[Marxism] Re: Grantite's in Venezuela

["michael a. lebowitz" <mlebowit@xxxxxx>]

        Iyenkova writes about the work that the 'Grantites' (perhaps more
appropriately called in this case the Woodies) are doing in Venezuela.
There's no question about it--- they recognised the importance of what is
happening in Venezuela and took an important initiative to solicit
international support through the 'Hands Off' campaign. (Because of that
initiative and the mobilisation of some of their militants from different
countries for the April Solidarity meeting, they were welcomed by Chavez
and placed prominently in view for the 'Alo, Presidente' show---- just as
Tariq Ali and others bringing an important petition of support were more
recently.) Their current, furthermore, has local militants and a newspaper,
and their website provides continuing coverage of Venezuelan developments
and Alan Woods' commentaries on same.
        Although I'd love to hear more from them about the unnamed social
democratic reformers who have seized control of the palace (and who
constitute, according to Woods, 'the main danger to the Bolivarian
Revolution'), I wish them well in their organisational work among the
Venezuelan masses. But, let's put things in perspective. As Marx commented
once, 'on a level plain, simple mounds look like hills': the Woodies look
significant internationally only in relation to all the competing
international Trotskyist tendencies who have preferred to distance
themselves from the impurities of another real world struggle (thereby to
better preserve their claim to be the true keepers of the chalice). Within
Venezuela itself (unless I am greatly mistaken) their influence is
minuscule compared to other Trotskyist tendencies which have militants who
are well-placed in the Bolivarian trade union movement, Communist militants
who are important in the Bolivarian Circles and in the party originally
formed by Chavez (the 5th Republic Movement, MVR) and real movements
influential in moving masses like the April 13th Movement. Of course, I may
be wrong--- in a revolutionary situation, their numbers may be exploding;
today there is a mass demonstration of the supporters of the 'No'
campaign--- I'll keep an eye out for their banners.
        in solidarity,
         michael


> When the opposition's clearly fraudulent signatures were certified by the
> referendum commission and the August 15 date was set, the Grantites, in
> Venezuela and internationally, called for the immediate formation of
> Assemblies of
> People's Delegates as the necessary prerequisite for defending the the
> anti-imperialist movement in the runup to the referendum.  Preferring the
> advice of his
> social democratic advisors Chavez has not moved in this direction, as yet.
>
> The Grantites have not responded to what they consider this dangerous
> reliance on the referenda results with sectarian calls for the Bolivarian
> masses to
> break with Chavez, baited the regime with charges of pop-frontism, or any of
> the usual flaming stuff. They've maintained a position of unconditional
> defence
> of the Bolivarian Revolution against imperialist attack, while continuing to
> organize independently around delegated popular assemblies of workers and
> peasants, and for the nationalization of Venezuela's considerable banking and
> industrial capital, as well as the opposition-controlled mass media, under
> workers
> control.

Michael A. Lebowitz
Professor Emeritus
Economics Department
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6

Currently based in Venezuela. Can be reached at
Residencias Anauco Suites
Departamento 601
Parque Central, Zona Postal 1010, Oficina 1
Caracas, Venezuela
(58-212) 573-4111
fax: (58-212) 573-7724
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