The Permanent Revolution today

Written by Peter Taaffe Tuesday, 23 February 2010 18:00

We publish below a new introduction by Peter Taaffe to Leon Trotsky’s ‘Permanent Revolution’, which the comrades of Socialist Movement Pakistan (CWI) are to translate into Urdu and publish.

Introduction to new Urdu edition of ‘Permanent Revolution’ by Leon Trotsky

What relevance does Trotsky’s Theory of the Permanent Revolution have to the problems of the workers’ cause or the peasants’ (small farmers) movement today? After all, it was formulated more than 100 years ago during the first Russian revolution of 1905-07. The same kind of question could be posed – and it is – regarding the ideas of Marx and Engels, Lenin and Rosa Luxemburg. But no matter how ‘old’ is an idea – a method of analysis upon which mass action is based – if it more accurately describes the situation today than ‘new’ theories, it retains all its relevance in the modern era. This is particularly the case for the masses in the neo-colonial world – and especially today in the vital country of Pakistan with more than 200 million inhabitants – confronted as they are with all the terrible problems flowing from the incomplete capitalist-democratic revolution.

The tawdry morals of capitalism

Written by Peter Taaffe Saturday, 30 January 2010 19:05

Time to raise the socialist banner – For a society to eliminate the horrors of capitalism

From forthcoming new issue of Socialism Today, monthly journal of the Socialist Party (CWI England and Wales)

Twenty years ago, the representatives of capitalism celebrated the collapse of Stalinism. And the major powers imposed their economic and military dominance across the globe, increasing the exploitation and suffering of billions of people. Today, they want to make the working class and poor pay for the deep economic crisis they have created. This exposed the bankruptcy of the capitalist system, not only economically but also ideologically and morally.

Left co-operation & the building of a new mass party of the working class

Written by National Executive Committee, Socialist Party Thursday, 17 December 2009 14:28

A reply to the SWP

4th November 2009

This is a response to the SWP's reply which appeared on thier website in late August. Their material was in reply to previous Socialist Party material on the issues of left co-operation, new mass workers party and left election slates.

The case for socialism

Written by Gary Mulcahy Thursday, 17 December 2009 13:54

Taken from Socialist View October 2008

The wave of nationalisations and part-nationalisations of banking systems sweeping country after country as a result of the meltdown of the world financial system is hugely significant.