21.07.2004

Stimulating debate

Members and supporters of the CPGB are signing up to this year's Communist University. Have you?

Communist University 2004 takes place in a period of real fluidity. We are seeing some historically important developments: the setting up of the Labour Representation Committee; the expulsion of the RMT from the Labour Party and the subsequent disaffiliation of the FBU; the rumblings of the big four unions.

And then there is Respect, the Socialist Workers Party’s latest electoral front. The editors of Critique are calling for a new ‘Marxist party’, while the Socialist Party, and some ex-Liverpool dockers, would prefer something looser and less definite.

Programmatic clarity is vital: how should the left engage with the newly politicised muslim communities? How to overcome nationalism? What attitude do communists have towards the resistance movement in Iraq? Should Marxists support the Labour Party? Communist University is an ideal opportunity to generate some heat and shed some real light.

CU is not unique on the left: there are many weekend schools and even another week-long event; but it is surely the best. Over the course of a full week not only do we present our own ideas; we encourage questioning and full political debate. Opponents are allowed to speak freely because that tests us all and helps to show who is right and who is wrong. Each session lasts two hours and that usually gives everybody who wants to ample opportunity to speak.

The first weekend over August 14-15, includes an opening by SWP member Dave Crouch on ‘The Bolsheviks and religion’; Mejdi Kia, of the Organisation of Revolutionary Workers of Iran, discusses ‘Global health and global capitalism’, an especially burning issue in light of the Aids pandemic; while Dave Douglass, branch secretary of Hatfield National Union of Mineworkers, speaks about ‘The historical significance of the miners’ Great Strike’, in which, of course, he fought in the front line.
On Saturday evening, August 14, we will mark the end of our Summer Offensive with a celebration meal, during which we award prizes to those comrades who have done particularly well during our annual fundraising drive.

The rest of the week will see debates on a whole range of very different questions: from ‘Can the Labour Party be reclaimed?’ to ‘How awkward are the awkward squad?’; and from ‘Marxism and Zionism’ to the ‘Prospects and problems of European Social Forum’.

There will also be a running theme dealing with Lenin’s most important works - it is the 80th anniversary of his death. Hillel Ticktin will discuss whether What is to be done? is still relevant today; the CPGB’s Mike Macnair looks at State and revolution, and Mark Fischer asks whether ‘Leftwing’ communism has lessons for today.
Make sure you get to take part.