,T[>DS ,!ORY ( ,POLITICAL ,ORGANISATION = ,\R ,TIME 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,SCOTT ,NAPPOLAS 

,TEXT 3 

,POLITICAL ORGANIZATION IS A COLLECTIVE ANSW] TO COMMON PROBLEMS4 ,PEOPLE ORGANIZE BAS$ ON A COLLECTIVE S5SE ( NE$1 & ! P]SPECTIVES & PROBLEMS 5C\NT]$ 9 SOCIAL GR\PS CRY/ALLIZE 9TO ORGANIZATIONAL =MS & MOM5TS4 ,?IS IS A G5]AL HI/ORICAL TR5D2 EV5 )\T A !ORY1 ORGANIZATION EM]GES TO MEET CONCRETE NE$S ?AT CANNOT BE SOLV$ EXCEPT BY BUILD+ SOCIAL =MS TO ADDRESS !M4 

,P>T ,I3 ,TRAJECTORIES ( ,/RUGGLE1 ! ,9T]M$IATE ,LEVEL1 & ,POLITICAL ,RAPPRO*EM5T 

,POLITICAL ORGANIZATION IS A COLLECTIVE ANSW] TO COMMON PROBLEMS4 ,PEOPLE ORGANIZE BAS$ ON A COLLECTIVE S5SE ( NE$1 & ! P]SPECTIVES & PROBLEMS 5C\NT]$ 9 SOCIAL GR\PS CRY/ALLIZE 9TO ORGANIZATIONAL =MS & MOM5TS4 ,?IS IS A G5]AL HI/ORICAL TR5D2 EV5 )\T A !ORY1 ORGANIZATION EM]GES TO MEET CONCRETE NE$S ?AT CANNOT BE SOLV$ EXCEPT BY BUILD+ SOCIAL =MS TO ADDRESS !M4 

,! 5D ( ! TW5TIE? C5TURY WAS A TIME ( TRANSITION4 ,! REGIME ( L[-9T5SITY W>F>E1 ! DISMANTL+ ( ! WELF>E /ATE1 & NEO-LIB]AL PRIVATIZATION S*EMES ULTIMATELY WAS RUNN+ ITS C\RSE4.<#a.> ,! F9AL DEFEATS W]E TO BE DOLL$ \T ACROSS ! WORLD 9 ! EV5TUAL COLLAPSE ( F9ANCE BUBBLES1 WIDESPREAD RESI/ANCE TO AU/]ITY1 & ! IMPLOSIVE ( ! ECONOMIES ( ,LAT9 ,AM]ICA4.<#b.> ,BE=E ?IS WAS ALL BUT SAID & DONE1 !RE WAS ! GRADUAL & LAT] METEORIC RISE & FALL ( SOCIAL MOVEM5TS AGA9/ NEO-LIB]AL RE=MS & ! MILIT>ISM LEAD+ TO ! AF<AN & ,IRAQ W>S4 ,REVOLUTION>IES PLAY$ AN ACTIVE & DISPROPORTIONATE ROLE 9 MOBILIZ+ ! SOCIAL ACTORS 9 :AT W\LD BECOME ! L>GE/ MOBILIZATIONS ( !IR K9D4 

,TIME HAS PASS$1 & ! LIMITATIONS & DEFLATION ( ! E>LY #bS ANTI-GLOBALIZATION & ANTI-W> MOVEM5TS >E BECOM+ CLE>] TO MANY REVOLUTION>IES4 ,?\< MASSIVE MOBILIZATIONS OCCURR$1 LITTLE LA/+ ORGANIZATION WAS BUILT4 ,?IS MEANS ?AT ! MILITANCY WE WITNESS$ 9 ! /REETS HAD A V]Y %ORT %ELF LIFE1 & MU* ( ! WORK CAN REASONABLY BE SAID TO HAVE DISAPPE>$4 ,MILLIONS ( PEOPLE 5GAG$ 9 V>I\S =MS ( RESI/ANCE TO ! W>S1 GLOBALIZATION1 & ! NEW =MS ( CAPITAL & /ATE2 H[EV] ! LEFT WAS NOT ABLE TO PRODUCE A SU/A9$ ALT]NATIVE ?AT WAS ABLE TO 5GAGE1 NURTURE1 & DEVELOP ?AT ACTIVITY 9TO A LA/+ MOVEM5T AGA9/ CAPITALISM & ! /ATE4 ,:ILE SEEM+LY MILITANT DIRECT ACTION WAS RELATIVELY COMMON1 ?IS MILITANCY R>ELY L$ TO FUR!R RADICALIZATION OR ! POPUL>IZATION ( /RUGGLE4 ,P[] WAS BUILT1 BUT DISSIPAT$4 ,! LEFT HAD NOT DEVELOP$ ! ABILITY OR P]HAPS ! ORI5TATION TO BUILD MOVEM5TS1 EI!R MASS MOVEM5TS OR REVOLUTION>Y ONES4 

,AS ?IS DECADE DRAWS TO A CLOSE1 MANY >E HAV+ AN 9CREAS$ REFLECTIV5ESS AB\T \R ME?ODS1 \R ORGANIZATIONS1 & ! HI/ORY ( \R T5D5CIES 9 LI<T ( !SE REC5T EXP]I5CES4 ,?IS IS TRUE ( ! LEFT 9 G5]AL1 BUT P>TICUL>LY ! RISE & DEFLATION ( REVOLUTION>Y CURR5TS 9 SOCIAL MOVEM5TS HAS PRESS$ ORGANIZATIONAL QUE/IONS ON \R PRACTICE4 ,! 5SU+ WORLD CAPITALI/ CRISIS 7FOLL[+ ! S]IES ( COLLAPS+ BUBBLES3 F9ANCIAL1 DOT-COM1 ACC\NT+ SC&AL1 REAL E/ATE1 ETC7 IS MAK+ ! QUE/ION ( ACTIVITY & ORGANIZATION ( REVOLUTION>IES MORE TIMELY & CRUCIAL4 ,AT ! SAME TIME !RE IS R5EW$ 9T]E/ 9 ORGANIZATION1 !RE HAS NOT YET BE5 AN EM]G5CE ( =CES CAPABLE ( ACT+ ON ! CRISIS4 ,!SE QUE/IONS >E P>TICUL>LY PRES5T = ! CURR5TS ( REVOLUTION>IES :O RECOGNIZE ! NE$ = ORGANIZATION )3 ATTEMPTS TO DEVELOP COMMON /RATEGY1 A COMMON UND]/&+ ( ! P]IOD1 /&>DS ( ACC\NTABILITY & CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MEMB]S1 & AN ORI5TATION TO ! BUILD+ ( SOCIALISM ?AT BREAKS ) ! /ATE-CAPITALI/ & AU?ORIT>IAN PRACTICES ( PA/ & PRES5T /ATE CAPITALI/ REGIMES4 

,?IS IS A PROBLEM WE W]E GIFT$ BY \R PR$ECESSORS4 ,!RE IS LITTLE KN[L$GE ?AT HAS BE5 PASS$ D[N ON ORGANIZATION DUR+ P]IODS ( L[-PO9TS ( /RUGGLE SU* AS \RS4 ,MU* ( ! WELL-KN[N REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONAL !ORY & HI/ORY IS BAS$ ON ! HI<E/ PO9TS ( /RUGGLE4 ,CONSEQU5TLY1 !RE >E S]I\S DISANALOGIES TO ! TIME WE LIVE 94 ,:ATEV] CAN BE SAID ( ,SPA9 #a#i#c#f-#a#i#c#i1 ,HUNG>Y #a#i#e#f1 ,RUSSIA #a#i#a#i1 ,URUGUAY 9 #aifh & ! #a#i#hS1 ETC41 TODAY !RE IS C]TA9LY NOT ! LEVEL ( MASS /RUGGLE1 REACTION>Y =CES1 REVOLUTION>Y GR\P+S1 ETC DUR+ SU* P]IODS4 

,?IS ISN'T TO SAY WE CAN'T LE>N FROM ?OSE SITUATIONS4 ,WE CAN1 & MU/4 ,WE NE$ TO EXP& ! LESSONS WE DRAW FROM1 :I* AT PRES5T IS A FAIRLY N>R[ POOL4 ,/ILL !RE IS ALSO A DI/9CT LACK ( NEW !ORY BE+ PRODUC$ AS A TOOL = UND]/&+ & ACT+ 9 \R TIME4 ,IT IS P>TICUL>LY ON ! QUE/ION ( H[ WE DEVELOP REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS & H[ WE BUILD MOVEM5TS T[>DS REVOLUTION 9 \R CONDITIONS ?AT WE MOVE 9TO NEW T]RITORY4 ,?AT IS TO SAY ?AT !RE >E HI/ORICALLY & MAT]IALLY ROOT$ QUE/IONS ( ORGANIZATION1 & ?AT !Y V>Y DEP5D+ ON ! P]IOD WE >E 94 ,9 O!R WORDS1 \R PROBLEMS >E NOT G5]AL PROBLEMS BUT PROBLEMS ROOT$ 9 \R TIME1 9 \R BALANCE ( =CES1 & 9 ! DEVELOPM5T ( ! WORK+ CLASS 9 WORLD CAPITALISM TODAY4 

,!SE P]SPECTIVES HAVE BE5 L>GELY ABS5T FROM DISCUSSION ( REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION 9 \R TIME4 ,!RE IS ANYWAY A GAP BETWE5 ACTUALLY EXI/+ ORGANIZATIONS DISCUSS+ ORGANIZATION1 & A MAT]IALLY ROOT$ DISCUSSION ( ORGANIZATION ITSELF4 ,ADOPT+ SU* A P]SPECTIVE CAN HELP US BREAK FROM \R EXI/+ PRACTICES & MOVE T[>DS A DIFF]5T ORI5TATION TO ! DEVELOPM5T ( REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION4 ,?IS >TICLE WILL SUGGE/ A ME?ODOLOGY & POLITICAL PROCESS = \R TIME ?AT CAN FACILITATE ! DEVELOPM5T ( ORGANIZATION4 ,?IS PROCESS IS BAS$ ON ! CONCEPTS ( POLITICAL RAPPRO*EM5T1 AN 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATION ANALYSIS1 & A QUALITATIVE ME?OD TO POLITICAL MILITANT DEVELOPM5T4 

,WALK+ ,FROM ,\R ,DOOR/EPS 

,! !ORIES ?AT REVOLUTION>IES DRAW FROM TODAY COME FROM ! P]IODS 9 :I* ! OPPRESS$ CLASSES W]E 9 !IR MO/ PIT*$ BATTLES4 ,?IS IS TRUE ( NE>LY ALL ! DIFF]5T LEFT T5D5CIES2 ,L59I/S1 AN>*O-SYNDICALI/S1 PLAT=MI/S1 ESPECIFI/AS1 DUAL-ORGANISATIONALI/S1 9SURRECTIONI/S4 ,! ORGANIZ$ T5D5CIES T5D TO DRAW ON !ORIES ?AT PROMOTE HI< LEVELS ( UNITY ON !ORY1 /RATEGY1 TACTICS1 & COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY4 ,CADRE ORGANIZATION IS CON/ITUT$ BY UNIFI$ CADRE ACT+ ON A TI<T /RATEGY1 & IMPLEM5T+ COLLECTIVE WORK 9 CONC]T4 ,PLAT=MI/S TAKE ACTION TO BUILD REVOLUTION>Y MASS MOVEM5TS ?R\< ORGANIZATION ) UNITY FROM !ORY TO TACTICS4 ,TROTSKYI/S BELIEVE !RE IS A CRISIS ( LEAD]%IP 9 ! WORK+ CLASS1 & ! VANGU>D P>TY'S DISCIPL9E & UNITY PROVIDE ! SOLUTION TO ! CRISIS4 

,:ATEV] WE MAY ?9K ( !SE !ORIES1 ! PROBLEM IS ?AT N[ ! LEFT IS 9 A DIFF]5T PLACE4 ,!RE IS NOT ! MASS /RUGGLE ?AT W\LD GR\ND ! LEFT'S !ORIES1 DEVELOP LEAD]%IP1 & BUILD ! UNITY NECESS>Y = !SE !ORIES4 ,WE >E NOT PLAT=MI/S YET1 BUT WANT TO BE PLAT=MI/S ONCE WE BUILD PRAXIS \T ( /RUGGLES & OBTA9 A HI< LEVEL ( UNITY4 ,IF ! LEFT IS ISOLAT$ FROM /RUGGLE 9 AN ]A ( BUREAUCRATIZ$ MASS ORGANIZATIONS1 ANY LEFT LEAD]%IP WILL BE DE=M$ & ATTEMPTS TO CEM5T ?AT LEAD]%IP ) A SELF-PROCLAIM$ VANGU>D WILL BE AN ISOLAT$ & HOLL[ VANGU>D4.<#c.> 

,WE CAN AGREE & LE>N FROM ! HI< LEVEL ( /RUGGLE & 9SI<TS FROM ! REVOLUTION>Y PA/1 BUT ?AT DOES NOT ANSW] ! QUE/ION ( :AT TO DO :5 ! ACTIVITY & BALANCE ( =CES IS DIFF]5T4 

,:AT WE NE$ !N IS TO DEVELOP A PRAXIS ( H[ WE BUILD GREAT] UNITY1 FUNCTION+1 & MILITANCY 9 A P]IOD :]E IT IS (T5 DIFFICULT TO F9D & P>TICIPATE 9 MASS /RUGGLE1 :]E WE \R HI/ORICAL MEMORY & PRACTICES HAVE SIGNIFICANT GAPS1 & :]E ! EXI/+ RADICAL LEFT BASE IS ALI5AT$ FROM WORK+ CLASS /RUGGLE4 ,MORE (T5 ?AN NOT1 WE NE$ TO BE ABLE TO CATALYZE & 9ITIATE /RUGGLE )\T >TIFICIALLY TRY+ TO BE ! /RUGGLE4 ,WE %\LD NOT REJECT ! LESSONS FROM HI/ORICAL /RUGGLES1 BUT TRY TO DEVELOP AN ORGANIZATIONAL !ORY GR\ND$ 9 \R SPECIFIC CONDITIONS1 & ADDRESS+ ! CONTRADICTIONS 9 \R ATTEMPTS TO BUILD ORGANIZATION4 ,?IS W\LD ACTUALLY ALL[ US TO EXP& \R RANGE ( EXAMPLES & LESSONS WE DRAW FROM BEYOND A RELATIVELY N>R[ POOL ( HI/ORICAL HI< PO9TS4 

,ONE DIFFICULTY WE FACE IS ?AT \R TIME PRES5TS UNIQUE *ALL5GES TO DEVELOP+ CAPABLE MILITANTS4 ,WE >E 9 A P]IOD ( L[ /RUGGLE M>K$ BY AN ABS5CE ( MASS MOVEM5TS1 & ! DOM9ANCE ( BUREAUCRATIZ$ 9/ITUTIONAL =MS ( ! LEFT4 ,! REVOLUTION>Y LEFTS' ISOLATION FROM MASS /RUGGLE CREATES A B>RI] TO FUR!R DEVELOP+ ORGANIZATION 9 !ORY & 9 PRACTICE4 ,! EFFECT IS ?AT POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS TODAY HAVE AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME DEVELOP+ MILITANTS4.<#d.> ,! ISOLATION ( ! LEFT FROM PRACTICE HAS A CAUSAL =CE ?AT DESPITE ! !ORETICAL JU/IFICATION 7FROM :ATEV] S*OOL ( ?\<T7 BR+S CONV]G5CE T[>DS POPULI/ MANEUV]+4 ,ORGANIZATIONS HAVE AN \TW>D DISPLAY ( /RATEGY & UNITY1 BUT 9T]NALLY TOL]ATE & FACILITATE DYSFUNCTIONAL /ASIS ?R\< REFUS+ TO DEAL ) REAL PROBLEMS4 ,! LACK ( A PRACTICE C5T]$ ON WORK+ CLASS SELF-ACTIVITY 9 MASS /RUGGLE ?R[S UP ROADBLOCKS TO ATTEMPTS TO BUILD FUR!R PRACTICE4 

,! PREVAL5CE ( 9/ITUTIONAL =MS ( ! LEFT1 P>TICUL>LY ACADEMIA & ! ,N,G,OS1 COMB9$ ) ! L[ LEVEL ( /RUGGLE TRANSLATES 9TO A DE FACTO DOM9ANCE EV5 :5 !SE PR(ESSIONAL BUREAUCRACIES REPRES5T A NUM]ICAL M9ORITY4 ,?IS RELATION%IP MANIFE/S 9 ! CLASS1 RACE1 & G5D] POLITICS ( \R ORGANIZATIONS1 & 9 ! DOM9ANCE ( ACADEMIA & ,N,G,O /AFF ON REVOLUTION>Y ?9K+4 ,! IDEOLOGICAL DOM9ANCE ( ! BUREAUCRACIES CONTRIBUTES TO REPRODUC+ EXI/+ 9TRA-CLASS & CLASS RELATION%IPS ON ! LEFT4 ,!SE 9/ITUTIONS FUNCTION TO DRAW UP A C]TA9 LAY] 7L>GELY A WELL-$UCAT$ PROGRESSIVE ONE71 & >E *>ACT]IZ$ BY EXTREMELY HI< TURN-OV] DUE TO POOR WORK+ CONDITIONS & CONTRADICTIONS 9 ! WORK4 ,! /RUCTURAL ISOLATION ( ! BUREAUCRACIES FROM ! CONDITIONS & 9T]E/S ( ! WORK+ CLASS PAIR$ ) ! C>E]ISM & HI< TURN-OV] 5DEMIC TO ! 9DU/RIES HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON ! MOVEM5T4 ,DESPITE BE+ A M9ORITY1 !SE 9/ITUTIONS HAVE HEGEMONY OV] ! IDEAS ( ! MOVEM5T1 & ! LEFT (T5 EXPRESSES ! 9T]E/S ( !SE 9/ITUTIONS4 ,AT TIMES ?IS REPRES5TS AN ANTAGONI/IC OR P>ASITIC RELATION%IP ( ! BUREAUCRACIES TO ! RE/ ( ! WORK+ CLASS4 ,! LEFT CONSEQU5TLY T5DS TO REFLECT ! P]SPECTIVES !SE 9/ITUTIONS & RELAT$ 9DU/RIES4 ,9TELLECTUALS OR SMALL GR\P+S ( LEAD]%IP T5D TO DOM9ATE ! ?9K+ ( ORGANIZATIONS1 & ! BASE T5DS TO EI!R )DRAW FROM P>TICIPATION 9 ! LIFE ( ! ORGANIZATION OR GIVE PAP] CONS5T TO ! IDEAS ( A SMALL M9ORITY )\T 5GAG+ !M4 

