14. BUILDING AN ANARCHO-SYNDICALIST INTERNATIONAL
The path towards the emancipation of the workers can only be
reached by the union of all the workers of the world.
Long live the workers international! Long live the free
and stateless anarchist commune.
Makhnovist Army and Nabat Anarchist group, May
1919, "Workers, Peasants and Insurgents. For the Oppressed, Against
the Oppressor- Always!", leaflet issued in the Anarchist-led
revolution in Ukraine, 1918-21. Reproduced in Peter Archinov, History
of the Makhnovist Movement, 1918-21. 1987 Freedom Press edition.
1. INTRODUCTION
1. Capitalism and the State dominate every part of the earth.
There is nowhere on the planet that is not subject to some boss or
ruler.
2. Capitalism cannot contain itself in national/ State boundaries.
Since the Second World War in particular, capitalism has organised
itself on an international basis. This is seen in the World Bank, the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United Nations (UN), the
European Community (EC), the General Agreement on Trades and Tariffs
(GATT), and many other organisations and treaties. It is seen in co-
operation between governments in the interests of capitalism as a
whole, or of a bloc within capitalism (e.g. the Gulf War). And it is
seen in the rise of massive transnational corporations (TNCs).
3. To combat this international situation, workers need
international solidarity and unity. The WSF promotes international
working class solidarity, challenging nationalist, imperialist,
racist. protectionist and/or "labour aristocracy" arguments. SEE
POSITION PAPERS ON
ANTI-IMPERIALISM,
FIGHTING RACISM, AND
CLASS STRUGGLE, CAPITALISM AND THE
STATE IN PARTICULAR.
2. ANARCHIST INTERNATIONAL
4. To combat this situation, Anarchism must also be an
international movement. There can be no "Anarchism in one country".
While a single country may be the first to move to Anarchism it will
not be able to survive for long if it remains isolated. The ruling
class, both local and foreign, are not democrats who will stand by
and allow people to take control of their own lives. They will not
only object to losing profits, but will also fear the living example
of Anarchism in action. Trade boycotts, embargoes on supplying raw
materials, economic sabotage, sealing of borders and outright war
will be their answer. The success of Anarchism is dependent on it
spreading across borders. SEE POSITION PAPER ON
FIGHTING IMPERIALISM.
5. An international Anarchist/Syndicalist political organisation
is necessary to provide international solidarity within the movement,
promote working class solidarity across borders, help provide a co-
ordinated response to capitalism, facilitate the international
revolution etc. Such as organisation would have agreed policies on
major issues such as the role of the Anarchist/Syndicalist political
organisation, activity within the trade unions, fighting racism and
fascism, the type of struggle needed to advance the movement for
women's freedom, anti-imperialist conflicts, and gay and lesbian
rights. It would also have an agreed international strategy, the
capability of fostering international debate among Anarchist/
Syndicalists and the capability of giving aid to weaker sections or
to those engaged in mass struggle.
6. Such an international organisation is more than a loose network
of like-minded groups. It is not a paper body. It only has a purpose
if it can contribute to the Anarchist/Syndicalist movement. Therefore
it only becomes real when based on a number of sizeable
organisations. Anything less would need finance, administration,
translation, publications, and conferences but would not be capable
of making the return necessary to justify this expenditure of
resources.
3. IMMEDIATE STEPS
7. In order to reach a situation where an international
Anarchist/Syndicalist political organisation can be formed we must
start preparing the way now. Our tasks are to:
7.1. Establish and maintain contact with other
Anarchist/Syndicalist groups, and tendencies within other
organisations moving in the direction of our politics
7.2. Making the politics of both the WSF and the "Platformist"
tradition more widely known with the Anarchist/Syndicalist movement
abroad.
7.3. Take part in debates within the international
Anarchist/Syndicalist movement with an aim of explaining the policies
of the Workers Solidarity Federation, and of getting the various
groupings to clarify their political positions. An international
discussion bulletin jointly produced by a number of organisations
would be a contribution to this work which would be immediately
realisable if the idea wins agreement.
7.4. Proposing concrete international co-operation on specific
issues where there is agreement between ourselves and other
organisations.
7.5. We should set up formal relations with other
Anarchist/Syndicalist groups in Africa (e.g.). the Awareness League
in Nigeria, and the Industrial Workers of the World in Sierra Leone.
We should aim in the medium term to get contacts in nearby countries,
with the aim of setting up organisations along similar lines to
ourselves.
6.6. Applying for the closest possible formal relationship with
the Workers Solidarity Movement in Ireland, a group whose politics
are extremely close to those of our own.
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