Overdue debate

New Internationalist, Sept, 2004 by Sam Jackson

The debate on Trotskyism is well overdue. Accusing the NI of McCarthyism in starting such a debate ignores the difference between the apparatus of the state being used to stamp out dissidents and criticism of a particular political theory in a magazine designed to 'bring to life the people, the ideas and the action in the fight for global justice'. Yes, the NI should, given this commitment, criticize elements in any movement (women's, gay rights, trade unions, etc) that actually prevent us from working together against the common enemy.

The problem with Trotskyism is less to do with Trotsky and his ideas than with the assumption of all 'vanguard' parties that they have the true analysis of why the world is the way it is and everyone else needs to accept this. This is the core of the debate between horizontal and vertical views of socialism. The whole point is that horizontalists do not think they are privy to special information but that ideas and actions only develop by a free discussion between all the elements in the movement for social justice worldwide. The idea that this means no organization at all is patronizing and stupid as even the most cursory glimpse through copies of NI would give examples of such self-organization without the 'benefit' of Trotskyist paper sellers.

Sam Jackson Bradford, England

The views expressed on the letters page are not necessarily those of the New Internationalist.