,LIKEWISE MANY LEFT MILITANTS HAVE EI!R NO 9T5TION ( BE+ ACTIVE 9 MASS MOVEM5TS OR HAVE DIFFICULTY F9D+ /RUGGLES TO 5GAGE 9 :5 !Y DO HAVE ! 9T5TION4 ,AGA9 A SMALL M9ORITY IS ROOT$ & IMM]S$ 9 /RUGGLE1 :ILE O!RS 9/EAD USE ORGANIZATION SOLELY AS A SOCIAL NETWORK OR IDEOLOGICAL FIELD ( 9TELLECTUAL BATTLE4 ,UNITY CAN BE >TIFICIAL OR NON-EXI/5T1 & (T5 BREAKS D[N 9 ! FACE ( CONFLICT1 :E!R )9 ! ORGANIZATION1 ) O!R POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS1 OR 9 MASS /RUGGLES4 ,MEMB]S EI!R HAVE PAP] UNITY OR UNITY IS SACRIFIC$ TO ! QUE/ION ( NUMB]S4 

,?IS ILLU/RATES ! FUNDAM5TAL DYNAMIC ( ! DOM9ANT APPROA*ES ( POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS ( \R TIME4 ,ORGANIZATIONS VACILLATE BETWE5 POPULISM & PURISM4 ,POPULISM1 AS ,I DEF9E IT AMONG ! ORGANIZ$ LEFT1 IS AN ORI5TATION TO POLITICS ( NUMB]S4 ,IT IS A 0PEOPLE-ISM0 ?AT USES A DIVISION BETWE5 ! PEOPLE & ELITES 7SOMETIMES M]ELY =EIGN ELITES AS OPPOS$ TO LOCAL ONES7 AS ONE ( ! F\ND+ BASES ( BUILD+ A MOVEM5T4 ,?IS ORI5TATION IS 9 CONTRA/ TO A CLASS P]SPECTIVE1 :I* ATTEMPTS TO UND]/& & ACT ON REALITY BAS$ ON ANALYSIS ( SOCIAL CATEGORIES FROM !IR CLASS *>ACT] & 9T]E/S4 ,POPULISM1 & ITS EMPHASIS ON HAZY 0OPPRESSION0 CAN HAVE ! EFFECT ( OBSCUR+ CLASS1 & !REBY OP5S ! DOOR TO ! DOM9ATION ( POPULI/ ORGANIZATION BY BUREAUCRACIES & OPPORTUNI/S4 ,POPULISM PUTS =W>D POSITIONS BAS$ PRIM>ILY ON TRY+ TO GA9 ACCESS TO ! L>GE/ V5UE ( POT5TIAL RECRUITS4 ,?IS IS BECAUSE ! POPULI/ ANALYSIS >GUES ?AT ! PRIM>Y ?+ HOLD+ BACK ! TIDE ( *ANGE IS SUBJECTIVE CONDITIONS1 & EMPHASIZES 9FLU5CE & SWAY 9 ! BATTLE ( IDEAS TO MOVE ! BROADE/ CURR5T TO ITS POSITIONS4 ,!RE=E IT ASSESSES ITS /R5G? & ORI5TS T[>DS AN ABILITY TO MOBILIZE ! GREATE/ NUMB]S = ACTION4 ,POPULI/ POLITICS !N MOVES US T[>DS LIB]AL MODELS ( PROPAG&A ) OBFUSCAT$ REVOLUTION>Y CONT5T 9 ITS ATTEMPTS TO GA9 9FLU5CE1 POSITIONS ( AU?ORITY1 & /REET-CR$ 9 MASS MOVEM5TS4 ,POPULISM PU%ES REVOLUTION>IES T[>DS GA9+ ACCESS TO MASS M$IA1 & REPACKAG+_/M>KET+ ! CONT5T ( REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION = ! SAKE ( NUMB]S4 ,! BASIC POPULI/ MOVE !N IS TO TRY & PUT =W>D RE=MI/ IDEOLOGY L$ BY REVOLUTION>IES 9 A MOVE TO GA9 CR$IBILITY & POSITIONS ( 9FLU5CE AMONG L>GE SWA?S ( PEOPLE4 ,!RE IS A /RUCTURAL PRESSURE !N T[>DS OBFUSCATION1 DI%ONE/Y1 OR P]HAPS BETT] AN HONE/ MOVE TO RE=MISM1 SOCIAL DEMOCRACY1 NATIONALISM1 ETC4 

,?IS OBSESSION ) AB/RACT 9FLU5CE & NUMB]S OBSCURES ! REAL ISSUES1 :I* IS :AT POLITICAL WORK ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE ON ! GR\ND1 SOCIAL RELATION%IPS :I* BUILD CONSCI\SNESS1 & ! ROLE ( /RUGGLE 9 GIV+ BIR? TO TRANS=MATIVE CONSCI\SNESS4 ,HI/ORICALLY LEFT POPULISM (T5 TURNS 9TO RI<T POPULISM1 & IT IS POLITICALLY DANG]\S TO IGNORE !SE T5D5CIES4 ,?IS ISN'T TO SAY WE IGNORE M$IA & ISSUES ( QUANTITY1 BUT RA!R ?AT !RE IS A COMPLEX RELATION%IP BETWE5 IDEAS & PRACTICE1 & ?AT OV] SUBJECTIVIZ+ ! PROBLEM LEADS TO POPULI/ PRACTICE4 ,9 ! PRES5T TIME1 ISSUES ( QUALITY ( MILITANTS >E DOM9ANT BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE ! OBJECTIVE /R5G? NECESS>Y TO BUILD1 SU/A91 & ACTIVATE MASS NUMB]S4 ,)\T ?AT QUALITATIVE BASEL9E1 QUANTATIVE TRANS=MATIONS WILL REMA9 HOLL[ & EVAPORATE AT CRITICAL MOM5TS4 

,PURISM IS ! OPPOSITE2 IT IS ! IMPOSITION ( >TIFICIAL UNITY1 ! C5TRALIZATION ( RESPONSIBILITIES1 IDEAS1 LEAD]%IP1 & ACTIVITY 9TO AN EXCLUSIVE M9ORITY1 & A DISCIPL9>IAN ORI5TATION TO SOLV+ ! PROBLEM ( DEVELOP+ MILITANTS4 ,POLITICAL SECTS ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE ?IS UNITY1 BUT HAVE DIFFICULTY DO+ SO4 ,! PROBLEM IS ?AT A LACK ( /RUGGLE & A LACK ( MILITANTS1 MAKES !IR UNITY EI!R /ATIC OR CON/ANTLY UND] ?REAT ( DISSOLV+ ) ! DRA/IC UNEV5NESS 9 CONSCI\SNESS BETWE5 ACTIVI/S4 ,PURISM ATTEMPTS TO GU>D AGA9/ ?IS ?R\< LEGISLAT+ UNITY4 ,DESPITE ! LEGITIMATE CONC]N ?AT EXI/S AB\T BUREAUCRACY1 A F> GREAT] DANG] AT ?IS TIME IS POPULISM1 :I* CAN HAVE !SE PURI/ BUREAUCRATIC T5D5CIES 9T]NALLY ANYWAY & IS WIDESPREAD4 

,TAK+ A /EP BACK1 WE SEE ?AT MO/ REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS 9 \R TIME 7IDEOLOGY ASIDE71 FUNCTION AT A NON-REVOLUTION>Y LEVEL4 ,?AT IS1 REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS DO NOT 5GAGE EI!R 9 ! COLLECTIVE !ORIZ+ OR COORD9AT$ ACTIVITY REFLECTIVE ( REVOLUTION>Y UNITY4 ,)\T AN ACTIVE PRAXIS IMM]S$ 9 /RUGGLE1 BUILD+ LESSONS & !ORY \T ( PRACTICE1 & /RATEGIC COORD9AT$ ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES1 REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS >E RELEGAT$ TO PSEUDO-MASS ORGANIZATIONS OR !ORETICAL SOCIETIES4 ,9 FACT MO/ REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS OP]ATE AS DE=M$ 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATIONS2 ?AT IS NETWORKS ( CONSCI\S MILITANTS :O %>E BROAD /RATEGY ) UNEV5 POLITICAL DEVELOPM5T & UNITY1 BUT UND] CONTRADICTORY OR FALSE PRET5SES4 ,SMALL GR\P+S )9 !SE ORGANIZATIONS CONTROL ! DE FACTO POLITICAL ?9K+ & ORGANIZATIONAL LIFE1 :ILE (T5 TAK+ A POPULI/ ORI5TATION T[>DS ! O!R MEMB]%IP TO SU/A9 MEMB]%IP BEYOND ! H&FUL ( MILITANTS :O DO HAVE UNITY4 ,9 FACT !Y >E DE=M$ 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATIONS 7LIKE ORGANIZ$ T5D5CIES 9 UNIONS1 CAUCUSES1 ETC7 COME TOGE!R \T ( MASS /RUGGLE TO UNIFY ! LESSONS & /R5G? ( T5D5CIES 9 ! MASS /RUGGLE1 & TO ADVANCE ITS ?9K+4 ,MO/ POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS TODAY >E L>GELY DI/ANT OR 9/ITUTIONALIZ$ AP>T FROM MASS /RUGGLE4 ,! REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS ( TODAY ACT LIKE 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATIONS 9 P>T BECAUSE ( POPULISM1 BUT ALSO BECAUSE ( !IR 9ABILITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO BUILD+ MOVEM5TS4 

,AS ,I'VE 9DICAT$ BE=E1 ,I DON'T ?9K IT IS R&OM ?AT WE HAVE !SE PROBLEMS4 ,LIKEWISE1 ANY SOLUTION ( !SE PRACTICES1 ! POSITION ( MASS MOVEM5TS1 & ! LEFT'S SITUATION WILL NOT COME SOLELY FROM ATTEMPT+ TO CORRECT DYSFUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OR ORGANIZATIONAL BUILD+4 ,!RE >E TWO ASPECTS ( ! PROBLEM3 9T]NAL & EXT]NAL4 ,OBJECTIVELY1 WE MU/ OV]COME ! PRES5T /ATE ( AFFAIRS TO FUNDAM5TALLY TRANS=M ! POLITICAL L&SCAPE4 ,?IS CANNOT BE DONE BY WILL ALONE NOR BY WAIT+ = /RUGGLE TO FALL 9TO \R LAPS4 ,IT IS A DYNAMIC !N BETWE5 ! TRAJECTORIES ( /RUGGLE & ! WORK WE DO TO PREP>E = & FACILITATE !SE /RUGGLES EM]G+ & EXP&+4 ,LOOK+ TO ! TRAJECTORIES ( /RUGGLE1 WE NE$ TO BE CONSCI\S ( ! LIMITATIONS & POSSIBILITIES AT PRES5T1 & HAVE A PROCESS ( 9T]PRET+ & RESPOND+ TO \R OBJECTIVE REALITY4 ,?IS REQUIRES MOV+ PA/ PRESS+ = /RATEGIES & DEM&S )\T ATTEMPTS TO ASSESS1 REFLECT1 & DEVELOP BAS$ ON ! SPECIFICITY ( \R TIME1 PLACE1 & LEVELS ( /RUGGLE4 ,HUMILITY IS CALL$ = 9 ASSESS+ ! IMPACT ( ORGANIZ$ REVOLUTION>IES ON HI/ORY1 & TODAY SOME 9T]NAL CONCEPTS CAN HELP US CONTRIBUTE MORE FRUITFULLY TO ! SELF-LIB]ATION ( ! WORK+ CLASS4 

,!RE >E ?REE CONCEPTS1 9T]NALLY SPEAK+1 ?AT HELP ILLUM9ATE A ME?OD = MOV+ =W>D4 ,SPECIFICALLY1 WE NE$ A ME?OD = DEVELOP+ MILITANTS & BUILD+ ORGANIZATION ?AT MOVES BEYOND ! PRES5T POPULISM & PURISM4 ,!SE CONCEPTS GIVE US TOOLS TO UND]/& H[ ORGANIZATIONS *ANGE1 A ME?ODOLOGY = BUILD+ ORGANIZATION1 & TRAJECTORIES ( /RUGGLE4 ,AT ! SAME TIME !SE CONCEPTS GUIDE \R 9T]NAL ACTIVITIES1 !Y ILLUM9ATE A WAY TO UND]/& & MOVE =W>D OBJECTIVELY AS WELL4 ,!Y >E3 POLITICAL RAPPRO*EM5T1 ! 9T]M$IATE LEVEL1 & A QUALITATIVE APPROA* TO ! DEVELOPM5T ( POLITICAL MILITANTS & ORGANIZATION4 

,POLITICAL ,RAPPRO*EM5T 

,RA!R ?AN />T+ FROM ! ASSUMPTION ( HI< LEVELS ( UNITY1 POLITICAL RAPPRO*EM5T IS A PROCESS ( DEVELOP+ GREAT] LEVELS ( UNITY ?R\< COMMON /RUGGLE4 ,?IS IS BO? A ME?ODOLOGY = H[ REVOLUTION>IES %\LD WORK ) O!RS AS WELL AS 9T]NALLY4 ,! PO9T ( POLITICAL RAPPRO*EM5T IS TO EXPLORE :AT UNITY WE HAVE1 & BAS$ ON ?AT F9D :]E WE CAN TAKE ACTION TOGE!R4 ,TAK+ ACTION ALL[S US TO CONSCI\SLY BUILD PRAXIS2 TE/+ \R !ORY1 REFLECT+ ACTIVELY ON ! LESSONS & LIMITATIONS 9 \R EXP]I5CES1 & RE=MULAT+ \R !ORY4 ,AS \R PRACTICE ADVANCES1 WE AIM T[>DS BUILD+ GREAT] UNITY AS WE F9D :]E >E BELIEFS & ME?ODS WORK$ & FAIL$1 CONV]G$ & DIV]G$4 

,POLITICAL RAPPRO*EM5T AS ,I LAID IT \T LOOKS L9E>1 BUT 9 FACT IT'S DYNAMIC4 ,RA!R ?AN ASSUM+ A L9E> UNITY ( RESOLUTIONS & PROPOSITIONS1 POLITICAL RAPPRO*EM5T IS AB\T CON/RUCT+ POLITICAL CONSCI\SNESS 9 /RUGGLE ?R\< ACTIVE SOCIAL RELATIONS4 ,POLITICAL RAPPRO*EM5T IS A CONCEPTUAL MODEL = A DYNAMIC UND]/&+ ( BUILD+ ( PRAXIS1 UNIFI$ ) A ME?OD ( RELAT+ MILITANTS-TO-MILITANTS & MILITANTS-TO-ORGANIZATIONS4 ,?IS TYPICALLY WILL NOT LEAD TO A NEAT /EP-BY-/EP UNITY OR EV5 BE EXPLICITLY CONSCI\S4 ,WE %\LD EXPECT CONSCI\SNESS TO EVOLVE 9 BUR/S & CONTRACTIONS ALONGSIDE ! TRAJECTORY ( /RUGGLE4 ,POLITICAL CONSCI\SNESS & ORGANIZATION IS NO DIFF]5T 9 ?IS REG>D FROM O!R =MS ( PROLET>IAN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION & /RUGGLE4 

,! ME?OD US$ BY REVOLUTION>IES TYPICALLY 9V]TS ?IS PROCESS4 ,IT />TS ) ASSUM$ UNITY & ACTIVITY1 & TRIES RECRUIT 9TO ?AT4 ,! FALSE UNITY LEADS TO T5SION1 & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPM5T LAGS 9 ! GRIDLOCK4 

,POLITICAL RAPPRO*EM5T IS A HI/ORICAL & MAT]IAL PROCESS ?AT BUILDS FROM :]E WE >E AT1 & REQUIRES AN ACTIVE PROCESS ( ORGANIZATION BUILD+ ACROSS TIME4 ,ANO!R WAY TO SAY ?IS IS ?AT REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION ISN'T PROCLAIM$ OR WRITT51 BUT DEVELOP$ AS A CONSCI\S MOVEM5T ( 9CREAS+ UNITY4.<#e.> ,?AT UNITY IS ! BASIS = EXP&+ CONFRONTATIONS ) ! /ATE & CAPITAL1 AGA9 FOLL[+ ! EBB & FL[ ( ! MASS MOOD OR FI<T+ SPIRIT ( ! WORK+ CLASS4 ,SEE+ ?IS1 WE CAN ALSO UND]/& H[ EXI/+ ORGANIZATIONS >E REFLECTIONS ( ! HI/ORICAL LEVEL & DEVELOPM5T ( ! MOVEM5TS !Y GREW \T (4 ,?IS ALL[S US TO LE>N FROM RA!R ?AN JUDGE OR CONDEMN ORGANIZATIONS = !IR PLACE 9 HI/ORY4 ,IF WE HAVE MOV$ AWAY FROM BUILD+ ORGANIZATION BAS$ ON M>KET+ & SELL+ REVOLUTION>Y CR$5TIALS TO ! PEOPLE1 !N WE CAN BEG9 TO SEE ! WAY 9 :I* ONE P>T ( \R JOB IS TO TRY TO UND]/& ! ROLE ( CLASS1 HI/ORY1 & /RUGGLE 9 PRODUC+ & =M+ ORGANIZATIONS4 

