[Marxism] German Left Unity Endangered

[Ben Courtice <benj2006@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Nobby posted an article from the German CWI (English socialist Party,
ex-Militant) about the dispute in the Berlin WASG/PDS alliance:
<http://archives.econ.utah.edu/archives/marxism/2006w09/msg00102.htm>
There's an interesting counter article in the MR Zine by Victor Grossman
today:
<http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/grossman010306.html>

which outlines how this move could potentially derail the whole WASG/PDS
alliance, or damage it anyhow.

"The WASG in Berlin has decided to poll its membership in the city-state
before making a final decision.  There are only about 800 WASG members
in Berlin, compared with about 10,000 Left-PDS members.  Not a few of
the WASG members in Berlin are former members of the PDS who quit in
protest -- some are very dogmatic types, some are simply sticking to
strong principles."

Going by the CWI's propagandistic abstention from recent left alliances
(i.e. the Socialist Alliance) here in Australia I might guess that
something similar is afoot. For all the faults/sellouts of the PDS,
isn't the WASG also headed up by Lafontaine, who was previously in the
Social-Democrat leadership and government? So what's so principled about
working with one but not the other?

Or am I missing something?

Ben Courtice

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