Re: [Marxism] SWP Democracy Commission

[chegitz guevara <absynthe@xxxxxxxxx>]

Let 100 Flowers Bloom, with all that implies.

On Wed, Feb 4, 2009 at 9:55 AM, Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> (I don't think that this will solve their problems unless it is
> accompanied by a commission to review the appropriateness of "democratic
> centralism" mechanically understood.)
>
> http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=17008
> SWP Democracy Commission
>
> by Sheila McGregor, Chair of the Democracy Commission
>
> The Democracy Commission was set up at the recent Socialist Workers
> Party (SWP) annual conference. It is made up of ten elected members and
> four members appointed by the SWP's Central Committee. Its first meeting
> will be on Saturday 7 February.
>
> Since the 1999 Seattle protests sparked a new wave of global resistance
> to capitalism, party members have thrown themselves into building the
> movements – particularly those against globalisation and war – as well
> as developing an alternative to New Labour.
>
> However, concern has grown over the last few years that there has been a
> lack of proper debate and reflection about our activities. Many comrades
> feel that this has led to mistakes and unaccountability.
>
> Hence the widespread view among members articulated at our recent
> conference that we need to restore a proper culture of debate within the
> party.
>
> This will enable all comrades to discuss the party's work and provide
> the basis for democratic decision making and accountability.
>
> Just as importantly, it can provide the framework within which all
> members feel confident about taking up a leadership role in their sphere
> of work.
>
> We must be able to properly assess events so we can decide how best to
> respond.
>
> The fast-changing world situation makes it all the more pressing that
> comrades feel engaged in our discussion of how to respond – whether we
> face the Israeli assault on Gaza or the recent wave of unofficial
> strikes across Britain.
>
> If everyone feels they have taken part in the discussion we can be
> confident that decisions, once taken, will be respected by all.
>
> The commission's purpose is to look at the "culture of debate", the way
> we organise inside the SWP, and how we discuss and decide on our work.
> It will draft proposals to take to a special conference within the next
> three to six months.
>
> At our first meeting the members of the commission will look at how to
> take that discussion to branches and districts in the next few weeks.
>
> We also welcome submissions from individual members of the party. Please
> contact the SWP national office for submissions to the Democracy Commission.
>
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