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In Defence of Trotskyism
Since the financial crisis of 2007-08, many different movements have developed against oppression, austerity, neoliberalism and capitalism – with mixed success. In a complicated situation, Marxists must take stock, analyse what is going on and why, and present a way forward.
In 2018-19, a dispute broke out within the Committee for a Workers’ International over exactly these questions. This book brings together many of the key documents produced to defend a working-class, Trotskyist cwi; a process which culminated in the cwi’s re-foundation.
The focus of this debate included the questions of socialism and identity politics; the role of the trade unions and the working-class movement; the national question; and under what programme and how should Marxists organise internationally and domestically.
Internationalist in form and content, this book collects contributions from across the world, bringing together the collective experience of working-class fighters to discuss these important questions.
In Defence of Trotskyism is much more than a record of an internal debate. It is a restatement of Marxist principles and a living example of their application in today’s world. In Defence of Trotskyism will be invaluable to all those fighting for socialism.
In 2018-19, a dispute broke out within the Committee for a Workers’ International over exactly these questions. This book brings together many of the key documents produced to defend a working-class, Trotskyist cwi; a process which culminated in the cwi’s re-foundation.
The focus of this debate included the questions of socialism and identity politics; the role of the trade unions and the working-class movement; the national question; and under what programme and how should Marxists organise internationally and domestically.
Internationalist in form and content, this book collects contributions from across the world, bringing together the collective experience of working-class fighters to discuss these important questions.
In Defence of Trotskyism is much more than a record of an internal debate. It is a restatement of Marxist principles and a living example of their application in today’s world. In Defence of Trotskyism will be invaluable to all those fighting for socialism.
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About the author
Peter Taaffe
21 books5 followersPeter Taaffe was a British Marxist Trotskyist political activist and a longtime leader of the Socialist Party and its predecessor, the Militant tendency.
Taaffe was the founding editor of the Trotskyist Militant newspaper in 1964, and became known as a leading member of the Militant entryist group in the Labour Party. Taaffe was expelled from the Labour Party in 1983, along with four other members of Militant's editorial board.
Taaffe was influential in the policy decisions of Liverpool City Council of 1983–1987, according to the council's deputy leader Derek Hatton, and in the formation of the Militant tendency's policy regarding the Poll Tax in 1988–1991.
Taaffe was the founding editor of the Trotskyist Militant newspaper in 1964, and became known as a leading member of the Militant entryist group in the Labour Party. Taaffe was expelled from the Labour Party in 1983, along with four other members of Militant's editorial board.
Taaffe was influential in the policy decisions of Liverpool City Council of 1983–1987, according to the council's deputy leader Derek Hatton, and in the formation of the Militant tendency's policy regarding the Poll Tax in 1988–1991.
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January 12, 2020I received this book as a Christmas gift. As a teacher of children and adults, I am well aware that the people who are hardest to teach are those who think they know everything already. I learned a lot from reading this book and I have been a Socialist for a good fifty years. Trotsky's classic "Death Agony of Capitalism" was a major part of my education fifty years ago. "In Defence of Trotskyism" is about reasserting the working-class basis of Socialism. For Socialists, the key to the future is the role of the working class. This is often expressed through the trade union movement. My own union, UNITE is cited in the book as an example of how the working class can transform a bureaucratic body into one which actively campaigns for workers' rights, advances the cause of Socialism and provides hope for the future.
The book refers to "Mandelism" which is a term I remember from the past. It simply means the seeking of a short cut to Socialism which bypasses the working class and is therefore doomed to failure.
The struggles of the next period will test all organisations which claim the mantle of Trotskyism and some will be found wanting. The CWI (Committee for a Workers' International) has been refounded on fundamental principles which will stand it in good stead.
I enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to anybody.
The book refers to "Mandelism" which is a term I remember from the past. It simply means the seeking of a short cut to Socialism which bypasses the working class and is therefore doomed to failure.
The struggles of the next period will test all organisations which claim the mantle of Trotskyism and some will be found wanting. The CWI (Committee for a Workers' International) has been refounded on fundamental principles which will stand it in good stead.
I enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to anybody.
Displaying 1 of 1 review