OUTLOOK IN THE NINETIES, millions of women and men have taken part in mobilisations against the evils of capitalism and the bureaucratic dictatorships. This reflects the fact that humanity face widening dangers. Ecological, military, social and economic devastation faces millions of people. Many more people recognise the barbaric nature of capitalism. In a situation where the inability of the social democratic an communist parties to provide socialist solutions is becoming clearer, the task of creating new leaderships remains ahead.
Socialist Outlook is written and sold by socialists committed to this struggle. We are the British supporters of the world-wide marxist organisation, the Fourth International. We stand for the revolutionary transformation of society and a pluralist, socialist democracy world wide.
The overall goal which we pursue is the emancipation of all human beings from every form of exploitation, oppression, alienation and violence.
Socialism must be under the control of ordinary people, democratic, pluralist, multi-party, feminist, ecologist, anti-militarist and internationalist. It must abolish wage slavery and national oppression.
The working class is the backbone of unity among all the exploited and oppressed. The working class and its allies must uncompromisingly fight against capitalism and for a clear programme of action in order to gradually acquire the experience and consciousness needed to defeat capitalism at the decisive moment of crisis.
The movements of women, lesbians and gay men, and black people to fight their particular forms of oppression make an essential contribution to the struggle for a different society. They are organised around the principle "None so fit to break the chains as those who I APPLAUD those of you who showed courage and foresight in organising the 60 Years of the Fourth International event at the weekend.
Placing such a grouping of veterans of the revolutionary move: ment on the same platform to discuss their experiences of building the movement in the 1930s was bound to make sparks fly -although I think that had Ted Grant been in attendance, it would have stoked more flames still.
The presence of a latter day Lambertist, John Archer, and his entourage, a dissident Morenista, Bill Hunter, a veteran USec supporter, Charlie van Gelderen, and a veteran renegade "reluctant revolutionary", Harry Ratner, provided potential for bringing all the old arguments from the 1930s back to the surface: Had Ted Grant accepted his invite, the battles would have raged.
It seems that there is a new spirit of rapprochement in the air - to mix a metaphor or three - with all the veterans commemorating 60 years together.
What is needed now is some way of progressing as a single united revolutionary Trotskyist group composed of Socialist Outlook, Workers Action, the two wings of Militant, the Lambertists, the Morenoists and the Bob Archer/Dot Gibson dissidents is unlikely to say the least. I woutd like to suggest the following: 1) The speeches should be made available to the socialist moment in the form of a pamphlet as soon as possible, together with an impartial introduction.
2) Some type of Trotskyist Study Centre or Institute/archive where leftists could come and research the ancient texts etc should be set up. This would be non-profit making and open to all. Problems to be tackled include where to put it and how to finance it. Perhaps a cafe/library could be included. It would be non partisan and not linked to any group. If the PTS in Argentina and CERMTRI in France are viable, then we can do it too.
These are my suggestions for a first few steps forward, perhaps beginning with a meeting before Christmas convened by Alan Thornett and those present on 14 November?
Yours for socialism, Frank Wainwright, Clapham We welcome readers' letters on any topic. Letters over 400 words may be cut for space reasons. Write to Socialist Outlook, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU. email: [email protected] THE CLOSE Down Harmondsworth Campaign are organising a Christmas picket of - 3 the Detention Centre, on December 12.
As Labour prepares to tighten the asylum laws even further, they are preparing to lock up even more asylum seekers who. have committed no offence other than that of fleeing repression.
The Campaign is appealing for donations of funds and phone cards, to assist detainees in keeping in contact with friends, relatives and solicitors.
Please bring them along to the picket or send cheques to 'Slough Trades Council', c/o SBS, 52 Norwood Road, Southall, Middlesex, UB2, indi... cating whether cheques are intended as an affiliation or a donation to the campaign.
Oliver New, Southall
Post code Age. -