Skip to main content

International Communist League's relentless conviction despite its sectarian approach

By Harsh Thakor 

The Revolutionary Communist Party of Nepal should be saluted for formulating a most balanced and constructive analysis and critique of the International Communist League. Very similar to the analysis on the same subject by the CPI (Maoist). I also complement the International Communist League for giving a most lucid, comprehensive and objective reply to critique of the CPI (Maoist).
In this article I am presenting a critique of the formation of Communist International and Revolutionary Internationalist Movement and view of the Revolutionary Communist Party of Nepal. Still the Communist party of Nepal has adopted an erroneous evaluation in upholding the role and contribution of erstwhile Revolutionary Internationalist Movement, today. I am also making a brief appraisal of the reply of the ICL, to critique.
Quoting the Revolutionary CPN “the process of its formation, the organizational method and principle it has adopted, the ideological and political positions of the declaration, and the path of revolution it has pursued do not correctly grasp the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist principles. There are problems with militarist thinking in the document adopted by ICL. Instead of understanding the organization as a unity of opposites, the sectarian and monolithic thinking that entertains the unity of like-minded parties seems to prevail in the ICL. The opinion of our party is that the ideological and political line expressed in this manifesto cannot unite the dispersed MLM parties and thereby face the current challenges imposed by imperialism. Instead, it has split the movement and made it weaker.”

Formation of Communist International and RIM and views

I think that the Revolutionary Internationalist movement contributed to the setback of the Shining Path Movement and Nepal by launching attacks on Stalin and some of the fundamental Marxist Leninist Tenets. It was premature to form such an organisation with inadequate development of proletarian parties worldwide and the Communist Movement. Some of the most significant writings opposing the R.I.M. were of the late Comrade Harbhajan Sohi.
After the counter-revolution in China, and particularly after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the establishment of the Committee of RIM (CoRIM) was a bold move and befitting reply to the apologists of imperialism when they had attacked the communist movement from all angles’ However RIM Manifesto prepared by the Second International Conference held in 1984 and the document Long Live Marxism-Leninism-Maoism adopted by the Second Extended Meeting of CoRIM held in 1993 betrayed the ideological and political crystallisation of the world communist movement at that time. The role played by the RIM at that time struck a blow to the people’s wars in Peru, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Turkey, and other countries and in building communist parties in several others. RIM was not established as a trustworthy Marxist-Leninist-Maoist international centre of the world proletariat among the revolutionary communists the world over.
The sectarian and authoritarian trend of RCP, USA, and the unhealthy contention that had developed among the chief leaders of the prominent parties in RIM, the role of the CoRIM weakened in the later period. The class and national capitulation of Prachanda and the post-Marxist deviation of Bob Avakian resulted in the undeclared dissolution of CoRIM in 2008. One must evaluate the un-marxist role the CoRIM had played in most parts of its existence.. The initiative to construct an international communist centre should be based on the synthesis of the overall experiences of the first, second, and third internationals, and the demise of the RIM.
We must note that the Chinese Communist Party never advocated the formation of an International learning the lessons of the experience under Stalin. Since the displacement of proletarian power in the C.C.P Socialist base was totally extinguished in the World. History records that despite the achievement of C.P.C under Mao, the party did not orient or head towards establishing he Communist International or establishing an International Organisation. Instead it stressed for the Communist Parties of the camp to apply he universal truths of Marxism-Leninism in the concrete situation of their country. It emphasized that other countries should not replicate the Chinese Experience in to-to but apply the Chinese experience in accordance to their own condition.
The main reason for the C.P.C’s stand was Imperialism was permeating through its local regimes new forms of neo-colonial rule and only a native communist party could adjust to such situations. An outside force could not comprehend the concrete reality. Thus imperative for political independence of each country’s communist party.
Chauvinistic tendencies may also germinate under Communist Parties .The more developed and advanced may behave chauvinistically and deliver big-brother treatment to the less developed or successful parties.
The victory of a revolution in a country under the leadership of a Communist Party indicates that certain crucial contemporary problems of he revolutionary movement have been resolved by it ,and thus the experience can be passed on to Communist Parties of other Countries. At present there is no such party in the World. The ideological political struggle against Opportunism within the revolutionary Camp is fierce and bitter in each country.
A dialectical process integrating of Communist Parties is required, with Mutual exchange imperative. Actual experiences should be shared, which would facilitate more developed forms of collective positions on issues and galvanising of more forces worldwide. Mutual Exchange and Common stands, bilaterally and laterally, and multilateral platforms on the basis of the general line are required.
Today in India and in other Countries the reorganization of he Communist Party is still in the rudimentary stage It is crucial to formulate and practice the correct line and establish its content with opportunism. In this process Communist revolutionaries have to be determined to achieve unity on the basis of resolving and achieving unanimity on various line questions in connection with the revolutionary practice of the masers of the Indian people.

