Renardism
Encyclopedia
Renardism is a theory specific to the socialism
based on the thought of André Renard
, combining Syndicalism
and Walloon militancy
.
In a speech on November 17, 1960 at Charleroi
, in front of a large gathering of syndicalists, André Renard partly explained the tactical aspects of his theory as follows:
That was some weeks before the 1960-1961 Winter General Strike
. But Renardism must not be summarized to a narrow tactical view.
About Renard Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen
, the British Ambassador to Belgium wrote in 1946 a report on leading personalities in Belgium to Ernest Bevin
: On close acquaintance he drops the touch of Trotskysm
which seasons his public discourses and his anarcho-syndicalism
dwindles to a belief that, in view of the present political set-up in Belgium, there is still quite place for direct action. Forty years later Leo P.Schol stated that Renardisme was a model of mobilization torn between three logics: regional, socialist, & working class and that in the in the late 1980s, these three logics have become stronger, but increasingly separate.
Ernest Mandel
, leader of the Fourth International
, in line with its policy, joined the Belgian Socialist Party
becoming editor of La Gauche and a member of the economic studies commission of the General Federation of Belgian Labour
and an associate of Renard. He and his comrades were expelled from the Socialist Party after the general strike
in 1960-1961 Winter General Strike
for opposing its coalition with the Christian Democrats
and its acceptance of anti-strike
legislation.
Benard Francq proposed this interpretation inspired by Alain Touraine
. There are four items
1. Working class Action 2. Popular consciencousness
3. Social-Democratic action 4. Political regionalist action
In the beginning, Renardism (since the general strikes of 1950 and 1960 until the end of the 1970s), was a political model action with this order of importance:
1) Working class Action 2) Popular consciencousness 3) Social-Democratic action 4) Political regionalist action
But when the renardism declined, the political regionalist action (or Regionalism
) became the most important thing: ant the order of the figures and of what they meant is now:
(4) (3) (2) (1)
An example of the first order of importance was the Renard's rallying on special Congrès National Wallon gathered on 26 March 1950 after the Consultation populaire in Belgium This rapprochement was short-lived and existed only within the context of the "Royal Question". From the end of July 1950 onwards, it became obvious that Renard's involvement focused on workers' solidarity rather than on the Walloon Movement itself although he was not any longer indifferent to the Walloon problem.
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
based on the thought of André Renard
André Renard
André Renard , was the leader of an important tendency in the Walloon tradeunionism-Resistance and a new faction in the Syndicalism:...
, combining Syndicalism
Syndicalism
Syndicalism is a type of economic system proposed as a replacement for capitalism and an alternative to state socialism, which uses federations of collectivised trade unions or industrial unions...
and Walloon militancy
Walloon Movement
The Walloon Movement is an umbrella term for all Belgian political movements that either assert the existence of a Walloon identity or defend French culture and language within Belgium. The movement began as a defence of the primacy of French but later gained political and socio-economic objectives...
.
In a speech on November 17, 1960 at Charleroi
Charleroi
Charleroi is a city and a municipality of Wallonia, located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. , the total population of Charleroi was 201,593. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of and had a total population of 522,522 as of 1 January 2008, ranking it as...
, in front of a large gathering of syndicalists, André Renard partly explained the tactical aspects of his theory as follows:
They made us believe in the socialist opening in Flanders. Just look at numbers. For me, the combat remains whole, but I choose the best ground and the best weapons. For the moment, the best ground and the best weapons are in Wallonia, the best road passes by the defense of the Walloon interests. I am at the same time socialist and Walloon and I embrace the walloon thesises because they are socialist.
That was some weeks before the 1960-1961 Winter General Strike
1960-1961 Winter General Strike
1960–1961 Winter General Strike was the most important strike of the 20th century in Belgium and was called the Strike of the Century. Its triggering factor was Eyskens' government introducing a number of austerity policies under the general name Loi unique...
. But Renardism must not be summarized to a narrow tactical view.
Trotskysm? Anarcho-syndicalism?
Since the World War II Renard was opposed to close ties with any political partiesAbout Renard Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen
Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen
Sir Hughe Montgomery Knatchbull-Hugessen KCMG was a British diplomat, civil servant and author.-Background and education:...
, the British Ambassador to Belgium wrote in 1946 a report on leading personalities in Belgium to Ernest Bevin
Ernest Bevin
Ernest Bevin was a British trade union leader and Labour politician. He served as general secretary of the powerful Transport and General Workers' Union from 1922 to 1945, as Minister of Labour in the war-time coalition government, and as Foreign Secretary in the post-war Labour Government.-Early...
