On Saturday 21st February, communists from across Ireland gathered in Belfast for a Communist Day School organised by the Belfast branches of the Revolutionary Communists of Ireland. The School of Revolution was a fantastic success with over thirty people attending to discuss and learn about revolutionary ideas and history! Such was the enthusiasm at the meeting that we raised over £700 in donations for our fighting fund.
The day began with a discussion on perspectives for world revolution. This covered a wide range of issues, from America’s criminal attack on Venezuela, to the relative decline of US imperialism, the rise of capitalist China as a global power, and the accumulated contradictions resulting from capitalism’s prolonged crisis since 2008.
Crucially, the discussion also outlined how these events are driving an increasing number of workers and youth to draw revolutionary conclusions. Indeed only a socialist revolution can provide a way out of the many crises facing the working class today. But in order for such a revolution to be successful, we need to build a Bolshevik party – and with urgency!
Following from this, the Second discussion focused on the lessons from the defeat of the German Revolution of 1918–1923. This is certainly one of the most pivotal events of the 20th century – a successful socialist revolution in Germany would have tipped the balance of the international class struggle in the direction of revolutionary socialism, and paved the way for world communism.
Unfortunately, instead, the defeat of the German workers paved the way for Hitler to take power in 1933, which in turn – together with the defeat of the Spanish Revolution – set the ground for the barbaric slaughter of the Second World War. Through this discussion comrades and attendees alike were able to learn the significance of this event, and more importantly, to concretely draw out the lesson on the need to build a Bolshevik party of steeled cadres in advance of revolutionary events breaking out.
The final meeting focused on the life and ideas of the Marxist revolutionary Ted Grant, who is intrinsically linked to the history of our International, the Revolutionary Communist International. After Trotsky’s death it was Ted Grant that defended the genuine ideas of Marxism, and was able to keep a clear banner through the post-war period.
At the bottom of it all, Ted Grant had a clear understanding of the method of Marxism, which he tirelessly applied to the events taking place across the world at the time. It is the task of every revolutionary today, to study in detail the ideas of Ted Grant, learn from the many theoretical discussions and debates that were taking place at the time, and build ourselves up into Marxists cadres in turn.
The success of the Day School is a great testament to the strengthening of our organisation in Belfast over the past year. We now have two branches in the city, and 18 members – more than double this time last year.
This must, however, be just the beginning. The task now is to build on the ideas and lessons we have discussed at the Day School to further build the forces of revolutionary communism in Belfast, and to reach 100 members all around Ireland!
Join us in the struggle for a 32 county Socialist United Ireland and help us toss capitalism into the dustbin of history!
