Membership Handbook
Introduction
So, you’re thinking about joining Socialist Action, but want to know more about
us. Well then you’ve come to the right place! This membership handbook will
outline what it means to be a member of Socialist Action. We encourage
everyone interested in joining our organization to carefully read over this
document, along with our current Political Resolution. After reading
through these two documents, we will arrange for you to meet and talk with
one of our organizers to answer any questions you may still have, and to
talk to you about becoming a provisional member.
Who We Are
Socialist Action is a political party, but we are different from all other
political parties in the United States. We are a revolutionary multi-racial
party of workers, students, youth, feminists and human rights activists.
Our party is committed to the task of nothing less than saving humanity
from capitalism! We are a party that fights for workers’ democracy and
socialism, for human needs not profits – for the full liberation of workers
and oppressed peoples everywhere!
Our Program in a Nutshell
 Class Struggle & Independence: We believe that the world is divided
into opposing social classes, and that the main driving force of modern
history is the struggle between the working class and the capitalist class.
We are active partisans of the working class and believe in the need for
independent working class politics – not alliances with the capitalists, or
any wing of that class. That is why we call for workers to break from the
Democratic Party to build a Labor Party based on the trade unions. In all
of our political work we seek to get workers to see and think of themselves
in terms of class, and to recognize that their class interests are
diametrically opposed to that of the capitalists.
Revolution vs. Reform: We believe that the state and all of its
institutions are instruments of the ruling class, and that therefore they cannot
be used as tools of the working class, but have to be smashed. That is why
we fight for revolution, instead of for seeking to merely reform or work
within the system. When we fight for specific reforms we do so only with
the understanding that in the final analysis real social change can only
come about with the overthrow of capitalism, and the establishment of a
workers’ government. We seek to link the demands for reforms with
revolution through the Transitional Program and its method.
The Specially Oppressed &
Oppressed Nationalities: We
support the struggles of those who are specially oppressed under capitalism
– women, queers, national minorities, etc. We support and held build
autonomous movements for the oppressed so that they can articulate their
own demands, and develop political consciousness as a group. We support the
right of self-determination for oppressed nationalities, including Blacks,
Chicanos & Puerto Ricans.
Internationalism: While we support the nationalism of
oppressed nationalities as progressive, we are internationalists, and as
such we hold that the workers of one country have more in common with the
workers of another than they do with their own nation’s capitalist class.
We oppose the nationalism of oppressor nationalities as wholly reactionary.
We seek to link the struggles of workers and oppressed across national
boundaries, and to build an international revolutionary movement that will
facilitate the sharing of experiences and political lessons from one
country with revolutionaries in another. That is why we maintain fraternal
relations with the Fourth
International.
Vanguard Party: The capitalist class is highly
organized, and to overthrow it the working class likewise needs
organization. We believe in the need for a disciplined party of
professional revolutionaries based on a political program that incorporates
the lessons of past working class victories and defeats. The class struggle
ebbs and flows – to maintain continuity and to be prepared for openings in
the class struggle there is a need for an organization of always-active
revolutionaries. We believe within such a party there must be complete and
fair discussion and democracy, and the right to even form factions and
tendencies to fight for your ideas. However, these democratically made
decisions (the party line) must be binding on all members, and the party
has to act as a common unit in carrying out the decided upon line in order
to test if it is correct or not. This is called democratic-centralism.
United Fronts: Recognizing the divisions that exist on
the left and within the workers’ movement, as well as the low level of
class consciousness that exists among many workers, we seek to form united
fronts, and united front type organizations, around specific issues where various
groups have agreement with us. In this way we seek to maximize our impact
and the number of forces that can be mobilized around a given issue,
demonstrate the power and effectiveness of mass action as opposed to
symbolic small-scale and individual actions, and expose others on the left
and the workers’ movement to our method of functioning and our political
program. We also see this as the way of achieving meaningful revolutionary
regroupment – because it allows different groups to work together and see
whether or not they have significant political convergence. It should also
be said that while we support the tactic of the united front, we are
opposed to popular fronts – multi-class alliances that subordinate the
interests of workers to that of a wing of the capitalist class.
Permanent Revolution: This famous theory by Leon Trotsky holds
that revolution in modern times, even in under-developed countries, has to
be led by the working class and has to be a fully fledged socialist
revolution – revolution cannot go through stages and cannot be made in
alliance with any wing of the capitalist class. To be ultimately successful
it also needs to be an international revolution. We believe that a
successful socialist revolution will result in a workers’ government that
is based on elected workers’ councils.
What Are the Requirements of Membership?
Inside Socialist Action complete equality is practiced. Every member enjoys
the same rights, privileges and duties. Membership is open to anyone who:
Accepts and is in general agreement with
our political program;
Who agrees to abide by majority rule;
Who seeks to build and is loyal to the
party;
Who agrees to engage actively in the
party’s work and materially support it.
Dues are $5 a month. In addition to these monthly dues though, every member
is encouraged to make a voluntary weekly contribution according to what
they can afford. Sympathizers of the party – those who for whatever reason
are unable to be fully active members – are also encouraged to make regular
financial contributions. This is how Socialist Action is financed. In
contrast to the capitalist parties, we are not supported by large
contributions (or small!) by corporations. Our newspaper is not financed
with business advertisements. This is one way we maintain our political independence,
and remain firmly committed to the interests of the working class.
Members are also encouraged to be mindful that our activity does not go
unnoticed by the ruling class of this country, and that we must be careful
not to give them any pretext to interrupt our work or go after our members.
