Socialists and Direct Action
Starting at Seattle, a new wave of anti-capitalist protest has developed
amongst a layer of youth and militant workers in the advanced capitalist
world. The M1 article on page three looks at why this is occurring and the
big opportunities it opens up for
socialist ideas.
This feature by Stephen Jolly examines the question of direct action from a
socialist perspective.
Drawing on the rich experience of the Socialist Party, it highlights key
features and principles of direct action.
The militant protests at capitalist conferences by radical youth and
workers are a reaction to a system that leaves millions living in abject
poverty. The protests also mark a turn away from the methods of the ALP
left, moderate unions and Non-Government Organisations of petitioning,
pleading, and lobbying the ruling class for a few crumbs off the table.
"Direct Action" (DA) has becoming a rallying cry for the protest movement,
almost an end in itself or at least a political method seen as something
separate from 'politics'. But the methods of DA employed at any one time
are not politically neutral or an end in themselves. They flow from the
ideas, principles and strategy of those involving themselves in the
action-whether this is conscious or not.
Labor's Approach
When the Labor Party and union bureaucracy organise protest action it is
usually because of pressure from the working class. Sometimes, such as the
MUA dispute in 1998, it is to lean on the working class in a battle to
preserve the role of the bureaucracy role in the system of exploitation.
They use a bureaucratic-centralist approach in organising such action. That
is, undemocratic, bureaucratic decision-making processes at the top and the
expectation that the rank and file follow orders in a centralist, united
way.
Of course the very act of bringing workers onto the streets opens up
dangers for the bureaucracy and the task for Marxists is to take advantage
of these contradictions. They should highlight the limited aims and
undemocratic methods of the leadership, and offer an alternative socialist
programme and strategy and tactics for the struggle.
Petty bourgeois liberal approach
The petty bourgeois liberals do not have a class approach, in fact they
have no confidence in the working class to change society or even effect
reforms. In that sense they are different to the bureaucracy in the labour
movement, who well understand the power of the working class and mobilise
it as a last resort.
The liberal approach is to plead and lobby the ruling class to effect
change. DA in the form of peaceful protests can be used as part of this
strategy. The political principals are that of a Popular Front, that is an
alliance of the lowest common denominator. The fight against fascism in a
Popular Front, therefore, has vague slogans of opposition to racism-the
socialist ideas to undercut the support for fascism (job creation, decent
housing etc) are sacrificed.
The Reconciliation Walks last year were a case in point. Aboriginal people
and trade unionists marching together with mining companies and Liberals.
This means the ideas of Land Rights, job creation and nationalisation of
the mining industry have to be hidden to keep the ruling class on-side.
The organising principles of DA in a Popular Front are also
bureaucratic-centralist. Great emphasis is put on mild, peaceful action so
as the target audience (one or other section of the ruling class) is
responsive to the needs of the liberals.
Ultra-left approach
This approach is held by those who are often ex-liberals or inverted
liberals. That is, liberals who suddenly realise that polite demonstrations
are getting nowhere. They up the ante to radical direct action, even
individual terrorism. The aim is the same, to get the ruling class to take
notice. Like liberals, they don't have confidence in the ability of the
working class to change society. They think the actions of a militant group
will trigger support in the wider community, and force the ruling class to
retreat on an issue.
Because they don't see the importance of the mass involvement of the
workers and youth, the DA of the ultra-lefts is often organised in an
undemocratic, secretive fashion at the whim of the leaders of these groups.
Anarchist groups and those influenced by their ideas argue that the
movement needs no leaders and only requires 'self-organisation'. Groups
such as Reclaim the Streets, Critical Mass, AWOL also put this forward. But
the reality is the protests do not happen spontaneously; they are organised
(how else would they happen?) and leaflets are written, web pages updated
and so on.
Marxist Approach to Direct Action
We believe that the movement needs democratic structures and that people in
'leadership' positions should be democratically elected and accountable.
Otherwise, an undemocratic clique is taking all the decisions.
We reject any idea that there is a conflict between Marxism and DA.
Occupations, pickets, demonstrations, strikes and act of revolution itself
are all part of the political weaponry of the socialist movement. The
Marxist approach towards DA flows from a theoretical analysis of the
situation and rests on decades of working class experience.
Where we differ from the ultra lefts is on the need to reach out and bring
in the workers into motion on issues that effect them. This active
participation in struggle is what more than anything radicalises an deepens
the understanding of the working class. This approach involves a concrete
set of demands that will bring people into action.
It also involves a democratic-centralist approach to organisation. That is,
democratic debate over strategies and tactics on DA, and then, once a
decision is made, a united approach to the implementation of the decisions.
It is an approach that embraces responsibility instead of avoiding
responsibility.
Democratic structures need to be set-up well before, during and between
mass protests to ensure everyone can have a say, are well-informed and can
take part in making decisions. Such democratic organisation would allow a
real discussion on tactics, including how to prepare to marshal and defend
the demonstrations and other protests. Also, democratic organisation would
allow a full discussion on what demands, slogans and programme the
anti-capitalist movement should adopt.
When working with others around a DA, Marxists take a United Front approach
as opposed to a Popular Front approach. That is, a working relationship
with others around an agreed, limited goal (eg blockading the Crown Towers
last September), but no restrictions on each other political programme: To
march separately, but to strike together. This is the approach used at
Richmond Secondary College, at S11 and M1, and in the anti-Hanson movement.
--
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