James Connolly and the struggle for Marxism in Ireland
| Date: | 1980 |
|---|---|
| Organisation: | Workers Revolutionary Party |
| Publication: | The Labour Review |
| Issue: | Volume 4, Number 12 |
| Collection: | The British Left on Ireland |
| Type: | Article |
| View: | View Document |
| Discuss: | Comments on this document |
| Subjects: | James Connolly |
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Commentary From The Cedar Lounge Revolution
22nd November 2010
Many thanks to Mervyn Crawford for the following document.
The piece is taken from The Labour Review, monthly journal of the Workers Revolutionary Party. The Labour Review first existed as a fairly highly regarded, from what one can tell, theoretical journal of the Socialist Labour League, a precursor of the WRP. In the 1960s it appears to have been replaced by other publications, but the name was resurrected later by the WRP during the 1970s and 1980s. This particular document appears to date from around 1980/1981 due to references to the Iran/Iraq War.
The WRP itself was one of the more controversial further left formations in the UK, but it’s important to note the direct connection with Ireland in the shape of its founder, Gerry Healy, who haled from Galway (indeed an interesting subject for further research might well the be influence of Irish born individuals on the shape of the UK further left and just why quite a number achieved some prominence).
The Left Archive already has a piece of documentation from the WRP itself and the WRP linked Workers League and an interesting analysis critiquing the involvement of the SLL/WRP in Irish Marxism from the League for a Workers’ Republic.
As Mervyn notes ‘The essay is long enough to speak for itself’ and as a spring board for discussion of the questions it raises (it is perhaps however worth noting that the article does touch tangentially on the concerns of the WRP in relation to a number of then contemporary issues).
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By: Jim Monaghan Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:33:10
In reply to Mervyn Crawford.
I regard the national struggle as progressive like Connolly. Moved on a bit but still unfinished. Like Connolly I oppose the successors of Redmonds party such as FF, FG etc. I think Trotskys theory of Permanent revolution shows how the national revolution in oppressed nations and the proletarian revolution are connected.
I make a distinction between sects like yours and groups like the SWP and SP who might display sectish behaviour but who do great work in leading the fightback. I see any chance of a revolutionary party or front coming from a synthesis of all that is best of groups like them which can transcend their limitations When I say limitations I do not mean that I or people who might agree with me have the way, the truth or any such messianic nonsense. I admire and respect the work of for example Joe Higgins. I regard the ULA as a step forward, I wish it success and hope it expands, deepens and extends to fighting for a new leadership in the unions. It could fail, such is life. If so it will be a setback and hopefully something else will emerge. There is not an apostolic line of succession, just people and groups struggling to understand what is to be done. Friendly discussion is needed to help this happen, not bombast and especially lies and slander, see my opening point.
Oh, I spend a fair bit of time campaigning (not enough, but a bit) for neutrality and keeping Ireland out of NATO and its clones. Such is my worry about missless. It is news to me that the missle Ishould worry about is in California, I thought they were closer to home, not that it makes any difference where they are.
I have opposed Stalinism all my political life.
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By: Patrick Sliney Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:20:21
Jim M seems to think bigger is better. Has he not learned anything from his past days tailing nationalism.Peoples Democracy were subsumed by the Sinners.Nothing changes for Jim.
Only now its who ever is fighting.
Program matters without it you end up with the POUM
at best.
As to Kautsky of course one should study him but they should also read Lenin and the Renagade Kautsky.
Patrick
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By: Neues aus den Archiven der radikalen (und nicht so radikalen) Linken « Entdinglichung Thu, 25 Nov 2010 09:46:46
[…] Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP): James Connolly and the struggle for Marxism in Ireland […]
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By: icnt.mx Sun, 26 Dec 2010 05:58:23
Free Downloads for XMAS…
Nice article, I have posted a trackback to a related article on my site. Thanks…
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By: Conor McCabe Sun, 24 Nov 2013 11:55:23
I’m marking at the moment a 4th yr essay on James Connolly and they’ve referenced this web page and this document. Students are using this as a resource WBS, fair play.
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By: Gearóid Sun, 24 Nov 2013 12:21:13
In reply to Conor McCabe.
The CLR’s cited in my MA thesis, along with Splintered Sunrise.
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By: WorldbyStorm Sun, 24 Nov 2013 12:27:49
In reply to Conor McCabe.
A lot of hands have participated in it including your own… love the idea that it’s being used.
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