On Violence

In an article, when Mao said "the omnipotence of war" is Marxist, he meant that violence is an integral part of Marxism but not more powerful than Marxism. By saying so, Mao has emphasized that violence is a necessary perquisite for revolution, universally applicable, and the role of war guided by Marxist principles in revolution is omnipotent. The way the ICL has projected subject matter brushes aside other related aspects .If the dividing l;ine between Marxism and revisionism is derived on basis whether one accepts the "omnipotence of war," Marxism is reduced to revolutionary violence. The revolutionary violence is an integral and decisive aspect of Marxism but not more powerful than Marxism.

Peoples War

Another subject of debate raised by ICL in the declaration is that of people's war. The way the ICL applies or interprets terminology people's war in its declaration is metaphysical. During the new democratic revolution in China, the form of violence contrived and applied by Mao was a protracted people's war, not merely a people's war. Some communist parties, including ICL, use the term people's war. Still none have yet explained and clarified whether it is the protracted people's war as defined by Mao or its improvised form that is relevant to the present context. The ICL declaration writes, "People’s War is a war of masses led by the Communist Party to conquer and defend the New Power for the proletariat." This statement denotes that all forms of violence that are applied in revolution are people's wars. It is not clear whether the People's War is a protracted people's war as defined and applied by Chairman Mao or distinct from it.
The lesson we have learned from Mao is that the protracted people's war undergoes three strategic stages: namely defensive, equilibrium, and offensive. In these three stages, the guerilla war, mobile war, and positional war, respectively play principal roles. Moreover, the base area is the backbone of the protracted people's war. In capitalist countries, the installation of science and technology and the information, communication, and transportation networks they have laid have blocked any possible inroads to establish the base areas.. Even in the semi/neo-colonial countries oppressed by imperialism, the protracted people's war cannot now be mechanically done as during the Chinese revolution. In this situation, the strategy of revolutionary violence in developed capitalist countries, where the centre of class struggle is the cities, and in oppressed countries, where the centre of revolution is the countryside, should both be formulated respecting the new objective conditions.
It has failed to explore what extent the two models of violence applied in the past revolutions ‒ protracted people's war and armed people's insurrection ‒ are an integral part of people's war or peoples revolution that the international communist movement, including ICL, is using now.
ICL declaration reads, "With the ongoing people's war in India, Peru, Turkey and the Philippines, and preparations for it in many other countries, a new great wave of world proletarian revolution has arisen in the world." This is a subjective analysis; nothing except a mechanical replication of Chairman Mao's 1962 statement, which said, "The next 50 to 100 years or so, as of today, will be a great epoch of radical change of the social system in the world." This analysis was possibly not even objective and correct when the Socialist Revolution and the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in China had shimmered a revolutionary spark around the world, and imperialism was weak.

Principal Contradiction

The correct analysis of the fundamental and principal contradictions of the world is one of the essential conditions for the development and success of the proletarian revolution. ICL has analysed the contradiction between imperialism and the oppressed nations and people of the world as the principal contradiction. Our party believes that the ideological contradiction between capitalism and socialism will prevail so long as classes exist in society. Nevertheless, to analyse it as a fundamental contradiction in the present condition when no single socialist country exists in the world obliterates the objective reality. 