,AN ,9T]M$IATE ,LEVEL ,ANALYSIS 

,! 9T]M$IATE LEVEL IS1 AS WAS M5TION$ BE=E1 A LEVEL ( /RUGGLE BETWE5 ! MASS LEVEL 7COMMON /RUGGLE = COMMON 9T]E/S7 & REVOLUTION>Y LEVEL 7UNITY ( !ORY & ACTION74.<#f.> ,LIKEWISE ! 9T]M$IATE LEVEL %[S US A ME?ODOLOGY BO? = BUILD+ ! MASS LEVEL & REVOLUTION>Y LEVEL4 ,EXI/+ MASS /RUGGLES >E (T5 V]Y LIMIT$1 & MILITANTS >E SPREAD \T & DIFFUSE4 ,BUILD+ 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATION ALL[S US TO CONC5TRATE MILITANTS ON A BASIS ( /RATEGY )9 ! MOVEM5TS & DEVELOP ?AT LAY] TO A HI<] LEVEL ?AN IF MILITANTS >E SIMPLY ISOLAT$4 ,LIKEWISE REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION W\LD B5EFIT FROM 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATIONS S9CE !Y PROVIDE A FIELD = TE/+1 DEVELOP+1 & 9TEGRAT+ ) MASS /RUGGLE )\T ! DOM9ANCE OR BUREAUCRATIC CONTROL ( MASS MOVEM5TS BY POLITICAL ORGANIZATION4 ,MIAMI ,AUTONOMY & ,SOLID>ITY HAS DEVELOP$ ?IS /RATEGIC ORI5TATION DEF9$ AS ATTEMPT+ TO MOVE MASS MILITANTS TO ! 9T]M$IATE LEVEL 7,M-@>,I7 & REVOLUTION>IES 9TO ! 9T]M$IATE LEVEL SO AS TO BE PRES5T 9 MASS /RUGGLE 7,I-@>,M OR ,R-@>,M DEP5D+ H[ Y\ 9T]PRET IT74 ,!SE CATEGORIES >E FLUID ?\<1 AS WE'VE SE5 ?AT MO/ ,RS >E ACTUALLY ,IS OR EV5 ,MS4 ,P>T ( ?IS ACTIVITY !N MU/ BE 09T]M$IATE ACTIVITY0 ORGANIZ+ CONTACTS BAS$ ON !IR PRACTICE T[>DS ! MODELS RA!R ?AN 9TO NEAT ORGANIZATIONS ( PURE-,I1 PURE-,M1 OR PURE-,R4 

,A FEW DECADES AGO1 SOME ,HAITIAN MILITANTS DEVELOP$ SIMIL> PRACTICES WORK+ AT ! PO9T ( PRODUCTION 9 FACTORIES4 ,COMMITTEES & NETWORKS ( MILITANTS W\LD BUILD /RUCTURES \TSIDE ! UNION ?AT W\LD /R5G!N & DEVELOP /RUGGLES4 ,(T5 !SE /RUCTURES W\LD GIVE BIR? TO 9T]M$IATE LEVEL MILITANTS 7MILITANTS WILL+ TO FI<T = CLASS /RUGGLE1 NOT JU/ !IR [N /RUGGLES7 & REVOLUTION>Y MILITANTS4 ,DUR+ ! FALL ( ,DUVALI] 9 ,HAITI1 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATIONS ( MILITANTS W]E 9/RUM5TAL 9 CREAT+ NEW MASS WORK] & PEASANTS' MOVEM5T1 & REVOLUTION>IES HAD A CRITICAL ROLE4 ,9 ! HI/ORY ( ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES1 ! ,I,W,W (T5 FUNCTION$ AS A DUAL-MASS ORGANIZATION & AN 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATION4 ,O!R EXAMPLES FROM ! SYNDICALI/ MOVEM5T %>E !SE FEATURES 7,BRITI% %OP /EW>DS MOVEM5T1 ! E>LY ,C,N,T1 ETC471.<#g.> & CL&E/9E REVOLUTION>Y WORK] NETWORKS PLAY$ SIGNIFICANT ROLES 9 V>I\S 9SURRECTIONS 7,HUNG>Y1 ,POL&1 ,URUGUAY1 ,RUSSIA 9 #a#i#e74 

,AGA9 !RE IS A RISK ( 9T]PRET+ ?IS L9E>LY4 ,ONE %\LD NOT CONCEIVE ( ?IS WORK AS LIT]ALLY BR++ MASS MILITANTS TO NEW 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATIONS 7?\< ?IS IS POSSIBLE7 =M$ AS SU*4 ,AS DISCUSS$ BE=E1 ALL ORGANIZATIONS EXI/+ TODAY >E MIXTURES ( MASS1 9T]M$IATE1 & REVOLUTION>Y ) !IR COMPOSITION *ANG+ AS /RUGGLES *ANGE1 MILITANTS' *ANGE !M1 & NEW =CES EM]GE )9 !M4 ,AN 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATION APPROA* !N IS AS MU* AB\T :AT \R POLITICAL WORK LOOKS LIKE & PRIORITIZES1 AS IT IS ! LOCATION ( /RUGGLE4 ,9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATION IS AS MU* AN ANALYSIS ( ACTUALLY EXI/+ PRACTICES AT ! MASS LEVEL1 AS A PROPOSAL = FUTURE WORK & ORGANIZATIONS1 & AS A ME?ODOLOGY = H[ TO ACT AS REVOLUTION>IES )9 !SE EXI/+ PRACTICES4 

,!RE IS A PRACTICAL & !ORETICAL UNITY ( POLITICAL RAPPRO*EM5T1 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATION1 & MILITANT ORGANIZATION4 ,?AT IS TO SAY ?AT \R WORK AS ORGANIZ$ MILITANTS IS TO BE CONSCI\S ( & FUNCTION )9 ! EVOLV+ DYNAMIC BETWE5 LEVELS ( /RUGGLE & ORGANIZATION1 CL>IFY+ & /R5G!N+ CLASS P[] ?R\< RAPPRO*EM5T1 & UNIFY+ MILITANT ORGANIZATION \T ( ?IS NON-L9E> EVOLV+ PRACTICE4 

,QUALITY NOT ,QUANTITY 

,A QUALITATIVE ME?OD TO MILITANT ORGANIZATION ATTEMPTS TO ADDRESS :]E WE >E AT 9 HI/ORY1 & ! CAPACITY ( PRES5T POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS4 ,!RE IS A L[ LEVEL BO? 9 CAPACITY & 9 T]MS ( NUMB]S AMONG REVOLUTION>IES 9 \R TIME4 ,?IS LEADS TO A SITUATION :]E GR\PS WILL (T5 F9D !MSELVES ) EXTREME UNEV5NESS 9 T]MS ( EXP]I5CE1 CONSCI\SNESS1 CAPACITY1 WILL+NESS TO FI<T1 ETC4 ,! PRESSURES BO? TO GR[ & TO MA9TA9 \R REVOLUTION>Y POLITICS GIVE BIR? TO ! TW9 PROBLEMS ( POPULISM & BUREAUCRATIC MICRO-SECTS4 ,UND] PRESSURE ( REPRESSION & :5 PEOPLE'S 9T]E/S1 LIVELIHOODS1 & FRE$OM >E AT /AKE1 WE CAN ONLY IMAG9E :AT ! POPULI/ FUNCTION+ ( ORGANIZATIONS WILL YIELD4 ,!RE IS NO =MULA TO OV]COME ?IS2 H[EV] WE NE$ A /RATEGY & A ME?OD ( 9T]NALLY FUNCTION+ ?AT CAN FACILITATE ! EXPANSION ( \R CAPACITY & DEVELOPM5T ( \R MILITANTS4 

,FIR/ WE MU/ RECOGNIZE AT ?IS TIME ?AT NUM]ICAL GR[? W\LD NOT TRANSLATE 9TO AN EXPANSION ( CAPACITY UNLESS IT WAS SIMULTANE\SLY NUM]ICAL GR[? ( WELL DEVELOP$ CAPABLE MILITANTS GR[+ TOGE!R 9 /RUGGLE4 ,GIV5 ! L[ LEVEL ( CAPACITY EXI/+ TODAY1 RAPID EXPANSIONS W\LD OV]EXT5D ! FEW MILITANTS WE DO HAVE & LEAD TO PAP]-TIG] ORGANIZATIONS1 MU* LIKE MANY ( ! ,N,G,O PROJECTS LEFTI/S HAVE PROPAGAT$ ) ADM9I/RATIVE POSITIONS ( COMMITT$ REVOLUTION>IES ) PASSIVITY & DIS5GAGEM5T BY A S]VIC$-MEMB]%IP BASE4 ,SECONDLY1 IT IS WELL )9 \R CAPACITY TO /RATEGIZE1 T>GET KEY ACTIVITIES & ORGANIZ]S1 & USE \R RES\RCES TO RECRUIT & DEVELOP O!R MILITANTS4 ,BY PRIORITIZ+ QUALITATIVE GR[?1 & ORGANIZ+ ! LIFE ( \R ORGANIZATIONS TO ?AT QUALITATIVE TRANS=MATION1 WE CAN BUILD ! F\NDATIONS NECESS>Y = O!R MORE DRA/IC %IFTS 9 QUALITY & QUANTITY4 

,H[ TO RECRUIT & DEVELOP MILITANTS IS A PROCESS = :I* WE MU/ WORK1 & BUILD PRAXIS4 ,:AT LITTLE WE DO KN[ IS ?AT MILITANTS DO NOT >ISE \T ( ! REALM ( 9TELLECTUAL DEBATES1 & WE CAN'T EXPECT !M TO FALL 9TO \R LAPS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE'RE DO+ GOOD WORK4 ,/RUGGLE OP5S DOORS1 BUT WE NE$ TO BE PREP>$ = :AT IS ON ! O!R SIDE4 ,?IS WILL TAKE BO? IMM]S+ \R 9EXP]I5C$ REVOLUTION>IES 9TO /RUGGLE1 HAVE A COLLECTIVE PROCESS ?AT ALL[S PEOPLE TO MAKE S5SE ( !IR EXP]I5CE 9 /RUGGLE1 & GO BEYOND IT ?R\< ! COLLECTIVE EXP]I5CE ( ! GR\P AS A :OLE & ! HI/ORICAL LESSONS WE'VE RETA9$4 ,9 !ORY1 ALL GR\PS >E EQUALLY COMMITT$ TO 5D+ ! UNEV5NESS WE SEE4 ,:AT IS MISS+ H[EV] IS HAV+ A DYNAMIC PROCESS = WORK+ ) MILITANTS1 PREP>+ !M = /RUGGLE1 WORK+ ?R\< !IR ISSUES1 & BUILD+ UPON ?AT4 ,READ+ GR\PS & BUS9ESS MEET+S >E ! DE-FACTO POLITICAL >5AS :]E ! UNEV5NESS CAN REMA9 HIDD5 OR /AGNATE1 )\T AN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE ( *ALL5G+ EA* O!R & DRAW+ \T EA* 9DIVIDUAL TO F9D !IR CONTRIBUTION4 

,LOOSE GR\P PRACTICE COMB9$ ) A COMMITM5T TO QUANTITATIVE GR[? CAN MASK ! UNEV5NESS & ! DIVISIONS ?AT LIE B>ELY B5EA? ! SURFACE4 ,9/EAD WE NE$ TO DEVELOP A CONSCI\S 9T]NAL PRACTICE ( DIALOGUE BETWE5 CONTACTS1 MILITANTS1 & ! COLLECTIVE LIFE ( ! ORGANIZATION4 ,?IS IS NECESS>ILY A PROCESS & NOT A CODE1 BECAUSE ! TRANS=MATION FROM /RUGGLE TO REVOLUTION>Y IS ONE ?AT TRANS=MS BO? ?OSE /RUGGL+ & ! ORGANIZATION ATTEMPT+ TO UND]/& & 9TEGRATE ! LESSONS ( ?OSE /RUGGLES4 ,/UDY SESSIONS CAN HIDE ?OSE PROCESSES 9 !IR DOM9ANCE BY 9TELLECTUALS & GR\P DYNAMICS1 AS WELL AS NOT NECESS>ILY MEET+ ! P>TICIPANTS :]E !Y >E AT BO? 9 /RUGGLE & ?\<T4 

,POLITICAL ORGANIZATION !N REQUIRES A NUMB] ( LEVELS ( 9T]ACTION & DEVELOPM5T1 9T]NAL & EXT]NAL4 ,! F\NDATION ( ?IS IS ! #a-ON-#a OR SMALL GR\P 9T]ACTIONS1 :I* >E ! COMMUNICATIVE BODY :]E ! ORGANIZATION & ! 9DIVIDUAL CONTACT CAN GR[ TOGE!R1 LE>N FROM /RUGGLE1 & DRAW \T ! UNITY & DISAGREEM5TS :I* WILL BUILD ORGANIZATION4 ,AS ?AT PROCESS UNFOLDS1 ! ORGANIZATION NE$S ME?ODS = 9TEGRAT+ ! MILITANT1 & HAV+ AN 9T]NAL ORGANIZATION :I* IS CAPABLE ( ASSESS+1 ANALYZ+1 MAK+ COMMITM5TS & TAK+ RISKS1 & ULTIMATELY RESPOND+ TO ! WORK & P]SPECTIVES ( ! CONTACTS4 ,?IS SETS UP A DEMOCRATIC ME?OD = LE>N+ FROM /RUGGLE1 9TEGRAT+ & DEVELOP+ MEMB]S1 & 9 FACT A MEANS ( MA9TA9+ ACC\NTABILITY TO ! CLASS ?R\< ITS MOVEM5TS4 

,A QUALITATIVE ME?OD TO MILITANT ORGANIZATION !N IS A /RATEGY ?AT PRIORITIZES CREAT+ A MEANS ( DIALOGUE BETWE5 ! ORGANIZATION & CONTACTS ) EMPHASIS ON QUALITATIVE EXPANSION UTILIZ+ MULTIPLE LEVELS ( 9T]ACTION & DEVELOPM5T4 ,?IS REPRES5TS A SIGNIFICANT DEP>TURE FROM REVOLUTION>IES 9 REC5T TIMES1 & AS SU* IS A PRELIM9>Y /RATEGY ?AT REQUIRES EXP]IM5TATION1 REFLECTION1 & FUR!R DEVELOPM5T4 

,COLLECTIVE ,ACC\NTABILITY 

,MILITANT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE MEMB]S :O >E HI<LY COMMITT$1 CAPABLE ( >GU+ = %>$ POSITIONS1 PR9CIPL$ 9 DISAGREEM5TS1 ACTIVE 9 MASS /RUGGLE1 & 5GAG$ 9 CRITICAL REFLECTION & PRAXIS BUILD+4 ,EV]YONE WANTS TO GET TO HAV+ UNIFI$ /RATEGY1 IMM]SION 9 /RUGGLE1 & WELL DEVELOP$ MEMB]S4 ,ANY WAY Y\ CON/RUE IT1 IF WE TRULY BELIEVE 9 ! NE$ = A DEEP TRANS=MATION 9 SOCIAL RELATION%IPS & EXI/5CE1 IT WILL TAKE A SIGNIFICANT DEGREE ( P]SONAL COMMITM5T4 ,?IS CAN BE UND]APPRECIAT$4 ,LIV+ 9 ?IS WORLD IS TRAUMATIC & ALI5AT+4 ,A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION %\LD TRY TO HELP ALLEVIATE ?AT ALI5ATION :I* WILL 9EVITABLY BE MADE H>D] BY COMMITT+ Y\RSELF TO LONG T]M /RUGGLE4 ,/ILL )\T ?AT D$ICATION TO POLITICS1 WE WILL BE UNABLE EV5 TO HAVE A MODE/ IMPACT ON HI/ORY4 ,! HOBBYI/ ORI5TATION TO POLITICS ( MANY ACTIVI/S IS UND]/&ABLE1 BUT IT IS /UNT+ :5 BR\<T 9TO & FO/]$ )9 REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS4 

,\R ORGANIZATIONS NE$ TO /RUGGLE H>D TO DEVELOP LIB]ATORY $UCATION ?AT CAN MAKE ORGANIZATIONAL UNITY A PRACTICE & NOT M]ELY A POSITION4 ,?IS IS A SIGNIFICANT *ALL5GE4 ,COMMITM5T H]E TOO UN=TUNATELY RAISES ITS HEAD4 ,:5 CONFLICTS >ISE & P>TICUL>LY :5 PEOPLE'S SELF- & MAT]IAL 9T]E/S >E ON ! L9E1 PAP] UNITIES BREAK D[N4 ,RADICALS >E NOT GOOD 5\< AT DEVELOP+ & PU%+ PEOPLE WE WORK )4 ,TOO (T5 !RE IS P&]+ TO O!RS BY 9V5T+ ELABORATE EXCUSES = LACK ( COMMITM5T 7G5]ALLY 9 ! =M ( POPULISM7 )\T HAV+ A MEANS ( DEVELOP+ COMMITM5T4 ,WE NE$ TO WORK TO F9D A WAY TO DEVELOP EA* O!R ?AT FITS \R TIME1 \R NE$S1 & \R P]SPECTIVES4 ,TOO (T5 \R $UCATIONAL ATTEMPTS LEAVE ! WORK+ CLASS \T ( ! EQUATION & IT IS ONLY ACADEMICALLY TRA9$ MILITANTS ?AT ADVANCE4 

,LA/LY WE NE$ TO BE /EADFA/ 9 PUTT+ \R MONEY :]E \R M\? IS4 ,ALL REVOLUTION>Y MILITANTS NE$ TO BE PRES5T 9 7OR 9 ACTUALITY WE NE$ TO BE ABLE TO FACILITATE & MAKE7 MASS /RUGGLE AS DIRECT P>TICIPANTS :5EV] POSSIBLE4 ,:ILE /RUGGLE IS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO CATALYZE OR LOCATE1 WE NE$ TO COMMIT \R RES\RCES TO BE+ ACTIVE ON ! GR\ND & NOT M]ELY AS \TSIDE *E]LEAD]S1 BELIEV]S ?AT DIRECT ACTION ALONE IS SUFFICI5T1 OR >M-*AIR !ORI/S4 ,9 FACT 9 !SE TIMES1 IT WILL UN=TUNATELY (T5 BE US :O HELP BUILD ! 9ITIAL /EPS 9 /RUGGLES4 ,\R PEOPLE NE$ TO BECOME USEFUL & COMPET5T 9 /RUGGLE1 RA!R ?AN M]ELY TRY+ TO PUT A RADICAL SP9 ON IT4 ,! REPRODUCTION ( ! !ORI/S-MILITANT DIVIDE SO PREVAL5T 9 LEFT CIRCLES ?AT SEE !MSELVES AS !ORIZ+ ! /RUGGLE 9 !IR PUBLICATIONS & /UDY CIRCLES IS (T5 A MIRROR ( SOCIETY'S DIVISION BETWE5 ACADEMICS & WORK]S1 9TELLECTUAL & MANUAL WORK]S4 ,ALONGSIDE ?IS WE NE$ TO DEVELOP \R ABILITY TO CRITICAL ASSESS \RSELVES1 ANALYZE 9 HI/ORICAL & MAT]IAL T]MS \R DEVELOPM5T1 & ADAPT \R IDEAS TO NEW *ALL5GES & *ANG+ SITUATIONS4 ,!SE >E SKILLS :I* >E LE>N$1 & NE$ TO BE DEVELOP$ 9 ALL \R CONTACTS AS WELL4 

