Re: DSP and the Australian Socialist Alliance

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

d.stijnoosterlynck@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> As a young alterglobalisation activist myself I would rather say the opposite.  
> Most of the revolutionary left organisations - from whatever tendency they are 
> -seem to me to be almost useless from the viewpoint of a struggle for anotheer 
> and better world.  The infighting (as present for example in this discussion) 
> that characterizes the activities of these revolutionary groups actually scares 
> away a lot of people.  While trying to increase their market share (indeed, a 
> very appropriate word), these groups reduce the total amount of people that are 
> willing to engage themselves in revolutionary groups.

I am afraid that I have to agree with you. When I said that they perform
a useful function by introducing some young person to the abc's of
socialism, I was damning with faint praise so to speak.

> The new evolution on the revolutionary left in Australia strikes me as very 
> insignificant.
That all depends. The DSP is the largest left group in Australia. If
they are sincere about a new orientation, this could be a significant
development.

> than hundred years).  Wouldn't it perhaps be better to let all these 
> 'groupuscules' die (will the last one close the door please?) and do something 
> substantive to change the world (however limited the result or progress).
If the choice is between them persisting in their sectarian folly and
disappearing, I of course favor disappearing. But if they can transform
themselves into a genuine Marxist formation that is open to broad unity,
then I would favor that. We already have an example of that with the
Scottish Socialist Party, which was launched by sectarians but has
become something much broader and relevant.

> (I am aware of the rather provocative tone of my message and the fact that I am 
> 'bending the stick' here, but knowing that a clear-cut, one-sided argument
> provokes more discussion than a complex argument, I hope some people will feel 
> urged to explain me what the use of these kind of discussions is).
Just lay off the Mormon stuff.

--

Louis Proyect
www.marxmail.org




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