War, economic turmoil and extreme weather events — 2022 is a year in which global capitalism slid further into crisis. We have entered a new age of disorder, one that poses huge opportunities for the growth of revolutionary socialism, but one that is riven with complexities and complications. In this context, sharp and agile analysis is key. As Leon Trotsky remarked in the 1930s, another era of revolution and counter-revolution: “The vast importance of a correct theoretical orientation is most strikingly manifested in a period of acute social conflict, of rapid political shifts, of abrupt changes in the situation.”
So, the need for 250 Marxists to gather for a week of intense discussion and debate, could hardly be understated. After three successful Virtual Marxist Universities, this was ISA’s first in-person World Cadre School in over 4 years. Comrades from 22 countries came together in Leuven, Belgium, with 230 more joining online for an event that marked a massive step forward in the building of a genuine revolutionary international.
Unfortunately, many of the morbid symptoms of a system in decay had their impact on the school: the war, covid-19, travel chaos and harder borders undermined attendance in different ways, notably from ISA members in Russia, Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire. Yet this failed to diminish the enthusiasm, determination and hunger for politics that ran through the entire school. More than 90 comrades gave introductions or concluding speeches in over 40 commissions and largely youthful delegations left Leuven energized and prepared for the stormy class battles in the months and years ahead.
New Cold War
The week kicked off with a phenomenal session on world perspectives where an analysis of the key economic and political tendencies were developed over the course of an entire day. Essential for understanding the new period is a correct analysis of the New Cold War, the inter-imperialist conflict between US and China that continues to heat up as each power vies for global dominance. While featuring heavily in the discussion in the opening plenary, a separate plenary entitled “New Cold War Turning Hot?” was given over to discussing this historic conflict which dominates a new era of geopolitics, in more detail. ISA is unique amongst the left in having an all-sided analysis of these processes and a working class internationalist position opposing all imperialist camps. ISA fights for revolutionary change both East and West, and fights to build the forces of Marxism on both sides of the Cold War divide. However, as the central axis upon which world relations turns, comrades from all continents contributed to the discussion on how this clash of imperialisms is impacting politics, the economy and class struggle in every corner of the globe.
War in Ukraine
In fact, despite Putin and Russian imperialism’s independent conflict with Western imperialism, the brutal invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war there must be seen through the prism of the US-China conflict and is itself accelerating the processes of decoupling between the two major superpowers. A number of commissions dealt with this epoch defining event either directly or indirectly. “The War in Ukraine: Its Impact and our program” analyzed the roots of the war, its effect on world relations and on the consciousness of the working class in Ukraine, Russia and beyond, and oour programme of independent working class internationalism. . “Marxism and War: WW2, Vietnam, Iraq” drew on the history of the socialist movement and the enormous challenges and pressures it faced during past wars, but also the potential for mass movements of youth and workers to develop against militarism and imperialism. When anti-war protests erupted in Russia after the invasion, comrades from Sotsialisticheskaya Alternativa were on the frontlines, facing state repression and arrests.
ISA School Bookshop
Economy
The War has also had major economic repercussions on the global economy. Various commissions offered a Marxist analysis of these tendencies, both past and present. “The Next Recession: War & Stagflation” examined the perfect storm of economic crisis currently in the making. The war in Ukraine and the economic impact of inter-imperialist conflict, coming on top of an era of “easy money” monetary policy, supply chain disruptions, draconian lockdowns in China and climate change are all contributing to soaring inflation.
Add to that a brewing debt crisis and we see huge problems on the horizon for the ruling class and their system. In her introduction Claire Laker Mansfield from England, Wales and Scotland section remarked how “overall this remains an era in which the kinds of concessions necessary to make fundamental improvements in the position of workers will tend to only be possible on the basis of revolutionary struggles which put the system itself in peril.” A well attended commission on “Stagflation, the 1970s and Class Struggle” drew parallels with a similar period of economic malaise and how it gave way to the titanic class battles that defined the 1970s.
Revolution and Counter-Revolution
In fact, already we are seeing chronic shortages and runaway inflation put the most basic necessities out of the reach of the working class and poor. This is most striking in the neocolonial world and in the commission on “Mass Revolts against Food and Price Rises” we discussed the character of the recent uprising in Sri Lanka as well as protest movements in Panama, Ecuador and Peru.
In “Perspectives for Struggle in Latin America” comrades analyzed the uptick in struggle and deep political polarization that’s been a feature throughout the region. Particularly notable at the school was the impressive delegation of Latin American comrades, 13 in total. The urgency and potential to build our forces in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina was driven home at a number of sessions. In particular during “Brazil: Fighting Bolsonaro and the right — a Marxist approach” where comrades in Liberdade Socialismo e Revolução explained the different debates taking place in PSOL on how to defeat the far right in the next election, with many opting for uncritical support for a Lula presidency.
Latin American Delegation
As in the commission “Reaction on the march? Authoritarianism, right populism and the far-right” comrades explained how Bolsonaro and other far-right forces can continue to grow, feeding off the discontent and frustration with reformism. While we empathize with working class people who want to land a blow against the far-right at the ballot box, we need to be clear that the Bolsonaros and Trumps of this world can only be defeated on the basis of independent mobilization of the working class and oppressed, not through conciliation with pro-capitalist forces.
