,FI<T+ = ! ,FUTURE 
,! ,NECESSITY & ,POSSIBILITY ( ,NATIONAL ,POLITICAL ,ORGANIZATION = ,\R ,TIME 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ADAM ,WEAV] 

,AU?OR 3 ,SCOTT ,NAPPOLAS 

,TEXT 3 

,?IS ESSAY IS AN >GUM5T = MOV+ T[>DS NATIONAL ORGANIZATION 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES & WAS PUBLI%$ 9 ,APRIL #bac DUR+ ! OP5+ ( ! PROCESS ?AT L$ TO ! F\ND+ ( :AT BECAME ,BLACK ,ROSE_/,ROSA ,NEGRA4 ,IT AIMS TO EXPLORE ! LIMITATIONS ( POLITICAL ORGANIZATION TODAY1 REC5T POSITIVE EXP]I5CES1 & POSSIBLE WAYS TO BUILD 9 ! PRES5T MOM5T4 

,9 ! MID/ ( ! WOR/ ECONOMIC CRISIS 9 DECADES1 ! LEFT /&S AT A CROSSROADS4 ,DESPITE WIDESPREAD ANXIETY1 RE/RUCTUR+1 /IRR+S1 & DISRUPTIONS1 ! LEFT HAS BE5 UNABLE TO RESPOND OR DEVELOP BASES = MOVEM5TS & REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION 9 ANY MEAN+FUL S5SE4 ,9 MANY WAYS ! ]UPTION ( ! ,OCCUPY MOVEM5T ONTO ! C5T] /AGE ) ALL ( ITS WEAKNESSES 9 POLITICS1 /RUCTURE1 & DYNAMICS1 WAS A REFLECTION ( ?IS4 ,! EV5TS ( ,WISCONS91 ,OCCUPY1 ! ,OAKL& ,G5]AL ,/RIKE1 & ! ,MAY #a/ MOBILIZATIONS HAVE BR\<T TO ! =E ! NATURE & POT5TIAL ( COMBATIVE MOVEM5TS FROM BEL[ AS WELL AS ! LIMITS ( PRES5T POLITICS4 ,AT ! V]Y LEA/ S9CE ! F9ANCIAL CRISIS ( #b#h1 SOCIAL ACTIVI/S >E LOOK+ = CLE>] PA?S T[>DS ANTI-CAPITALI/ ALT]NATIVES4 ,MANY >E REALIZ+ ?AT SOME?+ MORE IS NE$$ BEYOND 5DLESS ACTIVISM1 PROTE/ POLITICS1 & V]TICAL-/YLE UNION & ,N,G,O MOBILIZATION4 ,! BASE LEVEL ( POLITICAL $UCATION ON ! LEFT1 PROVID$ L>GELY BY NON-PR(ITS & LIB]AL UNIV]SITY CAMPUSES1 SUDD5LY SEEM TO HAVE EV5 FEW] ANSW]S ?AN BE=E4 ,?IS HAS LEFT MANY TURN+ T[>DS POLITICAL /UDY TO DEEP5 !IR ANALYSIS AS WELL AS TAK+ UP QUE/IONS >\ND ! NE$ = POLITICAL ORGANIZATION4 

,WE NE$ TO ASK \RSELVES1 9 ?IS TIME ( CRISIS H[ CAN MOVEM5TS BE BUILT 9 AN ATMOSPH]E ( RUL+ CLASS ASSAULTS1 DISORGANIZATION ( ! POPUL> CLASSES1 & SPORADIC RESI/ANCE EF=TS8 ,:AT >E ! ROLES ( REVOLUTION>IES )9 MOVEM5TS8 ,:AT >E ! /RATEGIES TO KEEP \RSELVES GO+ = ! LONG HAUL WORK ?AT RADICAL SOCIAL *ANGE REQUIRES8 ,:AT >E ! LESSONS ( ! PA/ DECADES 9 SOCIAL MOVEM5TS & REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS8 ,H[ DO WE POLITICALLY DEVELOP ! EXI/+ REVOLUTION>IES & HELP %APE NEW ONES TO BUILD A L>G] MILIEU ( REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZ]S1 ?9K]S1 & SUPPORT]S BAS$ 9 POPUL> /RUGGLE8 ,H[ W\LD ?IS MILIEU & POT5TIAL POLITICAL ORGANIZATION RELATE TO BROAD] SOCIAL MOVEM5TS1 O!R =CES ON ! LEFT1 ?OSE WE %>E P]SPECTIVES )1 & ) ?OSE WE DO NOT8 

,! ,NECESSITY ( ,POLITICAL ,ORGANIZATION 

,\R />T+ PO9T = ?IS IS RECOGNIZ+1 AS O!RS HAVE PO9T$ \T1 ?AT MANY1 IF NOT MO/1 ( ?OSE ACTIVE ON ! LEFT DO NOT BELIEVE 9 POLITICAL ORGANIZATION4 .<#a.> ,!RE >E MANY REASONS = ?IS1 BUT ! REASON VOIC$ MO/ FREQU5TLY IS ?AT !Y DO NOT SEE A NE$ = ORGANIZATION4 ,BEYOND BROAD SOCIAL MOVEM5TS1 !Y VIEW MANY ( TODAY'S GR\PS AS BE+ DISORGANIZ$ & IRRELEVANT4 ,O!RS >E PUT (F BY ! POOR 9T]NAL CULTURE ( TODAY'S ORGANIZATIONS ) !IR T5D5CIES = P]SONALIZ+ CONFLICTS1 BE+ UNABLE TO HAVE CON/RUCTIVE DEBATES1 & ! CULTURE ( BATTLES 9 MEET+S ?AT SEEMS TO ISOLATE RA!R ?AN 9TEGRATE MEMB]S 9TO BROAD] SOCIETY4 ,! CLOSE/ EXP]I5CE ) LEFT POLITICAL ORGANIZATION IS COMMONLY ?AT ( ! LONE LEFTI/ SELL+ /RANGE NEWSPAP]S AT RALLIES4 ,FREQU5TLY POLITICAL ORGANIZATION AS A :OLE IS SOLELY VIEW$ ?R\< ! PRISM ( NEGATIVE EXP]I5CES ) MEMB]S ( ! WOR/ ( ,L59I/ ORGANIZATIONS ) SECT>IAN APPROA*ES TO DEBATE & RELAT+ TO O!R POLITICAL =CES )9 ORGANIZ+ SPACES1 ATTEMPTS TO DOM9ATE & CONTROL LEAD]%IP ( /RUGGLES1 & A 'NEWSPAP] AS TRANSMISSION BELT ( POLITICAL L9E' APPROA* TO POLITICS4 ,?OSE ON ! LEFT BROADLY ADH]+ TO AN>*ISM F>E ONLY SOME:AT BETT]1 9 \R EXP]I5CE MO/LY FALL+ 9TO ! PREVI\S ?REE OBJECTIONS OR ALT]NATIVELY ! TURN AWAY FROM POLITICAL ORGANIZATION IS BAS$ ON A REACTION TO ! WEAKNESS1 POLITICAL IMMATURITY1 & LACK ( EXP]I5CE OBS]V$ 9 EXI/+ POLITICAL ORGANIZATION EF=TS4 ,!SE EXP]I5CES ?\< VALID1 9VOLVE A FAILURE TO ?9K BEYOND ! PRES5T2 A FAILURE TO CONSID] ! POSSIBILITIES ( ! FUTURE4 

,WE BELIEVE ?AT POLITICAL ORGANIZATION1 RA!R ?AN BE+ A DI/RACTION OR WORSE DE/RUCTIVE1 ADDRESSES PROBLEMS 9 /RUGGLE TODAY4 ,! NE$ = ! POLITICAL ORGANIZATION ( MILITANTS R\<LY FALLS 9TO TWO CATEGORIES3 IMM$IATE & PRACTICAL NE$S1 & BROAD] POLITICAL VISION & /RATEGY4 ,FIR/ WE MU/ />T ) :Y POLITICAL ORGANIZATION CAN ADDRESS ! PRACTICAL & IMM$IATE NE$S ( MOVEM5T4 ,AS RES\RCES BECOME MORE SC>CE1 PEOPLE >E DISPLAC$1 UNEMPLOYM5T TAKES IT'S TOLL1 & COMMUNITIES >E DISPOSSESS$ ( !IR LONG /&+ RES\RCES1 ! NE$ = A UNIT$ & COORD9AT$ MEANS ( ORGANIZ+ & FI<T+ GR[S MORE CRUCIAL4 ,NOT HAV+ POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEANS RELY+ ON ! W9DS ( *ANCE :5 ORGANIZ+ EF=TS EM]GE1 TO BR+ TOGE!R MILITANTS UND] V>I\S BANN]S & PROJECTS1 COBBL+ TOGE!R RES\RCES = EA* FI<T1 & !N SCATT]+ TO ! W9D AGA9 ONCE ! FI<T SUBSIDES1 (T5 LEAV+ BEH9D LITTLE ANALYSIS ( /R5G?S & WEAKNESS ( ! FI<T ?AT OCCURR$4 ,FUR!R1 ! RELATION%IPS & POLITICIZATION ?AT >ISE \T ( FI<TS >E (T5 NOT FUR!R$ & MA9TA9$ 9 ORD] TO CONT9UE TO BUILD FUTURE FI<TS4 

,?IS ISN'T TO SAY ?AT WE CAN'T TRY TO \TLIVE /RUGGLES )\T CAPITAL ',P' POLITICAL ORGANIZATION4 ,WE CAN & %\LD4 ,BUT A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION1 9 ONE =M OR ANO!R1 IS A TOOL1 :I* CAN HELP US DO ?AT WORK MORE SY/EMATICALLY4 ,:ILE NOT A PANACEA OR EV5 ! DECID+ FACTOR NECESS>ILY1 IT DOES EXP& :AT WE CAN DO OV] TIME4 ,POLITICAL ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A SPACE = REFLECTION1 & DEEP5+ ( ! LESSONS ( /RUGGLE AMONG LIKE-M9D$ PEOPLE ?AT W\LDN'T O!RWISE MEET TOGE!R4 ,IT CAN BE A PLACE TO WEAVE DISP>ATE EXP]I5CES 9TO A COH]5T :OLE4 ,WORK IS DIVID$ BY ISSUE1 LOCATION1 & ! NECESS>Y POLITICAL MIX ?AT MOVEM5T WORK NE$S4 ,:ILE IT'S POSSIBLE TO TRY & 9/ITUTIONALIZE %>+ EXP]I5CES & /RATEGIZ+ ACROSS PROJECTS1 SU/A9+ ?IS SY/EMATICALLY IS DIFFICULT4 ,SIMIL>LY1 DIFF]5T & HI<] LEVEL CONV]SATIONS >E POSSIBLE AMONG MILITANTS :O %>E FUNDAM5TAL AIMS & ANALYSIS4 ,S9CE /RUGGLES EBB & FL[1 GA9 OR LOSE !IR LIB]T>IAN *>ACT]1 POLITICAL ORGANIZATION CAN GIVE US EXTRA TOOLS TO UND]/& & WORK 9 *ANG+ CONDITIONS4 ,EXTRAPOLAT+ FROM ?IS1 A NATIONAL POLITICAL ORGANIZATION CREATES ! WIDE/ LEVEL ( DISCUSSION ACROSS A BROAD RANGE ( EXP]I5CES ( LIKE-M9D$ MILITANTS4 ,) SMALL] REGIONAL OR LOCALIZ$ GR\PS CONV]SATIONS >E (T5 LIMIT$ TO A SMALL] POOL ( 9DIVIDUALS1 ) MORE LIMIT$ RES\RCES1 & LESS EXP]I5CE4 

