Learning lessons from the past
Tuesday 01 May 2012
Printable
EmailJim Jancovitch loses his case for democratic centralism by stating: “The action of the CPGB was an exception” (M Star April 5). Has he never heard of the saying that it is the exception that makes the rule?
Of course it goes without saying that democratic centralism is a useful and effective principle that operates in the trade union movement, but it is still open to distortion and that makes it a dangerous principle.
Jim admits this for some of the Continental parties. Whatever the good practice that operated in the CPGB in the early days does not excuse its later actions, which compelled so many of us to reject the principle of democratic centralism in order to save the Morning Star.
To try and hide the basic truths of the situation that prevailed at the time does not serve the interest of unifying the left today.
The needs of left unity calls for negotiated common agreement of the various trends.
Tusc seems to be the way forward. Any attempt to impose democratic centralism would surely be disastrous.
It would be interesting to hear what Robert Griffiths has to say on this issue.
Arthur Utting
Potton
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