ML Group: For Socialism In Our Time

FOR SOCIALISM IN OUR TIME – RAISE THE BANNER OF MARXIST-LENINISM !

Marxist-Leninism can be described as simply the theory (Marxism) and practice (Leninism) of socialism. The Marxist-Leninist Group (MLG) seeks to use the science of Marxist-Leninism to aid and advance the concrete class struggles of working people against the assault of a rapacious capitalism in a state of decline. Today, MLG campaigns include the following perspectives:

INTERNATIONALISM – A priority for working people internationally should be a vigorous defence of the existing socialist states – the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), the Laos People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) and the Republic of Cuba. This should not be in the form of simply solidarity for socialism overseas, but used actively to build a movement for a socialist republic. For at least three decades, working people in Australia have suffered relentless attacks on their living standards, working conditions, civil liberties, and even the right to live in a safe climate, especially since the last severe capitalist economic crisis began in 2008. Many mistakenly believe that these conditions are global, and therefore little can be done about them. In fact, although there are not uniform conditions for all, overall working people in the socialist states are not facing parlous living conditions, and are not yearning for a return to the “old days”. Largely, they are looking forward to better times. This is almost solely due to the fact that they have experienced successful socialist revolutions which have resulted in the formation of a socialist republic. While we should not extend automatic political support to the respective leaderships of the socialist republics, we need to ally with them in a struggle for socialism here.

ANTI-IMPERIALISM – In 2015, even conservative commentators have noted the similarity between the economic contradictions today and the lead up to the first inter-imperialist war which broke out in 1914. One difference is that one of the global blocs that has emerged is not imperialist, and asserts its right to an independent path of development in such a way as to aid the anti-imperialist struggle. On the one hand, representing imperialism, we have the United States of America, and all its imperialist allies, including Australia, the UK, France, Canada, Germany and Japan. They are allied with other regional reactionary states such as Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Monarchies. On the other hand, acting as a counterweight, we have the anti-imperialist bloc which includes Russia, China, Iran, Syria, Belarus, the DPRK, Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia, as well as the nationalist Hezbollah. These alliances are demonstrated most clearly in the US led war against Syria. The imperialist bloc gave material support to a proxy mercenary force (and, as we go to press the US has now sent in the first contingent of its own troops) which had the aim of the overthrow of Syria. The anti-imperialist bloc, led by Russia, came to the aid of Syria, resulting in a setback for the US Empire and its allies. The interests of the world’s workers and the anti-imperialist bloc have temporarily coincided. While not extending full political support to the respective wings of the anti-imperialist bloc, workers should back any defeat suffered by US imperialism.

TRADE UNIONS – Unions are the basic elementary defence mechanisms for working people under capitalism. They need to be systematically built and defended from all anti-worker forces. They become especially important in a period of economic and social crisis. However, with a few notable exceptions, most Union leaderships in this country are subordinated politically to either the Australian Labor Party or to the self-serving Union bureaucracy – both of which remain dedicated to maintaining capitalist rule at the expense of their own members and workers generally. Conservative Union leaderships need to be challenged, and where necessary, replaced, with a class struggle leadership, which puts the interests of the workers and the overall benefit of society first. The working class needs to be organised to protect itself from the ravages of capitalism, and for this task, we need democratically run Unions.

CLIMATE DISTORTION – The burning of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution, combined with the vast waste incurred during “normal” business operations is threatening to terminate safe climatic conditions for human civilisation on planet earth. Carbon emissions, which have been rapidly increasing since 1950, need to be halted and reversed if we are to stand a chance of stabilising a habitable climate for humans and other animal species. While we harbour no illusions that this situation can be adequately addressed while capitalism rules large parts of the globe, a large role in reducing carbon emissions will need to be played by nuclear power – the earth’s most dense zero carbon energy source. Wind and solar can play a role, but both these “renewable” sources face problems of scaling and efficiency. Environmental and pro-worker forces should advocate the unlimited application of science and technology in efforts to avert a climate catastrophe.

REFUGEES – The abominable abuse of refugees and asylum seekers by the Australian government has gained international notoriety. Many have toiled away for years to reverse this horrific practice. However, rarely has the argument been made that it is in our interests as workers to oppose the abuse of those seeking a safe place to live. For it is largely to divide workers amongst themselves that the rulers see advantage in persecuting “foreign” nationals. We call for an end to the detention of those seeking a safe place to live. Moreover, in recent times, we have seen Western governments using feigned concern for refugees in order to drum up support for an imperialist war, e.g. Syria. Some leaders of the refugee rights movement have subordinated it to the interests of liberal parties such as the Greens and also the prerogative of imperialist war. The refugee rights movement needs an anti-war, pro-working class perspective.

The MLG seeks to build an organisation which can contribute towards the forging of vanguard party. Such a party would have the perspective of organising the workers into a force capable of establishing a socialist republic. If you agree with this basic framework, join us!