,T[>DS ,REGR\PM5T 

,HAV+ ?IS ORI5TATION >MS US ) BETT] TOOLS TO BUILD A REVOLUTION>Y PRACTICE4 ,BY SITUAT+ \RSELVES 9 HI/ORY1 WE CAN CL>IFY \R RELATION%IPS TO SOCIAL =CES & TRY TO F9D A PA? ?AT LEADS US TO DEEP] & DEEP] 5GAGEM5T4 ,IF REVOLUTION>IES CAN TAKE UP ?IS *ALL5GE1 WE C\LD SEE ! EM]G5CE ( A HI<] LEVEL ( DIALOGUE & ?9K+ >\ND ORGANIZATIONS1 & POSSIBLY BUILD POLITICAL RAPPRO*EM5T ( ! T5D5CY ?AT IS 5GAG$ 9 /RUGGLE1 BUILD+ UNITY1 & TRY+ TO DEVELOP PRAXIS4 

,MO/ ( ! DEBATE >\ND ?IS ORI5TATION WILL P]HAPS C5T] LESS ON ! ANALYSIS ?AN ON ! IMPLEM5TATION4 ,:AT IS ! UP%OT ( !SE CONCLUSIONS8 ,!SE TOOLS PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK = BEG9N+ & CONT9U+ ! WORK NECESS>Y TO ANY FUTURE REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION1 RA!R ?AN A SPECIFIC PROPOSAL = UNIFICATION4 

,9 ?IS TIME1 WE >E WITNESS+ A BROAD CONV]G5CE ON PRACTICES & CONCEPTS 9 ORGANIZATIONS :I* BEGAN AT DIFF]5T />T+ PO9TS & ) DIFF]5T TRADITIONS4 ,9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES A NUMB] ( GR\PS >E F9D+ P>ALLEL LIMITATIONS ( EXI/+ NATIONAL GR\PS1 & LOCAL GR\PS4 ,\R PROBLEMS CAN'T BE SOLV$ BY %OTGUN W$D+S ( ORGANIZATIONS1 OR BY CONF]5CES & CALLS = UNITY4 

,REGR\PM5T IS NECESS>Y4 ,?IS WILL TAKE A COLLECTIVE /RUGGLE1 BO? 9T]NAL TO ! MOVEM5T & 9 PRACTICE4 ,! REASONS >E MANY4 ,POPULISM1 :I* IS UBIQUIT\S1 HAS MADE (T5 MORE 9T]NAL DIVISION )9 ORGANIZATIONS ?AN BETWE5 !M4 ,!RE IS /RONG UNEV5NESS )9 ORGANIZATIONS1 & 9T]NALLY MO/ ORGANIZATIONS HAVE PEOPLE MOV+ 9 DIFF]5T DIRECTIONS4 ,?IS IS MADE WORSE BY ! FACT ?AT GR\PS T5D TO UNIFY EXCLUSIVELY >\ND ID5TIFICATION ) BE+ A ,M>XI/1 A ,L59I/1 AN AN>*I/1 A PLAT=MI/1 ETC4 ,HI/ORICAL ASSOCIATIONS ( TRADITIONS1 /RONG AS !Y MAY BE1 DON'T CUT NEATLY ACROSS /RATEGIC & POLITICAL L9ES 7L>GELY BECAUSE AT ?IS TIME ALL TRADITIONS PRES5CE 9 /RUGGLE H]E IS FAIRLY L[74 ,!SE ASSOCIATIONS CAN MASK UND]LY+ DIVISIONS AS WELL AS UNITIES4 ,AT ! SAME1 WE >E WITNESS+ DI/9CT TRADITIONS CONV]G+ ON SIMIL> POSITIONS4 ,CURR5TS >E UNIFY+ 9 /RATEGY & PRACTICE FROM DIFF]5T !ORETICAL & TRADITIONAL />T+ PO9TS4 ,= 9/ANCE !RE IS A RE=MI/ SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC CONV]G5CE AMONG SECTIONS ( ,MAOI/S1 ,TROTSKYI/S1 & SECTIONS ( ! 7N[ OLD7 EX-,NEW ,LEFT4 ,LIKEWISE LEFT COMMUNI/S1 C\NCILI/S1 & AN>*I/S %>E CURR5TS ?AT 9CREAS+LY HAVE BUILT COMMON PRACTICE 9 A BROAD LIB]T>IAN COMMUNI/ T5D5CY4 ,?IS ISN'T TO SUGGE/ SOME K9D ( PAN-LEFTISM OR FUSION1 BUT 9/EAD TO TRY & POSE ! POSSIBILITY ( /RUGGL+ >\ND HI/ORICAL & MAT]IALLY ROOT$ /RATEGIC1 !ORETICAL1 & TACTICAL ORI5TATIONS LOCAT$ 9 PRACTICE4 

,:ATEV] ?AT W\LD LOOK LIKE1 IT W\LD HAVE TO 9VOLVE A SUB/ANTIAL TRANS=MATION ( EXI/+ ORI5TATIONS & =CES1 & AS HAS BE DEMON/RAT$ ABOVE W\LD REQUIRE DEVELOP+ ?R\< MASS & POLITICAL WORK4 ,9EVITABLY ?IS W\LD REQUIRE CONFLICT1 SPLITS1 & RUPTURE ( EXI/+ ORGANIZATIONS 9TO DI/9CT T5D5CIES ?AT AT PRES5T BATTLE ONLY 9T]NALLY4 ,?IS IS ACTUALLY TO BE WELCOM$1 AS IT W\LD CL>IFY \R DIRECTIONS1 & ALLEVIATE SOME ( ! P]IODIC 9T]NAL P>ALYZES4 ,IT %\LD H[EV] BE CLE> ?AT ?IS IS PRECISELY ! WORK & AIMS WE %\LD HAVE TO OV]COME ! PRES5T ALI5ATION & /ASIS4 ,9CREAS$ REFLECTION & EXP]IM5TATION ) ORGANIZ+ IS 9DICATIVE ( POT5TIALS ?AT1 IF NURTUR$ & DEVELOP$1 C\LD LEAD TO ! EM]G5CE ( A NEW SOCIAL REVOLUTION>Y =CE 9 ,NOR? ,AM]ICA4 

,?IS IS A RISK1 BUT IT IS A NECESS>Y RISK WE NE$ TO TAKE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ! RES\RCES & CAPABILITIES TO PREP>E & 9T]V5E AS RUPTURES OP5 UP NEW POSSIBILITIES & NEW DANG] 9 ?IS TIME ( CRISIS4 ,9 SU* A TIME1 ORGANIZATIONAL & IDEOLOGICAL LOYALTIES %\LD BE RE-ASSESS$ 9 FAVOR ( ! 9T]E/S ( ! PROLET>IAT & ! MOVEM5T AS A :OLE4 ,! /AKES >E HI< 5\< ?AT IT HAS BECOME WOR? IT TO EXP]IM5T & BREAK FROM \R EXI/+ PRACTICES 9 FAVOR ( POSSIBLY CREAT+ A HI<] =M ( ORGANIZATION ?AN WE HAVE SE5 9 DECADES 9 ,NOR? ,AM]ICA4 

,P>T ,I,I3 ,WE >E NOT PLAT=MI/S1 WE /RIVE TO BE 

,9 REC5T TIMES A NUMB] ( IDEOLOGICAL CURR5TS FROM ! LIB]T>IAN COMMUNI/ TRADITION HAVE 9SPIR$ A G5]ATION TO ORGANIZE1 BUILD & REPRODUCE ORGANIZATIONS1 & /RUGGLE >\ND A RE?9K+ ( !IR TRADITIONS & FUTURE4 ,MU* ( ?IS !ORY COMES FROM ! P]IOD ( ! GREATE/ WAVES ( PROLET>IAN & PEASANT /RUGGLES 9 ! #b? C5TURY4 ,?AT P]IOD PRODUC$ !ORY ( ORGANIZATION BAS$ ON ! PROTAGONI/S' POSITION )9 HI< PO9TS ( /RUGGLE1 ITS SUCCESSES & FAILURES4 

,COM+ BACK TO \R TIME1 WE F9D \RSELVES 9 A SITUATION DI/9CT FROM SAY ! ,FRI5DS ( ,DURRUTI OR ! ,MAKHNOVS*9A4 ,9 \R TIME !RE >E NO MASS MOVEM5TS ?AT PROVIDE A C\NT]-P[] & PRESS+ ?REAT TO CAPITALISM & ! /ATE4 ,NO SIGNIFICANT ORGANIZATIONS ( REVOLUTION>IES >E IMM]S$ 9 & DRAW+ FROM /RUGGLE1 & NO S]I\S REVOLUTION>Y FASCI/ MOVEM5TS ?REAT5 ! WORK+ CLASS DIRECTLY AT ?IS PO9T4.<#h.> ,?AT IS TO SAY ?AT !RE IS A S]I\S DISANALOGY BETWE5 \R REALITY & ?AT ( ! HI< PO9TS ( REVOLUTION1 & CONSEQU5TLY DIFFICULTY 9 DIRECTLY APPLY+ ! !ORY ( ?AT TIME4 ,:ILE ! LESSONS ( ?OSE /RUGGLES >E CRUCIAL TO UND]/& & BUILD FROM1 :AT WE >E MISS+ IS \R [N !ORY 7?AT ( L[ P]IODS ( /RUGGLE7 ?AT CAN ILLUM9ATE NOT M]ELY H[ Y\ /RUGGLE 9 TIMES ( RUPTURE1 BUT H[ Y\ GR[ & DEVELOP !M4 ,WE NE$ A PRAXIS ?AT HELPS US GET FROM \R PLACE TO ?OSE HI< PO9TS1 & CONSEQU5TLY NE$ TO WID5 \R VIEW ( HI/ORY TO LOOK AT PEOPLE :O FAC$ SIMIL> *ALL5GES WE DO4 ,?IS >TICLE WILL LOOK AT A FEW ( ! !ORIES FROM HI< PO9TS ( /RUGGLE1 ATTEMPT TO EXTRACT LESSONS ( !SE /RUGGLES1 :ILE %[+ H[ WE NE$ TO F9D \R [N !ORY ?AT LETS US BUILT TO ! HI< LEVEL ( /RUGGLE & UNITY !Y ASSUME4 

,! FIR/ !ORY WE WILL LOOK TO IS SYN!SISM4 ,SYN!SISM IS NOT NECESS>ILY A !ORY FROM A HI< PO9T ( /RUGGLE SO MU* AS A BROAD CURR5T1 BUT ONE ?AT PROMPT$ ! DEVELOPM5T ( TI<T] !ORIES ( ORGANIZATION 9 RESPONSE TO FAILURES COM+ \T ( SYN!SISM4 ,SYN!SISM IS AN ORGANIZATIONAL !ORY & PRACTICE :I* 9 ! ,U,S T5DS TO BE POPUL> AMONG L[] CASE 'A' AN>*I/S & ACTIVI/S 7ACTUALLY AMONG ! ,M>XI/-,L59I/ LEFT TOO ?IS IS A /RONG CURR5T 9 A SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC =M74 ,9 FACT1 SYN!SISM HAS NEV] REALLY EXI/$ AS AN EXPLICIT !ORY 7\TSIDE ( AB]RATIONS & HI/ORICAL FOOTNOTES LIKE ,FAURE .<#i.>74 ,NO ONE CALLS HIMSELF OR H]SELF A SYN!SI/1 BUT 9 PRACTICE MO/ LIB]T>IAN ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A SYN!SI/ *>ACT]4 ,SYN!SISM GR\PS TOGE!R PEOPLE :O DO NOT HAVE A BASIC LEVEL ( UNITY ON /RATEGY & (T5 !ORY4 ,! CLASSIC EXAMPLE >E ! 0AN>*I/ F$]ATIONS0 7P>TICUL>LY 9 ,EUROPE ?\< ALSO 9 REC5T ,U,S HI/ORY ) ! ,SOCIAL ,REVOLUTION>Y ,AN>*I/ ,F$]ATION .<#a.>7 :I* ALL[ = V>Y+ CONTRADICTORY T5D5CIES TO ALL EXI/ 9 ! SAME ORGANIZATION )\T ANY FUNDAM5TAL UNITY4 ,ONE PRES5T EXAMPLE W\LD BE ! ,FR5* & ,ITALIAN AN>*I/ F$]ATIONS 9 ! ,9T]NATIONAL ,AN>*I/ ,F$]ATION1 :I* >E HEAVILY 9SPIR$ BY ! SYN!SIS1 & JO9 TOGE!R PEOPLE BAS$ ON AN>*ISM BROADLY CONCEIV$ TO 9CLUDE EV5 9DIVIDUALI/S4 

,SYN!SISM ?US GR\PS REVOLUTION>IES BAS$ ON ! DESIRE TO ORGANIZE ACTIONS_/ACTIVITIES1 ORGANIZATIONAL PATRIOTISM1 OR PROPAG&A4 ,?IS IS ! ONE PLACE WE DO HAVE A LEVEL ( PRAXIS2 MANY HAVE DISCUSS$ ! !ORY & EXP]I5CES ( LIMITATIONS H]E4 ,! LEGACY ( SUB-CULTURAL SC5ES1 ACTIVI/ NETWORKS1 & PROTE/ POLITICS W]E MA9/AYS ( ! PROTO-SYN!SI/ MILIEU4 ,SYN!SIS HAS A PRODUCTIVE ROLE TO PLAY 9 !SE CONTEXTS1 ESPECIALLY 9 ! ANTI-GLOBALIZATION & ANTI-W> MOVEM5TS4 ,BROAD MASS ACTIVITIES & UPSURGES BR\<T PEOPLE TOGE!R1 & ADVANC$ TO RE?9K+ DIRECTION4 ,9 SOME WAYS SYN!SI/ PRACTICE WAS ! !ORETICAL EXPRESSION ( ! MATURATION ( ?AT MILIEU1 & ITS ATTEMPT AT F9D+ A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO ! LIMITATIONS ( PURE ACTION4 

,GR\P+S .<#a#a.> ?AT EM]G$ FROM !SE MILIEUS DEVELOP$ !IR CRITIQUES ( ! P>ALYZATION ( SYN!SI/ ORGANIZATIONS1 LACK ( $UCATION & 5GAGEM5T ( ITS MEMB]%IP1 ANTI-/RATEGIC ORI5TATION1 & ITS 9ABILITY TO ADAPT TO *ANG+ CONDITIONS4 ,?IS1 ON OCCASION1 L$ PEOPLE 9 ,NOR? ,AM]ICA TO LOOK TO PA/ IDEOLOGIES = GUIDANCE BEYOND SYN!SISM1 :E!R IT WAS 9 ! =M ( ,L59ISM1 ,MAOISM1 PLAT=MISM1 ESPECIFISMO1 OR CADRE-ORGANIZATION4.<#a#b.> 

,!RE WAS A MOVE ?AT WAS MADE 9 ! #a#i#iS & #bS4 ,PEOPLE /UDI$ HI/ORY1 WORK$ ) ORGANIZATIONS ABROAD1 & ATTEMPT$ TO APPLY !ORY TO ! CONCRETE PROBLEMS !Y F\ND 9 !IR ORGANIZATIONAL WORK4 ,?IS /EP ADVANC$ ! REVOLUTION>Y LIB]T>IAN MOVEM5TS4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 ! SOLUTIONS F\ND W]E LIMIT+ BECAUSE ( A HI/ORICAL GAP BETWE5 ! PRES5T & ! PA/4 ,! WOR/ EXAMPLES ( ?IS MANIFE/ 9 A K9D ( 0BORN AGA90 REVOLUTION>IES1 :O REP5T$ = !IR PA/ S9S CL>IFI$ BY A NEW F\ND IDEOLOGY ?AT ANSW]$ PA/ PROBLEMS4.<#a#c.> 

,PLAT=MISM WAS ONE SU* IDEOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTION ( ,UKRA9IAN1 ,RUSSIAN1 & LAT] ,FR5* REVOLUTION>IES BAS$ ON EXP]I5CES 9 ! AN>*I/ /RON<OLD ( ,UKRA9E DUR+ ! ,RUSSIAN REVOLUTION4.<#a#d.> ,! PLAT=MI/S EMPHASIZ$ ! DEVELOPM5T ( REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION ROOT$ 9 & BUILD+ MASS ORGANIZATION1 BUT ) A UNITY ( !ORY1 /RATEGY1 & TACTICS4 ,UNLIKE DEMOCRATIC C5TRALISM1 PLAT=MI/ ORGANIZATION LACK$ ! TOP-D[N HI<] BODIES ?AT C\LD DICTATE ORGANIZATIONAL L9E TO ! BASE4.<#a#e.> ,PLAT=MISM %[S PROMISE = RECTIFY+ ! BUREAUCRATIZ+ T5D5CIES 9 ! ,BOL%EVIKS1 & ! AT-TIMES *AOTIC HAM/R++ DISUNITY ( ! REVOLUTION>Y MASS MOVEM5TS & SYN!SI/ REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS4 

