The revolutionary organisation

I'm like so many others out there becoming less and less convinced by political parties and their self appointed leaders. Democracy means a lot to me and runs deep in my political ideas. Without democracy we don’t have a movement in my view. Even so called socialist party's I’m loosing belief that they can n ever really break out of their sect like behavior being so fragmented and divided. They are no threat to the ruling class as we speak so what needs to change or be different? 'The emancipation of the workers must be brought about by the workers themselves.' Declaration of the First International. I too believe that the power is in workers hands. Encouraging workers to think for themselves not to blindly follow a self appointed leader of a movement is key. All workers can think for themselves and we must not patronize them by thinking they can only ever develop "trade union consciousness" as Lenin once said. Workers can go further and will go further if allowed to think and act for themselves. Many revolutionaries do not believe in the working class being able to bring about change for them so need a party to do it for them to lead them by the nose. I am not convinced by this approach it sounds like we are saying the workers have no brains and am simply drones who can be influenced and lead along to support us while we go off and carry out the revolution. The work of revolutionaries over many years to clarify and co-ordinate struggles in the working class greatly helps the revolutionary process. Working class spontaneity is the ability of that class to take direct action on its own behalf and to develop new forms of struggle and organisation. This happens in every great revolutionary upsurge where working people have formed committees and councils independent of "vanguards". In this country the flying picket and mass picketing were developed as weapons of struggle. ‘Pit commandos’ emerged during the 1984-85 Miners Strike. Road blockades and reclaiming the streets are all forms of struggle developed independently from the Revolutionary Party (whichever one that happens to be). The activities of the working class have taken place regardless of and sometimes against the urgings of the revolutionary elite due to circumstances that require it. I do think organisation is still important though but a different organisation and way of organising is needed though a break from the way revolutionaries have organised before perhaps as the left today is struggling to break out and become a mass force. Each kind of organisation has its own purpose enabling people to accomplish what they cannot individually, harnessing energy and resources in productive ways. However organisations are not pure rational constructs. They have their own culture, often obscured by formal structures. Strip away the theoretical organisation of states, corporations and political parties and you reveal the hierarchy, authority, fear and greed that are true organisation in a capitalist society. To create effective organisations we must know our own and other’s minds, therefore there must be a high degree of communication, of sharing. We must set about creating aspiration, setting achievable targets, celebrating success, rededicating ourselves again and again to the reasons why we have formed or participate in the organisation. And because organisation is a mutual, sharing activity these things cannot be contained within one mind or merely thought but acted out and given a tangible existence through words and actions. At the same time, we must remain individuals, capable of independent and objective appraisal not cogs in some vast machine. What then is the purpose of ‘revolutionary organisation’? Can it be described? Given that the need for revolution already exists, revolutionary organisation must increase the demand for revolution. It must increase the measurable ‘weight’ or ‘force’ of the resources joined to demand revolution. The structure must increase the ability of the organization to perpetuate itself while its ends remain unrealised. It must increase the ability of the organisation to resist attack, by increasing the determination and solidarity of members and by so arranging itself that damage caused to it (from external attacks, defections, internal conflicts and so on) are minimised. It must be flexible, be able to absorb or deflect change or challenges to it, have the ability to change or cease as circumstances dictate and the self-knowledge to initiate change when change is required. High levels of positive communication, mutual respect and celebration, shared aspirations and solidarity all describe the revolutionary organisation. A powerful revolutionary organisation will not come about by people simply agreeing with each other. Only through the dynamics of working together can we achieve the unity of activity and theory necessary to bring about a free and equal society. Let us put it quite bluntly: the errors committed by a truly revolutionary workers movement are historically far more fruitful and valuable than the infallibility of even the best central committees. Rosa Luxembourg, Organisational Questions of Russian Social Democracy. The experiences of working class life constantly lead to ideas and actions that question the established order. This leads to "working class consciousness" but different sections of the working class may reach different degrees of consciousness. At the same time, the ruling class seeks to keep the working class divided, undermining solidarity based on culture and common experience through its control of the media and education and by perpetuating racism and sexism. The working class is never wholly atomised nor, at the moment, solid and united, conscious of itself and its power. The organisation must always be part of the working class. This creates a tension. While on the one hand it’s consciousness is more developed ("in advance"), it’s ability to develop and extend its influence in the class depends on not being too far in advance. If it is, it will fall into the trap of ignoring or rejecting the new forms of struggle and organisation which, as we have said, can benefit other workers and which workers everywhere must learn. There are dangers in this contradiction and the revolutionary organisation needs to develop ways of acting based on an awareness of the contradiction. We must always be ready to learn from the class and constantly revise our tactics with the unfolding situation. The revolutionary organisation is transformed as the working class is transformed in the revolutionary process. Theory and practice must be rooted in concrete conditions. Accepting that the revolution can only be made by the self-activity of the working class, the revolutionary organisation still has a number of tasks to perform. It must act as a propaganda grouping, untiringly putting over the message that the working class must destroy capitalism and establish a democratic socialist society. It must also show how this can be done by giving examples of self-activity. It must search out the history of past struggles and share the lessons to be learned with the rest of the class as part of the development of class-consciousness. When important developments occur, the revolutionary organisation must spread the news through its links with organisations in other countries. But the organisation is not just a propaganda group: above all it must actively work in all grassroots organisations of the working class such as rank and file groups, tenants associations, squatters and unemployed groups as well as women’s, black and gay groups. It must try to link unionised and non-unionised workers, building a movement at the base.

