That is why the national congress of the LCR set the objective of working towards a recomposition of all those forces who base themselves on Marxism and the class struggle, and who are ready to work for the construction of a revolutionary and anticapitalist alternative. It is in this context that we are proposing unity with the DP, in the form of the LCR joining as a group as part of a larger process, as a means towards the realignment of potential class struggle forces on the left, which are at present in danger of being cast adrift by
AT THE END of 1988 discussions began between
Democrazia Proletaria (DP), one of the most important organizations of the non-traditional left in Western
Europe and the Revolutionary Communist League (LCR), the Italian section of the Fourth International. The aim of these discussions was to explore the possibility of the militants of the LCR joining the DP as a group.
These discussions were positive and at the congress of the LCR in February 1989 there was a large majority in favour of entry into the DP. At the end of March the
Delegate Assembly of the DP took a parallel decision and instructed their leadership to bring the unification to fruition before the European elections in June. The discussion on the conditions for the entry of the LCR into the DP are currently underway.
We publish below major extracts of the resolution accepted by the LCR congress, which appeared in the
March issue of the LCR's paper, Bandiera Rossa.
D
EMOCRAZIA Proletaria has been a positive force on the Italian left, insofar as it has succeeded in retaining important layers of militants on the left, within a Marxist framework and with the perspective of a working-class alternative. However DP is now facing an identity crisis which could lead to the disintegration of these gains if the discussions which are currently underway within it do not produce a solution in time.
Democrazia Proletaria has organized a significant part of the militants who went through the experience of the struggles of the 1970s as well as of the radicalized youth, environmental and peace activists who emerged from the social struggles and mass movements of the 1980s. It has thus
16 helped to launch important political battles for the defence of workers' interests, the
International Viewpoint #163 • May 15, 1989 defence of democratic rights and also within the anti-nuclear and anti-militarist struggle.
The DP's identity was formed in these battles. It has been one of participation by its supporters in attempts to effect radical changes. It has also involved an effort to present an alternative to the disastrous policies of the Communist Party (PCI). This project itself, however, is now in crisis because it has proved unable to provide answers to the basic problems of programme and strategy posed by the bankruptcy of the traditional left.
The wide-ranging debate that has opened up in the DP must be carried through systematically and thoroughly, and must address these basic problems. This is the only way in which the organization can counteract the tendencies towards disintegration which threaten it.
the crisis.
A unification which represented a real fusion of the social radicalism and prestige of the DP and the heritage of the experiences, initiatives and militancy of the LCR could show all those who wish to remain active that it is possible to counteract the present trends on the left towards adaptation to the system.
On the basis of a class struggle and revolutionary identity, it will be possible to construct an alternative project capable of addressing the new and old contradictions in the trade unions and in the struggle against unemployment, in the fight for the emancipation of the masses of the Mezzogiorno (the South, the poorest region of Italy,) in the social struggles, against rearmament and imperialism, in the anti-racist struggle, in defence of the environment, in the mobilizations of young people and women. Without effective conscious intervention, these contradictions could not be overcome in a positive fashion.
Regroupment and clarification
Such a unity project would, furthermore, establish an important means for an attempt to clarify and regroup those in the CP who continue to aspire towards change and socialism, and reject the free enterprise new course of Occhetto [see article on p.12].
To be sure, this is not yet an overall strategic response equal to the problems and challenges that the left and the workers' movement has to confront. This is only the first element of such a strategy, an attempt to stem the progress of the crisis, halt the political and ideological disarray, reestablish a clear basis for class-struggle initiatives and restart the process of reflection about fundamental questions.
The LCR has gone through a positive political and organizational experience
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which has allowed it to grow in the recent period, improve its image and test out the strategic options which underpin its programme and political activity.
The congress has made entry into DP its objective because it is aware of the scope of the crisis of the left and the dangers of political regression that the crisis implies. At the same time we want to invest our forces, our experiences and our links with the Fourth International in a party-building project that can offer a more adequate answer to today's problems.
The LCR has made this choice with the intention of participating fully in building DP, respecting its statutes and organizational mechanisms. However, although we will be giving up the independent form to which we have hitherto adhered, the comrades who have taken part in this experience do not propose to abandon their link with the Fourth International, for the following reasons:
• The International represents the only instrument for linking up the experiences of the revolutionary movements on a world scale that exists at the present time. For DP to have to relate to the fact of the Fourth International (which would not exclude the possibility of establishing relations with other political currents on the alternative left) would provide an incentive for the development of the internationalist profile that is indispensable for dealing with the problems posed by the class struggle, in a world where the ruling classes have strengthened their centralization on the world scale, while the oppressed classes have been fragmented and trapped in particularism.
Common development of theory and practice
• It offers a framework for the common development of theory and practice for revolutionary organizations confronted by capitalist integration in Europe. It is necessary to meet the bourgeois attacks with the unity and co-ordination of the workers'
The coming together in action of different revolutionary currents could be an important factor working in that direction. Already this June, with the European elections, we have the possibility of counterposing the project of a worker's Europe to the Europe of capital.
• The relevance of our heritage and our political programme is shown by our ability to understand the nature of the crisis in the East and the possible responses to it. These are essential instruments for building a communist alternative to the crisis and bankruptcy of the traditional forces of the workers' movement in the West, and a genuine socialist alternative both to the power of the ruling classes in the capitalist countries and to the bureaucracy in the countries of so-called actually-existing socialism". *
"It is not
simply a
matter of tidying up the political map"