Working-Class Movement
Particularly prominent in the World Cadre School was detailed discussion on the labour movement and the big openings for revolutionaries in the trade unions. In “Trends in the Labour Movement” comrades analyzed unionization drives in Amazon and Starbucks in the US and how from South Africa (where ISA have been active in the Clover workers struggle) to Britain, workers are increasingly coming into opposition with bureaucratic union leaderships.
A whole morning of workshops were dedicated to detailed discussion on particular sectors from health and care to logistics, education to industry. While there are inevitable differences from country to country, there is also striking overlap as workers everywhere confront a cost of living crisis. Marxists active in the trade unions around the world were able to share invaluable experiences in their own struggles and take back enriching lessons from the battle against the bosses elsewhere.
Socialist Feminism
A cornerstone of the politics and record of ISA is our international socialist feminist work and this was reflected in an array of commissions throughout the school. Explosive struggles against oppression have been a feature over the last period, and a key driver in the radicalization of workers and young people.
In “the Struggle for Abortion Rights — Lessons from the US and internationally” comrades discussed the recent overturn of Roe vs. Wade and the specter of further right-wing attacks against women and queer people which means major confrontations are inherent in the situation. In the US, Socialist Alternative played a vital role in organizing protests and action assemblies to point a way forward for the fightback, all in contrast to the criminal absence of a real opposition from the Democrats and NGOs. In fact, while the school was taking place, Kshama Sawant’s bill to deem Seattle the US’ first abortion “sanctuary city” was passed by Seattle city council, an example of what revolutionary socialists can achieve in elected office based on a class struggle strategy.
ISA goes into this struggle with a proud record and comrades took inspiration and lessons from the work of ROSA and the Socialist Party in Ireland and the victory in the 2018 referendum. We also draw on the rich but often forgotten traditions of Marxism and a popular commission, “Zetkin, Kollontai — the first wave of feminism and the approach of revolutionary Marxists” looked at the history of socialists intervening into the women’s movement.
Youth Work
In Belgium, our campagne ROSA work has been pivotal in winning radical youth to our banner, alongside other dynamic initiatives in many countries. As Lenin explained, “he who has the youth has the future” and since its foundation ISA has emphasized the importance of youth work in the regeneration of a revolutionary socialist movement.
The school reflected the progress made in a number of our sections in this field and it was clear a new generation of cadres are stepping forward intervening into youth movements and class struggle. In “Building on our youth work” and “Turn to the youth: mobilising high schoolers” young comrades shared experiences on consciousness today, emphasizing that while there is a real openness to socialist ideas there also exists a limited understanding of the working class and its organizations, in particular political organizations and parties. Nevertheless, these obstacles can be overcome through patient explanation and the impact of events and experience. One commission on fossil fuel sectors was a joint worker/youth session in which we took up how young people active in the climate movement can make links with workers in the industry and mobilize the class in a struggle against climate catastrophe.
Building a Revolutionary International
On Wednesday evening, we held a public rally with over 250 in attendance in person and with streams on tiktok, facebook and youtube viewed over 2,000 times. The many areas of ISA’s work were showcased and speakers from Brazil, Hong-Kong, Germany, Belgium, the US and England gave a panorama of both the ongoing and coming struggles of the working class and oppressed, outlining the type of program, strategy and organization necessary to chart a way out of the horrors of capitalism.
The construction of such a revolutionary force is no small feat and we had two days of sessions on how we can best build the forces of Marxism across the globe, reflecting on recent experiences, opportunities and challenges. Sessions on “Fighting for Socialism in Africa” discussed the work of our sections in Nigeria, South Africa and Cote D’Ivoire while in “Recent Breakthroughs in the US” comrades in Socialist Alternative reviewed their different areas of work and how they’ve seized the opportunities in a volatile situation to grow to over 1,000 members.
Several commissions discussed the foundations of building a revolutionary party. “Year of the Paper” saw comrades share the best methods of production and distribution of a Marxist newspaper, our most important tool in organising our forces and bringing our ideas to the working class and beginning a dialogue with the most politically conscious workers and youth. In “Revolutionary finance”, we discussed the importance of financial independence and how fundraising amongst the working class is a deeply political question, a concretization of support for our ideas.
The closing plenary on building made it clear that ISA is a revolutionary international preparing itself to take advantage of the major openings to build the forces of Marxism in the coming years. The sense of urgency this task ran like a red thread through all contributions and was reflected in the impressive financial appeal, so far hitting 66,133 of our 75,000 target with thousands more still coming in.
Discussion on massive potential for building revolutionary Marxism
At the same time, we have a sober understanding of the complications and how things will not always develop in a straightforward, linear fashion. Collective and democratic discussion and debate is necessary in order to achieve political clarity and, as was emphasized throughout the session, a new generation of class-fighters should be encouraged to take the initiative, make and correct mistakes and collectively draw lessons from experience.
Those that attended in person and virtually the 2022 ISA World Cadre School will return to their sections enriched by a week of discussion, debate and sharing of experiences in the global class struggle. And, ISA will go into the next period politically sharper and more dynamic than ever before.