,! ,PLAT=MI/S W]E DEAL+ ) A P>TICUL> PROBLEM 9 HI/ORY H[EV]4 ,AT ?AT TIME !RE W]E MASS ,BOL%EVIK1 ,SOCIALI/1 & ,AN>*I/ REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS & PUTT+ 9TO PRACTICE ANTI-CAPITALI/ ORGANIZATION ( SOCIETY4 ,PLAT=MISM IS A RESPONSE TO ?IS SITUATION1 & CALLS = A UNIFICATION ( LIB]T>IAN COMMUNI/S TO COMBAT ?OSE :O CO-OPT & REPRESS REVOLUTION1 = ADVANC+ \R IDEAS & PRACTICE1 & CREAT+ A COH]5T CURR5T 9 ! MASS ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE LIB]T>IAN IDEOLOGY & PRACTICE LIV+ 9 POPUL> PRACTICE 7:AT ,JOSEPH ,K4 ( ,SOLID>ITY ,F$]ATION & A ,UNIV]SITY ( ,SUSSEX COMMITTEE ( OCCUPY+ /UD5TS CALL 0MASSIFICATION0 .<#a#f.>74 ,! ABS5CE ( ?IS UNITY & COH]5CE WAS ONE FACTOR ?AT CONTRIBUT$ TO CAPITALI/S & REACTION>IES REPRESS+ & DEFEAT+ REVOLUTION 9 A NUMB] ( REVOLUTION>Y 9SURRECTIONS4 ,PLAT=MISM HAS BECOME M]ELY ONE NAME = A :OLE CURR5T4 ,DUAL ORGANISATIONALISM 9 ,ITALY1 ! ,FRI5DS ( ,DURRUTI 9 ,SPA91 ,%IFUISM 9 ,*9A1 ETC41 ALL DREW SIMIL> CONCLUSIONS DUR+ REVOLUTION>Y P]IODS4.<#a#g.> 

,! CORRECT+ 9FLU5CE ( PLAT=MISM %\LD BE WELCOM$ 9 ! PRES5T 5VIRONM5T LACK+ CLE> ORGANIZ$ ALT]NATIVES1 BUT ! LIMITATIONS ( /RAI<T APPLICABILITY %\LD BE CLE>4 ,GIV5 ! L[ LEVEL ( DEVELOPM5T1 ! LACK ( MASS ORGANIZATIONS1 & ALI5ATION ( ! LEFT1 PLAT=MISM PRES5TS NECESS>Y LESSONS BUT IS 9SUFFICI5T4 ,IT DOES NOT GIVE US GUIDANCE = H[ WE DEVELOP ! UNITY NECESS>Y TO HAVE A HI< FUNCTION+ REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION4 ,/RATEGIC UNITY REQUIRES /RATEGY4 ,BUILD+ A GR\ND$ /RATEGY TODAY W\LD REQUIRES A LEVEL ( PRES5CE 9 /RUGGLE1 LE>N+ LESSONS FROM SU*1 & EXP&+ CONFRONTATION ) ! /ATE4 ,9/EAD MU* ( :AT PASSES = /RATEGY IS L>GELY SPECULATIVE & BAS$ ON ASSUMPTIONS ( H[ /RUGGLE W\LD PROCE$1 RA!R ?AN EXP]I5CES 9 LIV+ /RUGGLE4 

,AT ! LEA/1 WE CAN SEE A HI<-FUNCTION+ UNITY REQUIRES EXP]I5CE & HI< LEVELS ( /RUGGLE4 ,ATTA9+ ?AT UNITY REQUIRES ?AT PEOPLE HAVE ! EXP]I5CE 9 /RUGGLE1 ABILITIES1 & UND]/&+ NECESS>Y TO BUILD BO? ! /RATEGY & ! UNITY1 :I* IS EXACTLY :AT WE >E LACK+4 ,= !SE REASONS MU* ( ! ORGANIZATIONAL !ORY TO EM]GE FROM ! PLAT=MI/ MILIEU HAS BE5 RELATIVELY AB/RACT & AT ! LEVEL ( PR9CIPLES1 OR DRAW+ FROM REVOLUTION>Y P]IODS4 ,ULTIMATELY PLAT=MISM IS A GOAL1 AN 5D PO9T ( REVOLUTION>Y PROCESS4 ,WE NE$ A BRIDGE ( !ORY & PRACTICE ?AT CAN TAKE US TO ! HI< LEVEL ( UNITY NECESS>Y 9 REVOLUTION>Y TIMES4 ,PLAT=MISM !N IS AN IMPORTANT LEGACY 9 UND]/&+ REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION1 BUT IS 9SUFFICI5T AS A !ORY ?AT CAN HELP US BUILD A POLITICAL CAPABLE & TI<T ORGANIZATION 9 ! PRES5T4 

,ESPECIFISMO IS RELAT$ TO PLAT=MISM 9 ?AT ALL ESPECIFI/A ORGANIZATIONS TODAY >E AW>E (1 DRAW FROM1 & >E 9 DIALOGUE ) ! PLAT=MI/ CURR5T4 ,ESPECIFISMO IS SOME:AT ( A COMPLICAT$ AFFAIR DUE TO CONFLICT+ HI/ORIES 9 EXI/5CE4 ,ESPECIFISMO MEANS SIMPLY SPECIFIC-ISM1 OR ! IDEA ( BELIEV+ 9 ! NE$ = SPECIFIC 7POLITICAL7 ORGANIZATION4 ,9 ,URUGUAY 7BIR? ( ESPECIFISMO7 !RE WAS A TRADITIONAL DIVISION BETWE5 AN>*I/S :O ONLY BELIEV$ 9 MASS AN>*O-SYNDICALI/ ORGANIZATION1 & ?OSE :O BELIEV$ A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION WAS ALSO NECESS>Y4 ,MANY IF NOT MO/ 9 ,NOR? ,AM]ICA TRACE ESPECIFISMO TO ! ,F$]ACION ,AN>QUI/A ,URUGUAY F\ND$ 9 ! #a#i#eS4 ,! REAL BIR? ( ESPECIFISMO AS AN EXPLICIT POSITION ( ! ,F,A,U WAS 9 PO/-DICTATOR%IP ,URUGUAY DUR+ ! #a#i#hS1 :5 ! ,F,A,U WAS RE-F\ND$1 AN>*ISM RE-PROCLAIM$1 & ESPECIFISMO PUT =W>D AS A LESSON ( ! /RUGGLE4.<#a#h.> 

,ESPECIFISMO EMPHASIZES ! NE$ = SOCIAL 9S]TION 7REVOLUTION>IES %\LD ORGANIZE AS RANK-&-FILE MILITANTS 9 MASS MOVEM5TS71 TRY+ TO BUILD A LIB]T>IAN *>ACT] 9 !SE MOVEM5TS1 ORGANIZATIONAL UNITY & DISCIPL9E COMB9$ ) A BASE-DEMOCRATIC F$]ALI/ MODEL4.<#a#i.> ,! ,F,A,U1 FOLL[+ ! DICTATOR%IP1 HAS SOME?+ ( A CADRE ORI5TATION ) A LONG PROBATION P]IOD = JO9+ ! ORGANIZATION 9 :I* ! MEMB] /UDIES ! ,F,A,U'S CURRICULUM1 BUILDS PRACTICE 9 ! MASS MOVEM5TS1 & DEVELOPS UNITY ) ! ORGANIZATION4 ,P>T ( ?IS IS DUE TO SECURITY CONC]NS ?AT >E REAL FOLL[+ ! DICTATOR%IP 9 ,URUGUAY4 ,:ILE ?IS ME?OD ( 9T]NAL PRACTICE IS ADVANC$ & PRES5TS LESSONS = US1 MANY :O ID5TIFY ) ESPECIFISMO 9 ,NOR? ,AM]ICA >E UNAW>E4 ,IT IS ALSO UNCLE> :O \TSIDE ( ! ,F,A,U :O HAS ?IS PRACTICE4 

,! POLITICAL 5VIRONM5TAL & HI/ORY ( ,URUGUAY IS DISANALOG\S TO \R CIRCUM/ANCES = ! SAME REASONS AS PLAT=MISM4 ,:ILE ESPECIFISMO IS NOT AN IDEOLOGY ( REVOLUTION>Y TIMES 7IT CAME \T ( ! COLLAPSE ( REACTION1 ) AN UPSURGE BUT NOT REVOLUTION71 ! LEVEL ( LEFT-IMM]SION 9 /RUGGLE & ORGANIZATION \TPACES SIGNIFICANTLY \R [N4 ,! PROCESS ( RADICALIZATION ( MILITANTS !RE=E WILL LOOK SIGNIFICANTLY DIFF]5T = US1 :]E WE HAVE FEW] EXP]I5CES TO DRAW (F4 ,ESPECIFISMO PUTS =W>D ! PR9CIPL$ DEVELOPM5T ( MILITANTS ?R\< 5GAGEM5T ) ! REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION1 & REVOLUTION>IES BE+ PRIM>ILY COMMITT$ TO BUILD+ LIB]T>IAN PRACTICE 9 MASS MOVEM5TS4 ,:AT ?AT LOOKS LIKE = US1 & H[ WE GO AB\T ?AT IS L>GELY ABS5T FROM !SE QUE/IONS1 & IS ,I BELIEVE REFLECTIVE ( ! DIFF]5CES 9 EXI/+ /RUGGLES BETWE5 ,S\? ,AM]ICA & \RSELVES4 ,LIKE ,PLAT=MISM1 ESPECIFISMO %\LD BE A GOAL & P>T ( ! PROCESS ( BECOM+ REVOLUTION>IES1 BUT IS 9COMPLETE AS A !ORY ( \R PRACTICE4 

,ANO!R CONTRIBUTION TO ORGANIZATIONAL !ORY IS ! CONCEPT ( ! CADRE-ORGANIZATION ( ,BR+ ! ,RUCKUS4 ,TO MY KN[L$GE !RE IS NOT ANO!R ORGANIZATION ?AT HAS PUT =W>D ! CONCEPT1 OR AT LEA/ !Y'RE ! FIR/ TO PUT IT =W>D SO C5TRALLY SO ,I WILL DISCUSS ,B,T,R'S CONCEPTION ALONE4.<#b.> ,?AT BE+ SAID1 ,B,T,R BR\<T TOGE!R EXI/+ LEFT PRACTICES 9TO ! CADRE CONCEPT1 & IT'S LESS NEW ?AN IT IS M]ELY ,B,T,R'S EMPHASIZ+ ( C]TA9 ELEM5TS )94 ,IT IS LIKELY ?AT ! CADRE ORGANIZATION CONCEPT IS A SYN!SIS ( ,NEW ,LEFT DEBATES >\ND CADRE ) A LIB]T>IAN P]SPECTIVE1 ?\< ?IS IS ONLY SPECULATION BAS$ ON ,B,T,R'S DRAW+ FROM #fS ]A LEFT-,M>XI/ CURR5TS & LIB]T>IAN CONCEPTS4 

,CADRE ORGANIZATION IS SIMIL> TO PLAT=MISM & ESPECIFISMO 9 ?AT IT EMPHASIZES REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONAL UNITY & A MASS PRACTICE ( REVOLUTION>Y POLITICS4 ,B,T,R'S ACC\NT ( CADRE ORGANIZATION EMPHASIZES NOT JU/ ! ORGANIZATIONAL POSITIONS1 BUT ALSO ! CAPABILITIES & ACTIVITY ( MILITANTS4 ,CADRE ORGANIZATION IS M>K$ BY HAV+ HI<LY DEVELOP$ & CAPABLE MEMB]%IP & AIM+ AT A UNIT>Y /RATEGY4 ,CADRE ORGANIZATION !N HAS EV]Y MEMB] AS A CADRE1 CAPABLE ( ORGANIZ+ 9 ! MASS MOVEM5TS & ) !ORETICAL DEVELOPM5T 9 L9E ) ! ORGANIZATION4 ,/RATEGICALLY SPEAK+1 ! CADRE ORGANIZATION ATTEMPTS TO WORK ON ONLY SELECT >EAS TO MAXIMIZE ! IMPACT ( CADRE BAS$ ON A /RATEGIC ANALYSIS4 ,BR+ ! ,RUCKUS HAS M&AT$ ORGANIZATIONAL WORK1 & HAS CRIT]IA = :AT ! WORK LOOKS LIKE4 

0,A CADRE ORGANIZATION SEEKS TO P>TICIPATE 9 ?OSE GRASSROOTS 7OR 0MASS07 /RUGGLES ?AT IT BELIEVES HAS ! MO/ REVOLUTION>Y POT5TIAL1 BAS$ ON ! CADRE'S POLITICAL ANALYSIS4 ,AT ! NATIONAL LEVEL1 A CADRE ORGANIZATION DEVELOPS & IMPLEM5TS DUAL P[] /RATEGIES = ITS MEMB]S NATIONWIDE TO P>TICIPATE 94 ,AT A LOCAL LEVEL1 ! LOCAL CADRE P>TICIPATES 9 GRASSROOTS /RUGGLES ?AT FIT )9 ! NATIONAL /RATEGY1 DEBATES !IR EFFECTIV5ESS 9 LOCAL MEET+S1 REPORTS BACK TO ! NATIONAL ORGANIZATION1 & SEEKS TO MOVE ! GRASSROOTS /RUGGLE 9 A RADICAL DIRECTION ACCORD+ TO !SE DISCUSSIONS04.<#b#a.> 

,IT IS WOR? PO9T+ \T ?AT DEMOCRATIC C5TRALI/ ORGANIZATION IS NOT NECESS>ILY CADRE1 NOR IS CADRE ORGANIZATION NECESS>ILY DEMOCRATIC C5TRALI/4 ,CADRE ORGANIZATION IS DEF9$ BY ITS MILITANTS & ITS /RATEGY1 & G5]ALLY SPEAK+ MO/ PRES5T AN>*I/ & DEMOCRATIC C5TRALI/ ORGANIZATIONS >E MORE UNEV5 9 ABILITIES & CONSCI\SNESS4 ,:AT IS MO/ POSITIVE 9 ! CONCEPT ( CADRE ORGANIZATION IS ! ROLE ( 9T]NAL PRACTICE4 ,! !ORY ( CADRE ORGANIZATIONS %\LD PU% US TO QUE/ION \R PLACE 9 HI/ORY1 PRIORITIZ+ ACTIVITY1 & DEVELOP+ MILITANTS TO ! LEVEL :]E !Y CAN DO ! WORK ! ORGANIZATION PRIORITIZES4 ,IT IS A COLLECTIVE & MASS ORI5TATION1 ) /RATEGY MADE FROM ! BOTTOM UP1 & = ?IS REASON ,I ID5TIFY IT )9 ! BROAD LIB]T>IAN COMMUNI/ TRADITION4 ,CADRE ORGANIZATION !N GETS MU* ( IT RI<T1 ADDRESS+ ! CRUCIAL LACK ( DISCUSSION >\ND H[ WE DEVELOP DIRECTION = REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION4 ,?AT BE+ SAID1 CADRE ORGANIZATION SUFF]S FROM SIMIL> LIMITATIONS TO PLAT=MISM & ESPECIFISMO4 

,! PROBLEM IS :]E WE >E TODAY4 ,! PEOPLE :O >E DRAWN TO OR RECRUIT$ 9TO ! LEFT DO NOT HAVE A CADRE ORI5TATION4 ,MU* ( ! LEFT EM]GES FROM ACADEMIA1 POLITICIZ$ SUBCULTURES1 & ! 9/ITUTIONAL =MS ( ! LEFT 7UNIONS1 ,N,G,O1 >MS ( ! POLITICAL P>TIES74 ,G5]ALLY MILITANTS AT ! MASS LEVEL HAVE A DEEP] UND]/&+ ( PRACTICE ?AN ! ACTIVI/S ! COME 9TO ! LEFT4 ,! L[ LEVEL ( EXP]I5CE & DEVELOPM5T 9 ! LEFT IS A S]I\S IMP$IM5T TO ! DEVELOPM5T ( /RATEGY & A FUNCTIONAL MILITANCY4 ,! COMMITM5T LEVEL IS EXTREMELY L[1 PEOPLE >E FOOTLOOSE1 & ! DISCIPL9E NECESS>Y TO SU/A9 ! IDEOLOGICAL1 ORGANIZATIONAL1 & EV5 EMOTIONAL WORK ( A REVOLUTION>Y MOVEM5T IS (T5 ABS5T4 ,WORSE1 !SE PROBLEMATIC DYNAMICS >E R>ELY POS$ CLE>LY1 LET ALONE SUFFICI5TLY & CONSI/5TLY C>RI$ \T4 

,! *ALL5GE !N = A CADRE ORGANIZATION IS H[ TO A*IEVE MILITANCY & UNITY1 :ILE RETA9+ SUFFICI5T /R5G? TO JU/IFY ORGANIZATION4 ,:ILE UNIFI$ /RATEGY IS CRUCIAL 7& PLAT=MISM WAS CLE> AB\T ?IS AS WELL71 WE HAVE TO QUE/ION :AT K9D ( /RATEGY & AT :AT LEVEL WE >E CAPABLE ( GIV5 ! AB/RACTION FROM PRACTICE4 ,PEOPLE COME TO \R ORGANIZATION AT A V>IETY ( LEVELS1 & WE SEE L>GE GAPS BETWE5 ! CONSCI\SNESS1 $UCATION 7TAK5 9 A BROAD AUTO-DIDACTIC S5SE71 & CAPABILITIES4 ,IF WE >E NOT AT A V]Y ADVANC$ LEVEL ( UNITY1 !RE >E REAL ME?ODOLOGICAL QUE/IONS AB\T H[ WE DEAL ) ?IS UNEV5NESS ( CONSCI\SNESS1 COMMITM5T1 & CAPABILITIES :ILE REMA9+ FUNCTION+ DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATIONS4 ,A CADRE ORI5TATION DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY GIVE US A ME?OD TO BR+ UP ! LEVEL ( ! LEFT TO ! UNITY & /RATEGY WE SEEK4 ,9 FACT1 ATTEMPTS AT BUILD+ CADRE 7UNLIKE ,B,T,R USUALLY UNCONSCI\S CADRE ORI5TATIONS7 9 \R TIME HAVE T5D$ TO LEAD EI!R TO PAP]-UNITY POPULI/ ORGANIZATION OR SECT>IAN MICRO-SECTS4 ,NONE ( ?IS IS 9EVITABLE1 BUT WE NE$ O!R TOOLS TO HELP US UND]/& ?AT TRANSITION TO A FUNCTION+ CADRE ORGANIZATION BEYOND M]ELY !ORIZ+ ! UNITY1 TI<TNESS1 & DISCIPL9E ?AT IT W\LD EXHIBIT ONCE WE A*IEVE IT4 ,I ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS !SE QUE/IONS 9 ! >TICLE ,T[>DS ,!ORY ( ,ORGANIZATION = ,\R ,TIME4.<#b#b.> 