,A USEFUL CONCEPT IS ?AT ( ! 'POLITICAL HOME'1 9 :I* POLITICAL ORGANIZATION ACTS AS A 'HOME BASE' CREAT+ 0A PLACE = DISCUSSION & CREATION ( A VISION TO GUIDE ! ORGANIZ+ EF=TS ( REVOLUTION>IES1 & A PLACE = REFLECTION1 DEVELOPM5T1 & GR[?0 ( SIMIL>LY M9D$ MILITANTS4 .<#b.> ,! IDEA ( ! POLITICAL HOME IS USEFUL TO NEWLY DEVELOP+ AN>*I/S1 9 PROVID+ !M ) A COMMUNITY !Y CAN ID5TIFY )1 & GR[ !IR POLITICAL DEVELOPM5T )4 ,:ILE = EXP]I5C$ MILITANTS1 ! POLITICAL HOME IS USEFUL 9 CREAT+ A COMMUNITY ( 'CO-?9K]S' TO REFLECT1 5GAGE1 C>RY !M ?R\< ! LONG HAUL ( HI<S & L[S ( /RUGGLES1 & TO DEVELOP !ORY )4 

,BEYOND PRACTICAL ISSUES ( COORD9ATION & A HOME BASE ( MILITANTS !RE >E MORE SY/EMIC LEVEL ISSUES SU* AS3 ! (T5 UNEV5 LEVELS ( POLITICAL DEVELOPM5T )9 MOVEM5TS1 9CIPI5T SMALL GR\P M5TALITIES1 EXCESSIVE 9W>D FOCUSES ?AT (T5 RELIES ON ! SOCIAL GLUE ( KEY MILITANTS & !REBY /YMIES GR[? BEYOND AN IMM$IATE CIRCLE1 & ! LACK ( A HEAL?Y CULTURE ( 9T]NAL CRITICISM4 ,UNADDRESS$1 !SE ISSUES TOGE!R H9D] ! EM]G5CE ( A VISION >\ND :AT WE CALL '! AN>*I/ PROJECT'1 :I* WE WILL SPEAK MORE ON 9 ! DISCUSSION >\ND VISION & /RATEGY4 

,! ISSUE ( POLITICAL DEVELOPM5T & POPUL> $UCATION IS CRUCIAL4 ,:E!R WE GR[ AS A MOVEM5T1 BUILD & RETA9 9DIVIDUALS1 REFLECT ! MAKEUP ( ! WORK+ CLASS1 HAVE A MOVEM5T :]E PEOPLE CAN >TICULATE AN AN>*I/ P]SPECTIVE1 DEF9ES :E!R OR NOT AN>*ISM IS A GR[+ & MEAN+FUL =CE ?AT IS ROOT$ 9 /RUGGLE OR :E!R IT IS A M>G9AL PHILOSOPHY4 ,9DIVIDUALS1 OR SOMETIMES LAY]S ( 9DIVIDUALS WORK+ TOGE!R1 (T5 BEG9 !IR PROCESS ( POLITICIZATION & 9VOLVEM5T 9 SOCIAL /RUGGLES :5 !Y BEG9 TO QUE/ION ! 'COMMON S5SE' ASSUMPTIONS ( CAPITALISM1 PATRI>*Y1 RACISM1 & O!R P[] RELATIONS4 ,!SE QUE/IONS !N CAN GIVE WAY TO DEEP] SY/EMIC QUE/IONS ( H[ DO WE UND]/& ! SY/EM AT A DEEP] LEVEL1 :AT WE CAN CREATE BEYOND ! CURR5T SOCIAL ORD]1 :]E DOES \R WORK FIT 9TO ! L>G] PICTURE ( REA*+ A NEW SOCIETY1 & :AT LANGUAGE & TOOLS >E HELPFUL 9 DESCRIB+ & ?9K+ AB\T ALL ( ! ABOVE8 ,9DIVIDUALS >E G5]ALLY LEFT ON !IR [N DEVICES TO GRAPPLE ) !SE BURN+ QUE/IONS & REFLECT ON !IR EXP]I5CE4 

,9=MAL M5TOR%IP & 9DIVIDUAL /UDY >E CURR5TLY ! NORM = POLITICAL DEVELOPM5T ON ! LEFT4 ,ISOLATION IS ! DEFAULT PRACTICE4 ,DESPITE ALL ! EMPHASES ON ACT+ COLLECTIVELY ON ! LEFT1 9DIVIDUALS >E L>GELY LEFT ON !IR [N1 TO WORK ?R\< ! DEEPE/ ISSUES4 ,WE MU/ ASK ?\<3 ,:O RECEIVES ! M5TOR%IP FROM :OM1 IF AT ALL8 ,:O IS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE 9DIVIDUAL /UDY & ! POLITICAL M9EFIELD ( FACEBOOK PO/S1 BLOGS1 POLITICAL =UMS1 & WEBSITES ?AT >E SO IMPORTANT 9 %AP+ ! N>RATIVE ( RADICAL POLITICS8 ,! ANSW] IS ?AT ?IS PROCESS IS (T5 G5D]$ T[>DS M51 & REFLECTS EXI/+ CLASS1 RACE1 $UCATION1 & GEOGRAPHICAL HI]>*IES4 ,! POLITICAL ISOLATION ( ?9K+ ALONE REPRODUCES EXI/+ NEGATIVE SOCIAL RELATION%IPS4 ,ALL ( !SE CONTRIBUTE TO ! 5TR5*M5T ( ACTIVI/ DYNAMICS1 LOPSID$ DEVELOPM5T1 & HOLDS BACK ! BUILD+ ( A ROOT$1 DIV]SE1 & MORE REPRES5TATIVE LEFT4 

,WORK+ 9 ISOLATION1 OR )9 FRAMEWORKS ?AT DO NOT %>E GOALS ( POPUL> $UCATION1 COLLECTIVE EMP[]M5T1 & LIB]T>IAN VALUES1 RADICALS F9D !MSELVES /RUGGL+ BO? = !IR [N $UCATION & TO UND]/& H[ TO 9T]V5E 9 !IR WORK & LIVES4 ,DOLORES FROM ,MIAMI ,AUTONOMY @& ,SOLID>ITY 9 H] PIECE 0,:Y ,WOM5 ,%\LD ,JO9 ,POLITICAL ,ORGANIZATIONS0 PUTS IT ?IS WAY3 

0,I KN[ SO MANY WOM5 ?AT HAVE SO MU* TO CONTRIBUTE - !IR IDEAS1 ORGANIZ+ EXP]I5CE1 P>5T+ EXP]I5CE1 ETC4- & HAVE TALK$ ) !M AB\T MANY ( !IR FRU/RATIONS ) NONPR(ITS OR ) 9DIVIDUAL ACTIVISM1 & YET !Y CONT9UE TO WORK ALONE4 ,IF WE CONT9UE LIKE ?IS & DON'T COME TOGE!R >\ND A COMMON IDEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK !N !RE WILL NEV] BE AN 5D TO PATRI>*Y OR OPPRESSION40 .<#c.> 

,H]E ,DOLORES ID5TIFIES SPECIFICALLY ! ISOLATION RELAT$ TO GRAPPL+ ) WORK4 ,IT ISN'T ?AT !RE >5'T LESSONS1 CRITIQUES1 OR IDEAS BE+ DEVELOP$ BY MILITANTS4 ,IT IS ?AT !Y HAVE NOT F\ND A FRAMEWORK = UNIT+ ) O!RS TO WORK ?R\< POLITICAL QUE/IONS & PROPOSALS 7EI!R ?OSE DEVELOP$ BY ! BROAD] LEFT OR BY BUILD+ !M !MSELVES74 ,?IS IS :]E POLITICAL DEVELOPM5T & BROAD] POPUL> $UCATION EF=TS CAN 9T]V5E4 ,:ILE ! EF=TS ( LOCALIZ$ OR 9=MAL GR\PS CAN DO SOME ( ?IS WORK1 IT IS F> MORE EFFECTIVELY DONE DRAW+ FROM ! COLLECTIVE EXP]I5CE1 SKILLS1 & RES\RCES AT ! NATIONAL LEVEL4 ,ORGANIZATION IS A ME?OD = BUILD+ A COMMON SET ( REF]5CES & CONV]SATIONS AMONG WID] LAY]S AB\T !ORY1 PRACTICES1 & ME?ODS ( ORGANIZATION4 

,?IS LEADS US TO ! BROAD] ISSUES ( VISION1 /RATEGY & :AT WE CALL ! 0AN>*I/ PROJECT40 ,! AN>*I/ PROJECT IS :AT WE USE TO DESCRIBE ! CUMULATIVE EF=TS- :E!R AT ! LEVEL ( ACTION1 ORGANIZATION1 CULTURE OR CONSCI\SNESS- ?AT GIVE BIR? TO REVOLUTION>Y SOCIAL *ANGE & BR+ ! VISION ( AN>*ISM 9TO REALITY4 ,NO D\BT ?IS IS A HUGE 5DEAVOR ?AT REQUIRES ! EF=TS ( MANY2 MILLIONS 9 FACT4 ,BUT ?IS COMPELS US TO ASK ! QUE/ION3 ,:AT ADVANCES ! AN>*I/ PROJECT & :AT H9D]S IT8 ,H[ DO WE BEG9 ! DISCUSSION ( A NEW SOCIETY ) ! T5S ( ?\S&S ACTIVE 9 *ANG+ ! WORLD & !N P]HAPS ! MILLIONS :O >E NOT 7YET7 ACTIVE8 ,H[ DO WE MAKE ! IDEAS & VALUES ( AN>*ISM NOT JU/ A P>T ( ?OSE CONV]SATIONS BUT A TANGIBLE PROPOSAL8 ,C]TA9LY POLITICAL ORGANIZATION IS NO COMPLETE ANSW] = !SE QUE/IONS1 BUT IT GIVES US AN IMPORTANT TOOL TO PUT =W>D \R IDEAS & VISION 9 AN AMPLIFI$ WAY4 ,?IS IS TRUE :E!R ?R\< PROPAG&A & LIT]ATURE1 SOCIAL M$IA CONT5T1 POPUL> $UCATION & POLITICAL DEVELOPM5T ACTIVITIES1 & IMPORTANTLY ?R\< ! COORD9AT$ ORGANIZ+ WORK WE DO & ! DISCUSSIONS ?AT >E 9EVITABLY RAIS$ 9 ?AT WORK4 ,POLITICAL ORGANIZATION CAN GIVE US ADDITIONAL TOOLS TO BEG9 ADDRESS+ !SE ISSUES4 

,ONE EXAMPLE ( ?IS ?AT WE CAN LOOK TO IS )9 ! AN>*I/S ( ! ,FR5TE DE ,E/UDIANTES ,LIB]T>IOS 7,LIB]T>IAN ,/UD5T ,FRONT OR ,F,E,L7 9VOLV$ 9 ! ,*ILEAN /UD5TS MOVEM5T4 ,OV] ! LA/ SEV]AL YE>S 9 RESPONSE T[>DS MOVES TO FUR!R PRIVATIZE ! $UCATION SY/EM1 /UD5TS 9 BO? HI<] $UCATION & AT ! HI< S*OOL LEVEL HAVE L$ MASSIVE /REET DEMON/RATIONS & CAMPUS TAKEOV]S4 ,FELIPE ,RAMIREZ1 ! ELECT$ #baa ,G5]AL ,SECRAT>Y ( ! ,F$]ACION DE ,E/UDIANTES DE LA ,UNIV]SIDAD DE ,*ILI 7,UNIV]SITY ( ,*ILI ,/UD5T ,F$]ATION OR ,F,E,*7 & MEMB] ( ! ,FE,L1 ELABORATES 9 AN 9T]VIEW H[ ! ORGANIZATION BECAME A MEAN+FUL =CE )9 ! /UD5T MOVEM5T3 

