I have been thinking alot about this lately. They've been one of the groups most willing to talk to me about what they believe in. They believe socialism can't exist in only one country, that makes them one of the most of international groups out there. They also believe in permanent revolution.
Long explanation of my thoughts on them
DSA tells me it's just a big umbrella party that wants to bring all the little parties together and has a history of associations with CIA and other plants that they seem to be actively trying to work past. It might be possible for them to return to a socialistic revolutionary stance, but anyone can see that they like the rest of the liberals could just as easily turn fascist. They are not an international organization. I could say more about them but the question was about Trotskyies.
I don't really know enough about CPUSA to talk about them beyond that they seem to limit their focus to the USA. They are also much smaller than the DSA but suffer from many of the same problems with infiltration. They painted a big target on their back.
PSL also seems pretty US focused. They are kinda new on the scene, however they seem to be doing good work.
All things considered I think the Trotskyies are one of the most principled and industrious socialists groups out there. They seem to be the ones most likely to invite you to their book club, and help you learn about socialist history, just remember all history is propaganda. Please understand the critique below relates to one of the most active groups of Trotskyies I've been talking to of late, it is not representative of all Trotskyies.
The Trouble with Trotskyies
- One of the most striking things they seem to believe is that Stalin betrayed the revolution. They'll even go so far as to call Stalin a liberal. I would argue that while definitely made a number of serious mistakes, he did not betray the ideals of the revolutions. While I can believe Trotsky called Stalin a liberal, it's hard for me to imagine anyone else doing so.
Capital still had an iron grip on the world, Trotsky wanted to fight the revolution in every country but the Soviet Union didn't have the resources for that at the time. They gave support to the revolution in China, I saw an episode of faith makes great about that. Cuba had support from the Soviet Union as well. I'm still studying this part of my socialist history though, any corrections and or expansions would be appreciated.
- This group seemed to be trying to convince me that all governments were capitalist. Even countries like China, Cuba, Vietnam, and North Korean were complicit in the reproduction of capitalism. The argument went something like there are billionaires in China so the CPC is propagating capitalism, never mind that billionaires are punished in China when they act against the public good.
This argument makes me wonder if they have lost sight of dialectal materialism. Some people are greedy and intelligent enough to find loop holes that allow them to build wealth in ways not controllable by the government. It takes time to figure out how to manage a prosperous system in way that limits inequality. The goal of socialism isn't to make everyone poor. I haven't seen much evidence that Tencent, BYD, or any other large cooperation in China is even capable of pressuring their government. Government officials that take any sort of bribe are severely punished. That limits the influence that capitalists can have on the government. The government is also the most effective institution that humanity has used to redistribute wealth (outside of maybe the church but I don't think I need to go into the problems with that) that we have currently been able to utilize. My point you can't build socialism without a strong government.
- This group also attacks people for criticizing Abraham Lincoln.
It's amazing that all people seem to remember about Lincoln is that he freed the slaves by sign the emancipation proclamation. He is responsible for the largest mass execution of Native Americans in US history, and that says alot. Most states in the north had already abolished slavery by the time he became president. That was done by workers and slaves banding together to improve labor conditions. The bill Lincoln deserves no more credit for freeing the slaves than Bush deserves for same sex marriage, or Richard Nixon deserves for establishing the epa. Defending Lincoln to that extent reeks of great man theory and disrespect to the workers.
Why Bother with Trotskyies
- They tend to be the most international.
I'm not sure there are chapters for any of the other socialists organizations that are in my area in other countries. I know that the PSL, and probably others send support to places like Cuba. However that is very different from actually having members in other countries.
- Their organizations are far more experienced and battle harden than any other group I know of.
These people have a recorded history going back nearly century of supporting unions, building unions, and standing up for the working class. They know how to do what needs to be done to get the job done. Trotsky did lead the red army.
- Despite my complaints about some of their rhetoric, they are extremely principled.
All of the Trotskies I've met have been extremely willing to listen to my complaints. They have every reason to be suspicious of other socialists organizations, they'll ready to fight anyone at the first sign of corruption. Doesn't matter if it's corrupt union leaders or politicians. That corruption should be called out, though I think they'd get more mileage out of doing it abit more tactfully.
I would like to see Trotskies stop calling the rest of Stalinist, and help the rest of us start building the socialist revolution of the 21st before capitalism drives our species to extinction. I haven't been able to stop thinking about this for months. Maybe that's just me. Thanks for reading my mad ramblings.
