tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post540858969399731683..comments2023-08-16T12:07:22.995+00:00Comments on The Daily (Maybe): France: the New Anti-Capitalist PartyJim Jeppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-18365598078007316492008-12-30T02:50:00.000+00:002008-12-30T02:50:00.000+00:00LPR: If the French left are even remotely like the...LPR: If the French left are even remotely like the UK left then there can be problems with demanding unity in, well, unhelpful ways. But it seems to me that the LCR are making a conscious effort to disgard some of the ossified ways of working of the past - and I think they should be applauded for trying. My only worry is that, very unlike here, there are a number of projects which all might have legs and all look interesting - how they relate to each is a big part of what will determine their future. imo<BR/><BR/>R: whilst I'd love to interview DCB on the blog I'm not sure how I'd go about getting that... I'll have a think... but I am concerned about his rather idiosyncratic behaviour and find him a little bit problematic.<BR/><BR/>JM: I think these lines in the sand are going to be crucial - where you draw them will determine success or failure - I don't envy that task but I hope the new movement looks outwards and allows for enough deviation to make a real hit in French politics, without smudging the lines so much it wasn't worth starting the project in the first place.Jim Jeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-61370891155475886982008-12-25T11:09:00.000+00:002008-12-25T11:09:00.000+00:00The problem with Cohen Bendit is that depsite his ...The problem with Cohen Bendit is that depsite his talents, on one of the key issues in Europe recently - support or oppose the proposed neoliberal "constitution", he was on the wrong side, and Mélenchon was right. He also supports the war in Afghanistan. Now the problem is not really to argue about who is on the Left and who is on the Right, but I prefer a politician to be less witty but opposethe war in Afghanistan!John Mullenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04936937247932651511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-81862842552784882732008-12-24T22:06:00.000+00:002008-12-24T22:06:00.000+00:00Daniel Cohn Bendit was interviewed a couple of day...Daniel Cohn Bendit was interviewed a couple of days ago (France-Inter). He was asked about Melenchon. He replied something like "If it helps Melenchon sleeping to know (and proclaim) that he is on the left, then, that's really great. I wish him a good sleep"<BR/><BR/>That was not exactly his words, but it was both accurate, and funny.<BR/><BR/>What about an interview of Daniel on this blog? or a member of the impressive list, he is assembling for the MEP elections?Raphaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10605252659871359565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-12020550948916915892008-12-24T11:05:00.000+00:002008-12-24T11:05:00.000+00:00The LCR is right to want to build an anticapitalis...The LCR is right to want to build an anticapitalist party which extends beyond the traditional revolutionary left. Its success is turning this perspective into practice should be applauded. <BR/><BR/>Having said this, let's look at some of the problems. First, it is fair to say that the LCR's attitude to the rest of the radical left has been sectarian. <BR/><BR/>There are a number of groupings to the left of the Socialist party, from the Parti de Gauche (a left split from the SP) and small groups of left-wing Greens to the Collectifs unitaires antilibéraux (which came out of the successful united campaign against the European Constitution in 2005) and the Communistes Unitaires (a diverse and non-sectarian group of CP and ex-CP members). Some of these groups have now come together in the form of a Federation.<BR/><BR/>Now of course all of these tendencies have their weaknesses and contradictions - but so does the LCR's New Anticapitalist Party. And in each case, they are relatively new and capable of changing.<BR/><BR/>In my opinion, the LCR should have responded to each of these developments first by welcoming them, then by making concrete proposals for united campaigns - political as well as social/economic. Such an approach would have benefited the anticapitalist left as whole, and hugely enhanced the prestige of the LCR/NPA. <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, the LCR's attitude has consistently been to minimise their importance and accuse them (despite repeated asurances to the contrary) of preparing an electoral alliance with the Socialists. So the LCR's spokesperson Besancenot reacted to the left split in the SP by accusing its leader, Mélenchon, of wanting to negotiate a coalition with the party he had just left.<BR/><BR/>Typically, such reactions are then partially corrected in response to internal and external critics. <BR/><BR/>The overall pattern is clear, however. To paraphrase : "We, the NPA, are he only way forward for the anticapitalist left, the rest of the field are losers who if they are really anticapitalist should join us. In the meantime, we are in favour of unity in economic and social struggles, but not in the political sphere - unless the other groupings clarify their position on the question of alliances with the SP. And just in case the group in question repeats its opposition to the social-liberal line of the SP, it should re-clarify its position because we don't really believe them."<BR/><BR/>I am only slightly exaggerating here.<BR/><BR/>My second point is that the lack of clarity of the LCR/NPA on the question of a socialist revolution is not a question of taking a flexible tactical line (we could say a Leninist line) in order to build a mass party on anticapitalist lines. <BR/><BR/>Rather it reflects an endemic tendency of the LCR to fudge issues because of its own internal contradictions and confusion.