The disgraceful treatment of anti government protesters in Libya

I've been reading today of the awful treatment on anti government protesters in Libya now another north African country now facing trouble and as i have said before this domino efffect is not slowing down anytime soon and good on the people of those countries. It is just a huge crying shame the oppressive leaders of these dictatorships are clamping down hard on protesters.

Dozens of people were killed when Libyan troops used heavy weapons during a funeral procession amid unrest in Benghazi, a doctor in the city says.

She told the BBC that at least 45 bodies and 900 wounded had been brought to just one hospital on Saturday, describing the scene as a "massacre".

Human Rights Watch says at least 173 people have been killed in Libya since demonstrations began on Wednesday.

Benghazi has been a leading focus of protests against Col Gaddafi's rule.

Libya is one of several Arab countries to have experienced pro-democracy rallies since the fall of long-time Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January. Egypt's Hosni Mubarak was forced from power on 11 February.

Col Muammar Gaddafi is the Arab world's longest-serving leader, having ruled the oil-rich state since a coup in 1969.

Col Muammar Gaddafi has been widely known on the world stage for many years now of course past British governments including the last Labour government have been funding him for years with reported millions of dollars worth of arms for him.

It makes me feel physically sick that we in the UK back these hugely unpopular regiemes in this far flung country just so we can exploit them for cheap oil which we then slap huge tax's on it all rather stinks to me. If anyone ever thought that the last labour government was at all socialist they can be proved wrong. Going into Iraq and declaring illegal wars on countries like Iraq and then backing dictators like Col Muammar Gaddafi for years and years in the face of the brave people of Libya and failing to do anything about it says it all to me.

The ruling parties in every western country are all the same. Only after protecting their own interests whether that be oil or power financially.

I do think this so called domino effect will not slow down and there will i'm afraid be more bloodshed on the streets of these countries as ordinary working people look to stand up and have a voice like they deserve.

Just like in Iran last week where similar scenes were seen we must pay tribute to the fine peoples of these lands who dare to fight for their freedom. I have huge admiration for them. If only the British people would stand up and say no to our ruling class's sometimes and say we dont want you doing this or that etc. Maybe we would have a much better way of things too.

The wave of revolution will continue to grow across Africa and the middle east where will this fall next.

Egypt prove people power can work

So tonight we are witnessing a historic moment in Egypt with their president, dictator in many ways Hosny Mubarak has finally after 18 days of relentless and truely inspirational protests on the streets of Egypt and Cairo has finally resigned.

Joyous scenes on the streets of Egypt as this tyrant has finally been ousted.

I have to say the protesters who stayed on the streets day after day, night after night were truely inspirational.

The people of egypt have demonstrated to the world that people power is back and the middle east is trembling now of what happens next. The evil dictators in the region from Syria to Yemen and even Algeria will be panicing tonight wondering where will the next uprising happen. I feel for the Egyptian people. They have claimed their country back, back from the ruling party at the top.

