At a recent excellent Connolly Conversations meeting on Iran, discussion developed about the growing left feelings and movement in the world.
The fact that the movements in support of Palestine and Iran, and against Zionism, Trump and imperialism, is firing people into action and thought.
This leads to discussion about what should be done with this anger. Because this anger, in itself, always goes nowhere.
It will only turn into something long term and as a preparation for revolution and success if political parties are built to lead, unite, and guide the movement through the process of preparation and attack.
Clapping hands and slapping one another on the back gets nowhere—except in pubs, living rooms and academic cloisters, where it can produce a warm glow.
The anger and uprising of people is inevitable whenever reaction escalates. It is an example of the dialectical nature of social movements. The reaction of the imperialists will always produce an opposite movement. It is humanity. The two forces are part of what makes society today.
This motion fluctuates up and down, as history moves forwards and backwards.
We have to utilise the inevitable growth in anger and, when it is expanding, give it leadership and direction. Explain what is happening and why; explain that socialist revolution and the overthrow of capitalism is the only way to bring about peace and end the relentless slaughter of humanity that has been carrying on for centuries.
The problems it presents are massive and complex. But they must be solved.
Discussion on this has to be a big part of our work. What exactly is the society we are trying to create? What are the steps? How do we lead and integrate?
Many of the plans that have been proposed and tried in different countries since the end of the last world war have not been adequate and keep failing.
But the Marxist analysis of the contradictions in capitalism proves to us that the problems can and will be solved. It is like any complex scientific problem. It needs study and trial and error.
This inevitability of a solution is something to be impressed on people. We, together, can and will solve this problem. We will create a new and fair society. We will overthrow capitalism and put ordinary people in charge. This is an inevitable and certain fact.