,P>T ,I,I,I3 ,! ,NATURE ( ,\R ,P]IOD3 LOOK+ TO AN AUTONOM\S WORK+ CLASS ALT]NATIVE 

,! 5D ( ! TW5TIE? C5TURY WAS A TIME ( TRANSITION4 ,! REGIME ( L[-9T5SITY W>F>E1 ! DISMANTL+ ( ! WELF>E /ATE1 & NEO-LIB]AL PRIVATIZATION S*EMES ULTIMATELY WAS RUNN+ ITS C\RSE4.<#b#c.> ,! F9AL DEFEATS W]E TO BE DOLL$ \T ACROSS ! WORLD 9 ! EV5TUAL COLLAPSE ( F9ANCE BUBBLES1 WIDESPREAD RESI/ANCE TO AU/]ITY1 & ! IMPLOSIVE ( ! ECONOMIES ( ,LAT9 ,AM]ICA4.<#b#d.> ,BE=E ?IS WAS ALL BUT SAID & DONE1 !RE WAS ! GRADUAL & LAT] METEORIC RISE & FALL ( SOCIAL MOVEM5TS AGA9/ NEO-LIB]AL RE=MS & ! MILIT>ISM LEAD+ TO ! AF<AN & ,IRAQ W>S4 ,REVOLUTION>IES PLAY$ AN ACTIVE & DISPROPORTIONATE ROLE 9 MOBILIZ+ ! SOCIAL ACTORS 9 :AT W\LD BECOME ! L>GE/ MOBILIZATIONS ( !IR K9D4 

,TIME HAS PASS$1 & ! LIMITATIONS & DEFLATION ( ! E>LY #bS ANTI-GLOBALIZATION & ANTI-W> MOVEM5TS >E BECOM+ CLE>] TO MANY REVOLUTION>IES4 ,?\< MASSIVE MOBILIZATIONS OCCURR$1 LITTLE LA/+ ORGANIZATION WAS BUILT4 ,?IS MEANS ?AT ! MILITANCY WE WITNESS$ 9 ! /REETS HAD A V]Y %ORT %ELF LIFE1 & MU* ( ! WORK CAN REASONABLY BE SAID TO HAVE DISAPPE>$4 ,MILLIONS ( PEOPLE 5GAG$ 9 V>I\S =MS ( RESI/ANCE TO ! W>S1 GLOBALIZATION1 & ! NEW =MS ( CAPITAL & /ATE2 H[EV] ! LEFT WAS NOT ABLE TO PRODUCE A SU/A9$ ALT]NATIVE ?AT WAS ABLE TO 5GAGE1 NURTURE1 & DEVELOP ?AT ACTIVITY 9TO A LA/+ MOVEM5T AGA9/ CAPITALISM & ! /ATE4 ,:ILE SEEM+LY MILITANT DIRECT ACTION WAS RELATIVELY COMMON1 ?IS MILITANCY R>ELY L$ TO FUR!R RADICALIZATION OR ! POPUL>IZATION ( /RUGGLE4 ,P[] WAS BUILT1 BUT DISSIPAT$4 ,! LEFT HAD NOT DEVELOP$ ! ABILITY OR P]HAPS ! ORI5TATION TO BUILD MOVEM5TS1 EI!R MASS MOVEM5TS OR REVOLUTION>Y ONES4 

,! DECL9E ( ! ]A ( ACTIVI/ MOBILIZATIONS WAS AN 9T]LUDE TO A S]IES ( ECONOMIC FAILURES COM+ TO A CLOSE4 ,CAPITAL HAD BE5 ABLE TO DELAY ESCALAT+ CRISES 9 PREVI\S DECADES ?R\< EXPANSION ( M>KETS 9TO NEW PROLET>IANIZ$ WORK=CES1 SEIZ+ NEW ASSETS & BR++ !M 9TO ! M>KET VIA PRIVATIZATION S*EMES1 AU/]ITY PROGRAMS1 & F9ANCIALISATION ( M>KETS ) NEW F9ANCIAL 0PRODUCTS0 SU* AS D]IVATIVES1 CURR5CY TRAD+1 & ! LIKE4 ,A S]IES ( BUR/+ BUBBLES EV5TUALLY BR\<T US TO ! BR9K4 ,?\< PEOPLE DISPUTE ! BEG9N+ OR ! TRAJECTORY1 WE CAN SEE A CONT9UITY ( BUBBLES FROM ! F9ANCE SC&ALS ( ! #hS & #iS1 ! DOT-COM BUBBLE1 PO/-,SEPTEMB] #aa ACC\NT+ SC&ALS1 & ! REAL E/ATE BUBBLE4 ,RESI/ANCE BO? BY SOCIAL MOVEM5TS 9 ! DEVELOP+ & DEVELOP$ WORLDS =C$ ! RUL+ CLASS RECOMPOSITIONS1.<#b#e.> & LIKEWISE BR$ NEW RESI/ANCE4 ,! 5SU+ CRISIS HAS BR\<T A NEW ]A ( AU/]ITY1 FOLL[+ PREVI\S AU/]ITIES1 & A CULM9ATION ( DECADES ( RUL+ CLASS ASSAULTS ON ! BASIC LIV+ CONDITIONS ( WORK]S & OPPRESS$ CLASSES ACROSS ! GLOBE4 

,PRES5TLY 9 AN 5VIRONM5T ( AU/]ITY1 ! MO/ POLITICALLY SIGNIFICANT & P[]FUL MASS MOVEM5TS 9 ! ,U,S >E MOVEM5TS FROM ! RI<T1 (T5 ) ORGANIZ$ T5D5CIES ( CONSCI\S NEO-FASCI/ =CES4 ,9 AN ]A ( RUL+ CLASS ASSAULTS & AU/]ITY1 IT HAS BE5 ! RI<T ?AT HAS BE5 MO/ SUCCESSFUL 9 RESPOND+ TO ORGANIZ+ ! OPPRESS$ CLASSES4 ,:ILE ! LEFT IS QUITE CONSCI\S ( ?IS1 ! LEFT'S ISOLAT$ POSITION MAKES A S]I\S *ALL5GE MORE DIFFICULT & QUE/IONABLE4 

,AT ! SAME TIME NO MAJOR PROGRESSIVE MASS MOVEM5TS PROVIDE A C\NT]WEI<T TO ! RUL+ CLASS ASSAULTS1 RE/RUCTUR+1 CUTS1 & COLLABORATIONI/ MASS ORGANIZATIONS4 ,UNIONS >E NE>+ A CRISIS ) DECADES ( ATTACKS ON ! SOCIAL COMPACT :I* GAVE ! UNIONS A /ABLE BASE 9 ! ,AM]ICAN ECONOMY4 ,AS WE REA* NEW L[S = UNIONS 9 T]MS ( POSITION & P[] 9 MAJOR 9DU/RIES1 MANY UNIONS >E *OOS+ NOT TO ORGANIZE AT ALL & O!RS >E ATTEMPT+ TO LAUN* ( QUIXOTIC CRUSADE = LABOR-MANAGEM5T P>TN]%IP :ILE MANAGEM5T PREP>ES = TOTAL LIQUIDATION ( ! UNIONS4 ,MANY 5VIRONM5TAL GR\PS ACTIVELY P>TN] ) MAJOR CAPITALI/ 9T]E/S1 & HAVE BECOME SUPPORT BASES = GRE5 CONSUM]ISM4 

,! 9/ITUTIONAL LEFT HAS L>GELY S\<T TO SAVE CAPITALISM AS WAS DONE 9 ! ,GREAT ,DEPRESSION1 ?R\< A COMB9ATION ( /ATE 9T]V5TION & A SOCIAL COMPACT BETWE5 CAPITAL & 9/ITUTIONALIZ$ =MS ( SOCIAL ORGANIZATION 7UNIONS & ,N,G,OS74 ,\R TIME IS H[EV] DIFF]5T & CAPITAL ITSELF HAS EVOLV$ BEYOND ! PRIOR COMPOSITIONS4 ,! ,NEW ,DEAL ]A SOCIAL WELF>E PROGRAMS W]E BAS$ ON A TIME :5 CAPITALISM REQUIR$ A HI<LY PRODUCTIVE & PR$ICTABLE WORK=CE1 :I* WAS GU>ANTE$ BY UNIONS AS M$IATORS ON ! %OP FLOOR & SOCIAL WELF>E PROGRAMS 9 ! COMMUNITY4 ,NO ANALOGY EXI/S 9 \R TIME ( 9T]NATIONAL CAPITAL1 ! DISMANTL+ ( ! WELF>E /ATE1 & 9CREAS+LY FRACTUR$ /ATE RULE4 ,IT IS UNLIKELY ?AT EV5 IF CAPITAL HAD ! WILL TO F9D SU* A SOLUTION1 IT W\LD BE ABLE TO SOLVE ! FUNDAM5TAL CAUSES ( ?IS CRISIS :I* IS NOT M]ELY A LACK ( JOBS OR CAPITAL1 BUT 9 FACT ! GLOBAL ORGANIZATION ( PRODUCTION & ! BREAK D[N ( ! BALANCE ( =CES1 BO? PROLET>IAN & CAPITALI/4.<#b#f.> 

,! EXI/+ ORGANS ( ! 9/ITUTIONAL LEFT 7! UNIONS1 ! ,N,G,OS1 & ! LIB]AL & SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL MA*9]Y7 HAVE NOT BUILT UP MASS MOVEM5TS1 BUT RA!R ORGANIZATIONS ) A S]VICE ORI5TATION T[>DS ! WORK+ & OPPRESS$ CLASSES4 ,\R GOAL IS NOT TO JUDGE !SE MOVEM5TS M]ELY EVALUATIVELY4 ,AS REVOLUTION>IES1 WE %\LD SEEK TO UND]/& :AT POT5TIAL !RE IS = BUILD+ & SUPPORT+ ! MASS POPUL> MOVEM5TS = ! REVOLUTION>Y TRANS=MATIONS ?AT CAN ABOLI% CAPITAL & REPLACE IT ) A CLASSLESS SOCIETY ADM9I/]$ & ORGANIZ$ BY ALL = ALL4 ,SETT+ ASIDE QUE/IONS ( H[ MU* !SE 9/ITUTIONS ACTUALLY DO TO PROTECT & EXP& LIFE UND] CAPITALISM 7= :I* !Y ALSO FAIL SIGNIFICANTLY72 AS REVOLUTION>IES :O SEEK NOT JU/ TO W9 DAY-TO-DAY /RUGGLES BUT ALSO TO TRANS=M ! SY/EMIC CAUSES ( EXPLOITATION1 WE NE$ TO EVALUATE \R ROLE 9 !SE 9/ITUTIONS1 !IR ROLE 9 CAPITALISM1 & ! POT5TIAL = TRANS=MATION 9 MASS MOVEM5TS4 

,! ISSUE !N IS ?IS4 ,:ATEV] LEVEL ( PRACTICE !RE IS AMONG ! MASS ORGANIZATIONS IS SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE4 ,REVOLUTION>IES1 = ! V]Y FEW :O DO HAVE A LEVEL ( ACTIVITY 9 MASS ORGANIZATIONS1 T5D TO HAVE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE 9 !SE ORGANIZATIONS4 ,9 ACTUALITY1 ?IS SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE IS PROBABLY ! MO/ ADVANC$ & PROGRESSIVE EV5 COMP>$ TO ! T9Y FRACTIONS ( REVOLUTION>IES TRY+ TO BUILD A MASS PRACTICE4 ,REVOLUTION>Y PRACTICE1 BECAUSE ( ! L[ LEVEL ( /RUGGLE & ISOLATION ( ! LEFT FROM DIRECT RANK-&-FILE /RUGGLE1 IS 9 ITS 9FANCY4 ,!RE IS A L>GE GAP BETWE5 IDEAS & ACTION1 & 9 \R TIME IT IS WOR? QUE/ION+ ! EXT5T TO :I* IDEOLOGY DOES WORK4 ,IF RADICAL IDEOLOGY YIELDS SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE1 & AT TIMES SOCIAL DEMOCRATS \TPACE RADICALS WE %\LD QUE/ION ?AT RELATION%IP4 

,WE CAN REASONABLY ASK QUE/IONS ( ! EXI/+ MASS ORGANIZATIONS 7TO ! EXT5T !Y ACTUALLY FUNCTION AS MASS ORGANIZATIONS73 7#a7 DO !Y ORGANIZE !IR MEMB]S1 5GAG+ !M 9 COLLECTIVE ACTIVITY & /RUGGLE1 & 7#b7 IF SO1 TO :AT 5DS1 & 7#c7 TO ! EXT5T ?IS DOES HAPP51 H[ MU* DOES IT FACILITAT+ CONDITIONS = REVOLUTION>Y TRANS=MATION OR CREATE OP5+S = DEVELOP+ MILITANTS ( ! LEFT COMMITT$ TO SOCIAL TRANS=MATION8 ,WE MI<T EV5 ADD1 TO :AT EXT5T DOES ! LEFT PRES5CE 9 ! ,N,G,OS1 UNIONS1 & LIB]AL POLITICAL MA*9]Y TRANSLATE 9TO AN ADVANCE ( REVOLUTION>Y PRACTICE1 !ORY1 & ORGANIZATION8 

,! OV]:ELM+ MAJORITY W\LD ANSW] NO TO ! FIR/4 ,9/EAD ACTIVITY IS PR(ESSIONALIZ$ S]VICE ACTIVITY1 & IS 9TEGRAT$ 9TO EXI/+ *ANNELS ( /RUGGLE )9 ! CAPITALI/ & /ATE 9FRA/RUCTURE4 ,NOR DO MO/ ,N,G,OS & UNIONS 5GAGE 9 COLLECTIVE /RUGGLE1 OPT+ 9/EAD = LOBBY+1 ATTEMPT+ TO ELECT REPRES5TATIVES1 & LEGALI/IC MANEUV]+ :I* CAN BE CALL$ /RUGGLE ONLY 9 ! MO/ VAGUE & MEAN+LESS S5SE4 ,:ILE COLLECTIVE /RUGGLE LEV]AGES P[] BAS$ ON ! COLLECTIVE /R5G? ( SOCIAL CLASSES UNIT$ 9 ACTION1 LEGALI/IC MANEUV]+ RELIES UPON ! SKILLS & ACTIVITY ( A N>R[ CLASS ( PR(ESSIONALS & DECISION MAK+ ?AT /&S \TSIDE ! GRASP ( COLLECTIVITIES4 ,IT IS POSSIBLE TO 5GAGE 9 COLLECTIVE PRESSUR+ ( 9/ITUTIONS ( P[]1 BUT ?IS IS DIFF]5T FROM BELIEV+ ?AT LOBBY+1 C&IDATE WORK1 & FIL+ LAWSUITS IS ITSELF COLLECTIVE /RUGGLE4 

,DUE TO ! PIT*$ ANTAGONISM PRES5TLY T[>DS ANY AUTONOM\S WORK+ CLASS MOVEM5T1 !RE >E CONTRADICTIONS4 ,SOME UNIONS = EXAMPLE MU/ FI<T = !IR SURVIVAL 9 A HO/ILE 5VIRONM5T 7P>TICUL>LY S]VICE SECTOR UNIONS71 & 9 SOME 9/ANCES MU/ FI<T H>D AGA9/ BOSSES4 ,EV5 IF WE'RE *>ITABLE 9 ! CONT5T ( !SE FI<TS1 ANY SEMBLANCE ( ACTIVITY & ORGANIZATION GETS DROPP$ FOLL[+ A CONTRACT P]IOD4 ,! UNIONS ACTIVELY PROMOTE WORK+ TOGE!R ) ! BOSSES1 & ORGANIZE WORKPLACES = LABOR PEACE 9 AN ]A ( RUL+ CLASS CUT BACKS & BRUTAL ASSAULTS4 ,! ,N,G,OS1 (T5 FUND$ DIRECTLY BY MAJOR CAPITALI/S & ! /ATE1 HAVE TAK5 UP SOCIAL S]VICE FUNCTIONS ( ! /ATE & HAVE C5TRALIZ$ ORGANIZ+ ACTIVITY 9TO A PR(ESSIONAL BUREAUCRACY )\T BUILD+ UP POPUL> ORGANS ( COLLECTIVE ACTIVITY & P[]4 ,?IS IS ! CASE EV5 :5 ,N,G,OS HAVE NOM9AL REVOLUTION>Y ADM9I/RATORS & EXPLICITLY TALK AB\T !IR WORK 9 T]MS ( BUILD+ MOVEM5T1 OR WORSE REVOLUTION4 

,:5 COLLECTIVE ORGANIZATION & /RUGGLE DOES OCCUR 9 !SE 9/ITUTIONS1 TO :AT 5DS DO !Y FI<T8 ,BESIDES L>GELY SYMBOLIC ACTIONS 7P]HAPS RESOLUTIONS PASS$ AGA9/ W>S1 SYMBOLIC /RIKES & M>*ES71 !SE 9/ITUTIONS >E FIRMLY ROOT$ )9 ! B\NDS ( ! LEFT-W+ ( ! CAPITALI/ CLASS4 ,!RE >E NUM]\S EXAMPLES ?AT >E WOR? SP5D+ A LITTLE TIME REFLECT+ ON4 