0,! MO/ CRUCIAL ?+ = ! GR[? ( ,FE,L & = ! /R5G!N+ ( ! NATIONAL ORGANIZATION WAS ITS POLITICAL MATURITY4 ,AT FIR/1 ! ,FE,L WAS AN ORGANIZATION ?AT HAD V]Y FEW POLICY PLANS4 444 ,FAC$ ) !SE SITUATIONS .<ATTACKS ON $UCATION & MASS MOBILIZATIONS 9 OPPOSITION.>1 ! ,FE,L BEG9S TO SL[LY />T BUILD+ ! FRAMEWORK = ITS POLITICAL L9E1 ITS PROPOSAL TO $UCATION & ! FUND+ ISSUE & ALL ?AT SOMEH[ CONGEALS 9 #b#a#a4 ,! MOBILIZATION CAT*ES US ) AN ORGANIZATION ?AT IS />T+ TO GR[ ALONG ! HEI<T5+ ( ! /UD5T MOVEM5T & WE SEE HI< S*OOL /UD5TS GO ONTO COLLEGE1 & !SE /UD5TS COME ) A HI/ORY ( /RUGGLE & MOBILIZATION ALREADY1 & !Y'RE 9T]E/$ 9 ! LEFT & ?AT ALSO ALL[S US TO ACCUMULATE P>T ( ! :OLE PROCESS4 ,! YE> #baa =CES ! ORGANIZATION TO ?R[ ! MUDDLE1 TO UND]/& ?AT AN>*ISM CAN NOT REMA9 A SUM ( VALUES1 A SUM ( WORDS ( GOOD UPBR++ OR BOOKS ?AT W]E WRITT5 #ad YE>S AGO1 NOR MORAL PR9CIPLES1 NOR E?ICAL ONES4 ,AN>*ISM HAS TO BE A POLICY1 & )\T IT BE+ A POLITICAL POLICY1 IT DIES4 ,& FAC$ ) ?IS DILEMMA1 LUCKILY ! ORGANIZATION OPT$ = POLITICAL DISCUSSION1 = ! CREATION ( CONCRETE PROPOSALS TO GIVE TO ! MOVEM5T1 UND]/&+ ?AT WE >E NOT FI<T+ = ! REVOLUTION BUT = ! SPECIFIC CONDITIONS ?AT ACCUMULATE T[>DS A PROJECT ( ! WORK+ CLASS1 & ?AT HAS ALL[$ US TO GR[ & CONSOLIDATE AS A NATIONAL /RUCTURE & ALSO C>VE \T A PLACE AMONG ! LEFTI/ ORGANIZATIONS40 .<#d.> 

,H]E ,RAMIREZ1 AN AN>*I/ MILITANT ( ! ,FE,L1 IS ANSW]+ H[ ! ,FE,L %IFT$ FROM A L>GELY IDEOLOGICAL POLITICAL GR\P ?AT NUMB]$ 9 ! DOZ5S TO A POLITICAL =CE 9 ! HUNDR$S AT ! C5T] ( SOCIETY-WIDE RUPTURES4 ,KEY TO ?IS WAS NOT SIMPLY !IR DEM&S NOR ! TIME P]IOD1 BUT ALSO ! FRAMEWORK = DEVELOP+ !IR /RUGGLES & DEEP5+ !M ?R\< ONGO+ PRACTICE & ASSESSM5T4 

,OBJECTIONS TO ,POLITICAL ,ORGANIZATIONS 

,COMMON CONC]NS & OBJECTIONS1 RAIS$ BY ! MO/ ACTIVE & 9TELLIG5T MILITANTS1 )9 \R ORGANIZATIONS FOCUS ON \R LOCAL /R5G? & \R RELATION%IP TO SOCIAL MOVEM5TS4 ,IF WE >E TOO WEAK LOCALLY TO FUNCTION 9 AN EFFECTIVE CAPACITY1 H[ WILL WE BUILD A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION8 ,IF \R COMMITM5T IS TO /RUGGLE 9 & TO BUILD SOCIAL MOVEM5TS1 & \R CAPACITY IS LIMIT$ LOCALLY1 WON'T A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION TAKE AWAY FROM ?OSE EF=TS8 ,P]HAPS WE NE$ SU* AN ORGANIZATION1 BUT ) ! /ATE ( ! LEFT & ! POV]TY ( \R =CES IS IT NOT A BETT] USE ( \R TIME TO FOCUS ON BUILD+ UP ! MOVEM5TS & SMALL CIRCLES ( AFF9ITY ?AT WILL AT SOME PO9T D[N ! ROAD MAKE POLITICAL ORGANIZATION POSSIBLE8 ,IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUILD AN ORGANIZATION ?AT RELATES TO MOVEM5TS & 'EV]YDAY PEOPLE' & NOT JU/ ! USUAL SUSPECTS ON ! LEFT8 ,MOREOV]1 POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS DON'T HAVE MU* TO %[ = !IR EF=TS1 SO W\LDN'T \R TIME BE BETT] SP5T JU/ BUILD+ UP SOCIAL MOVEM5TS8 

,TO !SE OBJECTIONS1 WE W\LD LIKE TO /ATE ! CASE ?AT A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION 9 \R TIME1 9 ?IS MOM5T1 WILL NOT DET] FROM \R MOVEM5T1 BUT 9 FACT IS NECESS>Y TO OV]COME MANY ( \R PRES5T LIMITATIONS & PROBLEMS4 ,WE BELIEVE A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ) A MEAN+FUL & ?\<TFULLY BUILT UNITY & PRAXIS CAN PLAY A KEY ROLE 9 MAK+ \R DESIRE TO MOVE BEYOND RETREAT & RE=M POSSIBLE4 ,?IS MAY NOT HAPP5 RI<T AWAY1 & IT MAY BE A PROTRACT$ PROCESS ( /RIV+ T[>DS A GOAL ) /EPS =W>D & /EPS BACKW>DS1 BUT WE BELIEVE ?IS IS NECESS>Y TO BECOME A MEAN+FUL POLITICAL =CE4 

,= EXAMPLE1 !RE IS A CONC]N ?AT TIME W\LD BE BETT] SP5T SIMPLY BUILD+ UP MOVEM5T WORK4 ,?IS IS L>GELY RI<T4 ,!RE IS SC>CELY 5\< 5]GY 9VE/$ 9 /RUGGLE1 & (T5 ! LEFT SQU&]S ITS TIME ON SELF-ABSORB$ ACTIVITIES MORE ?AN /RUGGLES ?AT IMPACT PEOPLE \TSIDE ( LEFT SUBCULTURES4 ,YET !RE'S A PROBLEM H]E TOO4 ,MASS /RUGGLES DO NOT EXI/ NOR >ISE 9 VACUUMS4 ,:5 !Y DO EM]GE1 O!R POLITICAL =CES 9T]V5E4 ,MANY TIMES1 WE >E ! SAME ONES 9ITIAT+ PROJECTS AS WELL AS WORK+ )9 !M4 ,?IS IS DONE TYPICALLY ?R\< L9K+ ) O!RS & TRY+ TO =GE A UNIT$ VISION ( DO+ ?AT WORK4 ,SU* PROJECTS RELY ON 9=MAL & TACIT POLITICAL L9KS2 9=MALITY ?AT (T5 REPRODUCES ALL ! PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIOR & ISOLATION ( ! LEFT BUT )\T CLE> ME*ANISMS TO ADDRESS IT4 ,MOREOV]1 IF WE ALL[ \R WORK TO BE DEF9$ BY P]SONALITY TYPES & *>ISMATIC 9DIVIDUALS :O T5D TO BEG9 OR SEIZE !SE PROJECTS1 \R TRAJECTORY WILL T5D TO REFLECT ?OSE 9DIVIDUALS & !IR PASS+ 9T]E/S4 ,ORGANIZATION CAN ALL[ US TO EXP]IM5T1 LE>N1 WORK TOGE!R & ACTUALLY WORK T[>DS ! COLLECTIVITY SO MANY ( US AS RADICALS SPEAK (4 

,V]Y (T51 9 \R MOVEM5T WORK1 WE WORK TOGE!R ) O!RS1 :O DO NOT %>E \R VALUES4 ,9EVITABLY SOME ( !SE =CES RELATE TO /RUGGLES 9 UNPR9CIPL$1 AU?ORIT>IAN1 & CO-OPTIVE WAYS4 ,WE HAVE SE5 FROM EXP]I5CE !Y DO SO 9 ORGANIZ$ SY/EMATIC MANN]S4 ,! ORGANIZATION ( AN>*I/S AS A POLITICAL =CE )9 /RUGGLES IS ?US A /RATEGIC QUE/ION4 ,9 TRY+ TO BUILD ! WORLD WE WANT TO SEE1 WE WILL 5C\NT] ORGANIZ$ =CES ?AT SEEK TO EI!R MA9TA9 ! /ATUS QUO OR WORK T[>DS CONTRADICTORY AIMS FROM \R [N4 ,ALL ! W\LD BE VANGU>DS & ?OSE PU%+ TO *ANNEL MOVEM5TS 9TO 9/ITUTIONAL & ELECTORAL DIRECTIONS WILL ALWAYS EXI/1 BUT CAN AN ORGANIZ$ VOICE ( ?OSE PU%+ = HORIZONTAL APPROA*ES1 MILITANCY 9 TACTICS1 & RADICALISM 9 PRACTICE BE PRES5T8 ,AN ORGANIZ$ AN>*I/ PRES5CE IS NECESS>Y TO MOVE US =W>D & PRES5T A LIB]T>IAN ALT]NATIVE4 

,BEYOND ! PROBLEMS RAIS$ ABOVE CONC]N+ ! LIFE CYCLE ( /RUGGLES1 !RE >E MORE FACTORS ?AT MAKE GO+-IT-ALONE A BAD OPTION4 ,IT IS DIFFICULT TO WORK 9SIDE MOVEM5TS & /RUGGLES 9 A FRAGM5T$ & (T5 ISOLAT$ MANN]4 ,! POLITICAL 5VIRONM5T BO? )9 ?OSE /RUGGLES & ALL ! =CES BE>+ D[N ON US MAKE SU/A9+ /RUGGLE 9 ! LONG RUN UNLIKELY )\T SOME =M ( UNITY4 ,HI/ORY IS FILL$ ) LIB]T>IANS FAIL+ TO ORGANIZE A COH]5T OPPOSITION UNTIL :OLE P]IODS W]E TORN \T FROM UND] !M4 ,P>T ( ?IS IS TAK+ A LONG]-T]M VIEW4 ,WE NE$ TO BEG9 ANTICIPAT+ PROBLEMS ( \R WORK YE>S 9 ADVANCE SO AS NOT TO HAVE !M CRU%$ BY =ESEEABLE POLITICAL OPPOSITION4 .<#e.> ,POLITICAL ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A FIELD = ADVANC+ LIB]T>IAN ALT]NATIVES 9 AN O!RWISE HO/ILE 5VIRONM5T1 :ILE LACK ( POLITICAL ORGANIZATION REMOVES TOOLS ?AT MI<T S(T5 ! =CES SCATT]+ US & CAUS+ US ONLY TO BE REACTIVE TO ! CIRCUM/ANCES ( ! MOM5T4 

