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Capitalism, Revisionism & Revolution: Avakian's "Three Alternative Worlds"

The Bob Avakian Show continues full steam. In the latest edition of Revolution, the publication of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA, they've printed a transcript of a talk that opens up the question of agency and socialism. What is, after all the difference between a social-welfare state and socialism as the dictatorship of the proletariat?

For the generations coming up with no living memory of 20th Century socialism and reared on the (neo-Conservative) end of history narrative, it's worth digging into how revolutionary communism developed in opposition to the welfare/police state model of "socialism" that was unfortunately not just a cariacture.

It's not just the ruling class and its courtiers that want to equate revisionism and Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, it's also every shade of opportunist you can imagine. Anything that turns the specter of the future into the ghost of the past...

"...the rights of the people cannot be reduced to the right to have a job and earn an income, as basic as that is. There is the question of are we really going to transform society so that in every respect, not only economically but socially, politically, ideologically, and culturally, it really is superior to capitalist society. A society that not only meets the needs of the masses of people, but really is characterized increasingly by the conscious expression and initiative of the masses of people."

Anyone with links to other leaders discussing this kind of vision, I'm all ears.

Workers Party of Belgium: Pageantry, Parliaments & Uncle Joe

By way of Jimmy Higgins from Fire on the Mountain, this report about the recent growth of the Workers Party of Belgium (PTB) is interesting on a few counts. The PTB has been the center of international gatherings to re-form the international communist movement on the conflation of revisionism and Marxism-Leninism, promoting left Stalinism against MLM. At the same time, they have grown from the "biggest of the small parties" to the "smallest of the big" in the Belgian parliament and local electoral lists. Running a high-profile campaign in her district and of mixed immigrant/European family, Miss Brussels Halima Chehaima came in second promoting the PTB platform. Cuts a better profile than Uncle Joe, but what of this program they run, what of their international profile, of shop stewards vs. tribunes of the people? What of syncretism vs. synthesis?

Maybe this is a good time to have a discussion about the Old Synthesis.

The full report is here on the link.

CPN-M Enters Parliament

From left, Nepalese newly-appointed Maoist parliamentarians: Matrika Yadav, Dina Nath Sharma, Dev Gurung, and Krishna Bahadur Mahara take oath as Members of Parliament in Kathmandu. (AFP/Devendra Man Singh)

CPN-M Enters Parliament
from A World to Win News Service
dated 15 January 2007

A new interim parliament has been formed in Nepal, with about a quarter of its members named by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). On 15 January, the old parliament in the Singha Durbar (House of Representatives) unanimously voted to adopt an interim constitution and then automatically dissolved. The first session of the new parliament convened that evening to swear in the old and new MPs. A second session scheduled for 17 January is to ratify the interim constitution, which is to serve as the country’s legal framework until constituent elections are held in June to decide the future system of government, including the issue of keeping or getting rid of the monarchy. The interim constitution makes the prime minister the head of state, instead of the king, who no longer has even a ceremonial role but retains his crown. It also removes the declaration in the former constitution that Nepal is a Hindu state. The new parliament is expected to choose a new government in February after the disarmament process is complete, the media reported.

The new single-chamber legislature includes 330 members. All were in the old parliament dissolved by the king, except for the CPN(M) delegation. Of the 83 new MPs, 28 are women, 12 are Dalits (formerly known as “Untouchables”), 22 are from indigenous ethnic groups (janajatis), and 21 from the terai, the lowlands bordering India, also long oppressed by the central Nepali state. Krishna Bahudur Mahara heads the CPN(M) delegation.

What's Up in the Philippines?

Every year on the anniversary of their founding, the Communist Party of the Philippines releases their line: analysis of the world situation, discussion of developments in the international communist movement, their national assessment and plan of action. They are optimistic.

Last year they forecast an increase in capacity for their people's army. They seem to have delivered. This year they start with party building. Party building and developing ideological cadres raises the people's ability to exert conscious power. This is politics in command of the gun, an emphasis on social organizations among the people — the very opposite of terrorism. People's War.

If a liberation organization anywhere on earth puts out something like this, I want to read it. There is an international communist movement that is evolving just like all of us. Let's take the time to listen to comrades when they take the time to speak.

Statement is posted on PhilippineRevolution.net
It is also completely re-posted here for informational purposes .

What Chavez is saying... and doing.

"Those of you who want to know what type of socialism I have planned for Venezuela should read Marx and Lenin.”

Well, that's not something you hear everyday. Not going with the flow, so to speak.

The Chavista website VenezuelaAnalysis.com has a run down of recent events, the splendid nationalizations and the dreaded, authoritarian decrees. Just guess who is scared.

With events in Nepal proceeding, instability in Mexico and Chavez stepping up as the gray beard fades in grace, we aren't just stuck with Jihad vs. McWorld.

The optimism of my intellect is catching up with my will. The spirit is always willing.

Revolution Books Now Online!