,! BOR+-FROM-)9 UNION RE=M MOVEM5T HAS A SECTION ?AT COMES \T ( REVOLUTION>Y POLITICS4 ,MO/ PROM95TLY ,SOLID>ITY 7,U,S7 IS ACTIVE 9 UNION RE=M MOVEM5TS ACROSS ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES1 & IS ONE ( ! MA9 DRIV+ =CES BEH9D ,LABOR ,NOTES1 ! LABOR RE=M PUBLICATION ) ASSOCIAT$ MOVEM5TS & CONF]5CES4 ,DESPITE #h"4 YE>S ( ! FAILURE ( COMMUNI/-L$ UNION RE=M MOVEM5TS TO PRODUCE EI!R RE=M$ UNIONS OR COMMUNI/ PRACTICE1 ! BASIC T5ETS ( RE=M+ ! UNIONS ?R\< RUNN+ SLATES1 ELECTIONE]+1 & BUREAUCRATIC RE=M MEASURES IS UNQUE/ION$4 ,TEAM/]S = A ,DEMOCRATIC ,UNION1 :I* HAD MANY ,SOLID>ITY ORGANIZ]S )91 WON CONTROL ( ! ,TEAM/]S = A P]IOD 9 ! E>LY #iS4 ,MANY LAUDABLE RE=MS W]E 9TRODUC$1 & !RE W]E /RIDES MADE TO 9CREASE ORGANIZ+ & TRANSP>5CY 9 A NOTORI\SLY CORRUPT UNION4 ,/ILL1 FROM A REVOLUTION>Y P]SPECTIVE WE %\LD ASK1 :AT WAS BUILT8 ,:]E IS ! MASS MOVEM5T ( ,TEAM/]S ORGANIZ+ COMBATIVELY1 & :]E IS ! REVOLUTION>Y PRACTICE TO EM]GE FROM ?IS8 ,9 FACT :AT WE HAVE IS A SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE ( BUS9ESS UNIONISM & LIB]AL POLITICS1 BUT UND] REVOLUTION>Y PRET5SES4 ,! UNION RE=M MOVEM5T'S EMPHASIS ON POSITIONS ( LEAD]%IP1 /AFF ORGANIZ] POSITIONS1 & /RUCTURAL RE=M ON ! SY/EM & UNION'S [N T]M KEPT !SE /RUGGLES CONTA9$ BY ! EXI/+ BUREAUCRACIES4 ,JU/ AS ,RON ,C>EY'S PRESID5CY WAS RECUP]AT$ & CONTA9$1 WE REPEAT ! EXP]I5CES ( COMMUNI/ RE=MISM 9 ! UNIONS FROM ANO!R ]A4 ,WAL!R ,REU!R WAS ELECT$ BY A COMMUNI/ OPPOSITION ON A UNION RE=M BASIS4 ,REU!R W\LD EV5TUALLY BECOME ! OPPON5T ( ! SAME OPPOSITION ?AT L$ HIM TO P[]1 JU/ AS ! UNION RE=M MOVEM5T ITSELF IS AN OPPOSITION TO A REVOLUTION>Y PRACTICE 9 ! UNIONS 9 \R TIME4.<#b#g.> 

,P]HAPS ANO!R FAM\S EXAMPLE IS ?AT ( ,VAN ,JONES4 ,VAN ,JONES WAS ONCE AN ,N,G,O /AFF-CUM-,MAOI/ 9 ! ,BAY ,>EA POLITICAL GR\P+ ,/,O,R,M 7,/&+ ,TOGE!R TO ,ORGANIZE A ,REVOLUTION>Y ,MOVEM5T7 MADE UP L>GELY ( ! ADM9I/RATIVE /AFF ( LEFTI/ L$ ,N,G,OS4 ,:ILE IT IS WOR? QUE/ION+ ,JONES' RADICALISM 7HE SEEMS MORE LIKE A FELL[ TRAVEL] PASS+ ?R\<1 ?AN A COMMITT$ REVOLUTION>Y71 IT IS WOR? REFLECT+ ON ! ACTIVI/-@>,N,G,O /AFF-@> :ITE H\SE TRAJECTORY4 ,AS SOME HAVE NOT$1.<#b#h.> ! 9/ITUTIONS ( P[] >E FILL$ ) PEOPLE :O ?9K OR ?\<T ( !MSELVES AS RADICALS1 BUT :O FUNCTION L>GELY TO S]VE & PROTECT CAPITALISM 7OR AT LEA/ !IR PROGRESSIVE V]SION ( IT74 ,VAN ,JONES' ,GRE5 ,CAPITALISM IS ONE SU* PROJECT1 & WE CAN LOOK TO ,C>L ,DAVIDSON PROMOTION ( ,PROGRESSIVES = ,OBAMA & SIMIL> RE=MI/ CAPITALI/ VISIONS .<#b#i.> AS YET ANO!R4 ,:ATEV] ! REVOLUTION>Y IDEAS OR CR$5TIALS ( !SE P>TICUL> PEOPLE1 !RE IS A /RONG L9K BETWE5 !SE IDEAS 7:I* HAVE /RONG CURR5CY ON ! LEFT1 9 SPITE ( !IR TIES TO ! MO/ MAJOR 9/ITUTIONS ( /ATE P[] & CAPITALISM7 & ! 9/ITUTIONS 7,N,G,OS1 PROGRESSION ELECTORAL ORGANIZATIONS1 & UNIONS74 ,! POLITICS MAY BE ON ! SURFACE REVOLUTION>Y1 BUT ITS ROLE 9 FUNCTION+ IS NOT M]ELY RE=MI/ BUT ACTUALLY CON/ITUTIVE ( CAPITALI/ P[] RELATION%IPS4 ,!SE RADICAL LEAD]S HELP RE9=CE & EXP& CAPITALISM FROM 9SIDE ! SY/EM EV5 FROM A POSITION ( SUPPOS$ OPPOSITION4 

,WE SEE SIMIL> DYNAMICS AT A MORE LOCAL GRASS ROOTS LEVEL AS WELL4 ,!RE IS A LONG HI/ORY ( COMMUNI/ ELECTIONE]+1 BUT REC5TLY !RE HAS BE5 AN EM]G5CE ( ,MAOI/-9SPIR$ POLITICS 9 ,N,G,O /AFF4 ,FRE$OM ,ROAD ,SOCIALI/ ,ORGANIZATION 7NOT ! ,MIDWE/ PRO-,/AL9 SPLIT ORGANIZ$ >\ND ! PAP] ,FI<T ,BACK7 IS ! MO/ *>ACT]I/IC ORGANIZATION :I* HAS A HI< CONC5TRATION ( ,N,G,O & UNION /AFF4 ,FRE$OM ,ROAD HAS A LONG HI/ORY ( ELECTORALISM DAT+ BACK TO ,JESSE ,JACKSON'S ,PRESID5TIAL CAMPAIGN1.<#c.> :I* MEMB]S ( TODAY'S ,FRE$OM ,ROAD SUPPORT$ & HELP$ ORGANIZE4 ,REC5TLY1 ,FRE$OM ,ROAD MEMB]S HAVE BE5 9/RUM5TAL 9 ELECTION WORK )9 ,N,G,OS 9CLUD+ VOT]-TURN \T CAMPAIGNS1 5DORS+ ,DEMOCRATIC ,P>TY C&IDATES1 & PROMOT+ ELECTIONE]+ AS A REVOLUTION>Y /RATEGY BO? PRIM>ILY & ?R\< VOT] ORGANIZATIONS AIM+ = 0NEW MAJORITIES04.<#c#a.> ,?IS ,N,G,O-REVOLUTION>Y UNITY HAS S\<T TO ORGANIZE & RALLY !IR ORGANIZATIONS BEH9D SECTIONS ( CAPITALI/ P[]4.<#c#b.> ,ORGANIZ+ ,UPGRADE 7A NEW M$IA SITE ?AT FEATURES ,N,G,O /AFF1 ,FRE$OM ,ROAD MEMB]S1 & ,MAOI/-9SPIR$ WRIT+S7 IS WOR? LOOK+ AT = DETAIL$ 9SI<T 9TO ?IS NEW RE=MISM-AS-REVOLUTION IDEOLOGY4 ,= AN 9 DEP? LOOK AT ! !ORETICAL JU/IFICATION = !SE ELECTORALI/ ADV5TURES BY ! /AFF DO+ ! WORK1 IT IS DEF9ITELY WOR? READ+ ,ORGANIZ+ ,UPGRADE'S 0,FA/ ,=UM3 ,ELECTORAL ,ORGANIZ+04.<#c#c.> ,:AT IS MO/ 9T]E/+ IS ! TOTAL CONFLATION ( MASS MOVEM5TS & ATTEMPT+ TO LEV]AGE EI!R POSITIONS ( P[] OR %IFTS 9 POLICY4 ,WE SEE REVOLUTION>IES 5GAG$ 9 ACTIVITY :I* OBJECTIVELY /R5G!NS ! ELECTORAL PROCESS1 TAKES UP POSITIONS )9 ! P[] /RUCTURE1 & ACTIVELY ATTEMPTS TO BR+ MASSES 9TO ! SY/EM'S MEANS ( SETTL+ DISPUTES ON ITS [N T]MS4 ,DESPITE ! ,MAOI/ ORIG9 ( ?IS CURR5T ( ,N,G,O /AFF1 ! IDEOLOGY IS MU* MORE CLE>LY COM+ FROM ! HI/ORICAL RE=MI/ COMMUNI/ CURR5TS SU* AS EURO-COMMUNISM4 ,?IS IS CLE> = EXAMPLE 9 AN 9T]VIEW ) TWO ORGANIZ]S 9 ,VIRG9IANS = A ,NEW ,MAJORITY :O DRAW FROM ,P\LANTZAS :O1 P]HAPS UN9T5TIONALLY1 BECAME ! !ORETICIAN = EURO-COMMUNISM'S EMBRACE ( ! CAPITALI/ SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC /ATE 9 ,ITALY & ,SPA9 A G5]ATION AGO4.<#c#d.> 

0,WE BELIEVE ?AT \R /RATEGIC APPROA* %\LD DRAW FROM ,P\LANTZAS & CREATE POLITICAL SPACE ?AT NEI!R BUILDS A P>ALLEL /ATE ?AT LEADS TO A COMPLETE REPLACEM5T ( ! OLD ) ! NEW1 NOR SIMPLY ELECTS NEW PEOPLE TO FILL ! EXI/+ /ATE4 ,BY CREAT+ NEW /RUCTURES & LAWS WE SEEK TO CREATE FISSURES ?AT 9CREAS+LY ALT] ! CLASS1 RACE & G5D] P[] DISPOSITION ( ! /ATE4 ,EXAMPLES ( ?IS MAY 9CLUDE EF=TS AT DEMOCRATIZ+ ! SY/EM - SAME DAY VOT] REGI/RATION OR MAIL 9 VOT+1 FELON VOT] REGI/RATION 7/ILL AN >DU\S PROCESS 9 ,VIRG9IA & ELSE:]E 9 ! S\?71 O!RS MI<T WORK TO ELIM9ATE /RUCTURAL OB/ACLES ?AT SY/EMATICALLY DISEMP[] PEOPLE ( COLOR SU* AS /ATE-WIDE ELECTION ( S5ATORS1 NON-PROPORTIONAL ELECTIONS1 OR P>TICIPATORY BUDGET+4 ,O!RS *ALL5GES C\LD SEEK TO DEMOCRATIZE ! ECONOMY ?R\< TAXES ON F9ANCIAL TRANSACTIONS OR COMMUNITY CONTROL OV] BANKS OR O!R FL[S ( CAPITAL04.<#c#e.> 

,9 SO F> AS MEMB]%IP IS 5GAG$ AT ALL POLITICALLY 7BEYOND HI< S\ND+ LECTURES71 IT IS TO MOBILIZE ) DE FACTO SUPPORT ( CAPITALI/ SOCIAL & POLITICAL 9/ITUTIONS EV5 :5 UND] A R$ BANN]4 

,! MO/ NAK$ DISPLAY ( ! EMBRACE ( PLAY+ ! 0COP )9 ! MOVEM5T0 WAS %[N 9 LEAK$ EMAILS FROM ,N,G,O /AFF 9 ! ,BAY ,>EA DUR+ ! ,OSC> ,GRANT TRIAL4 ,ADVANCE ! ,/RUGGLE1 A BAY >EA REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATION1 PUBLI%$ AN EXPOSE ( SORTS CLE>LY DEMON/RAT+ ! WAY 9 :I* LOCAL ,N,G,O BUREAUCRACIES EMBRAC$ A ROLE ( TRY+ TO WORK ) LOCAL CITY & POLICE AU?ORITIES 9 DIV]T+ ORGANIZ+ & ANG] SURR\ND+ ! POLICE BRUTALITY 9 FAVOR ( 0VOIC+ ONE'S OP9ION0 & 0MAK+ MUSIC04.<#c#f.> ,! ,URBAN ,PEACE ,MOVEM5T S5T AN EMAIL 9 :I* IT REVEAL$ ?AT !Y HAD 0444BE5 9 PRELIM9>Y CONV]SATION ) SOME ( \R P>TN]S & ALLIES UP TO ?IS PO9T 9CLUD+ ! ,ELLA ,BAK] ,C5T]1 ,Y\? ,UP,RIS+1 ,OAKL& ,RIS+1 ,B,W,O,P,A1 ,! ,MAYOR'S ,(FICE & ! ,CITY ( ,OAKL& REG>D+ !SE SUGGE/IONS4 ,LET'S CONT9UE TO BE 9 DIALOGUE & HOLD EA* O!R CLOSE 9 ! *ALL5G+ DAYS AHEAD04.<#c#g.> ,NOTE ?AT ,OAKL& ,RIS+ IS ONE ( ! GR\PS REPRES5T$ 9 ,ORGANIZ+ ,UPGRADE'S ,ELECTORAL ,ORGANIZ+ >TICLE1 & ! ,N,G,O /AFF PROCLAIMS 0,WE DON'T BELIEVE 9 /RUGGLE1 WE BELIEVE 9 W9N+04 ,! ,URBAN ,PEACE ,MOVEM5T /AFF] LAYS \T ! ME?OD ?AT ?IS GR\P+ ( /ATE & ,N,G,O (FICIALS WILL USE TO CONTA9 COM+ AGITATION SURR\ND+ ! IMMAN5T LETT+ LOOSE ( ,OSC> ,GRANT'S MURD]]4 ,:ATEV] CRITIQUES !RE >E ( SYMBOLIC PROTE/ VIOL5CE1 & ,I ?9K !RE >E1 IT IS NOT R&OM ?AT ! RESPONSE ( ! ,N,G,O BUREAUCRACY IS TO DEF5D ! /ATE 9 ?IS 9/ANCE & TO CONSCI\SLY 09OCULATE0 & 0CREATE AV5UES ( EXPRESSION04 ,! POSITION ( ,N,G,OS CON/ITUTIVELY )9 CAPITALISM RE9=C+ ITS SOCIAL RELATION%IPS1 HI]>*IES1 & DI/RIBUTION ( P[] PU%ES RADICALS 9 !SE DIRECTIONS1 (T5 9 CONTRADICTION TO !IR SELF-CONCEPTION & !IR LANGUAGE4 

,! ISSUE IS NOT :E!R !SE 9/ITUTIONS DO SOME GOOD4 ,HUMANI/ICALLY !Y DO IMPROVE HUMANITY & ?IS %\LD BE SUPPORT$4 ,! PROBLEM IS ?AT !SE 9/ITUTIONS CONSI/5TLY RALLY BEH9D RUL+ CLASS 9T]E/S1 (T5 AGA9/ ! WORK+ CLASS1 & >E ORGANIZ$ AGA9/ ! BUILD+ SELF-ACTIVITY ( ! CLASS4 ,NOTICEABLY (F ! TABLE >E FI<T+ MASS ORGANIZATIONS :OSE BASIS & ACTIVITY >E F\ND$ ON ! COLLECTIVE 9T]E/ & ACTIVITY ( A CLASS WORK+ AUTONOM\SLY4 ,!RE IS A GL>+ ABS5CE ( ORGANIZATIONS WORK+ TO BUILD UP A CLASS ALT]NATIVE ( WORK]S ACT+ DIRECTLY & COLLECTIVELY TO BUILD 9DEP5D5T CLASS P[] CAPABLE ( BREAK+ ) CAPITALISM4 

,:ATEV] /RUGGLES CAN EM]GE \TSIDE ( !SE 9/ITUTIONS F9D !MSELVES FAC+ SIGNIFICANT REPRESSION1 CO-OPTATION1 & DIFFICULTY TAK+ AN ORGANIZ$ & SU/A9$ PA?4 ,! LEFT IS G5]ALLY ISOLAT$ BO? 9 PRACTICE & IDEOLOGICALLY FROM ! OPPRESS$ CLASSES4 ,:ATEV] EXCEPTIONS !RE >E REMA9 LOCALIZ$1 CORDON$ (F1 & CONTA9$ AT ?IS TIME4 ,?IS IS NOT TO DISMISS \T ( H& ! CRUCIAL WORK OCCURR+ 9 V>I\S ,N,G,OS1 UNIONS1 ACADEMIC CIRCLES1 & REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS4 ,IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO SEE :AT W\LD OCCUR )\T A POSITIVE SOCIAL =CE FI<T+ BACK4 ,/ILL IT IS IMPORTANT TO ASK H>D] QUE/IONS AB\T :Y ! GOOD WORK HAS SY/EMATICALLY BE5 RET>D$1 & :Y ! BUREAUCRATIZ$ MOVEM5TS >E SO DOM9ANT4 

,?IS SITUATION HAS MEANT ?AT :ATEV] SOLUTIONS & RESPONSES ! REVOLUTION>Y LEFT IS DEVELOP+ AT ?IS TIME IS L>GELY 9T]NAL TO ! LEFT1 & )\T SUFFICI5T PRACTICE TO CL>IFY \R ATTEMPTS4 ,9 ! REC5T HI/ORY ( ,NOR? ,AM]ICA1 ?IS HAS G5]ALLY BE5 ! CASE4 ,?IS SEV]+ ( !ORY FROM PRACTICE HAS CONTRIBUT$ TO \R PROBLEMS MOV+ =W>D1 BUILD+ ORGANIZ$ REVOLUTION>Y =CES CAPABLE ( CONTRIBUT+ TO MASS MOVEM5TS1 & DEVELOP+ REVOLUTION>Y CONSCI\SNESS1 PRACTICE1 & CATALY/S4 

