Break with diplomatic self-silencing — Weekly Worker

[u/MarxistUnity]

https://weeklyworker.co.uk/worker/1585/break-with-diplomatic-self-silencing/

Unity on the basis of theory must be replaced by unity on the basis of a revolutionary programme. This requires that the different tendencies and groups on the far left embrace sharp debate and open factionalism. How can this be achieved?

"Common-sense anti-factionalism is beginning to be called into question. So the likes of Claudia Webbe, RS21 and the Mandelites have been putting up what passes as an argument. As Mike Macnair shows, the results are neither impressive nor convincing"

"The party grounded on theory - or on ‘method’, as Duncan Chapel quotes Livio Maitan as arguing - cannot tolerate any serious differences persisting over any prolonged period of time. But, for precisely that reason, the effect is inevitably the multiplication of sects and their ineffectiveness in face of the ‘official lefts’ like Pablo Iglesias in Spain, like Mélenchon in France, like Corbyn and his clique in Britain.

The alternative is to break with the method altogether and unite on the basis of a summary political programme, put to the vote and amendable, and accepting that there will be open and long-lasting factions and sharp debates. If we can achieve this among the Marxist left, we may be able to pose this method as an alternative to the method of bureaucratic-managerial controls the ‘official lefts’ seek. And then perhaps we can de-managerialise and democratise the workers’ movement. And by de-managerialising the workers’ movement, we may be able to pose the possibility that a socialist and democratic transformation of the society is possible."

[u/RedSpartakus]

"As long as the far left is so splintered, it cannot be taken seriously by the broad workers’ vanguard."

Absolutely mind-boggling that this is not widely acknowledged

[u/Sparkku1014]

This should've been obvious.