,ANO!R OBJECTION RAIS$ IS ?AT ! WORK WE WANT TO SEE ISN'T HAPP5+ )9 ! ORGANIZ$ AN>*I/ MOVEM5T1 BUT \TSIDE ( IT4 ,! ORGANIZATIONS WE HAPP5 TO HAVE >5'T UP TO SNUFF4 ,ON ! FACE ( ?IS CRITIQUE IT IS P>TIALLY TRUE4 ,IT %\LD BE NOT$ ?AT GR\PS (T5 DON'T TALK AB\T :AT !Y DO1 S9CE MANY LONG-T]M CAMPAIGNS 7P>TICUL>LY ) WORKPLACE ORGANIZ+7 >E NOT EASILY PRES5T$ 9 PUBLIC )\T 5DANG]+ ! P>TICIPANTS OR DO+ SO 9 A WAY ?AT DI/ORTS ! RELATION%IP BETWE5 ! ORGANIZATION & ! MOVEM5T4 ,/ILL1 IT IS CORRECT ?AT ! PRES5T MOVEM5T ON ! :OLE ISN'T DO+ ! WORK WE ALL WANT TO SEE4 ,TOO (T5 !RE IS COM=T AMONG ! RADICAL LEFT1 SOME ( ! ORGANIZ$ AN>*I/ MOVEM5T 9CLUD$1 TO EXI/ AS AN (F%OOT ( ! BROAD] ACTIVI/ SUBCULTURE OR AS A HI/ORICAL & POLITICAL HOBBY1 DISCONNECT$ FROM ! DAILY EXP]I5CES & /RUGGLES ( ! WORK+ CLASS4 ,BUT !RE IS A LOT ( 9NOVATIVE WORK BE+ DONE 9 ! ,U,S RI<T N[3 AUTONOM\S WORKPLACE ORGANIZ+ 9DEP5D5T FROM ! UNIONS & ANTAGONI/IC TO ! CONTRACTUAL-,N,L,R,B ORGANIZ+ ME?ODS1 NEI<BORHOOD ORGANIZ+ SEIZ+ HOMES & DEF5D+ AGA9/ =ECLOSURES1 COLLECTIVE DIRECT ACTIONS AGA9/ EMPLOY]S1 L&LORDS1 & /ATE ASSAULTS1 DIRECT ACTIONS AGA9/ DEPORTATION1 & C\NTLESS O!R EXAMPLES4 ,MU* ( ?IS WORK IS C>RI$ \T BY O!R GR\PS1 ) DIFF]5T LIB]T>IAN IDEOLOGIES 7R>ELY BY P>TY ORI5T$ ,L59I/S1 ?\< BROAD SOCIAL *ANGES C\LD MAKE !M ADOPT DIFF]5T ME?ODS7 & BY UNORGANIZ$ RADICALS 9 !SE MOVEM5TS4 ,?IS ISN'T TO SAY !RE >5'T GR\PS DO+ GREAT WORK RI<T N[1 BUT ?OSE WORK+ \TSIDE DW>F ! ORGANIZ$ AN>*I/ MILIEU4 

,:]E WE CAN WORK TOGE!R1 WE %\LD 9 G5]AL4 ,!RE %\LD BE SY/EMATIC ATTEMPTS TO UNIFY ) PEOPLE BAS$ ON %>$ /RATEGY & OBJECTIVES :]EV] ?IS CAN BE DONE4 ,ONE TOOL ?AT ALL[S = ?IS IS BUILD+ NETWORKS ( T5D5CY )9 \R ORGANIZ+ ?AT HAS /RATEGY1 TACTICS & BROAD VALUES AS ! BASIS4 ,?IS IS DIFF]5T FROM POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE ( ! PURPOSE 7TO BUILD LIB]T>IAN PRACTICE UP )9 /RUGGLES7 & ! DEGREE OR LEVEL ( UNITY4 ,MEMB]S ( ,M,A,S HAVE WRITT5 AB\T ?IS 9 A S]IES ( DOCUM5TS ?AT DISCUSS ! CONCEPT ( 9T]M$IATE LEVEL ANALYSIS & AS WELL ! ,F$]ACAO ,AN>QUI/A DO ,RIO DE ,JANEIRO 7,AN>*I/ ,F$]ATION ( ,RIO DE ,JANEIRO OR ,F,>,J7 9 ,BRAZIL HAS DESCRIB$ ?IS AS ! CONC5TRIC CIRCLE MODEL4 .<#f.> ,NOT 5\< IS BE+ DONE TO BUILD ?OSE NETWORKS ( PRACTICE1 & 9 MANY WAYS ?AT IS ! PRIM>Y TASK = LIB]T>IAN REVOLUTION>IES1 ESPECIALLY 9 A TIME :5 MILITANT RE=MISM1 RECUP]ATION1 & =MS ( NEO-FASCISM >E BE+ PUT BACK ON ! TABLE BY A SY/EM *EW+ ON A CRISIS4 .<#g.> 

,/ILL1 WE %\LD LOOK FUR!R4 ,! DIVISIONS ?AT EXI/ 9 ! BROAD LIB]T>IAN MILIEU >E DRAWN = ! WRONG REASONS4 ,WE CAN'T BELIEVE TODAY ?AT PEOPLE DO+ ! SOLID WORK WE ASPIRE TO >E POLITICALLY DIVID$ BAS$ ON ! VALIDITY ( TODAY'S DIVISIONS4 ,9 TOO MANY WAYS WE HAVE 9H]IT$ ! POLITICS ( O!R TIME P]IODS ?AT CONSI/5TLY %[S ITSELF TO BE 9ADEQUATE 9 \R DAILY PRACTICE4 ,GIV5 \R HI/ORIC TASK ( ! AN>*I/ PROJECT1 & CREAT+ A POLITICS = \R TIME1 WE CANNOT IGNORE A KEY RESPONSIBILITY WE HAVE- :I* IS TO BECOME A POLE1 ?AT ATTRACTS & UNIFIES ! =CES ?AT SEEK LIB]T>IAN REVOLUTION1 & PU%ES /RUGGLE FUR!R1 GO+ BEYOND ! WALLS & LIMITS ?R[N UP BY RE=MISM1 AU?ORIT>IANS1 & ! WEI<T ( ! SY/EM ON US ALL4 ,) :ATEV] =CES WE HAVE1 WE NE$ TO /R5G!N ! WORK WE DO1 & F9D A UNIFICATION ?AT BR+S TOGE!R ?OSE WORK+ \TSIDE ( ORGANIZATIONS & ?OSE \TSIDE ( \R MILIEU BEH9D PROJECTS ?AT R$EF9E POLITICS 9 \R TIME4 ,9 O!R WORDS1 WE %\LD LOOK SKEPTICALLY AT ! EXI/+ P]CEIV$ POLITICAL DIVISIONS1 NOT BE HELD TO ! LIMITATIONS ( EXI/+ PROJECTS1 & WE %\LD REFUSE ! IDEA ?AT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO BR+ TOGE!R ! BE/ ( :AT EXI/S TODAY TO TRANS=M ! CURR5T POLITICAL ALIGNM5TS 9TO A BETT] & HI<] QUALITY /RUGGLE TOMORR[4 

,IT %\LD BE NOT$ ?AT MANY ( !SE OBJECTIONS RAIS$ AB\T POLITICAL ORGANIZATION REFLECT FE>S1 LAT5T OR OV]T1 RA!R ?AN POSITIVE PROPOSALS4 ,PEOPLE (T5 >E HESITANT TO BUILD BECAUSE ( !IR FE> ?AT ?+S WILL GO S\R OR !Y WILL LOOK BAD4 ,IT IS NOT ?AT !SE FE>S & RELUCTANCES >E NOT BAS$ ON ANY?+ CONCRETE- !RE >E NO WELL-PAV$ ROADS 9 ! J\RNEY ( REVOLUTION>Y WORK- RA!R IT IS ?AT !SE MANIFE/ & HOLD BACK \R WORK 9 A NUMB] ( WAYS4 ,RESI/ANCE TO ,OCCUPY1 0TURFISM01 & AN UNWILL+NESS TO 5GAGE & BUILD ) NEW MILITANTS1 >E EXAMPLES ( FE>S GETT+ ! BETT] ( O!RWISE SOLID & EXP]I5C$ MILITANTS4 ,YET WE CAN'T %APE \R POLITICS >\ND \R [N FE>S1 RELUCTANCE1 & SIDEL9E CRITICISMS4 ,?IS IS ONLY A RECIPE = /ASIS & 9 ! LONG T]M !SE T5D5CIES ACT AS C\NT]WEI<TS TO ! AN>*I/ PROJECT4 ,! ASSUMPTION ?AT DO+ NO?+ IS BETT] ?AN ! POT5TIAL PITFALLS %\LD BE QUE/ION$4 ,SIMIL>LY1 EXP]I5CE 9 FAILURE CAN MAKE MILITANTS SC>$ TO TAKE RISKS1 SO SC>$ !Y 5D UP MISS+ OPPORTUNITIES4 ,FROM A NEGATIVE POLITICS ?AT IS BAS$ >\ND FE>1 WAIT+ & SEE+1 & TRY+ TO TACKLE COLLECTIVE PROBLEMS 9 ISOLATION1 WE %\LD 9/EAD BE CON/RUCT+ A POSITIVE VISION1 SUPPORT$ BY A ?\<TFUL PROGRAM ( H[ TO BEG9 FROM :]E WE /& TODAY4 

,! ,PITFALLS ( ,LOCALIZ$ ,GR\PS & ,COLLECTIVES 

,N[ WE MOVE TO DISCUSS+ ! DYNAMICS ( :]E MO/ ( ! ORGANIZ$ & CLASS /RUGGLE ORI5T$ ,AN>*I/ MOVEM5T1 ALONG ) ?OSE ) SYMPA!TIC & SIMIL> POLITICS1 >E AT CURR5TLY4 ,SMALL CITY-BAS$ ORGANIZATIONS ?AT FUNCTION AS COLLECTIVES BAS$ \T ( ONE CITY OR REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ?AT GR[ \T ( L>G] SOCIAL1 MASS ORGANIZATIONAL1 & POLITICAL NETWORKS %\LD BE SE5 AS ORGANIC & PRACTICAL />T+ PO9TS4 ,NAVIGAT+ ! DYNAMICS ( DO+ GOOD WORK ON A LOCAL LEVEL IS EASI] & KEEPS ! SCOPE SMALL 5\< SO ?AT IT'S EASY = PEOPLE TO SEE ! NE$ & FEEL ?AT IT IS POSSIBLE4 ,FROM :AT EXP]I5CE %[S ?\<1 !RE >E A NUMB] ( RECURR+ PROBLEMS ?AT !SE TYPES ( GR\PS POSE3 !Y >E WEAK] & MORE LIKELY TO FAIL1 !Y T5D TO REPRODUCE LOCAL & SMALL-GR\P DYNAMICS1 & !Y FAIL TO DEVELOP ! SKILLS NECESS>Y TO 9T]V5E ON A WID] BASIS4 

,LOCAL COLLECTIVES T5D TO FACE 5ORM\S PRESSURES4 ,RELOCATION ( PEOPLE CREATES REAL PROBLEMS1 ESPECIALLY 9 HI<LY MOBILE SOCIETIES LIKE ! ,U,S4 ,HAV+ A T9Y CORE AS ! C5T] ( ORGANIZATIONS MAKE NORMAL LIFE EV5TS ?AT *ANGE PEOPLE'S ACTIVITY LEVEL 7ILLNESS1 FAMILY1 C>E] *ANGES7 9TO POLITICAL PROBLEMS4 ,REPLICAT+ 9FRA/RUCTURE & ADM9I/RATION AT A LOCAL LEVEL PLACES A L>G] BURD5 ON GR\PS1 :I* MI<T O!RWISE USE ! SAME 5]GY 9 ORD] TO ORGANIZE & DO PUBLIC WORK ?AT SU/A9S PEOPLE4 ,SMALL 9-GR\P DYNAMICS1 ISOLATION1 & SOCIAL PRESSURES ALL *IP AWAY AT !SE =MATIONS1 & !Y FACE !SE ISSUES G5]ALLY ALONE 7(T5 ) ! SAME FAILURES REPEAT$ EV]Y FEW YE>S BY NEW 9DIVIDUALS74 ,?IS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE \TSIDE ! ACTIVI/ URBAN C5T]S :]E !RE IS NOT 5\< LEFT PRES5CE TO TREAD WAT] BY SWIMM+ )9 ! EXI/+ ACTIVI/ SC5E4 ,9 L>GE SECTIONS ( ! C\NTRY :]E LITTLE ACTIVI/ 9FRA/RUCTURE EXI/S1 SU* GR\PS (T5 HAVE TO CREATE EV]Y?+ FROM NO?+1 :ILE FAC+ ! C\NT]CURR5T ( LIFE UND] CAPITALISM4 ,MO/ (T5 !SE GR\PS FAIL )9 A FEW YE>S4 

