The following text is an attempt to put for-ward a general conception of the state and the dictatorship of the proletariat without trying to come to any definite conclusions. It is a contribution to the present discussion on the period of transition dealing with the basic question of the form and content of the proletarian dictatorship. A more detailed explanation, especially of the more problematic points, will be under-taken in another document.

The following text is a report of a meeting held by the group Révolution Internationale in February 1972. The subject under discussion was “the content of socialism”. This was the first time the group as a whole had dealt with such a subject. The aim of the meeting was not to pretend to end up with a ready-made, immutable theory on what the content of socialism should be, but rather to open up the discussion, to begin dealing with the problem by studying the experience of past revolutions and the theories put forward by revolutionaries throughout the history of the workers' movement.

In the period of decadence when the private bourgeoisie has been replaced by the state bourgeoisie, the confrontation between the working class and the “state-boss” is always a direct one.

BASIC TEXTS 1

Theses on the Nature of the State
and the Proletarian Revolution

Gauche Communiste de France, 1946, Internationalisme

The open conflict between Israel and Iran marks a further extension of imperialist war in the Middle East. Come to this meeting to discuss the internationalist response. 2-5pm, UK time, Saturday 4 May

International Review 172 - Spring 2024 CONTENTS

1) Introduction on the dangers of opportunism

We examine the Anarchist Communist Group's growing concessions to the campaigns in favour of Palestinian nationalism

A first balance sheet of our appeals to the Communist Left to make a joint statement on the current imperialist conflicts.

The Communist Left is the only real heir to the marxist tradition of struggle against imperialist war.

Why marxists reject all versions of the “Green New Deal”, from the mainstream to its most left wing variants

The Moscow slaughter by Islamic State terrorists once again reveals the chaotic nature of today’s multiple imperialist conflicts

Workers are not only faced with vicious economic attacks from the government, they also have to deal with traps set to divert their discontent.

In Britain, the group Lotta Comunista hides behind the “Internationalist Workers Club”, which runs food banks in London. It may at first sight look like an internationalist organisation from the tradition of the Communist left. This article argues that appearances can be deceptive.

Whatever their intentions, the recent TV documentaries on the 1984-5 miners' strike provide evidence how a trap was laid for the workers by the twin strategies of government and unions. 

Europe’s most powerful economy is hit hard by the combined effects of war, economic crisis, and the ecological disaster.

The defeat of the miners' strike in Britain in 1985 has had a long-lasting, negative impact, but it is no longer a blockage on the capacity of the working class to defend its interests

An account of a public discussion about  the historical method of  the Italian Communist Left and its contribution to the communist programme

This article argues that the Houthis in Yemen are a clear expression of capitalist decomposition, and that they typify the growing tendency towards “every man for himself” in inter-imperialist relations

The international revival of workers' struggles continues, despite the huge difficulties it faces