Socialists and Direct Action

Article taken from the Voice, the paper of the Australian section of the CWI

Starting at Seattle, a new wave of anti-capitalist protest has developed amongst a layer of youth and militant workers in the advanced capitalist world. The M1 article on page three [article about 1 May] looks at why this is occurring and the big opportunities it opens up for socialist ideas.

This feature by Stephen Jolly examines the question of direct action from a socialist perspective. Drawing on the rich experience of the Socialist Party, it highlights key features and principles of direct action.

The militant protests at capitalist conferences by radical youth and workers are a reaction to a system that leaves millions living in abject poverty. The protests also mark a turn away from the methods of the ALP left, moderate unions and Non-Government Organisations of petitioning, pleading, and lobbying the ruling class for a few crumbs off the table. "Direct Action" (DA) has becoming a rallying cry for the protest movement, almost an end in itself or at least a political method seen as something separate from 'politics'. But the methods of DA employed at any one time are not politically neutral or an end in themselves. They flow from the ideas, principles and strategy of those involving themselves in the action-whether this is conscious or not.

Labor's Approach

When the Labor Party and union bureaucracy organise protest action it is usually because of pressure from the working class. Sometimes, such as the MUA dispute in 1998, it is to lean on the working class in a battle to preserve the role of the bureaucracy role in the system of exploitation. They use a bureaucratic-centralist approach in organising such action. That is, undemocratic, bureaucratic decision-making processes at the top and the expectation that the rank and file follow orders in a centralist, united way. Of course the very act of bringing workers onto the streets opens up dangers for the bureaucracy and the task for Marxists is to take advantage of these contradictions. They should highlight the limited aims and undemocratic methods of the leadership, and offer an alternative socialist programme and strategy and tactics for the struggle.

Petty bourgeois liberal approach

The petty bourgeois liberals do not have a class approach, in fact they have no confidence in the working class to change society or even effect reforms. In that sense they are different to the bureaucracy in the labour movement, who well understand the power of the working class and mobilise it as a last resort. The liberal approach is to plead and lobby the ruling class to effect change. DA in the form of peaceful protests can be used as part of this strategy. The political principals are that of a Popular Front, that is an alliance of the lowest common denominator. The fight against fascism in a Popular Front, therefore, has vague slogans of opposition to racism-the socialist ideas to undercut the support for fascism (job creation, decent housing etc) are sacrificed.

The Reconciliation Walks last year were a case in point. Aboriginal people and trade unionists marching together with mining companies and Liberals. This means the ideas of Land Rights, job creation and nationalisation of the mining industry have to be hidden to keep the ruling class on-side.

The organising principles of DA in a Popular Front are also bureaucratic-centralist. Great emphasis is put on mild, peaceful action so as the target audience (one or other section of the ruling class) is responsive to the needs of the liberals.

Ultra-left approach

This approach is held by those who are often ex-liberals or inverted liberals. That is, liberals who suddenly realise that polite demonstrations are getting nowhere. They up the ante to radical direct action, even individual terrorism. The aim is the same, to get the ruling class to take notice. Like liberals, they don't have confidence in the ability of the working class to change society. They think the actions of a militant group will trigger support in the wider community, and force the ruling class to retreat on an issue. Because they don't see the importance of the mass involvement of the workers and youth, the DA of theultra-lefts is often organised in an undemocratic, secretive fashion at the whim of the leaders of thesegroups.

Anarchist groups and those influenced by their ideas argue that the movement needs no leaders and only requires 'self-organisation'. Groups such as Reclaim the Streets, Critical Mass, AWOL also put this forward. But the reality is the protests do not happen spontaneously; they are organised (how else would they happen?) and leaflets are written, web pages updated and so on.

Marxist Approach to Direct Action

We believe that the movement needs democratic structures and that people in 'leadership' positions should be democratically elected and accountable. Otherwise, an undemocratic clique is taking all the decisions. We reject any idea that there is a conflict between Marxism and DA. Occupations, pickets, demonstrations, strikes and act of revolution itself are all part of the political weaponry of the socialist movement. The Marxist approach towards DA flows from a theoretical analysis of the situation and rests on decades of working class experience.

Where we differ from the ultra lefts is on the need to reach out and bring in the workers into motion on issues that effect them. This active participation in struggle is what more than anything radicalises an deepens the understanding of the working class. This approach involves a concrete set of demands that will bring people into action. It also involves a democratic-centralist approach to organisation. That is, democratic debate over strategies and tactics on DA, and then, once a decision is made, a united approach to the implementation of the decisions.

It is an approach that embraces responsibility instead of avoiding responsibility. Democratic structures need to be set-up well before, during and between mass protests to ensure everyone can have a say, are well-informed and can take part in making decisions. Such democratic organisation would allow a real discussion on tactics, including how to prepare to marshal and defend the demonstrations and other protests. Also, democratic organisation would allow a full discussion on what demands, slogans and programme the anti-capitalist movement should adopt.

When working with others around a DA, Marxists take a United Front approach as opposed to a Popular Front approach. That is, a working relationship with others around an agreed, limited goal (eg blockading the Crown Towers last September), but no restrictions on each other political programme: To march separately, but to strike together. This is the approach used at Richmond Secondary College, at S11 and M1, and in the anti-Hanson movement.

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