[Marxism] Evolution of Sectarianism within Marxist Philosophy????

["Ashley MacDonald" <macdonald_ashley@xxxxxxx>]

I am not sure if this is the correct way to go about this, but I was
wondering if anyone could suggest some research materials and possible
venues for approaching the matter.

I am currently undergoing a study of the 'Marxist Philosophy' with a
particular aspect in mind. A few years ago, I was writing an Essay on E.P.
Thompson and the Soviet Invasion of Hungary in 1956 and while researching
this essay I came across a book by Neal Wood titled "Communism and British
Intellectuals". (New York: Columbia University Press, 1959.) In this book,
Wood discusses the "Elect of King Street" and their control over the CPGB
and its theoretical as well as practical work. He contends that because of
the change in membership of the CPGB over its first few decades of
existence, with 2500 members at its inception, its membership would
fluctuate from 10,730 in 1926, the year of the General Strike, to 15,700 by
1938; and also because of the sudden change in membership after the
"revolutionary" militancy of these periods died down, the leadership of the
CPGB would consolidate itself around a highly selective grouping of
"longtime" members. I am not sure if this is very clear, but what I am
getting at is that during the General Strike, the CPGB gained numerous new
members and when the Strike was over, many of these new members would leave
and the "elect" would grow stronger by calling for the consolidation of
authority around them as they were "true" marxists.

For a little time now, I have been wondering too just what an extent could
this be used to explain the sense of sectarianism within the Revolutionary
Marxist movement. I guess what I am getting at is how did the "reformism"
movement on the late 1800s effect the movement that was left behind. Did the
'new' leaders of Marxism retract and become more apprehensive about the
questioning of Marxist theory. Also, I would like to take this into the 20th
century, as well as the last 4 years of the 21st if it is possible, by
approaching the evolution of Trotskyism and its many arguing adherents.

In the end, I am hoping my research will help me to gain a greater
understanding of the current level of sectarianism within the Revolutionary
Left. If anyone on this board can suggest any writings I may find of
interest, or if you have any thoughts on this general subject I would like
to here from you. Either on the list or off.

Thank you for your time,
Ashley MacDonald



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