,?\< ?IS IS TRUE ( LOCAL OR REGIONAL GR\PS1 ! SAME DYNAMICS EXI/ = NATIONAL GR\PS ?AT FAIL TO MOVE BEYOND FUNCTION+ AT A SIMIL> LEVEL4 ,IT'S A NATURAL RESPONSE TO TRY & P]FECT ONE'S WORK 9 A S+LE LOCAL BE=E TACKL+ FUR!R ISSUES4 ,TYPICALLY ?IS DOES NOT WORK4 ,9 P>T ! ?9K+ IS ?AT ) WILL & GOOD ORGANIZATION1 Y\ CAN OV]COME COMMON PROBLEMS4 ,:ILE P>T ( ! PROBLEM IS CONSCI\S ORGANIZATION1 !SE >E LESSONS ?AT >E DIFFICULT TO CONFRONT AGA9 9 ISOLATION4 ,:ILE ORGANIZATIONS T5DS TO CORRESPOND TO ! BROAD] =CES ( /RUGGLE 9 ! TIME !Y EXI/1 BY LIMIT+ ATTEMPTS TO COLLECTIVIZE ! PROBLEMS ( \R TIME WE 5D UP PUTT+ TOO MU* TIME 9TO RECYCL+ ADM9I/RATIVE PROBLEMS & LOSE \T ON COLLABORATIVE POLITICAL APPROA*ES ?AT WE MI<T MOVE =W>D & GR[ FROM2 OR AT LEA/ BETT] ID5TIFY \R LIMITATIONS & WEAKNESSES4 

,IT IS SOMETIMES SAID ?AT NATIONAL ORGANIZATION W\LD TAKE AWAY FROM LOCAL ORGANIZ+ :I* (T5 /&S ON %AKY GR\ND4 ,?IS IS AN UND]/&ABLE CONC]N GIV5 ! LIMIT$ RES\RCES1 TIME1 & PROBLEMS WE FACE4 ,HI/ORICALLY ?\<1 WE HAVE SE5 ! OPPOSITE3 LEFT TO \R [N DEVICES !RE CAN BE A /EEP DECL9E ( LOCAL WORK4 ,9 ! PA/ FEW DECADES1 A NUMB] ( LOCAL & REGIONAL AN>*I/ & NOT EXPLICITLY AN>*I/ ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BE5 =M$ & DISSOLV$ 9 QUICK SUCCESSION4 ,:ILE OBVI\S FACTORS MI<T BE ! %AKY POLITICAL F\NDATIONS ?AT MANY GR\PS BEGAN ) C\PL$ ) LACK ( EXP]I5CE1 ?IS ALSO FOLL[S A NATURAL TRAJECTORY ( /RA9 FROM BE+ ISOLAT$ LOCALLY4 ,9DE$ MO/ RADICAL MASS ORGANIZ+ PROJECTS HAVE SIMIL> FATES & TRAJECTORIES4 ,BY ONLY DRAW+ LOCALLY1 WE PUT \RSELVES 9TO A POSITION :]E1 AS WE /AT$ PREVI\SLY1 MEMB]S MOV+1 *ANG+ C>E]S1 HAV+ FAMILY OBLIGATIONS1 ETC41 /RA9 ALREADY LIMIT$ ORGANIZATIONS4 ,A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION IS ABLE TO (FSET ?IS BO? BY ABSORB+ ! LOSS ( MILITANTS TO O!R >EAS1 AS WELL AS BUILD+ MORE LOCAL CONTACTS ?R\< A VISIBLE PUBLIC PRES5CE4 

,FUR!R1 HAV+ A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION CREATES A POLE TO ATTRACT ! %>PE/ MILITANTS FROM >\ND ! C\NTRY ?AT MAY O!RWISE BE ISOLAT$ OR1 AS DOES HAPP5S1 DRIFT 9 O!R DIRECTIONS POLITICALLY4 ,ALL[+ DEVELOP+ MEMB]S TO B5EFIT FROM1 DIALOGUE1 & WORK ) A L>G] POOL1 OR 9 O!R WORDS A WID] MILIEU1 ( EXP]I5C$ MILITANTS & TAL5T4 ,NUM]\S TIMES WE'VE READ ( REPEAT$ LESSONS LE>N$ BY DISP>ATE GR\PS4 ,RA!R ?AN SEE+ !SE PITFALLS CONT9UE1 WE >E HE>T5$ TO BELIEVE !RE >E P]HAPS1 SOME TR5DS T[>DS ! REPETITION ( ADVANCES1 ?AT =CES >E MOV+ CLOS] TO ONE ANO!R DESPITE WORK+ 9 P>ALLEL4 

,!RE IS NO MAGIC =MULA TO OV]COM+ ! REAL ISSUES BO? NATIONAL & LOCAL EF=TS FACE4 ,NATIONAL LEVEL ORGANIZATIONS PRES5T !IR [N SETS ( PROBLEMS1 BUT WE BELIEVE ?AT !Y >E BETT] PROBLEMS TO /RUGGLE >\ND1 ?AN ! L[] LEVEL PROBLEMS ?AT LOCALIZ$ GR\PS FACE ON !IR [N3 ATTRITION1 /AGNATION1 LACK ( RES\RCES1 L[] LEVELS ( DISCUSSION & LESS POLITICAL COH]5CE4 ,A MORE FRUITFUL WAY TO LOOK AT !SE ISSUES IS ?AT WE ULTIMATELY CAN'T AVOID 9VE/+ 9 BO? NATIONAL & LOCAL EF=TS4 ,! REAL QUE/ION ?\< IS H[ BAS$ ON \R NE$S TODAY8 

,ORGANIZATION ,TODAY1 ,ORGANIZATIONS ( ! ,IMM$IATE ,PA/ 

,9 ?IS SEGM5T WE WILL FIR/ (F] COMM5T>Y ON ! CURR5T CLASS /RUGGLE ,AN>*I/ MILIEU ?AT ! AU?ORS HAVE BE5 P>TICIPANTS 9 & ?REE O!R 9FLU5TIAL GR\PS RELAT$ TO ! MILIEU4 ,! SEGM5T )9 AN>*ISM1 9 ! ,U,S1 ?AT HAS D$ICAT$ MEAN+FUL EF=T TO BUILD+ POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OV] ! LA/ DECADE HAS BE5 ! CLASS /RUGGLE AN>*I/ MILIEU4 ,! GR\PS EM]G+ \T ( ?IS MILIEU1 :ILE C]TA9LY TAK+ /EPS BO? =W>DS & BACKW>DS1 HAVE 9 ! LA/ DECADE MADE /RIDES T[>DS BE+ ROOT$ 9 & BAS$ >\ND ORGANIZ+ ACTIVITY4 ,/ILL ?\<1 !Y HAVE BE5 L>GELY LOCALIZ$ OR REGIONALIZ$1 & FALL5 VICTIM TO MANY ( ! ISSUES DISCUSS$ 9 ! SECTION ON SMALL ORGANIZATIONS & COLLECTIVES4 

,!RE >E SOME PRESSURES ?AT SEEM MO/ PREVAL5T )9 ! MILIEU4 ,FIR/1 IT'S DIFFICULT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS ( A *ANG+ WORLD1 ESPECIALLY 9 LI<T ( ! CRISIS & NEW /RUGGLES 9 ! WORK+ CLASS1 9 ISOLATION4 ,ORGANIZATIONS >E RUNN+ 9 P>ALLEL TRY+ TO SOLVE BIG PROBLEMS ) LIMIT$ RES\RCES4 ,SECOND1 SMALL GR\P DYNAMICS DOM9ATE & HOLD BACK MOV+ =W>D4 ,:5 ORGANIZATIONS >E C5T]$ ON P]SONAL RELATION%IPS1 (T5 AS CLIQUES ( SORTS1 IT'S EASY = P]SONAL T5SIONS TO OV]:ELM ! CAPACITY ( !SE GR\PS4 ,?IRD1 !RE'S EXCESSIVE ADM9I/RATIVE EF=T RELATIVE TO ! AM\NT ( PEOPLE 9VOLV$1 SIMPLY BY R$UPLICAT+ ?+S LIKE WEB MA9T5ANCE1 CORRESPOND5CE1 PUBLICATIONS1 ETC4 ,LA/LY1 IF L>G] /RUCTURES >E NOT DEVELOP$ = POLITICAL ACTION1 ! SKILLS & ME?ODS NECESS>Y = !M WILL NOT DEVELOP EI!R4 ,CREAT+ A NATIONAL DELEGAT$ /RUCTURE ( LOCALS1 NAVIGAT+ DIFF]5T IDEAS1 /RATEGIES1 & ME?ODS TO IMPLEM5T WORK IS NECESS>Y TO BUILD CAPACITY TO RESPOND & CON/RUCT ALT]NATIVES TO NATIONAL ISSUES4 ,MEAN+FUL ACTION NE$S TO BE TAK5 T[>DS ADDRESS+ !SE ISSUES & NOT M]ELY DELAY+ !M4 

,!RE >E TWO MORE PRESS+ ISSUES ?AT NE$ TO BE TAK5 UP4 ,EXI/+ ORGANIZATION ACROSS ! REVOLUTION>Y LEFT HAS BE5 UNABLE TO PRODUCE SOLID POPUL> & POLITICAL ORGANIZATION1 & COORD9AT$ /RATEGIC WORK HAS BE5 LIMIT$ 9 IMPLEM5TATION4 ,:ILE 9 G5]AL = ! AN>*I/ MILIEU1 ! PA/ T5 YE>S HAVE SE5 MOVES T[>DS SOCIAL /RUGGLES AS ! PRIM>Y FRONT = RADICAL ACTIVITY1 EXI/+ ORGANIZATIONS HAVE NOT BE5 ABLE TO 9TEGRATE & IMPLEM5T A COH]5T REVOLUTION>Y APPROA* TO ?IS WORK4 ,WORK C5T]S >\ND 9DIVIDUALS1 PROJECTS1 & (T5 DRIV5 BY ! W9DS ( *ANGE )\T A COH]5T AN>*I/ ALT]NATIVE BE+ EVID5T 9 PRACTICE4 ,!RE IS A COMB9ATION ( TAIL+ BUS9ESS UNIONS & ,N,G,OS1 9TELLECTUAL T9K]+ \TSIDE ( /RUGGLE1 HI<LY UNEV5 POLITICAL DEVELOPM5T1 & SLOPPY ISSUE *AS+4 ,?IS AGA9 IS A REFLECTION ( \R TIME1 H[EV] IT IS NOT 9EVITABLE4 ,IT IS WELL )9 \R REA* TO BEG9 ?9K+ & WORK+ ON H[ ! AN>*I/ MOVEM5T C\LD HAVE AN ORGANIZ$ & COH]5T EXPRESSION ( A MOVEM5T ?AT CONFRONTS CAPITAL1 ! /ATE1 & OPPRESSION ?R\< ! /RUGGLES ( ! POPUL> CLASSES4 ,WE CANNOT *ANGE ! OBJECTIVE SITUATION1 9V5T /RUGGLES1 OR PROCE$ AS IF WE HAVE ! MILITANTS WE NE$1 BUT WE CAN TAKE /RIVE T[>DS SOLUTIONS OV] ! LONG HAUL4 

