption of professional politicians, and fuelled by the politics of anarchism, that is opposed to political parties per se. Against those in the anti-capitalist movement who oppose political parties on principle, we say that single-issue campaigns and movements cannot win on their own. Parties are needed to co-ordinate and generalise such campaigns. If we are to defeat capitalism, political parties are needed to work out strategic questions and tactical issues too.
Editorial
As we analysed in Socialist Outlook 1, the disastrous consequences of American Imperialism’s so-called ‘War on Terror’ continue in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Greg Tucker examines how a range of experiences are now providing some answers, as the idea of a broad pluralist recomposition, breaking with sectarianism and bringing together currents and organizations with long divergent programmes and practices is being developed across Europe.
Latin America
Bossa Nova Blairism
Where is the PT going now? How should Marxists characterise the PT, and how far should they differentiate between government and party?
There is now no doubt that the ecological crisis of the planet has reached a new stage, one which demands urgent solutions without which the lives of millions of people along with many plant and animal species, will be endangered. While the environmentalists and the Green Party have placed these issues at the top of the public agenda, their solutions, set within a capitalist framework, utopian.
Of all intellectuals within the anti-capitalist movement, the ideas of Italian autonomist Antonio Negri have the widest influence. But are they the theoretical weapons needed to overthrow capitalism? Karen O’Toole takes a look.
Theory and History
What kind of party do the anti-capitalist and working class movements need?
David Packer discusses the importance of political parties, both historically and today. He looks at the kind of party the working class and its allies need today and in the future.
Theory and History
Appeal from the Ligue Communiste Revolutionnaire
The following appeal, adopted by an overwhelming majority at the 15th national congress of the LCR held in November, 2003,calls for a broad pluralist regroupment of the left to form a new force that breaks with capitalism. It is published here as a contribution to the debate in Britain, Europe and beyond on the formation of new, anti-capitalist parties.
Debate
The John Rees/Murray Smith debate
Alan Thornett assesses the debate between John Rees of the SWP and Murray Smith of the ISM on the class nature of the Labour Party, the possibilities of building broad left parties and the character of the united front.
Debate
“I cannot fully agree with David Coen when he states in an otherwise very good article (Why Terrorism Is Not The Answer) that the Left must not/cannot support individual attacks by Palestinians, specifically suicide attacks, within Occupied Palestine.”
ISG Resolution
The ban must be seen in the political context of a growing Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred in Western countries, including within British and French governments and their institutions.
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