>The Struggle for Democracy: A Discussion
>
>
>
>Remarks to Women's Equality Conference
>
>By Sam Webb, national chairman Communist Party USA
>The lesson of the 2000 election campaign is that the struggle for women's
>equality is inextricably bound up with the broader struggles against the
>right-wing corporate agenda and for democracy. No movement and no section
>of our nation's people are in a position to go it alone.
>
>By the same token the labor movement and its allies have to appreciate
>that the women's movement as an independent social force is more than a
>peripheral partner and that women constitute an active and leading
>component of every section of the broader people's movement, beginning
>with labor.
Interesting formulation which suggests not so much a struggle for socialism at this stage but a struggle for a new democratic (small 'd') state, won through developing democratic demands against the "right wing corporate agenda". I read this to mean targetting finance capital. Strategically IMO that is correct but it will need in depth analysis about how to handle consciously situations in which finance capital is progressive relative to more reactionary strata.
And how to handle contradictions between the progressive forces.
It also, needs to define better how to unite with other strata against finance capital without losing a progressive identity.
>Indeed, given the new role of women arising from the transformation in the
>U.S. and global economy and the activity of women themselves, women, as a
>social force along with the working class and the racially and nationally
>oppressed, are at the strategic core of class and democratic struggles in
>our country.
>
>Indeed, no fundamental challenge to the ascendancy of the ultraright is
>conceivable without the full measure of involvement of women as workers,
>child bearers, caregivers, community activists and as women.
>
>In this regard, trade union women, and communist trade union women in
>particular, standing at the intersection of the working class, racially
>oppressed and women's movements, have an enormous role to play in the
>crystallization of a broad labor-led people's coalition against the
>extreme right.
>
>Their multiple identities bring not only added burdens, but also a broad
>understanding of the interconnectedness of life, of class and democratic
>struggles, and capitalist exploitation.
>
>To put it differently, trade union women are less likely to see political
>struggle in compartmentalized and non-class ways, thus making them
>especially attuned to the issues of unity and coalition building.
A central role for women is inseparably connected with seeing the present stage of struggle as democratic. IMO it is best seen as part of the struggle to defend and extend democratic rights beyond bourgeois right, which is inevitably limited, and can only be overcome by seeing people in their social context, and overcoming the confines of the capitalist mode of production.
> The struggle for women's equality is an essential aspect of a broader
> democratic struggle. The struggle for women's equality and democracy is
> not simply another way station on the road to progress, but the main and
> only road to higher stages of struggle, including the anti-monopoly and
> socialist stages.
Note the potential distinction here between anti-monoply stage and socialist stage. I think they, like the SACP, are probably correct on this.
But in a broad inclusive strategy, will the socialist forces stifle all struggle with progressive non-socialist forces? That is a danger of the excessively tactical approach of the legal CP.
> At this moment the specific task - and no task is more important - is to
> check the blitzkrieg assault of the right-wing gang gathered in
> Washington and in corporate suites.
>
>While broad coalitions around a range of issues are paramount, their
>success in forestalling the aims of the ultra-right depends on the degree
>of participation of the grassroots and rank-and-file action and
>initiative. Congressional maneuvering and combinations will not slam the
>door on Bush and his right-wing gang inside the Beltway.
>
>And herein lies the significance of the April 22 emergency demonstration
>for the defense of reproductive rights: the demand is just and the
>demonstration accents what is absolutely crucial - that is militant mass
>action.
>
>The emerging struggles against the extreme right and the economic crisis
>will bring millions of women and their allies into struggle. Some are
>entering the arena of struggle for the first time. Others are veterans and
>leaders. In any case, we welcome this development and will do everything
>to encourage this process, including creating an atmosphere and conditions
>in our Party that at once allow communist women to make their fullest
>theoretical and practical contributions to our Party and the broader
>movements and attract activist women to our ranks.
communist! Is it possible to be a communist once again in the USA?
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Overall quite a sophisticated strategic analysis.
As carried out however, it could be pretty bland and frankly opportunist. I could not judge because I am not there. I am merely voice doubts based on what seemed to be demoralised sections of the CP in Britain in the past, just struggling in an organisational way, defensively making one compromise after another.
Chris Burford
London