For world leaders this is unsettling and unstable times and they will not like this. They will be fearful of who steps in next. Of course taht rightly so wil be down to the Egyptian people. They should decide wahth appens next. Let the people choose they have won this battle and should be rewarded with deciding their future.

I do hope democracy spreads now and the country is rebuilt in terms of a fair equal society. There is a opputunity now for real socialism to make its way into Egyptian minds. It is their choice now which route they take.

But today belongs to Egypt and its people who have found their voice and their freedom as a result. This just goes to show what can be achieved given persistancy and real people power and collective force.

Tonight iraise a glass to you Egyptians out there

here is fora happier safer and fairer Egypt.

VIVA la revolution !

Is democracy really the way forward ?

Let me start by saying i am all for democracy and think it is a good thing, but my point with this post is to ask is it right we try and inflict our version of it on other countries and continents around the world ?

We see over the last week or so in Egypt a huge uprising on the streets of Egypt fighting back against their oppressive governments. I applaud their efforts to rid themselves of a leader who has a too strong grip on the country.

But democracy this idealistic system we seem to talk like it is the holy grail of living your life. Is it compatable for everyone around the world ? Could it not be modified to allow people a greater say. As lets be honest what we call democracy is not a real democracy is it ?

The real working people of this country dont really have a say

Ok we have a vote we can cast every 5 years or so but what does that get us, a elected bureaucrat who sits in parliament telling us waht to do. If we try to lobby our MP's which i have tried before we get a set of templated waffle of what their party line is. These Mp's claim they know about the people, in reality they havent a clue. SO this lovely thing we call democracy starts to look more of a farce the deeper you look into it.

On the face of it compared to a dictatorship it is certainly a better system but as far as giving people ordinary people on the street a true voice it still fails as far as i can see. I'm not against democracy at all i just feel that this form of it suits our ruling class and the capitalist system the best and so the leaders of the world will continue to promote it as it tightens their grip on the worlds finances. So i wonder if democracy could be reformed for want of a better word. Looked into and allowing the people to have more control of the wealth of a country and the power. Rather than it being held all at the top by a elite few who we democratically elect could we not give them less power or give more power to the people as cliche as that sounds.

When America and Britain invaded Iraq to over throw Saddam Hussain it was being touted in the name of democracy, giving freedom back to the people. Although this was true to a degree it will only allow the chance for another leader of similar nature to cease power in this country. Is it not the case that some nations are not ready for democracy to be forced upon them ? Should they not come to that decision by themselves rather than western nations thinking oh your people have no say lets invade you and give you democracy without stopping to think if this is good for them or will lead to a eventual better place for people to live. Giving a country democracy when it hasnt had it before can be a risky thing and i think the west should be warey of appearing as teh policeman of the world looking out for countries and meddling in their internal business. Afterall we wouldnt like it if other countries tried to inflict a way of life on us so why do we do it to others in the name of fairness and freedom.

The political fire back in our bellies

Just thinking to myself just now i really think politics has really made a comeback in this country. Before the election and years before it people didnt blink a eye lid to what was going on down at Westminster. Now i wouldnt suggest a huge shift has occured but from the way young students are going out onto our streets to protest in their hundreds of thousands it would suggest the young are certainly becoming more engaged again. This is excellent news i feel. Even if they are angered clearly that is not good but the fact they are thinking politically and about what things affect them.

I couldnt be more proud of these students taking to the streets and carrying out occupations of universities. Hopefully this will inspire a new generation of political activists. There has always been protests down the years in this country but we havent seen any on the scale as what we have recently. What encourages me more is the bravery and the endever of these young comrades. To take the fight back to the coalition government who have betrayed them deeply. Especially on the subject of tuitian fees. I say good on them and i hope this new wave of political activism continues, peacefully of course but making sure their message can be heard loud and clearly.

Hopefully the young can inspire the older more mature political activists to get re-engaged again and follow up with similar protests to defend our welfare state and many other things that appear to be under threat.

Let this be the start of a wave of optimism to sweep this great nation where the vunerable and the working class's and the under threat start the fight back.