For all people who think another world is possible, and are seeking the pathways to fundamental change, for people who cherish open minds and critical thought, for all who are deeply disturbed about the whole fascist direction of society and want to understand why this is happening and how to resist and change the whole dynamic. For those who are searching for the truth, Revolution Books is the place to come.

Right on. Before you spend another dollar on Amazon.com or some other for-profit shop, check out Revolution Books Online. Spend your money where it serves the movement.

Celebration and concern among Maoists regarding developments in Nepal

No revolution in the twenty-first century can be propelled forward without taking proper lesson from the experiences of great revolutions and counter-revolutions of the twentieth century. From this point of view, our party has been giving plenty of importance to the questions of defense, application and development of the fundamental principles of MLM. —Prachanda

Major institutions from the international communist movement are beginning to speak on developments in Nepal.

In the interests of gathering a developed assessment of what is up and to facilitate discussion:

Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist): The Worker #10
This is the most comprehensive political and strategic statement so far from the CPN-M, published in their party magazine and distributed internationally. It includes a number of articles analyzing domestic and international issues, from leaders and politically allied organizations from the region and the RIM. These articles have been posted to the web by an independent Maoist collective in the United States.

A World to Win News Service (CoRIM): Nepal Maoists and Government Sign Peace Agreement
This careful explication of the terms of the peace agreement has a notably restrained tone. It comes from the CPN-M's comrades in the Revolutionary Internationalist Movement, of which they are a participating member. This article is posted in full below.

People's March: Exclusive Interview with Communist Party of India (Maoist) spokesperson on Nepal Developments
Dated Aug. 6, 2006, this critical assessment of the peace accords comes from one of the CPN-M's closest companion organizations. Leading a people's war in neighboring India, the CPI (Maoist) is a co-participant with the Nepalese in the CCOMPOSSA, a political coordinating body of South Asian Maoists.

Analytical Monthly Review: People's Victory in Nepal, U.S. and Indian Reactions
Short analysis from the Indian companion magazine to Monthly Review here in the USA.

In the comments below, a comrade has posted a joint press statement from Aug. 8 by the Communist party of Nepal (Maoist) and Communist Party of India (Maoist) on the recent debates between two parties. They have also released statement condemning the brutal attack on Lebanon.

People of the Shining Path video, readings on the PCP – and analysis of the "peace accords"

                 

This film provides a sympathetic look at the Peruvian revolution and the Communist Party of Peru (Shining Path) before Presidente Gonzalo's capture. The situation is now, very much, different. It was produced by the British TV station Channel 4. Most notable is how it actually includes interviews with guerillas and communist political officers. Considering the tremendous efforts to totally demonize these brave fighters, at a time when most of the Latin American left was hanging it all up, anyone who hasn't seen this documentary might be more than a little surprised. This honest, in-depth documentary shows why revolutionaries who refused to lower their sights found inspiration from this great attempt in a time of near universal dispair. It also shows what can be done when you try. Additional background reading:  Gordon McCormick's comparitive study of the MRTA and the PCP, Sharp Dressed Man | On the link, A World to Win's current analysis of the "Peace Accords," with some discussion of ideological issues related to Guzman (Gonzolo), the PCP's currently fractured leadership and Guzman's theory of "jefetura", or placing the Party's leadership above internal democratic centralist practice: A Sober Look at the Situation of the Peru Revolution and Its Needs

Mayday: International Workers Day

Having worked until 6 in the morning today from yesterday afternoon, I'm feeling... exploited. The 8-hour day? The 5-day work week? Ha. The Chicago Martrys fought the good fight, but today I'm off to join the Red Flag Contingent in New York's Washington Square Park to march.

Much respect to the rebels of Nepal. Much respect to the militias of Venezuela. Much respect to the Zapatistas and their darker shade of pink (El Otro... Yo Soy). Much respect to the uprisers in the Philippines. Hoping for a revolutionary May Day in Berlin...

Much respect to all hermano@s de Mexico... un otro mundo esta en nuestr@ manos.

We have no borders. Today our flag is red. Workers of the world unite. We have a world to win.

Local reports are welcome.

May 1: Another World—A Commuunist World—Is Possible!

RCP Chairman Bob Avakian:
The Need for Communist to Be... Communists
(and yes... that means you!)

Nepal: new developments, new challenges, great dangers

A World To Win News Service writes;

Nepalese politics have taken a complex turn with the restoration of parliament by the feudal autocrat Gyanendra Shah and the acceptance of this proposal by the parliamentary parties. US Ambassador James Moriarty commented, with a shudder of relief, that if this deal had not been made, Nepal “was close to getting rid of the monarchy entirely by a violent revolution.” (Nepalnews.com, 27 April) Reports now indicate that at least 19 people died and 5,000 were seriously injured in the three weeks of mass upsurge whose main demand was the total abolition of the monarchy. The alliance of seven parliamentary parties ignored this sacrifice in their eagerness to reach a compromise with the king.