INTRODUCTION Socialist Challenge has consistently campaigned for a unified revolutionary organisation. We do not belleve that such a unity can be brought about simply by agreement on the immediate tasks confronting us today. Nor, on the other hand, do we belleve that only Trotskylsts supporting the Transitional Programme of the Fourth International, which was adopted in 1938, can be considered as revolutionaries.
revolutionary can ultimately only be determined by how It acts in the greatest tests of the international class struggle. What side it takes in the clash of contending social forces.
between revolutionary currents on the one side, and reformist and centrist ones on the other, cannot be determined by simply verbal support for historical programmes, leave alone by all the clauses and subclauses in a full revolutionary programme.
or opposition to class-collaborationist governments, opposition to the bourgeoisle of one's 'own' country in Imperialist wars, the necessity to destroy the existing State institutions of the bourgeoisie, and so on.
for discussion in the paper and within the left. We welcome contributions and amendments on the draft.
A discussion on the draft and alterative contributions the paper's supporters to be held In the new year.
The constraints of capital 1 The material basis to begin to liberate humanity from hunger, misery, and the drudgery labour already exists. For the first time in history, there is the possibility of destroying racism and national oppression, achieving the liberation of women, guaranteeing democratic rights, and achieving the freedom to develop culture, science and all human capacities. mmodiato withdrawal from Irelandi The character of an orgnaisation claiming to be Thus the Marxist method of drawing a dividing line It has to be determined on such questions as support Socialist Challenge Is putting forward an initial draft and amendments will be taken at the first conference of Editorial Board 2 What prevents these achievements is the existence of capitalism and the activities of those who defend it. Two world wars, tascism, racism, sexism, and the threatened destruction of the natural environment are the price that has been paid for the survival of this system. It offersthe world nothing more than increasing coonomic crises, imperialism, the distortion of science and culture, and ultimately the threat of nuclear annihilation. Capitalism threatens human civilisation with catastrophe.
The road to liberation 3 The social force capable of leading the struggle for the establishment of socialism is the working class. Every movement for the defence and extension of: human production, values, and democratic rights: national, sexual, and racial liberation; culture, and science can achieve these aims only by linking itself to the struggle of this class for socialism.
The working class for its part can achieve its liberation only by fighting to destroy not only economic oppression, but all forms of sexual, national, racial, and cultural oppression. The socialist socialist reconstruction of society itself represent the fusion, not merely of the conomic and political expropriation of the ruling capitalist class, but also of the struggle for the liberation of all oppressed people.
What we light for 4 As part of the struggle for socialism revolutionaries defend every historically progressive gain which has been made, and support every struggle for the interests of the exploiled and oppressed. They do not counterpose thestruggles of today to the socialism of tomorrow, but understand that the fight for even the most minimal needs will increasingly clash with the interests of capitalism.
Only those who reject strategic compromises with the capitalist class, and are prepared to fight it to the end will be able to defend the most elementary needs oflife. In theescalatingstruggleot social classes, revolutionaries advance those necessary demands and forms of struggle which - to meet the needs of the exploited and oppressed - will increasingly clash with the bases of capitalist power. Britain the present time this includes the following: * The struggle for a decent standard of living; the protection and advance of living standards against inflation; the right to a job; the defence and extension of welfare state provisions; the ending of commercial secrecy; the establishment of workers' controlof production; the nationalisation of all major banks, firms, and industries; the establishment of a democratically planned economy, through a socialist revolution. * Against sexual oppression and for the liberation of women; free abortion and contraception on demand: equal educational and training opportunities; free 24-hour community-controlled State nurseries; an end to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation; the socialisation of domestic labour; the building of a mass women's movement. * Against racism; abolition of the immigration laws; defence of the black community: self-defence by the working class and oppressed against fascist organisations; full self-organisation of the black community. * Defence of democratic rights; repeal of repressive legislation; total independence of the trade unions and all mass organisations of the oppressed from the State; release of all political prisoners; abolition of the monarchy and House of Lords; the right of all employees, including those of the State to join a trade union or political party; support of all democratic rights of members of State forces, which weaken