,SIMIL>LY1 ORGANIZATIONS HAVE F\<T TO BUILD CONSCI\S POLITICAL $UCATION & TO A LESS] EXT5T POPUL> $UCATION ?R\< !IR MASS WORK4 ,ON BO? FRONTS1 AN 9DEP5D5T & REVOLUTION>Y APPROA* TO ?IS WORK HAS FALL5 %ORT4 ,IF ! LESSONS ( ! #iS & #bS W]E AB\T ! C5TRAL ROLE ( MASS /RUGGLE RA!R ?AN ACTIVISM1 P]HAPS ! NE$ = A REVOLUTION>Y ALT]NATIVE & $UCATIONAL WORK IS BECOM+ ! LESSON ( ?IS MOM5T4 ,IT IS ! ABILITY TO FACILITATE CREATIVE MILITANTS1 :O CAN ?9K & ACT 9 REAL TIME1 ?AT IS ! LIFEBLOOD ( MOVEM5TS4 ,P]HAPS IT IS AN ORGANIZATION'S MA9 TASK TO IMPROVE ! ABILITY TO WORK ?R\< !SE ISSUES1 PUT HEADS TOGE!R1 & /RATEGIZE ! BE/ PA? =W>D4 

,!RE >E ?REE HELPFUL REF]5CE PO9TS ?AT1 WE BELIEVE1 >E USEFUL TO DRAW UPON FROM POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS ( ! IMM$IATE PA/ )9 ! LIB]T>IAN LEFT4 ,! FIR/ W\LD BE ! ROLE ( ! PUBLICATION ,LOVE & ,RAGE BY ! ,LOVE & ,RAGE ,REVOLUTION>Y ,AN>*I/ ,F$]ATION 7#a#i#i#c-#a#i#i#h71 :I* EM]G$ \T ( ! PROTE/ POLITICS ( ! #a#i#iS4 ,) A F9AL PRESS RUN REPORT$ AT #i1 !IR WELL-PRODUC$ MON?LY PUBLICATION FEATUR$ A RANGE ( DEBATE & WAS READ & RESPECT$ \TSIDE ! AN>*I/ MILIEU4 ,:ILE ,LOVE & ,RAGE AS AN ORGANIZATION HAD A NUMB] ( T5D5CIES & PRACTICES ?AT COEXI/$ TOGE!R1 !IR PUBLICATION /&S \T AS AN EXAMPLE ( ! CREATION ( A VISIBLE POLE ( AN>*ISM )9 ! L>G] LEFT4 ,) ! MATUR+ ( ! ,NOR? ,EA/]N ,F$]ATION ( ,AN>*I/ ,COMMUNI/S 7#b-,PRES5T1 N[ ,COMMON ,/RUGGLE - ,LIB]T>IAN ,COMMUNI/ ,F$]ATION_/ ,LU*A ,COMUN - ,F$]ACION ,COMUNI/A ,LIB]T>IA71 ORIG9ALLY AS A BI-NATIONAL ORGANIZATION 9 ! ,U,S & ,CANADA1 WE SAW A CONCRETE REORI5TATION AWAY FROM ! PROTE/ POLITICS & SUMMIT HOPP+ ( ! #a#i#iS & E>LY #bS T[>DS 5GAGEM5T ) & COMMITM5T TO BUILD+ MASS ORI5T$ SOCIAL MOVEM5TS AS OPPOS$ TO ACTIVI/ MOBILIZATION4 ,F9ALLY1 ! ORGANIZATION ,BR+ ! ,RUCKUS 7#b#b-#b#a#b71 9 P>T F\ND$ BY =M] MEMB]S ( ,LOVE & ,RAGE ?AT 9CLUD$ AN>*I/ & NON-AN>*I/ MEMB]S1 LEFT A LEGACY 7AMONG MANY O!R IDEAS7 ( A COLLECTIVE /RATEGY BUILT >\ND A COMMON ANALYSIS4 ,:AT ?IS MEANT 9 PRACTICE WAS A SET ( CRIT]IA = !IR ORGANIZ+ WORK & REGUL> EVALUATION ( H[ !IR LOCAL LEVEL ORGANIZ+ MET OR FELL %ORT ( !IR POLITICAL GOALS4 ,!SE ?REE EXAMPLES PRES5T />T+ PO9TS :I* WE CAN BUILD ON TO CREATE NEW EXAMPLES = ! CURR5T POLITICAL MOM5T4 

,T[>DS A ,VISION ( ,POLITICAL ,ORGANIZATION = ,TODAY 

,! ORGANIZATION ( TODAY IS NOT ?AT ( #a#i#a#g1 #a#i#c#f1 OR EV5 #b#a4 ,\R MOM5T 9 HI/ORY HAS ITS [N NE$S1 ITS [N *ALL5GES1 & POT5TIALS4 ,GIV5 ! /ATE ( ! LEFT & ( ! WORK+ CLASS1 WE CAN'T EXPECT NOR AIM TO CREATE POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MODEL$ ON PREVI\S UPHEAVALS4 ,A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION TODAY IS NOT ! VEHICLE ( SOCIAL REVOLUTION4 ,/RUGGLE *ANGES EV]Y?+1 9CLUD+ ORGANIZATION1 & WE CAN ONLY TRY TO ANTICIPATE & PREP>E = TRANS=MATIONS ?AT WE CANNOT FULLY UND]/& OR CONTROL4 ,P>T ( TAK+ ?IS 9TO ACC\NT IS ACKN[L$G+ ?AT WE CANNOT LAY \T ! IDEAL PICTURE ( :AT A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION %\LD LOOK & ACT LIKE & EXPECT ALL ! GOOD PEOPLE TO SIMPLY 0GET ON BO>D40 ,?IS SIMPLY WON'T HAPP54 ,RA!R ?AN AN IDEALIZ$ 5DPO9T1 POLITICAL ORGANIZATION %\LD BE SE5 AS A PROCESS ?AT MU/ BE BUILT CONSCI5TI\SLY ?R\< ON ! GR\ND WORK1 ! CREATION ( A POLE ( IDEAS1 MEAN+FUL RELATION%IPS1 & POLITICAL /RUGGLE OV] TIME4 

,9 ?IS >TICLE WE'VE ATTEMPT$ TO GIVE BRIEF COMM5TS ON ! CURR5T POLITICAL T]RA91 /ATE ! CASE = A NATIONAL POLITICAL ORGANIZATION BO? ON LEVELS ( PRACTICAL NE$S & ?AT ( VISION & /RATEGY 9 RELATION TO ! AN>*I/ PROJECT4 ,WE'VE ALSO ATTEMPT$ TO SPELL \T \R CRITICISMS ( ! CURR5T /ATE ( ! ORGANIZ$ ,AN>*I/ MOVEM5T ?AT EXI/S AS LOCAL & REGIONAL BAS$ COLLECTIVES4 ,N[1 DRAW+ FROM \R DISCUSSIONS ABOVE1 WE N[ HOPE TO PRES5T \R VISION ( POLITICAL ORGANIZATION ?AT SPEAKS TO ! NE$S ( H]E & N[4 ,SOME ( ?IS MAY REPEAT PREVI\S PO9T ( O!R SECTIONS1 BUT WE FEEL ! NE$ TO PRES5T ! VISION 9 FULL & MORE EXP&$ T]MS H]E4 

,WE NE$ A DIFF]5T K9D ( POLITICAL ORGANIZATION4 ,POLITICAL ORGANIZATION TODAY NE$S TO SPEAK TO ! NE$S ( DRAW+ \T ( ISOLATION ! CURR5T REGIONAL & CITY BAS$ GR\PS & TAK+ \R EF=TS TO A HI<] LEVEL ) NATIONAL ORGANIZATION4 ,FIR/ & =EMO/ IS ! NE$ TO CREATE A COMMON SET ( REF]5CE PO9TS1 A HEAL?Y CULTURE ( DISCUSSION & DEBATE & POLITICAL DEVELOPM5T 9 ALL MEMB]S SO AS TO ADDRESS ! CURR5T UNEV5 LEVELS ( DEVELOPM5T ACROSS \R MILIEU4 ,?IS %\LD BECOME AN EXPECTATION = ALL 9COM+ MEMB]S AS ! POLITICAL $UCATION & DEVELOPM5T ( NEW MILITANTS WILL BE ! KEY SITE ( GR[+1 RAIS+ ! QUALITY (1 & TRANS=M+ \R MILIEU4 ,9 SUM !SE >E ! KEY >EAS = POLITICAL WORK3 DEVELOP+ MILITANTS & CREAT+ A HEAL?Y CULTURE ( DEBATE1 BUILD+ A POLE = DEEP5+ A LIB]T>IAN PRAXIS1 EXP&+ A COH]5T LIB]T>IAN VOICE )9 /RUGGLE1 & WORK+ 9 SOCIAL /RUGGLES AT ! 9T]M$IATE LEVEL4 

,! PRIM>Y WORK ( POLITICAL ORGANIZ+ RI<T N[ IS DEVELOP+ COMMITT$ MILITANTS :O CAN ACT ) CREATIVITY & 9ITIATIVE1 RA!R ?AN ! MILIT>Y MODEL ( SOLDI]S C>RY+ \T ORD]S4 ,! BUILD+ BLOCKS ( ?IS WORK BEG9S ) ONE ON ONE CONTACT & RELATION%IP BUILD+1 & MOVES T[>DS 9TEGRAT+ MILITANTS 9TO COLLECTIVE /UDY & ORGANIZ+ EF=TS4 ,ANY NATIONAL =MATION %\LD BE WORK+ TO POOL RES\RCES1 SY/EMIZE1 & DEVELOP WORK AIM$ AT MAXIMIZ+ ! POT5TIAL ( BUILD+ COMMITT$ REVOLUTION>Y MILITANTS ROOT$ 9 /RUGGLE4 ,DEVELOP+ 9T]NAL PROCESS & CURRICULA IS ONE P>T ( ?IS4 ,READ+ GR\PS & WORK%OPS >E TRADITIONAL1 H[EV] NOT 5\< ?\<T HAS BE5 SP5T LOOK+ AT H[ PEOPLE ACTUALLY LE>N2 ?R\< PRACTICE1 REFLECTION1 & TAK+ 9ITIATIVE 9 WORK+ ?R\< PROBLEMS ?AT CONFRONT !M 9 !IR WORK4 ,BEYOND ! DEVELOPM5T ( ! ABILITY TO DO ?IS WORK1 L>G] QUE/IONS CONFRONT US4 

,IF WE HOPE TO BREAK \T ( ! DYNAMICS ( MU* ( ! PRES5T LEFT :]E DEMOGRAPHICS & DEVELOPM5T >E SKEW$ >\ND RACE1 G5D]1 CLASS1 =MAL $UCATION1 & ?OSE FROM MAJOR COA/AL URBAN C5T]S1 !N WE NE$ TO BE COMMITT$ TO1 AS MEMB]S ( ! ,FURI\S ,FIVE ,REVOLUTION>Y ,AN>*I/ ,COLLECTIVE CALL$ IT1 0BUILD+ ! NEW BASE ( AN>*ISM0 :I* IS CULTIVAT$ FROM & DRAWS FROM \R BASE )9 ORGANIZ+4 .<#h.> ,A DEVELOP$ PRACTICE ( POLITICAL $UCATION WILL BE ONE ASPECT ( BUILD+ A NEW BASE & TWO O!R USEFUL CONCEPTS 9 \R POLITICAL ORGANIZATION TOOL KIT %\LD BE ! CONCEPT ( CREAT+ CONC5TRIC CIRCLES & ! POLITICAL HOME4 

