RE: [Marxism] The SWP (USA) and its continuing significance

["Mark Lause" <MLause@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Influence is all a matter of degrees.  The SWP became prominent after
1966 primarily because of the rapid expansion of the YSA.  Now, the
party had the sense to help that process, but it really didn't create
the YSA as its own youth group.  It developed independently.  Younger
party members were involved and something of a symbiotic relationship
developed.

On the Left (as in the wider society), bodies that seem to be successful
want to see it as a matter of their merit--like they are winners in the
marketplace of ideas because of the superiority of their ideas.
However, it is only reasonable to treat such claims with skepticism.
Right now, the ISO is doing fine anti-war work and is reaping the
benefits of it--just as did WWP/YAWF earlier.

In the end, though, nobody should discount the role of serendipity in
evolution of any sorts--in making one group or another come to the fore
at any point in time.  Nobody has a monopoly on good ideas and having
one or two doesn't mark any kind of permanent ascendancy.

Towards that end, the discussion of the SWP/YSA may be a useful
cautionary tale....

Solidarity!
Mark L.




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