: On close acquaintance he drops the touch of Trotskysm
Trotskyism
Trotskyism is the theory of Marxism as advocated by Leon Trotsky. Trotsky considered himself an orthodox Marxist and Bolshevik-Leninist, arguing for the establishment of a vanguard party of the working-class...
which seasons his public discourses and his anarcho-syndicalism
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
dwindles to a belief that, in view of the present political set-up in Belgium, there is still quite place for direct action. Forty years later Leo P.Schol stated that Renardisme was a model of mobilization torn between three logics: regional, socialist, & working class and that in the in the late 1980s, these three logics have become stronger, but increasingly separate.
Ernest Mandel
Ernest Mandel
Ernest Ezra Mandel, also known by various pseudonyms such as Ernest Germain, Pierre Gousset, Henri Vallin, Walter , was a revolutionary Marxist theorist.-Life:...
, leader of the Fourth International
Fourth International
The Fourth International is the communist international organisation consisting of followers of Leon Trotsky , with the declared dedicated goal of helping the working class bring about socialism...
, in line with its policy, joined the Belgian Socialist Party
Belgian Socialist Party
The Belgian Socialist Party was a democratic socialist party which existed in Belgium from 1945 to 1978.The BSP was founded by activists from the Belgian Labour Party , which was the first Belgian socialist party. It ceased to function during the Second World War, while Belgium was under Nazi...
becoming editor of La Gauche and a member of the economic studies commission of the General Federation of Belgian Labour
General Federation of Belgian Labour
-External links:* Official site.*...
and an associate of Renard. He and his comrades were expelled from the Socialist Party after the general strike
General strike
A general strike is a strike action by a critical mass of the labour force in a city, region, or country. While a general strike can be for political goals, economic goals, or both, it tends to gain its momentum from the ideological or class sympathies of the participants...
in 1960-1961 Winter General Strike
1960-1961 Winter General Strike
1960–1961 Winter General Strike was the most important strike of the 20th century in Belgium and was called the Strike of the Century. Its triggering factor was Eyskens' government introducing a number of austerity policies under the general name Loi unique...
for opposing its coalition with the Christian Democrats
Christian Democracy
Christian democracy is a political ideology that seeks to apply Christian principles to public policy. It emerged in nineteenth-century Europe under the influence of conservatism and Catholic social teaching...
and its acceptance of anti-strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
legislation.
A definition inspired by Alain Touraine
Alain Touraine
Alain Touraine is a French sociologist born in Hermanville-sur-Mer. He is research director at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, where he founded the Centre d'étude des mouvements sociaux . He is best known for being the originator of the term "post-industrial society"...
. There are four items
1. Working class Action 2. Popular consciencousness
3. Social-Democratic action 4. Political regionalist action
In the beginning, Renardism (since the general strikes of 1950 and 1960 until the end of the 1970s), was a political model action with this order of importance:
1) Working class Action 2) Popular consciencousness 3) Social-Democratic action 4) Political regionalist action
But when the renardism declined, the political regionalist action (or Regionalism
Regionalism
In politics, regionalism is a political ideology that focuses on the interests of a particular region or group of regions, whether traditional or formal...
) became the most important thing: ant the order of the figures and of what they meant is now:
(4) (3) (2) (1)
An example of the first order of importance was the Renard's rallying on special Congrès National Wallon gathered on 26 March 1950 after the Consultation populaire in Belgium This rapprochement was short-lived and existed only within the context of the "Royal Question". From the end of July 1950 onwards, it became obvious that Renard's involvement focused on workers' solidarity rather than on the Walloon Movement itself although he was not any longer indifferent to the Walloon problem.
See also
- Regionalism (politics)Regionalism (politics)Regionalism is a term used in international relations. Regionalism also constitutes one of the three constituents of the international commercial system...
- SyndicalismSyndicalismSyndicalism is a type of economic system proposed as a replacement for capitalism and an alternative to state socialism, which uses federations of collectivised trade unions or industrial unions...
- General strike against Leopold III of BelgiumGeneral strike against Leopold III of BelgiumThe Royal Question refers to the 1950 political conflict surrounding the question whether King Leopold III should return to Belgium after World War II. A referendum was organised, in which the majority voted in favour of his return...
- 1960-1961 Winter General Strike1960-1961 Winter General Strike1960–1961 Winter General Strike was the most important strike of the 20th century in Belgium and was called the Strike of the Century. Its triggering factor was Eyskens' government introducing a number of austerity policies under the general name Loi unique...
- Walloon Jacquerie of 1886Walloon Jacquerie of 1886The Walloon jacquerie of 1886 was a working class jacquerie of a bloody spring as many Walloon scholars are calling it This violent upheaval of the Belgian, especially Walloon proletariat, caused a profound psychological shock in an atmosphere of fear of an inevitable and explosive social...