Libertarian Communism (journal)
Encyclopedia
Libertarian Communism was a socialist journal
founded in 1974 and produced in part by members of the Socialist Party of Great Britain
.
was enthused by a healthy influx of new recruits initially politicised by the CND marches, Vietnam
and the May Events of 1968. The boost to Party membership and activity at this
time was considerable.
Influenced by the prevailing political climate, some members who joined in this period wanted to change the emphasis of the Party’s propaganda efforts towards taking a more positive attitude to industrial struggles, claimants unions and tenants' associations but also to women's liberation and squatting
, arguing that the Party had developed a somewhat idealist conception of how socialist consciousness
arises, being divorced from the day-to-day struggles of workers. To this effect fifteen activists from the ‘sixties generation’ signed a mini-manifesto
in 1973 entitled “Where We Stand” which was circulated inside the Party. Although these ‘rebels’ in the Party were never a homogenous group, many more long-standing and traditional Party members felt uncomfortable with their line of argument.
One particular group of these activists published an internal discussion bulletin, which, in 1974, converted itself into an externally-oriented journal called Libertarian Communism. This was produced with the aid of non-members and supported the idea of workers' council
s. It openly attacked as ‘Kautsky
ite’ the Party’s traditional conception of the socialist revolution being facilitated through ‘bourgeois’ democracy and parliament. At the same time another group of younger members, based mainly in Aberdeen
and Edinburgh
, was keen that the Party express support for such things as higher student grants (on the grounds that the Socialist Party was always prepared to support demands for higher wages) but the arguments of this group found no more favour with the majority in the Party than those put by the group around Libertarian Communism. Indeed, both of these groups were to be charged and then expelled for issuing literature that contradicted official Party policy.
ideas — created an organisation called Social Revolution along with the Aberdeen and Edinburgh activists, which later joined the Solidarity
group. Some years later a number of these activists were also involved in the foundation of the Wildcat council communist group and one of its successors, Subversion.
Academic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
founded in 1974 and produced in part by members of the Socialist Party of Great Britain
Socialist Party of Great Britain
The Socialist Party of Great Britain , is a small Marxist political party within the impossibilist tradition. It is best known for its advocacy of using the ballot box for revolutionary purposes; opposition to reformism; and its early adoption of the theory of state capitalism to describe the...
.
History
During the 1960s the Socialist Party of Great BritainSocialist Party of Great Britain
The Socialist Party of Great Britain , is a small Marxist political party within the impossibilist tradition. It is best known for its advocacy of using the ballot box for revolutionary purposes; opposition to reformism; and its early adoption of the theory of state capitalism to describe the...
was enthused by a healthy influx of new recruits initially politicised by the CND marches, Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and the May Events of 1968. The boost to Party membership and activity at this
time was considerable.
Influenced by the prevailing political climate, some members who joined in this period wanted to change the emphasis of the Party’s propaganda efforts towards taking a more positive attitude to industrial struggles, claimants unions and tenants' associations but also to women's liberation and squatting
Squatting
Squatting consists of occupying an abandoned or unoccupied space or building, usually residential, that the squatter does not own, rent or otherwise have permission to use....
, arguing that the Party had developed a somewhat idealist conception of how socialist consciousness
Class consciousness
Class consciousness is consciousness of one's social class or economic rank in society. From the perspective of Marxist theory, it refers to the self-awareness, or lack thereof, of a particular class; its capacity to act in its own rational interests; or its awareness of the historical tasks...
arises, being divorced from the day-to-day struggles of workers. To this effect fifteen activists from the ‘sixties generation’ signed a mini-manifesto
Manifesto
A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related.-Etymology:...
in 1973 entitled “Where We Stand” which was circulated inside the Party. Although these ‘rebels’ in the Party were never a homogenous group, many more long-standing and traditional Party members felt uncomfortable with their line of argument.
One particular group of these activists published an internal discussion bulletin, which, in 1974, converted itself into an externally-oriented journal called Libertarian Communism. This was produced with the aid of non-members and supported the idea of workers' council
Workers' council
A workers' council, or revolutionary councils, is the phenomenon where a single place of work or enterprise, such as a factory, school, or farm, is controlled collectively by the workers of that workplace, through the core principle of temporary and instantly revocable delegates.In a system with...
s. It openly attacked as ‘Kautsky
Kautsky
Kautsky:* Minna Kautsky, née Jaich , Austrian-Bohemian actress, writer ** Karl Kautsky , Czech-German philosopher and politician, leading theoretician of Marxism, husband of Luise...
ite’ the Party’s traditional conception of the socialist revolution being facilitated through ‘bourgeois’ democracy and parliament. At the same time another group of younger members, based mainly in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
and Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, was keen that the Party express support for such things as higher student grants (on the grounds that the Socialist Party was always prepared to support demands for higher wages) but the arguments of this group found no more favour with the majority in the Party than those put by the group around Libertarian Communism. Indeed, both of these groups were to be charged and then expelled for issuing literature that contradicted official Party policy.
Aftermath
The prominent activists of the time who were either expelled or left of their own volition typically became involved in single-issue campaigns or the radical feminist movement. However, one network of former members — those based around Libertarian Communism, who were critical of the Party’s revolutionary strategy and attracted by council communistCouncil communism
Council communism is a current of libertarian Marxism that emerged out of the November Revolution in the 1920s, characterized by its opposition to state capitalism/state socialism as well as its advocacy of workers' councils as the basis for workers' democracy.Originally affiliated with the...
ideas — created an organisation called Social Revolution along with the Aberdeen and Edinburgh activists, which later joined the Solidarity
Solidarity (UK)
Solidarity was a small libertarian socialist organisation from 1960 to 1992 in the United Kingdom. It published a magazine of the same name. Solidarity was close to council communism in its prescriptions and was known for its emphasis on workers' self-organisation and for its radical...
group. Some years later a number of these activists were also involved in the foundation of the Wildcat council communist group and one of its successors, Subversion.