<BR/><BR/>The slogan "revolutionise the society" (which seems meaningless to me) is a typical example. The attitude of the LCR to the question of the Muslim headscarf is another ("against the law banning the hidjab in schools and against the hidjab as a symbol of female oppression") - an attitude which led them in practice to saying and doing nothing on the issue in a critical few months which saw France engulfed by a wave of Islamophobia - is another, and in my opinion particularly disastrous one.<BR/><BR/>Typically, the LCR's idea of resolving such differences, which are legitimate, of course, is not to have a debate, make a decision, and apply it, nor is it to decide not to take a majority decision in the interests of party unity. It is usually to have a prolonged and very wordy discussion, set up a commission etc., in which each tendency produces ever more weighty and usually unreadable documents which the majority of members do not read. The result in practice is often an ambiguous formula or no position at all.<BR/><BR/>The situation here in France on the radical left is a complex but in my opinion quite encouraging one. The emergence of the NPA is a particularly hopeful sign. But it is not the only one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-18182549181292896862008-12-24T10:20:00.000+00:002008-12-24T10:20:00.000+00:00Interesting points Dave - and quite a lot in there...Interesting points Dave - and quite a lot in there so I'll just pick up on one thing for the moment.<BR/><BR/>I agree that the PCF's history does not lend itself well to attracting good leftists. Any electoral coalition with them in would repel as many good people as it attracted and would, probably, not be particularly stable as the tactical differences would simply be too great.<BR/><BR/>But having said that I think it's important to distinguish between the party as an organisation and its supporters and members - some of whom would be that proverbial gold dust.<BR/><BR/>You need to keep the organisations at arms length whilst holding out open arms to the best elements in the PCF, LO, et al. I think the most attractive feature would be one that keeps the focus on a unified movement against the real opposition - getting dragged down into why such and such a lefty is different from another wont help that.<BR/><BR/>If we can discuss the *politics* on a point by point basis without getting drawn into the comfort zones of organisational and theoretical differences I think those discussions will be much ore productive.<BR/><BR/>Which is probably where I disagree with you about using terms like Marxist - because you can meet six different Marxists and get half a dozen completely different positions - it's become a meaningless term - and that's why I liked John's emphasis on the kinds of campaigns they're already involved in as it gives a much clearer idea of what the party's for.Jim Jeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-84884598676942594092008-12-24T06:02:00.000+00:002008-12-24T06:02:00.000+00:00Mullen says,"The tendency within the New Anti-Capi...Mullen says,"The tendency within the New Anti-Capitalist Party is to rock forwards and backwards between sectarianism and unity politics."<BR/><BR/>And complains that that is a danger. <BR/><BR/>No it's not. <BR/><BR/>That's what politics is all about so you have to navigate between the two poles of sectarianism and , to name it correctly, opportunism. <BR/><BR/>There's no one answer and in a very pluralist party like the upcoming NPA that's not going to be an easy navigation. That's why a Marxist left is so important to the project otherwise the tendency will be to gravitate towards a comfortable electoralism (as the Green Parties tend to do.)<BR/><BR/>If you check you'll find that this debate was carried on inside the LCR over the past year or two and the inner party tendencies located themselves along a board spectrum of positions including a sort of <I>Le</I> Linke one.<BR/><BR/>I also disagree with Mullen's argument in regard to clarifying the party's perspectives as to being anti-capitalist or socialist. That clarification can only be engineered through the business of working together. And in that sense the supposed line in the sand is a red herring.<BR/><BR/>This is the view of the Socialist Alliance here in Australia. We are indeed an anti-capitalist party and we call ourselves socialist but the meaning of that is worked out collectively rather than relying on competing patents.<BR/><BR/>In fact the formulation he cites --<I>" The NPA is a party which has some people who are revolutionaries and others are not. Debate will continue within the party on these issues, while together we build all the struggles which are needed to oppose the dictatorship of profit.” </I> is excellent description of political facts and a example of the sort of ongoing perspective that can involve, welcome and integrate diverse forces.<BR/><BR/>He then goes on to point out, "This is not really happening. There is a tendency to hide differences. So for example, on the question of whether the NPA is a revolutionary party or not the posters will say “A party to revolutionize society” and a whole number of other formulations which avoid the question."<BR/><BR/>So where is the problem? We had the same programatic fetishness in the SA among the groupuscule affiliates as though the project could not proceed until it had worked out in chapter and verse which socialism it wanted to aspire to.<BR/><BR/>So differences <I>aren't hidden</I>, they are <I>put aside</I> for the sake of everyday struggles.