,TAK5 FROM ! TRADITION ( ! ,LAT9 ,AM]ICAN ESPECIFI/A AN>*I/S1 ! CONCEPT ( CONC5TRIC CIRCLES IS A RECOGNITION ( DIFF]5CES 9 ! ROLE & TRAJECTORY ( /RUGGLE 9 ! ACTIVITY ( MILITANTS4 .<#i.> ,A CONC5TRIC CIRCLE MODEL 9VOLVES ORGANIZ$ OV]LAPP+ CIRCLES GR\P$ BY LEVELS ( COMMITM5T & ACTIVITY ) !IR [N RESPECTIVE DECISION MAK+4 ,9 ,M,A,S ?IS HAS BE5 REFLECT$ BY :AT IS CALL$ ! ,M,A,S COMPAS CIRCLE1 .<#a.> :I* 9VOLVES ORGANIZ+ A SOCIAL SPACE = REFLECTION ON /RUGGLES1 EXPLORATION ( POLITICS1 & COLLABORATION 9 BUILD+ SOCIAL /RUGGLE ON A BROAD LIB]T>IAN BASIS4 ,)9 ,M,A,S1 !RE IS A CIRCLE ( 9TEGRAT+ MILITANTS 9 ! PROCESS ( BUILD+ COMMON PRACTICE1 UND]/&+1 & RELATION%IPS ) ! ORGANIZATION4 ,! PROCESS ( 9TEGRATION IS ONE ( DEF9+ ONE'S ROLE1 BUT ALSO ONE'S LEVEL ( COMMITM5T & CAPACITY4 ,MEMB]S ( ! ORGANIZATION >E PEOPLE :O HAVE ! CAPACITY & 9ITIATIVE TO ACT1 UND]/&+ ( ! GR\P'S POLITICAL ANALYSIS & OBJECTIVES1 & >E ACTIVE 9 SOCIAL /RUGGLES AS A MILITANT4 ,CONC5TRIC CIRCLES GIVES A MODEL :]E WE CAN />T AT ! PRES5T UND]DEVELOPM5T ( LEFT PRACTICE1 POLITICAL DEVELOPM5T & LEVELS ( COMMITM5T & OV] TIME DEVELOP & GR[ & DEEP5 \R RELATION%IPS1 IDEAS1 & PRACTICE 9 T&EM4 

,! POLITICAL HOME IS A CONCEPT DRAWN FROM ,AMANEC]1 :O DEF9E IT AS P>T ( MAK+ POLITICAL ORGANIZATION 0A PLACE = DISCUSSION & CREATION ( A VISION TO GUIDE ! ORGANIZ+ EF=TS ( REVOLUTION>IES1 & A PLACE = REFLECTION1 DEVELOPM5T1 & GR[?40 .<#a#a.> ,9 A TIME 9 :I* ! LEFT IS L>GELY ALI5AT$ FROM PRACTICE1 & (T5 REFLECTS ! SOCIAL ILLS ( ISOLATION & BROAD] SOCIETY1 ! POLITICAL HOME ATTEMPTS TO BUILD A NURTUR+ 5VIRONM5T = EXP]IM5TATION & CREAT+ SOLUTIONS 9 \R COMMUNITIES4 ,AT ?IS TIME1 FO/]+ EXPLORATION IS MORE IMPORTANT ?AN W9N+ OV] PEOPLE TO ONE OR ANO!R L9E4 ,WE NE$ MILITANTS CAPABLE ( 9T]V5+ & =MULAT+ !IR [N CREATIVE APPROA* TO !IR SITUATION4 ,! POLITICAL HOME IS A PLACE :]E ?IS GR[? CAN OCCUR4 

,BEYOND ! RELATION%IP ( ! ORGANIZATION TO ! MILITANT1 A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION NE$S TO WORK T[>DS BECOM+ A POLE ( ATTRACTION = LIB]T>IAN IDEAS )9 SOCIETY4 ,AS WE SAID1 TODAY A RIGID1 N>R[ FRAMEWORK ( A TI<T ORGANIZATION DOES NOT FIT \R CAPACITY OR *ALL5GES4 ,TO BELIEVE ?AT ! POSITIONS WE'VE 9H]IT$ >E COMPREH5SIVELY CORRECT IS NAIVE & DANG]\S4 ,L>GELY \R TASK IS TO BUILD A POLITICS = \R TIME4 ,YET1 TO DO SO WE /ILL NE$ TO HAVE AN ORI5TATION AS LIB]T>IAN REVOLUTION>IES4 ,IT IS NOT ! CASE ?AT1 JU/ PUTT+ EV]YONE 9 ! SAME ROOM WILL YIELD ANY?+ B5EFICIAL4 ,! P>ALYZES ?AT OCCURS :5 PEOPLE DECL>E UNITY1 ?\< AN >TIFICIAL UNITY )\T ANY WAY TO AGREE ON H[ TO PROCE$1 IS AN UN=TUNATELY FREQU5T OCCURR5CE ( A LEFT ?AT BO? SEEKS UNITY & YET HAS LITTLE EXP]I5CE CREAT+ REAL LIV$ UNITY4 

,AGA9/ ?IS1 WE PROPOSE ?AT WE %\LD BUILD SPECIFIC PROJECTS ?AT PUT \R 5]GY 9TO CONCRETE PROPOSALS4 ,WE LIVE 9 A P]IOD :]E EXP]IM5TATION IS CRUCIAL1 & LIKEWISE A PLURALITY ( EXP]IM5TS IS NECESS>Y4 ,ORGANIZATIONS !N %\LD BE ORGANIZ+ >\ND TRY+ \T !IR [N CONCEPTION & IDEAS4 ,! GOAL ( SU* EF=TS %\LD BE TO PROVIDE POLES ( ATTRACTION TO !IR POLITICS1 & LIKEWISE %\LD BE LOOK+ AT H[ !IR EXP]I5CES PLAY \T4 ,RA!R ?AN DISSOLV+ \RSELVES 9TO AN AMORPH\S MASS1 ! POLE ( ATTRACTION MODEL >GUES = BUILD+ \R POLITICS ?R\< /RUGGLE & PRAXIS ON ! POLITICAL & SOCIAL MOVEM5T T]RA91 :ILE SEEK+ TO DRAW 9 5]GY & 9DIVIDUAL MILITANTS ?R\< ?OSE EXP]I5CES4 

,REALIZ+ !SE GOALS REQUIRES EX]T+ 5]GY & HAV+ ! MEANS TO WORK ?R\< \R ?9K+1 EXPRESS \RSELVES1 & 5T] 9TO DIALOGUE ) O!RS4 ,TRADITIONAL M$IA MODELS1 ?OSE ( ! LEFT 9CLUD$1 SEE M$IA AS C5T]$ >\ND ! TRANSMISSION ( IDEAS4 ,YET M$IA IS AS MU* AB\T SOCIAL RELATION%IPS AS :AT WE EXPRESS4 ,! WORK ( CREAT+ M$IA DRAWS US 9TO POLITICAL RELATION%IPS ) ! /RUGGLES WE'RE 9T]ACT+ ) & 9 ! PROCESS ( DI/RIBUT+ \R IDEAS4 ,LOOK+ AT M$IA AS A POLITICAL PROCESS ( SOCIAL RELATION%IPS1 ORGANIZATIONS %\LD BE BUILD+ A LIB]T>IAN VOICE )9 SOCIAL /RUGGLES4 

,!RE >E A NUMB] ( PIECES TO ?IS4 ,FIR/ POPUL> $UCATION 7UND]/OOD AS A POLITICAL PROCESS ( PRAXIS BETWE5 REVOLUTION>IES & PEOPLE 9 /RUGGLE1 YET C5T]$ ON WORK+ ?R\< ! IMM$IATE EXP]I5CES ( ?OSE /RUGGLES BY !IR PROTAGONI/S7 NE$S TO DRIVE \R EF=TS ( M$IA4 ,ON TOP ( ?IS WE DO NE$ LIB]T>IAN ?\<T & WORK >\ND DEVELOP+ \R ANALYSIS ( SOCIAL CONDITIONS & /RUGGLES4 ,LIB]T>IAN ?\<T HAS BE5 BECOME PROM95T1 P]HAPS EV5 HEGEMONIC 9 SOME ASPECTS1 OV] ! PA/ TWO DECADES )9 ! ,U,S LEFT & MANY P>TS ( ! GLOBAL LEFT1 ?\< IT REMA9S A SCATT]$1 AMORPH\S1 & (T5 9COH]5T 9 ITS CONT5T4 ,RECOGNIZ+ ?IS1 !RE IS A NE$ TO TAKE UP ! ROLE ( >TICULAT+ RELEVANT LIB]T>IAN IDEAS & BUILD+ IT 9TO A COH]5T VOICE ?R\<\T SOCIETY4 ,ONE P>T ( ?IS MAY BE PUBLICATIONS1 RADIO & VIDEO PROGRAMS1 & /UDIES4 ,9 ,LAT9 ,AM]ICA1 ! ,COLOMBIAN BAS$ ,C5TRO DE ,9VE/IGACION ,LIB]T>IA Y ,$UCACION ,POPUL> 7,C5T] = ,LIB]T>IAN ,9VE/IGATION & ,POPUL> ,$UCATION OR ,C,I,L,E,P7 & 9 ,SPA9 ! ,9/ITUTO DE ,CI5CIAS ,ECONOMICAS Y DE LA ,AUTOGE/ION 7,9/ITUTE ( ,ECONOMICS ,SCI5CES & ,SELF-,MANAGEM5T OR ,I,C,E,A7 >E POSSIBLE EXAMPLES ( H[ BROAD SECTIONS ( LIB]T>IANS CAN BUILD SPACES ( COLLECTIVE ?9K+ & DIALOGUE 9 A NONSECT>IAN MANN]4 ,9 ! ,U,S ! ,9/ITUTE = ,AN>*I/ ,/UDIES 7,I,A,S7 IS P]HAPS ! CLOSE/ /EP 9 ?AT DIRECTION1 ?\< ONE ?AT LIB]T>IANS HAVE UN=TUNATELY NOT YET TAK5 UP ON A BROAD COLLECTIVE LEVEL4 .<#a#b.> 

,9 T]MS ( SOCIAL /RUGGLES1 WE /& 9 A DIFFICULT PLACE4 ,!RE >E LIMIT$ ELEM5TS ( MOVEM5TS1 BUT !SE EXP]I5CES >E L>GELY TOO ISOLAT$1 FRAGM5T$1 & 9SUFFICI5T4 ,= !SE REASONS1 TODAY AN 9T]M$IATE APPROA* TO /RUGGLE IS ! PRIM>Y ME?OD WE BELIEVE MILITANTS %\LD BE UTILIZ+4 ,AN 9T]M$IATE APPROA* 9VOLVES WORK+ AT ! LEVEL ( MILITANTS 9 /RUGGLE UNIT$ >\ND A PRACTICAL ORI5TATION TO !IR WORK 7UNLIKE ! MASS OR POLITICAL ORI5TATIONS :O T>GET EV]YONE OR ?OSE UNIT$ BY SPECIFIC POLITICS RESPECTIVELY74 ,! 9T]M$IATE APPROA* SEEKS TO BUILD AUTONOM\S P[] ?R\< /RUGGLE1 BY ?OSE REFLECT+ ON !IR WORK1 TAK+ A LIB]T>IAN ME?ODOLOGY )91 & OV] TIME CREAT+ A =CE CAPABLE ( RESPOND+ TO ! UPS & D[NS ?AT OCCUR )9 /RUGGLES4 ,FUR!R1 IT IS UNIT$ BY /RATEGIC OBJECTIVES BUILT ?R\< EXP]I5CES & NOT M]ELY IMPOS$ IDEOLOGICALLY4 ,SU* AN 9T]M$IATE =CE C\LD BE ABLE TO PU% ! POT5TIAL ( /RUGGLES FUR!R 9 SITUATIONS :]E E/ABLI%$ P[] BREAKS D[N4 ,YET \R EXP]I5CES 9 WORKPLACES1 COMMUNITIES1 & S*OOLS HAS SUGGE/$ ?AT ?IS K9D ( WORK CAN ALSO GIVE US TOOLS 9 \R TIME ?AT >E NOT O!RWISE AVAILABLE4 ,AN 9T]M$IATE APPROA* GIVES US CLE> WORK :5 WE CANNOT =CE MASS ORGANIZATIONS ?AT >5'T 9 IMM$IATE REA*1 NOR POLITICAL ORGANIZATION :]E !RE >E NO MILITANTS4 

