27.05.1999

Militant talk

Document produced by a SPEW comrade involved in ‘London Socialist’ split discussions

Objectives of the Network

1. Criticism To contribute to criticism of capitalism and its principal institutions. To participate in the development of new ways of criticising capitalism in the new world situation. To expose the hidden motives behind liberal ideology, to highlight the need for revolutionary change, and to encourage people to imagine what a socialist society could be like.

... not prophecies Not to focus our energies on predicting capitalism’s collapse.

2. Debate To stimulate debate, among Network members and all anti-capitalist organisations and individuals, on the way forward. Not to imprison this debate within one tradition of analysis, but to draw on ideas from a wide variety of Marxist and radical thinkers, anti-imperialist revolutionaries, and the workers’, feminist, environmentalist, black, gay and disabled liberation movements. To carry out this debate in an atmosphere of comradeship at all times.

... not party line Not to aim to convert others to our ideas, but to seek a productive exchange which will enrich the understanding of all. Within the Network, to encourage the coexistence of divergent views and the active participation of all in debate.

3. Solidarity To permit Network members to link up the campaigns they are involved in in their workplaces, community, or particular field of interest. To encourage solidarity and collaboration between all movements which challenge oppression and exploitation.

... not recruitment drives Not to see campaigns as a means to recruit. To prioritise the health of the movement as a whole over our own numbers.

4. Cooperation To encourage ever-increasing cooperation between different anti-capitalist organisations in London, nationally and internationally. To participate, in the long term, in building a mass socialist party as part of a worldwide anti-capitalist alliance.

... not domination Not to form branches of the Network in different countries. To respect national and regional differences, and recognise the intellectual contribution of other organisations, particularly those from the third world.

Postscript “The communists do not form a separate party opposed to other working class parties. They have no interest separate and apart from those of the working class as a whole. They do not set up any sectarian principles of their own, by which to shape and mould the proletarian movement.” - The communist manifesto.