<BR/><BR/>As for the question of more parties on the left -- there's the complication of the PCF's preference to go into coalition with the SP regardless of the politics.I think the LCR was correct to keep the PCF at arms length while that remains their perspective. <I>That</I> is not being sectarian in my books one iota but I've heard it described as such.<BR/><BR/>I fear there's a very loosey goosey template being bandied about there as to what sort of party you want. In contrast I think the LCR have got it very right.Dave Rileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05319742357589026156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-2711929892746060122008-12-23T12:59:00.000+00:002008-12-23T12:59:00.000+00:00In fairness Kieran the worst that could possibly h...In fairness Kieran the worst that could possibly happen would be that the NCP replaces the LCR on the electoral field so it wont really mean more parties but, in that worst case, would siply be a name change for one of the groups... and the best that can happen is that it draws the left together so they can present a more unified electoral front.Jim Jeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-25143113122244656922008-12-23T12:50:00.000+00:002008-12-23T12:50:00.000+00:00Yet another left wing party in franch, really how ...Yet another left wing party in franch, really how many do they need? I am no expert on French politics but how ever good this movement becomes, is it not going the split the left vote even more?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03915890585596122318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-58211232678129034702008-12-23T11:22:00.000+00:002008-12-23T11:22:00.000+00:00A valuable report on the NPA. The Web can't substi...A valuable report on the NPA. The Web can't substitute for first-hand accounts(though possibly distance has its own uses). This is a very important political development, all the more so. I have read other, more reserved analyses on the Forum Marxiste Revolutionnaire. As someone close to what the Weekly Workers calls 'liquidationists', and to an extent to the Parti de Gauche, I would still welcome seeing in Europe a succesful left alternatives emergence.<BR/><BR/>John Mullen naturally follows the debate in Mouvements, which includes many critics of the NPA. I am writing a more in-depth piece using these varied assesments with naturally the intention to casser les couilles of a few people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-91335768201938160232008-12-23T06:50:00.000+00:002008-12-23T06:50:00.000+00:00The parti de gauche is interesting and common work...The parti de gauche is interesting and common work is possible. The problem will be getting some sort of clear campaign together which both the NPA and the PDG are willing to work on. The NPa will tend to say "the campaign is not radical enough, we want to work in a united alliance provided that the alliance includes some of our key demands" (key demands : banning redundancies in companies which make a profit, sharp rise in minimum wage, papers for all illegal immigrants...). There is a real danger that the NPa will use radical demands in order to avoid working with the PDG. <BR/><BR/>BUT if the PDG pulls in a lot of people, then locally in the more unitary minded sections of the NPA, common work will be done with the PDG and the pressure will filter upwards. Let's be optimistic. What will not happen is a loud public demand for common work with the PDG expressed by the leadership of the NPA. This is a terrible shame and a serious mistake.John Mullenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04936937247932651511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-76750903862907377112008-12-23T00:16:00.000+00:002008-12-23T00:16:00.000+00:00Good one Jim. Your interview is a very useful summ...Good one Jim. Your interview is a very useful summary of the project and where it's at.Dave Rileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05319742357589026156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-84008723413015945412008-12-22T17:18:00.000+00:002008-12-22T17:18:00.000+00:00I wont comment on Andrew as I know him personally,...I wont comment on Andrew as I know him personally, but I would advocate people who are actively involved in initiatives as the first stop every time.<BR/><BR/>John, something I wanted to explore in more detail was Mélenchon's initiative “Le parti de gauche” which looks from the outside to be something very similar to the NPA but with a very different point of origin.<BR/><BR/>Whilst the success of the Left Party in Germany often seems to obscure their politics do you think Mélenchon is someone that more radical leftists can "do business with"?<BR/><BR/>Politically it looks possible - but maybe there will be organisational problems?Jim Jeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-49990413748309506362008-12-22T16:32:00.000+00:002008-12-22T16:32:00.000+00:00I wouldn't want to get into defendingor attacking ...I wouldn't want to get into defendingor attacking anyone in particular, but the Andrew Coates blog mentioned above does not, in my view, provide a serious political analysis which is worth reading.John Mullenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04936937247932651511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598467.post-18693105068787634282008-12-22T13:56:00.000+00:002008-12-22T13:56:00.000+00:00anything connected with French politics and the Le...anything connected with French politics and the Left, your first stop should be Andrew Coates, he's very good.<BR/><BR/>http://tendancecoatesy.wordpress.com/ModernityBloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06354254639321208955noreply@blogger.com