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The Bauxite Strike and the Old Politics
"Every man is his own leader and we are leaderless" this was the organizational principle voiced by the Afro-Guyanese bauxite mine workers in the democratic councils and mass assemblies that characterized the bauxite strike of April 1970.
Originally published in 1972, Eusi Kwayana's The Bauxite Strike and the Old Politics examines the struggle for workers' control in what was Guyana's soon-to-be-nationalized bauxite industry. Kwayana's account of these events underscores the workers' conviction that "nationalization without workers' control and workers' self-management is a fraud."
This revised second edition includes a biographical sketch of Eusi Kwayana, an introduction by Matthew Quest, and an appendix of rare documents published by ASCRIA (African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa). Over thirty leaflets, pamphlets, essays, editorials, and newspaper articles have been reprinted in this volume, documenting the struggle for workers' self-emancipation in Guyana from the bauxite strike of 1970 to the sugar workers' rebellion of 1974.
Originally published in 1972, Eusi Kwayana's The Bauxite Strike and the Old Politics examines the struggle for workers' control in what was Guyana's soon-to-be-nationalized bauxite industry. Kwayana's account of these events underscores the workers' conviction that "nationalization without workers' control and workers' self-management is a fraud."
This revised second edition includes a biographical sketch of Eusi Kwayana, an introduction by Matthew Quest, and an appendix of rare documents published by ASCRIA (African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa). Over thirty leaflets, pamphlets, essays, editorials, and newspaper articles have been reprinted in this volume, documenting the struggle for workers' self-emancipation in Guyana from the bauxite strike of 1970 to the sugar workers' rebellion of 1974.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
162 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2012
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November 16, 2025
It's a particular vantage on leftist politics and post-colonial thinking. Kwayana is speaking from transitory Guyana which is fractured along multiple lines: post-colonial entities, trade unionism, multiple ethnic disparities etc. Kwayana speaks for ASCRIA [African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa], that is, from the perspective of black people within Guyana and black people more broadly.
It's a fascinating case study from the eye of a trade-unionist storm - much of the works here looking to forge a Guyanese identity that is communist (as in, equitable distribution of land resources amongst different groups) and pluralist (respect of different groups' conflicting ideas of equity). It's also, importantly, a communism which is critical of the Bolshevik movement and the tendency of communism / leftist movements in Europe to be in specifically European terms. As such it's very much on point with BLM type thinking and a real gem of post-colonial thinking.
It's a moderate shame that this work takes the form of 'collected writings' rather than a specific exposition, but in that it's still charming - lots of this is journalism or pamphleteering, drawing on the contemporary Guyanese workers' struggles. And it's broadly level - there are moments where he praises colonial forces (in specific and limited contexts) and moments where he's strongly opposed.
Definitely recommend for anyone's post-colonial shelf that wants an in-depth look at workers' movements showing solidarity with black diaspora while simultaneously dealing with local conflicts.
It's a fascinating case study from the eye of a trade-unionist storm - much of the works here looking to forge a Guyanese identity that is communist (as in, equitable distribution of land resources amongst different groups) and pluralist (respect of different groups' conflicting ideas of equity). It's also, importantly, a communism which is critical of the Bolshevik movement and the tendency of communism / leftist movements in Europe to be in specifically European terms. As such it's very much on point with BLM type thinking and a real gem of post-colonial thinking.
It's a moderate shame that this work takes the form of 'collected writings' rather than a specific exposition, but in that it's still charming - lots of this is journalism or pamphleteering, drawing on the contemporary Guyanese workers' struggles. And it's broadly level - there are moments where he praises colonial forces (in specific and limited contexts) and moments where he's strongly opposed.
Definitely recommend for anyone's post-colonial shelf that wants an in-depth look at workers' movements showing solidarity with black diaspora while simultaneously dealing with local conflicts.
Displaying 1 of 1 review