,POLITICAL ,ORGANIZATION3 ,WE ,BUILD ,AS ,WE ,WALK 

,WE BEGAN ?IS PIECE ) QUE/IONS SPEAK+ TO ! CURR5T POLITICAL P]IOD & /AT+ \R CASE = BO? ! NE$ = A NATIONAL POLITICAL ORGANIZATION & \R CRITICISMS ( ! LOCALIZ$ & SMALL GR\P DYNAMIC ?AT EXI/S = MU* ( ! CLASS /RUGGLE ,AN>*I/ MILIEU4 ,BUT 9 A BROAD] S5SE !SE PO9TS C\LD 9 MANY WAYS APPLY JU/ ! SAME TO MU* ( ! NONP>TY RADICAL LEFT AS WELL1 :E!R !Y EXPLICITLY ID5TIFY ) AN>*ISM1 BROAD ANTI-AU?ORIT>IANISM OR NOT4 ,9 ! PREC$+ SECTION1 BAS$ L>GELY ON \R [N EXP]I5CES AS WELL AS EXAMPLES BY SIMIL>LY M9D$ AN>*I/ MILITANTS 9 ,LAT9 ,AM]ICA1 WE \TL9$ A SKET* ( :AT WE FEEL >E ! MO/ USEFUL TOOLS & PRACTICES :I* SPEAK TO ! PRACTICAL NE$S ( POLITICAL MILITANTS & ! BROAD] GOALS ( :AT WE CALL ! ! AN>*I/ PROJECT4 

,OV]ALL \R MA9 /RESSES >E ?AT IF WE WI% TO WORK T[>DS & BECOME ! MOVEM5T WE PR(ESS TO BELIEVE 91 !N WE NE$ TO ?9K 9 BROAD] T]MS FI<T+ NOT JU/ = TODAY BUT ALSO = ! FUTURE4 ,WE CANNOT LIMIT \RSELVES TO BE+ ! PROV]BIAL FROG AT ! BOTTOM ( ! WELL1 CONV9C$ ?AT ! SKY IS ONLY AS WIDE AS ! OP5+ ( ! WELL4 .<#a#c.> ,NEI!R CAN WE WAIT TILL SOCIAL EXPLOSIONS >RIVE ON \R DOOR/EP TO BUILD ! SKILLS & 9FRA/RUCTURE WE NE$ - IT WILL ALREADY BE TOO LATE4 ,WE HOPE ?AT ! CRITICISM & PO9TS ?AT WE'VE \TL9$ CAN BE A />T+ PO9T T[>DS ?IS4 ,BUT IMPORTANTLY WE WANT TO BE CLE> ?AT BY /AT+ ! CASE = NATIONAL POLITICAL ORGANIZATION IT DOES NOT MEAN WE BELIEVE ?AT ?IS IS AUTOMATICALLY POSSIBLE OR EV5 SOME?+ IMM$IATELY DESIR$4 ,POLITICAL COHESIV5ESS1 DEVELOPM5T & PRAXIS .<#a#d.> >E NOT 5D GOALS DECL>$ ?AT WE CAN F9D READY MADE =MULAS TO CREATE1 BUT RA!R PROCESSES ?AT >E BUILT QUALITATIVELY OV] TIME4 ,EXAMPLES ?AT WE MAY BE ABLE TO DRAW FROM >E ! ,ESPECIFI/ CURR5T )9 ,BRAZILIAN AN>*ISM ?AT HAS SP5T WELL OV] A DECADE L9K+ TOGE!R LOCAL & REGIONAL GR\PS & ATTEMPT+ TO DEVELOP A COORD9AT$ PRAXIS UND] ! NETWORK ( ! ,=UM ( ,AN>*I/ ,ORGANIZATIONS1 & MO/ REC5TLY 9 CONSOLIDAT$ 9TO ! ,BRAZILIAN ,AN>*I/ ,COORD9ATION4 ,:ILE CLASS /RUGGLE ,AN>*I/S 9 ,NOR? ,AM]ICA HAVE SP5T ALREADY MORE ?AN FIVE YE>S BUILD+ L9KS & EX*ANGES1 ?IS IS NOT TO SAY ?AT T5 YE>S ( WORK IS ! REQUIR$ PR]EQUISITE EI!R4 ,LIKELY A RANGE ( EXP]IM5TATION1 ) PITFALLS & DISAPPO9TM5TS ALONG ! PA?1 & P]HAPS EV5 UND] V>I\S ORGANIZATIONAL BANN]S1 WILL PROVIDE ! NECESS>Y TRIAL & ]ROR4 ,BUT ! J\RNEY ONLY BEG9S ) A FIRM UND]/&+ ( \R PRES5T LIMITATIONS C\PL$ ) A VISION ( :AT WE >E ATTEMPT+ TO CREATE2 AFT] ?IS !RE IS ONLY ONE FOOT 9 FRONT ( ! O!R4 

,! AU?ORS W\LD LIKE TO ACKN[L$GE ,%AMBHU ,%UNYA = $ITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO ?IS >TICLE4 

.<#a.> 0,! ,CRISIS ,)9 ! ,LEFT3 ,!ORY1 ,PROGRAM1 ,ORGANIZATION0 BY ,B,J = ! ,P>TY ,BUILD+ ,COMMISSION ( ,FRE$OM ,ROAD ,SOCIALI/ ,ORGANIZATION _/ ,ORGANIZACION ,SOCIALI/A DEL ,CAM9O P>A LA ,LIB]TAD4 

.<#b.> 0,MISSION ,/ATEM5T0 BY MEMB]S ( ,AMANEC]3 ,= A ,POPUL> ,AN>*ISM1 A ,CALI=NIA BAS$ POLITICAL ORGANIZATION ?AT EXI/$ #b#e-#b#a#b4 ,! CONCEPT ( ! 'POLITICAL HOME' IS TAK5 FROM ! ESPECIFI/A TRADITION 9 ,LAT9 ,AM]ICA & FIR/ PUT 9TO USE 9 ! ,U,S BY MEMB]S ( ,AMANEC] AT !IR F\ND+ CONF]5CE 9 #b#e4 ,ONE ( ! AU?ORS WAS A F\ND+ MEMB]4 

.<#c.> 0,:Y ,WOM5 ,%\LD ,JO9 ,POLITICAL ,ORGANIZATIONS0 BY ,DOLORES ( ,MIAMI ,AUTONOMY & ,SOLID>ITY4 

.<#d.> 0,9T]VIEW ) ,FELIPE ,RAMIREZ ( ,F,E,L-,*ILI0 ,9T]VIEW BY ,SCOTT ,NAPPOLAS1 TRANSLATION BY ,MONICA ,KO/AS4 

.<#e.> ,?AT ISN'T TO OV]E/IMATE \R P[]S ( PR$ICTION4 ,SPECULATIVE POLITICS TYPICALLY IS A LOTT]Y4 ,) =ESEEABLE PROBLEMS H[EV] WE CAN BO? PRACTICE & PREP>E4 ,?IS IS DIFF]5T FROM BELIEV+ ?AT WE CAN ANTICIPATE OR BUILD REVOLUTION /EP-BY-/EP1 A MODEL :I* CAN EXAC]BATE CONS]VATIVE T5D5CIES 9 POLITICS4 

.<#f.> ,SEE 0,DEF9+ ,PRACTICE3 ,! ,9T]M$IATE ,LEVEL ( ,ORGANIZATION & ,/RUGGLE0 BY ,SCOTT ,NAPPALOS4 ,A FOLL[ UP COMM5T>Y PIECE IS 0,! ,9T]M$IATE ,LEVEL & ,TRAJECTORIES ( ,/RUGGLE0 BY ,NATE ,HAW?ORNE4 ,A HELPFUL COLLECTION ( DOCUM5TS CAN ALSO AVAILABLE :I* 9CLUDES 0,SOCIAL ,AN>*ISM & ,ORGANIZATION3 ,CONC5TRIC ,CIRCLES0 BY ,F,>,J & 0,! ,PROBLEMS ,POS$ BY ! ,CONCRETE ,CLASS ,/RUGGLE & ! ,POPUL> ,ORGANIZATION0 ,BY ,JOSE ,ANTONIO ,GUTI]REZ4 

.<#g.> ,! T]M WAS FIR/ CO9$ 9 A ,DECEMB] #bd /ATEM5T4 ,MEMB]S ( ! ,FURI\S ,FIVE LAT] DISSOLV$ ! COLLECTIVE TO F\ND :AT BECAME ,AMANEC]4 ,= MORE ON ! ,FURI\S ,FIVE SEE3 MA*ETE#d#h4WORDPRESS4COM 

.<#h.> ,! T]M WAS FIR/ CO9$ 9 A ,DECEMB] #bd /ATEM5T4 ,MEMB]S ( ! ,FURI\S ,FIVE LAT] DISSOLV$ ! COLLECTIVE TO F\ND :AT BECAME ,AMANEC]4 

.<#i.> ,! BE/ OV]VIEWS ( ! CONCEPT :I* %\LD S]VE AS />T+ PO9TS >E 0,SOCIAL ,AN>*ISM & ,ORGANIZATION3 ,CONC5TRIC ,CIRCLES0 :I* IS A TRANSLAT$ EXC]PT FROM 0,AN>QUISMO ,SOCIAL E ,ORGANIZACAO0 BY ! ,F$]ACAO ,AN>QUI/A DO ,RIO DE ,JANEIRO 7,F,>,J7 .<?IS DOCUM5T1 KN[N SIMPLY AS 0,SOCIAL ,AN>*ISM & ,ORGANIZATION0 IS N[ BE5 FULLY TRANSLAT$ 9TO ,5GLI%.> & 0,H[ TO ,P>TICIPATE 9 ! ,F,>,J80 AN ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUM5T ( ! ,F,>,J TRANSLAT$ BY ,JONA?AN ( ! ,ZABALAZA ,AN>*I/ ,COMMUNI/ ,FRONT ( ,S\? ,AFRICA4 

.<#a.> ,COMPA IS %ORT = COMPAN]O 9 SPANI%1 :I* HAS A POLITICAL CONNOTATION TO IT BEYOND FRI5D4 

.<#a#a.> 0,AMANEC] ,MISSION ,/ATEM5T40 

.<#a#b.> ,WEBSITES ) FUR!R 9=MATION ON EA* ( ! GR\PS >E AS FOLL[S3 ,C,E,L,I,P 2 ,I,C,E,A 2 ,I,A,S4 

.<#a#c.> ,?IS POLITICAL P>ABLE IS (T5 ATTRIBUT$ )9 ! LEFT TO ,*9ESE REVOLUTION>Y ,MAO ,Z$ONG1 BUT ! ORIG9S ACTUALLY LIE 9 #d? C5TURY ,B,C,E ,DAOI/ WRIT+S BY ,ZHUANGZI1 ,SECTION #a#g1 0,AUTUMN ,FLOODS40 ,= A BRIEF DISCUSSION SEE RAMBL+TAOI/4BLOGSPOT4COM4 

.<#a#d.> 0,BRAZIL3 ,ELEM5TS = A ,HI/ORICAL ,RECON/RUCTION ( ,\R ,CURR5T0 BY ,COORD5ACAO ,AN>QUI/A ,BRASILEIRA 7,BRAZILIAN ,AN>*I/ ,COORD9ATION OR ,C,A,B71 TRANSLATION BY ,JONA?AN ,P4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#b1 #bba 3 ,FI<T+ = ! ,FUTURE -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #f1 #bbb 3 ,FI<T+ = ! ,FUTURE -- ,UPDAT$4 

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