====================================================================== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. ======================================================================
On 12/04/2010 15:18, Louis Proyect wrote: > While I am not familiar with all the disputed issues, I know that the > Respect experience was fairly important. Both sides seem to support a > "united front" approach to electoral formations such as Respect that > in my opinion is a formula for disaster since it requires the > "revolutionary" members of the group to accept the discipline of their > own organization. From my own experience in the American SWP, this > kind of behavior in the mass movement alienated just about everybody > who was not a member or sympathizer of our sect. > This isn't quite right. 1) I can't speak for everyone, but the concept of "united front of a special kind", which was John Rees' innovation, is not one that has enjoyed universal support in the SWP. In fairness, I also understand that Rees himself is not committed to that formula - though perhaps that was a negotiating position adopted when he was still in the party. 2) It isn't the "united front of a special kind" formula that requires members to accept the discipline of their own organisation, it is the fact that they are members. This would be expected however one classified participation in an electoral group. Nor do I believe that this in itself leads to problems - it doesn't usually affect our ability to operate in a fraternal and open way with others in different campaigns. Provided the party is determined to work constructively within whatever organisation it joins, party discipline should usually help rather than hinder relations with that organisation. 3) In the case of Respect, I might add, it was the failure of certain members to accept the discipline of their organisation, their failure to be accountable for how they conducted themselves as SWP members within Respect, that caused a great part of the problem - many people were simply unaware of much of what was taking place. Had that accountability been in place, the very real divisions in Respect might have been handled far more tactfully and amicably than they were. I apologise for filling up Marxmail with what must look like parochial gossip, but as you appear to be drawing broader lessons from these experiences, I feel impelled to clarify what took place. -- Richard Seymour Writer and blogger Email: leninstombb...@googlemail.com Website: http://www.leninology.blogspot.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/leninology Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Seymour_(writer) Book: http://www.versobooks.com/books/nopqrs/s-titles/seymour_r_the_liberal_defense_of_murder.shtml ________________________________________________ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
