What do you think of the IST?

First of all, sorry for my poor english.

I'd like to know what you think of the International Socialist Tendency and Tony Cliff. Essentially the British SWP. I believe the most known active name today is Alex Callinicos.

They have some interesting point of views, such as defining the Soviet Union (and other one-party states such as Cuba) as State Capitalist and the claim of a "Socialism from below". Some militants associated with this tendency call themselves libertarians. Though they can be categorized as an unorthodox trotskyist group, I believe they tend to consider Trotsky as one of many influences.

They have some interesting point of views, such as defining the Soviet Union (and other one-party states such as Cuba) as State Capitalist and the claim of a "Socialism from below". Some militants associated with this tendency call themselves libertarians. Though they can be categorized as an unorthodox trotskyist group, I believe they tend to consider Trotsky as one of many influences.

Yes, I think they have an interesting analisis of URSS. Unfortunately, they doesn't take the consequences of that:
-The IV International calls to suport the USSR in II World War. Thus its possition was agaisnt of working class. This must led SWP to made a critic of its Troskism,

- They must reconsider every politics of alliance with stalinist parties and movements. Nevertheless they suport stalinist movements like "antiimperialist" or "national liberation". For exemple, they defend IRA or ETA.

-This horrible position on "national question" led em' to made actuations in the context of "national liberation", and issolate of the real working class. In Catalonia for exemple they promote minoritary candidatures of radikal-nationalist in the line of ETA (CUP), that are masively hated by the population.

Anyway, I reply with a bit of personal courage, because I was linked to them as a sympathizer. I liked his analysis of the "state capitalism in the USSR", his reference to the working class and Internationalism. But when they began to talk of support "critical" but "unconditionaly" to MLNV (ETA's political environment) I was very upset. For me it was contradictory to distribute press that championed these ideas: I was clear to me that the MLNV is a totalitarian movement that if would take power in the Basque country would be more oppressive on the proletariat that the current "democracy". That's why I went away from them although some friends of mine were joined by more actively.

In addition, make no criticism of Bolshevism and justify the reppression of Kronstadt Comunne, as a "necessary evil". Besides justifying the alliance with sectors Islamic "moderates" as a consequence of "anti-imperialism."

Anyway, there are healthy people with whom we can discuss, if you can contact them in Brazil engaged in an open discussion, but beware their positions pro-nationalist and anti-imperialists ", which are the antithesis of the position of Rosa Luxembourg.

Socialist Internationalist Salutes

Ι would like to ask the same question for LCR and NPA.Information we get in Greece is sometimes biased
and i really would like to know a bit more on their thesis
and more important on their function in terms of democracy.

british swp = typically the so-called "anti-imperialist front" with islamists. a current lost for the left.

LCR and NPA are even worst than IST. They represent one of the most degenerated branches of "IV International", thus the official branch of Mandel, Krivine,...They even consider former USSR and another "socialist countries" like a "worker denenerated state", and in past consider Cuba or Yugoslavia, like a alternative model to USSR. They conform a kind of "left branch" on Unions bureaucracy. And have ilussions in all nationalism movement like "antiimperialist", even in little territories: Basc Country, Catalonia, Bretagne, Corsica ...And even are historically linked with "Pablo" that was minister at Argelia with FLN and called militants to enter in "Communist" Parties.

Thanks for your reply.Feedback we have at the Greek (left) press is that the NPA is a totally new approach where
the new members will be able to discuss and form the principles theory and action from "zero base".Apart from the "national" issue what is their approach in terms of democracy?

In reference to entry at a "communist" party in my opinion this is strictly related to the current situation of society
and the ability to act within that party.For example it does not make any sense at all to try to enter and work inside
the Greek communist party not only from a libertarian point of view but from any point of view .

¡¡¡Avoid the stalinists of KKE!!! Stalinism is a poisoned and reationary ideology, enemy of workers.

ΚΚΕ has involved to a pretty nasty case to put it mildly however i am still missing your reply to my remarks.

Although, we may have very large theoretical and therfore practical differences with the countries of "State" Socialism, would you all not immediately concur that we have much more in common with these people, economically, then we do with the Capitalist controlled States (led and militarily defended by the USA)?

Mike Morin
www.peoplesequityunion.blogspot.com