Re: [Marxism] The Teixeira thesis

["Marvin Gandall" <marvgandall@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Louis Proyect wrote:

"I have no idea why you put reformist in scare quotes. You give every
indication of having succumbed to social democratic politics, even to
the point of suggesting that Kautsky might have been right in 1917. If
the shoe fits, wear it."

-----------------------------------------------

I don't recall making reference to Kautsky, although I do remember
saying I would like to find time to reread the Menshevik critique of the
Bolsheviks as "adventurist" in light of the subsequent short-lived
course of Soviet history. I'd add that given the world situation at that
time I don't think it was unreasonable of the Bolsheviks to have seized
power in anticipation it would spark revolutions in the West. Without
the benefit of hindsight available to us now, I expect and hope I would
have been with them.

But I don't mind removing the quote marks around "reformist" if you
prefer that I do. I didn't intend it as a "scare quote". I think I
explained previously that I don't describe myself as a "social democrat"
or "reformist" because a) I don't believe as a matter of principle that
there can be a a peaceful, parliamentary road to socialism - which I
understand to mean the political and economic expropriation of the large
property holders, and b) I believe I would move, with many others,
towards revolutionary solutions if capitalism broke down and was no
longer capable of delivering modest job and income growth and tolerable
living standards for most working people.

But isn't this true of yourself and everyone else on the list, as well?
How can it be otherwise in the absence of a pre-revolutionary situation,
when all of our practical activity is necessarily "reformist" - whether
it be in the unions or in the international solidarity, environmental,
and other movements, or through participation in pro-capitalist parties
like the Democrats or, in your case, the Greens?

In fact, you acknowledge as much. You write "if down the road a
revolutionary formation based on a new awareness comes into being, I'd
probably join it. But right now I couldn't find the time.if millions of
working people were gravitating toward independent political action
while engaging in militant strikes and mass actions, I'd not be pushing
for support of the Green Party."

I understand this - it reflects my own position - but unfortunately I
don't think you've grasped the corollary that if and when this happens,
you'd be much better positioned in the DP where the
politically-conscious trade unionists would begin their journey, and
where you presumably would have had a prior opportunity to earn their
confidence. You instead view "the art of politics" as standing outside
their plant gates and convention halls selling your broadsheet along
with competing handfuls of other revolutionary- and Green-minded
intellectuals and students. From your point of view, this makes sense
because you refuse to accept there is a long and continuing historical
relationship between the labour movement - right down to the secondary
leadership and activists - and the Democratic party.

Apart from your current infatuation with the Greens, the only other
difference I can see between us is that, to your way of thinking, you
are also engaged in the revolutionary activity of building a "Bolshevik
party". You are wrong to suggest I "hadn't figured out" that this is
what you are deep down "pushing for", although I have no knowledge of
what it is you are actually involved in away from marxmail and the
Internet. Clearly, I don't find such activity either necessary or
rewarding in present circumstances, as you do. I'd be reluctant to
describe myself as a "Bolshevik" in any event, a term I associate with
those operating in much more intense and dangerous political
environments, though of course I respect everyone's right to choose an
identify which is pleasing to themselves.

Marv Gandall



----- Original Message -----
From: "Louis Proyect" <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Activists and scholars in Marxist tradition"
<marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2004 9:42 AM
Subject: Re: [Marxism] The Teixeira thesis


I believe that the most urgent task facing the left is regroupment just
as
it was in the 1950s. Back then the process was driven by disillusionment
with Stalin following the Khruschchev revelations . Today it is driven
by
the collapse of the USSR and a recognition that the "Marxist-Leninist"
is a
mistake. The purpose of this mailing list is to provide a forum for this
regroupment process and drive it forward. If down the road a
revolutionary
formation based on a new awareness comes into being, I'd probably join
it.
But right now I couldn't find the time to moderate this list and to
participate in something like Solidarity, which is closer to my ideal
than
any other group despite all the problems I have with the magazine
Against
the Current.

You have the same confusion as Tony Abdo. If millions of working people
were gravitating toward independent political action while engaging in
militant strikes and mass actions, I'd not be pushing for support of the
Green Party. The art of politics is knowing what to do next.

The bourgeoisie wouldn't even allow Dean to run for president. They were
even more determined to stop Matt Gonzalez from becoming Mayor of San
Francisco, an insignificant post by comparison. I see the Greens as
opening
up the electoral process and helping to raise awareness that there is a
two-party system. The notion that the big bourgeoisie would ever attempt
to
use this party as a vehicle for its class interests is ridiculous in my
opinion.

It is clear that you haven't figured out what I have been pushing for. I
advocate a Bolshevik type party in the USA and everywhere else for that
matter. Unfortunately, attempts to build such parties have been marred
by
schematism. Comrades can look at what I have written on the topic in my
archived articles under organizational problems.

I have no idea why you put reformist in scare quotes. You give every
indication of having succumbed to social democratic politics, even to
the
point of suggesting that Kautsky might have been right in 1917. If the
shoe
fits, wear it.


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