Analysis of Imperialism

However, there is a problem with the declaration on comprehending the relationship between the imperialist powers and the present international balance of power. There exists always a state of contention and collusion among the imperialist powers, in which the former is absolute, and the latter is relative. Imperialist powers collude with other forces to form temporary alliances and blocs to undermine their rivals. They confront each other to establish their monopoly and capture the natural resources and markets. In the present world, Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea have formed a bloc against another bloc, the US-led NATO. Right in this context, the ICL declaration reads, "The imperialist dispute is absolute, and the collusion is relative. This determines the circumstantial and temporary character of the imperialist alliances; this is why one cannot speak about “imperialist blocks;” this is revisionism. Thus, the European Union is not a block, or an “European imperialism,” but an alliance of countries of Europe, under hegemony of Germany.” In their view, the concept of the circumstantial alliance between the imperialist powers is Marxist, the bloc is revisionist, and the European Union is not imperialism. This is an ecclectical or idealist analysis.
Again, the declaration reads, "On the side of the imperialist powers, Yankee imperialism is the sole hegemonic superpower. Russia is still an atomic superpower and there is a handful of second-tier imperialist powers." This analysis concludes that the US is the only enemy of the world proletarian revolution because it is the sole hegemonic superpower, and all others are not so because they are second-tier imperialists. Thus declaration does not mention the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war between the US-led NATO and Russia in Ukrainian Land..
As a result of the unequal development of capitalism, the imperialist country that is weak today can become powerful tomorrow and vice versa. No imperialist power is number one forever, including the US. At present, the development of China is pushing the US behind in many respects. And another country may emerge as a superpower tomorrow. In this way, ICL's analysis of the current balance of power between the imperialist superpowers and their level of confrontation does not relate to the existing objective reality. It is a metaphysical understanding. .

Reply of ICL to CPI (Maoist) critique

In a reply the ICL asserted that it considers that the criticisms and evaluations made by the CPI (Maoist) of the General Political Line contained in the “Political Declaration and Principles” are relevant issues that need to be discussed and verified in an organized manner, respecting revolutionary proletarian methods and criteria, in the midst of a two-line-struggle. It expressed hope to discuss each of these issues in a bilateral, direct and organized manner. However it retorted that these differences do not represent any difference of ideological principles that formed the basis for the unity of the 15 parties and organizations at the founding of the International Communist League. It was convinced that the International Communist Movement, reunited under this red banner, will would proceed and give a mortal blow to imperialism, reaction and all revisionism and opportunism.
It advocated open struggle, two-line struggle, sincere and fraternal criticism and self-criticism as the only Marxist-Leninist-Maoist methods for resolving contradictions within the communist movement. It gave due weight to criticism and advice from sister Parties. and expressed readiness to engage in serious self-criticism when it proves necessary. In it’s view the statement of the CPI (Maoist) raises some questions and requires some clarifications on the Unified Maoist International Conference, the establishment of the ICL, and the unity of the ICM.
Quoting the ICL “In order to reach the right conclusions on any question, one must take the objective situation as a starting point. Not seeking the truth in the facts, following an idealistic method and thus substituting for the truth “the facts” we create in our minds or whose outcome is determined by ourselves in advance, as you can see, does not coincide with Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is necessary to avoid following this style.” In order to reach the right conclusions on any question, one must take the objective situation as a starting point. Not seeking the truth in the facts, following an idealistic method and thus substituting for the truth “the facts” we create in our minds or whose outcome is determined by ourselves in advance, as you can see, does not coincide with Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is necessary to avoid following this style. Especially if we are speaking in the name of the international proletariat and serving its interests. If there is a problem in the way we obtain information, then the conclusions we draw from that information will be faulty from the outset.
Whatever sectarian or diversionary approach and methods, I express admiration for ICL’s relentless conviction to uphold Communist method of practice, evaluation and self-criticism .I suggest all revolutionaries read their document answering the critique.
---
*Freelance journalist

Comments

TRENDING

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative  The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani*  India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor*  Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Four J&K MLAs visit Wular lake, pledge support to fisher community, environmental conservation

By Shamim Ahmed*   In a historic meeting that highlighted both environmental and social concerns, four Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) visited Wular Lake to meet with the fisherfolk community, signaling a significant step in addressing their longstanding issues. This gathering, organized with the support of dedicated advocates, marks a strengthening of efforts to both safeguard the lake’s ecosystem and support the community’s welfare.

Supreme Court’s dismissal of PIL on Covid vaccine safety is counter to known science and mathematics

By Bhaskaran Raman*  On 14 Oct 2024, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the side-effects of the Covid vaccine. In 2021, the world saw the rollout of various Covid vaccine candidates. In India, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield were rolled out. Covishield was nothing but Oxford’s AstraZeneca relabelled in India. The importance of open-minded and scientific probe of Covid vaccine safety In 2020/2021, all Covid vaccines were authorized for emergency use, which meant that the necessary efficacy and safety follow-up was incomplete at that time. The originally approved trials – called randomised controlled trials (RCT) had a “vaccine” group and a “placebo” group for comparison. Such experimental comparison/control is the cornerstone of the scientific method – which even children learn in photosynthesis experiments in class-1. The vaccine trials were scheduled to conclude in late 2022/early 2023. For instance, Covax...

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah  The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor*  Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Our Representative Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad*  On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.