Trotskyism

Trotskyism -- Marxist ideology -- theory of permanent revolution -- theory of Leon Trotsky d. 1940 -- Bolshevik Party leader, Russian Revolution -- theory that (historically) economic system had to be seen -- as world system rather than national system -- all national economic development (according to Trotsky) -- affected by laws of world market -- and through regional factors & pressures from surrounding countries -- in Trotsky view, Russian Revolution, to be successful -- needs revolutions in other countries, esp. Western Europe -- emphasis of hegemony of working class over revolutionary class -- due to position in industry & advanced sectors of economy Counterposed to Trotsky's ideas of permanent revolution -- equals:  socialism in one country national self-sufficiency & self-centredness -- by 1920s Soviet Union Communist Party overly bureaucratised -- 1924:  Trotsky attack on bureaucracy of Bolshevik Old Guard -- called for more democracy within and beyond Communist Party -- opposed the conception of a monolithic party -- 1929:  Stalin exiles Trotsky -- Trotskyists increase attack on Soviet bureaucracy (dictatorship of one) -- claim of 'degenerated workers' state': --  means of production nationalised -- but bureaucratic regime rules -- 1930s:  looks like they kissed & made up in the 30s to fight rise of fascism -- 1940:  Trotsky ice-picked in Mexico, reportedly by Stalin's agent -- Trotskyism: loose generic term for extreme revolutionary doctrines -- united only by opposition to the bourgeois http://www.britannica.com/topic/Trotskyism otherwise described as: communism - a political theory favouring collectivism in a classless society http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Trotskyism COMMENT Well, it doesn't look like Trotskyism is for me. I'm built more along Stalin lines.  But I'm not really into any kind of collectivism, so revolution is out for me. The 'permanent revolution' and world economic system viewpoint sounds a lot like capitalism, in that capitalism is permanently at war, either trying to spread capitalism or trying to prevent other nations choosing their own way of life, while aiming to control as much in world trade as the capitalists can control.

IMT - Trotskyism

Alan Woods is a 'political theorist'.

Curious about him because he got a mention in an economics article relating to Venezuela.

Described as 'one of the leading members of 'International Marxist Tendencies' (IMT).

Wikipedia:

The International Marxist Tendency adheres to orthodox Trotskyism, emphasising the education of cadres of workers and youth.

The IMT manifesto makes demands such as "the end to privatisation and the abandonment of market economics", "the nationalisation of privatised companies without compensation" and "the reintroduction of the state monopoly of foreign trade".

The IMT has spread to parts of Latin America, where it now has groups in Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil and El Salvador. At the end of 2002 it promoted the launching of the solidarity campaign at Hands Off Venezuela, which is now active in 30 countries and has had resolutions passed within the trade union movements in Britain, Canada, Italy and other countries.

So that is:

• education and training of labour force.
• end to privatisation.
• abandonment of 'market economics' - supply and demand market / prices determined in free price system (contrast fixed price system - govt set price).
• nationalisation of privatised companies without compensation.
• reintroduction of state monopoly of foreign trade.

2009 dispute IMT leadership and leaderships of it's groups in:

• Spain
• Venezuela
• Mexico

In 2010 these (or portions) broke with IMT and established new international body, 'Corriente Marxista Revolucionaria':

• Spain
• Venezuela
• Mexico (part)
• Columbia

Thereafter break aways form 'Towards a New International Tendency' in:

• Sweden
• Poland
• Britain

Iranian section splinters off to form Marxist Revival ('with co-thinkers in Britain'), over IMT position on Venezuela's 'friendly relations with Iranian regime'.

Sounds like keeping everyone happy and united ain't easy.

Not really sure what this is all about.  Suppose it is some kind of interest/lobby group of supporters of 'orthodox Trotskyism'.

What is 'Trotskyism'?

Marxist theory:

Trotskyism is the theory of Marxism as advocated by Leon Trotsky. Trotsky identified as an orthodox Marxist and Bolshevik-Leninist, and supported founding a vanguard party of the working-class, proletarian internationalism, and a dictatorship of the proletariat based on working-class self-emancipation and mass democracy. Trotskyists are critical of Stalinism, as they oppose the idea of Socialism in One Country. ... [wikipedia]

So they don't just want socialism in one nation; it's a worldwide effort?

International revolution

According to classical Marxism, revolution in peasant-based countries, such as Russia, prepares the ground ultimately only for a development of capitalism since the liberated peasants become small owners, producers and traders which leads to the growth of commodity markets, from which a new capitalist class emerges. Only fully developed capitalist conditions prepare the basis for socialism.

Trotsky agreed that a new socialist state and economy in a country like Russia would not be able to hold out against the pressures of a hostile capitalist world, as well as the internal pressures of its backward economy. The revolution, Trotsky argued, must quickly spread to capitalist countries, bringing about a socialist revolution which must spread worldwide. In this way the revolution is "permanent", moving out of necessity first, from the bourgeois revolution to the workers’ revolution, and from there uninterruptedly to European and worldwide revolutions.

I'm getting lost now.  Don't know enough to grasp this stuff.

Worldwide anything doesn't seem a realistic goal.  

Also, nothing is 'permanent'.  All empires crumble.

Really surprised to see Iran get a mention.  

I don't associate the Middle East with socialism, although Latin America and socialism compute because of all those cool pics of  Che Guevara.  LOL

Wondering what happens to revolutionaries when they attain their goals and no longer have the fun of the chase.  

Are they content?  Or is there always some other chase to be had?  

Is everyone chasing their own idea of nirvana?