,) ! UNIONS1 ! SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC TR5DS1 & ,N,G,OS L9+ UP BEH9D AN 9CREAS+LY DESP]ATE ATTEMPT TO SAVE CAPITALISM ?R\< POPULI/-ELECTORALISM & /ATE-9T]V5TIONI/ MEASURES1 ! NECESSITY ( AN AUTONOM\S WORK+ CLASS ALT]NATIVE IS PRESS+4 ,!RE IS BROADLY SPEAK+ A CRISIS 9 ! 9/ITUTIONALIZ$ LEFT & ITS ALLI$ RADICAL CURR5TS4 ,! PA? TO AN AUTONOM\S WORK+ CLASS ALT]NATIVE IS NOT M]ELY A MATT] ( ORGANIZ+1 OR BE+ PR(ICI5T4 ,!RE >E OBJECTIVE =CES ?AT NECESSITATE A /RATEGY1 & ONE ?AT MEETS ! REALITY ( \R TIME4 ,! ME?OD = ?IS IS 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZ+1 :I* ,I EXPLORE 9 MY COMPANION >TICLE ,T[>DS ,POLITICAL ,ORGANIZATION = ,\R ,TIME3 TRAJECTORIES ( /RUGGLE1 ! 9T]M$IATE LEVEL1 & POLITICAL RAPPRO*EM5T4.<#c#h.> 

,NOTES TO ,P>T ,I3 
,NOTES TO ,P>T ,I,I3 
,NOTES TO ,P>T ,I,I,I3 

.<#a.> ,MIDNI<T ,NOTES ,COLLECTIVE4 ,WORK1 ,5]GY1 ,W>3 #a#i#g#c-#a#i#i#b4 ,AUTONOM$IA1 #b#a4 

.<#b.> ,WALL]/E91 ,IMMANUEL4 ,/RUCTURAL ,CRISES4 ,ORIG9ALLY PUBLI%$ 9 ,NEW ,LEFT ,REVIEW _?#f#b ,M>*-,APRIL #b#a4 WWW4KHUKURI!ORY4NET 

.<#c.> ,?IS ESSAY IS ONE PIECE ( :AT HAS BECOME F\R ESSAYS4 ,! O!RS WILL ADDRESS ! USEFULNESS & PROBLEMS ( ! ORGANIZATIONAL !ORIES 9 USE TODAY1 ! FIR/ BE+ A CRITIQUE ( ATTEMPTS TO RECA/ DEMOCRATIC C5TRALISM AWAY FROM ITS C5TRALIZ+ T5D5CIES1 ! SECOND AS A CRITIQUE ( SIMPLY TRY+ TO IMPLEM5T !ORIES FROM HI< P]IODS ( /RUGGLE )\T CONCEPTS ( H[ WE GET TO ?AT LEVEL 7SPECIFICALLY PLAT=MISM1 ESPECIFISM1 SYN!SISM1 & CADRE ORGANIZATION71 & ! LA/ AN ANALYSIS ( ! NATURE ( \R P]IOD4 

.<#d.> ,SOME MASS ORGANIZATIONS & 9T]M$IATE ORGANIZATIONS ON ! O!R H& >E V]Y GOOD AT DEVELOP+ LEAD]%IP 9 MILITANTS4 ,/ILL1 9 T]MS ( DEVELOP+ CONSCI\SNESS1 PRAXIS1 & REVOLUTION>Y PROCESS WE >E R\NDLY LACK+4 ,IT IS AN OP5 QUE/ION1 & %\LD BE CALL$ 9TO QUE/ION :AT ! ROLE ( POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS IS 9 MASS ORGANIZATIONS GIV5 ! (T5 BACKW>DS & LOPSID$ DEVELOPM5T ( POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS ACTUALLY EXI/+ TODAY4 

.<#e.> ,M>X'S ,G]MAN ,IDEOLOGY MAKES A RELAT$ PO9T1 & ! WORK ( ,FR5* ,AN>*I/ ,COMMUNI/S APPLY ! IDEA ( COMMUNISM AS ! LIV+ MOVEM5T ( ! WORK+ CLASS ) AN>*I/ COMMUNI/ ORGANIZATION AS AN EM]G5T HI/ORICAL POLE4 ,SEE ALSO ,GEORGE ,FONT5IS' ,MANIFE/O ( ,LIB]T>IAN ,COMMUNISM1 OR ! POSITION PAP]S ( ,ALT]NATIVE ,LIB]TAIRE4 

.<#f.> ,SEE ,MIAMI ,AUTONOMY @& ,SOLID>ITY'S POSITION PAP] ON ! 9T]M$IATE LEVEL = A MORE 9 DEP? ANALYSIS ( ! LOGIC ( ! 9T]M$IATE LEVEL & ITS APPLICATION TO \R PRES5T P]IOD4 

.<#g.> ,SEE ! SECTION ON UNIONS 9 ,BLACK ,FLAME3 ! ,REVOLUTION>Y ,CLASS ,POLITICS ( ,AN>*ISM & ,SYNDICALISM BY ,S*MIDT & VAN D] ,WALT1 ,A,K ,PRESS #b#i4 

.<#h.> ,?IS ISN'T TO DISC\NT ! POSSIBILITY ( ANY REVOLUTION>Y MOVEM5T1 RI<T OR LEFT1 >IS+ 9 %ORT ORD]4 ,) ! CRISIS SEEM+LY EXP&+ & ! POLITICAL BALANCE ( =CES TIPP+ 9 RECKLESS DIRECTIONS \R PRES5T SITUATION C\LD RAPIDLY %IFT4 

.<#i.> ,SEBA/I5 ,FAURE WAS A ,FR5* AN>*I/ :O LIV$ 9 ! LATE #a#i? & E>LY #b? C5TURY1 & EV5TUALLY BECAME AN OPPON5T ( ,PLAT=MISM4 ,HE1 ALONGSIDE ,VOL9E1 >GU$ 9/EAD = A 0SYN!SISM0 ( ALL AN>*I/ T5D5CIES 79DIVIDUALI/1 COMMUNI/1 ETC7 9 ONE ORGANIZATION4 

.<#a.> ,SEE ! UNPUBLI%$ ACC\NT ( ONE P>TICIPANT ON AN>*I/BLACKCAT =UMS WWW4AN>*I/BLACKCAT4ORG ,= AN ALT]NATIVE VIEW SEE ,MIKE ,H>GIS' ACC\NT ( !SE TWO ORGANIZATIONS ON ! ,AN>*O-,SYNDICALI/ ,REVIEW WEBSITE WWW4SYNDICALI/4ORG 

.<#a#a.> ,I'VE BE5 TOLD FROM SOME P>TICIPANTS ?AT 9 ,NOR? ,AM]ICA PLAT=MISM WAS A RESPONSE TO ! DE FACTO SYN!SISM ( ! PROTE/ MOVEM5TS ( ! LATE #iS1 BUT ,I CAN'T V]IFY ?AT P]SONALLY4 ,= ONE P]SPECTIVE1 SEE ! SEMI(FICIAL ,NOR? ,EA/ ,F$]ATION ( ,AN>*I/ ,COMMUNI/ HI/ORY 5TITL$ ,WE ,LE>N AS ,WE ,WALK3 LOOK+ BACK ON #e YE>S ( ,N,E,F,A,C NEFAC4NET 

.<#a#b.> ,! BREAK UP ( ! ,LOVE & ,RAGE ,AN>*I/ ,F$]ATION IS ! OBVI\S EXAMPLE H]E :I* PRODUC$ A NEW ,MAOI/ GR\P 7,FIRE BY ,NI<T1 :I* M]G$ ) ,FRE$OM ,ROAD ,SOCIALI/ ,ORGANIZATION LAT]71 A PLAT=MI/ ORGANIZATION ,N,E,F,A,C1 & A CADRE LIB]T>IAN ORGANIZATION ,BR+ ! ,RUCKUS1 ALONG ) O!R LESS KN[N 9ITIATIVES4 ,SEE ! ,LOVE @& ,RAGE ,>*IVE = MORE WWW4LOVE&RAGE4ORG_/ 

.<#a#c.> ,! CRASSE/ EXAMPLE ( ?IS WAS ,*RIS ,DAY'S ,! ,HI/ORICAL ,FAILURE ( ,AN>*ISM 9 ! WAKE ( ! BREAK UP ( ! ,LOVE & ,RAGE ,AN>*I/ ,F$]ATION4 ,DAY ATTEMPTS TO RECTIFY REAL PROBLEMS 5C\NT]$ BROADLY 9 POLITICAL ORGANIZATION BY ATTEMPT+ TO FIT LEFT HI/ORY 9TO A NEAT N>RATIVE ?AT FOLL[S TRADITIONS 7,M>XI/ & AN>*I/74 ,HI/ORY SPEAKS = ITSELF AS TO :]E ?AT L9E ( ?9K+ LEADS Y\ 7APP>5TLY SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC V>IANTS ( ,MAOISM74 ,SIMIL> MOVES >E MADE BY PLAT=MI/ ATTEMPTS ON OCCASION TO REHABILITATE ! AN>*I/ TRADITION VIA A N>RATIVE ( L9EAGE4 ,! 9T]E/+ QUE/ION ISN'T :O WAS RI<T1 BUT RA!R H[ DO WE ANSW] CONTRADICTIONS 9 \R PRACTICE 9 CURR5T CONDITIONS4 

.<#a#d.> ,A COLLECTION ( WRIT+S ON ! PLAT=M IS H]E AN>*I/PLAT=M4WORDPRESS4COM_/ ,! ,FR5* & ,ITALIAN TRADITIONS >E P>TICUL>LY /RONG 9 ?IS REG>D & ,FONT5IS' ,MANIFE/O ( ,LIB]T>IAN ,COMMUNISM %\LD BE CONSID]$4 ,B>RY ,PATEMAN'S ,A ,HI/ORY ( ! ,FR5* ,AN>*I/ ,MOVEM5T3 #a#i#a#g-#a#i#d#e IS A GOOD HI/ORICAL RES\RCE = ! DEBATE >\ND ! PLAT=M1 & ITS LIFE BEYOND ! ,UKRA9IANS4 

.<#a#e.> ,SEE ! NEWE/ TRANSLATION ( ! ,ORGANIZATIONAL ,PLAT=M ( ! ,G5]AL ,UNION ( ,AN>*I/S H]E WWW4AN>KISMO4NET 

.<#a#f.> ,FROM ,MOBILIZATION TO ,MASSIFICATION4 ,A PAMPHLET FROM A ,UNIV]SITY ( ,SUSSEX OCCUPATION4 LIBCOM4ORG 

.<#a#g.> ,SEE ! ,AN>*I/ ,COMMUNI/ ,F$]ATION ( ,ITALY'S >TICLE ,AN>*I/ ,COMMUNISM3 ,A QUE/ION ( CLASS & ,ADAM ,WEAV]'S ,BUILD+ A ,REVOLUTION>Y ,MOVEM5T3 ,:Y AN>*I/-COMMUNISM = A SUMM>Y ( ! HI/ORY ( ?IS CURR5T4 

.<#a#h.> ,! ,F,A,U WAS NE>LY EXT]M9AT$ DUR+ ! DICTATOR%IP2 ?\< ITS DEC5TRALIZ$ NATURE HELP$ IT F>E BETT] ?AN MANY LEFT ORGANIZATIONS4 ,! MAJORITY ( ! LEAD]%IP H[EV] TURN$ TO ,AN>*O-GUEV>ISM BE=E BE+ MURD]$4 ,A SPLIT 9 ! MOVEM5T DEVELOP$ & A SIGNIFICANT SECTION ( ! ,F,A,U CREAT$ ! ,P,V,P1 A LIB]T>IAN-9FLU5C$ SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC P>TY 9 ! PRES5T RUL+ GOV]NM5T4 ,OLD MILITANTS COMB9$ ) NEW LIB]T>IAN Y\? RADICALIZ$ 9 ! 5VIRONM5T ( CRUMBL+ OLD-LEFT & CRUMBL+ DICTATOR%IP TO F\ND ! NEW ,F,A,U4 

.<#a#i.> ,SEE ! ,5GLI% TRANSLATION ( ,HU]TA ,GR&E BY !-!N-,M>XI/ 9FLU5C$ ,F,A,U 9 #aigb UND] ! DICTATOR%IP4 WWW4AN>KISMO4NET ,:ILE ?IS WORK PREFIGUR$ ! ,F,A,U'S TRANS=MATION 9 ! ,P>TIDO P>A ,VICTORIA DEL ,PUEBLO 7:I* EV5TUALLY BECAME A BIZ>RE LIB]T>IAN SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC P>TY71 SOME CONCEPTS MADE IT'S WAY TO ! ,F,A,U RE-F\ND$ UND] AN>*I/ PR9CIPLES4 ,ADAM ,WEAV]'S >TICLE ON ESPECIFISMO = A GOOD \TL9E ( ESPECIFI/A PR9CIPLES1 ?\< ! HI/ORICAL ACC\NT CONFLATES A NUMB] ( DI/9CT TIME P]IODS WWW4AN>KISMO4NET 

.<#b.> ,SE>*+ ! LIT]ATURE WILL TURN UP 0CADRE ORGANIZATION0 AS A DISC\RSE )9 ,L59I/1 & (T5 ,MAOI/ CIRCLES4 ,9 MO/ CASES1 ?IS DOES NOT DIFF] FROM DEMOCRATIC C5TRALISM & ,MAO'S NOTION ( PUTT+ POLITICS AT ! HEAD ( ONE'S LIFE4 ,L59 >GU$ = PAID PR(ESSIONAL REVOLUTION>IES AS CADRE1 & ?IS CONCEPT TOOK ON A LIFE ( IT'S [N UND] ,/AL9 & ,MAO'S DI/9CT 9T]PRETATIONS ( DISCIPL9E1 & PR(ESSIONALISM ( CADRE4 ,B,T,R H[EV] TOOK ! CONCEPT FROM A COMPLETELY DIFF]5T ANGLE1 & SO ,I SEP>ATE IT \T AS A DI/9CT T5D5CY4 

.<#b#a.> ,:AT IS ,CADRE ,ORGANIZATION4 ,BR+ ! ,RUCKUS4 ,ACCESS$ #i_/#b#e_/#a BR+!RUCKUS4ORG 

.<#b#b.> MIAMIAUTONOMY&SOLID>ITY4WORDPRESS4COM 

.<#b#c.> ,MIDNI<T ,NOTES ,COLLECTIVE4 ,WORK1 ,5]GY1 ,W>3 #a#i#g#c-#a#i#i#b4 ,AUTONOM$IA1 #b#a4 

.<#b#d.> ,WALL]/E91 ,IMMANUEL4 ,/RUCTURAL ,CRISES4 ,ORIG9ALLY PUBLI%$ 9 ,NEW ,LEFT ,REVIEW _?#f#b ,M>*-,APRIL #b#a4 WWW4KHUKURI!ORY4NET 

.<#b#e.> ,F$]ICI1 ,SILVIA @& ,MONTANO1 ,M>IO4 ,!SES ON ! ,MASS ,WORK] & ,SOCIAL ,CAPITAL4 LIBCOM4ORG 

.<#b#f.> ,!RE >E TOO MANY PLACES TO LOOK TO H]E4 ,= A />T SEE ,DON ,HAMM]QUI/'S ,?9K+ & ,ACT+ 9 ,REAL ,TIME & A ,REAL ,WORLD4 ?REEWAYFI<T4BLOGSPOT4COM & ,K>L ,HE9Z ,RO?'S ,GLOBAL ,CRISIS - ,GLOBAL ,PROLET>IANIZATION - ,C\NT]P]SPECTIVES WWW4WILDCAT-WWW4DE 

.<#b#g.> ,SEE AN 9T]VIEW ) ,/AN ,WEIR BY ,9SANE ,DIALECTICAL ,POSSE H]E WWW4FLY+PICKET4ORG AS WELL AS ,WEIR'S >TICLE ON ! ,REU!R-,MEANEY SPLIT AT ! ,M>XI/ ,9T]NET ,>*IVE WWW4M>XI/S4ORG 

.<#b#h.> ,WEAV]1 ,ADAM4 ,ON ,VAN ,JONES ,RESIGNATION4 MA*ETE#d#h4WORDPRESS4COM 

.<#b#i.> ,DAVIDSON1 ,C>L4 ,MONDRAGON ,DI>IES4 ZCOMMUNICATIONS4ORG 

.<#c.> ,?AT IS BY ONE ( ,FRE$OM ,ROAD'S PR$ECESSOR ORGANIZATIONS4 ,SEE ,JAMALA ,ROG]'S ,A ,RA9B[ ,COALITION A ,SECOND ,TIME ,>\ND4 FRE$OMROAD4ORG 

.<#c#a.> ,FRE$OM ,ROAD4 ,! #bh ,ELECTORAL ,DILEMMA4 WWW4FRE$OMROAD4ORG 

.<#c#b.> ,FRE$OM ,ROAD4 ,SAVOR ! ,VICTORY1 ,GET ,RI<T TO ,WORK4 WWW4FRE$OMROAD4ORG 

.<#c#c.> WWW4ORGANIS+UPGRADE4COM 

.<#c#d.> ,FROM ,AUFHEB5 _?#a#h #b#a4 ,RECLAIM ! ',/ATE ,DEBATE'4 LIBCOM4ORG 

.<#c#e.> ,ORGANIZ+ ,UPGRADE4 ,NEW ,KIDS ON ! ,HI/ORIC ,BLOCK4 ORGANIS+UPGRADE4COM 

.<#c#f.> ADVANCE!/RUGGLE4WORDPRESS4COM 

.<#c#g.> ,IBID4 

.<#c#h.> ,NAPPALOS1 ,SCOTT4 MIAMIAUTONOMY&SOLID>ITY4WORDPRESS4COM 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#b1 #bba 3 ,T[>DS ,!ORY ( ,POLITICAL ,ORGANISATION = ,\R ,TIME -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #f1 #bbb 3 ,T[>DS ,!ORY ( ,POLITICAL ,ORGANISATION = ,\R ,TIME -- ,UPDAT$4 

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