That is why we strongly discourage comrades from engaging in any illegal
activity, and to be conscious of security when making personal choices.
Applicants for membership in Socialist Action are asked to go through a
three-month provisional membership period. This way you are able to come
into the organization to get a real feel for what it is like to better
enable you to decide if membership is for you. If need be, provisional
membership can be expanded beyond three months.
What Is It Like Inside of the Party?
Socialist Action is divided into branches. A branch is five members or more
living in a given locality that works as a common unit. New members are
assigned to a branch when they join if one exists in their area. If there
isn’t a branch there yet they become “at-large members” and remain so until
enough members have been recruited in their area to form a regular branch.
It is inside the branch that much of Socialist Action’s life takes place.
It’s also where your education as a revolutionary socialist really begins.
Within it you learn the fundamentals of Marxist theory. You are encouraged
to deepen and broaden your understanding by diligent study and, in the
course of working with the party in its campaigns, by putting what you
learn into practice. Training in public speaking and writing is fostered
and encouraged. Within the branch comrades discuss the many events
unfolding within the world, and how we should respond and intervene in
them.
The aim in all of this is a practical one – to educate every party member
so that they will be a self-thinking, self-acting revolutionary. The party
is a school for professional revolutionaries. Our goal is to build a party
of skilled activists in the service of the working class. Each member is a
valuable trainee, preparing for a key role in helping the workers to guide
America to socialism.
How Decisions Are Made
Full democracy governs the party in reaching its decisions. Party branches
meet regularly to discuss, plan and vote on how to go about its practical
work. Every member has the right to speak and make their case.
In the same way, decisions that are made nationally, such as important
political questions on what our overall position or orientation on a given
question will be, are decided by the membership.
The highest decision making body of the party is the convention. Our
constitution mandates that a convention be held at least once every other
year, though they can be held more frequently if the need arises.
Conventions are preceded by a pre-convention discussion period which lasts
several months. During this time comrades can submit their views to
everyone else through the Internal Discussion Bulletin (IDB). The branches
also organize oral discussions where the different viewpoints from the IDB
can be debated. Then branches elect delegates to attend a national
convention where the different positions are again debated and finally
voted on.
During this whole process comrades with a minority viewpoint are given
every opportunity to present and argue for their position. They can hook up
with co-thinkers and form organized tendencies or factions to fight for
their views. They are allowed time to present counter-reports on disputed
questions during the branch and convention discussions. And once all is
said and done, and the vote is taken, comrades with minority viewpoints are
given representation on the party’s national bodies and are in no way
punished for their views.
Once a discussion is over, and the majority of comrades have agreed on a
given question, that decision becomes binding on all. Comrades with
minority viewpoints have to subordinate their differences in public and
loyally do their best to make the common decision a success. This is the
way decisions are tested in action. If the minority is not convinced by the
majority’s position during its application between conventions (“the test
of life”), then they can again bring up their position in the next regular
discussion period.
Full internal democracy gives the party great cohesiveness when decisions
are made and the minority joins with the majority in carrying them out.
This method of organization (which is called “democratic centralism”)
ensures that the party will continue to be a party of action. At the same
time, it gives everyone full opportunity to present her or his viewpoint,
to criticize, discuss and win adherents to their position.
At the end of party conventions the delegates elect a National Committee.
The National Committee is responsible for carrying out the decisions of the
party in between conventions. It in turn elects a Political Committee from
its ranks to guide the party between National Committee meetings. The
National Committee also selects party leaders, such as the National Secretary.
Party Membership Builds a New Outlook
Life inside Socialist Action is active and stimulating. Your horizon
constantly widens as your understanding of Marxism grows. The emphasis on
the long-range view and the great emancipating goal of socialism lifts you
out of the stifling, dreary existence that is imposed on working people by
capitalism. You become part of a group of people whose lives are tied in
with the magnificent potential future that lies before humanity.
As a member of Socialist Action, intense political activity keeps you young
in mind, and resilient in outlook. You’re always on the lookout to make a
difference, to reach people and help them become part of the movement for
the emancipation of the working class. And there are so many avenues the
party’s work will take you: selling the party’s newspaper, distributing
leaflets, organizing meetings, writing, public speaking, getting the party
on the ballot, collecting funds or fighting for progressive aims within the
labor, Black, women’s, or other social movements.
Keep in mind though that at times the going is hard. Tough moral fiber is
required to stand up to the abuse and misunderstanding that comes from the
corrupt and the ignorant.
But there are also great compensations. You gain the respect and admiration
from your co-workers for your integrity, your progressive outlook and your
unselfishness. In your workplace, campus, or among your friends, your
opinions are sought out. Your life takes on significance and meaning
because you are part of the movement fighting for a better tomorrow. You
will live the inspiring life of a revolutionary socialist!
And above all, you win your freedom from capitalist miseducation. You see
things more clearly. You are no longer puzzled and bewildered by the big
events that suck whole nations and continents into their vortex. You
understand them and why, and you are no longer powerless to do anything
about it.
The Wrap-Up Pitch!
Socialism is the only road leading away from poverty, inflation,
unemployment, imperialist war, totalitarianism – all the worldwide scourges
of decaying capitalism. In the final analysis, only socialism can save
humanity from capitalist barbarism and create a just new world. The most
courageous people, those capable of the greatest sacrifices, those
intelligent enough to see the task and endowed with the will to carry it
out, must take the lead. Only such people will do so.
That is the historic responsibility which Socialist Action has taken upon
itself. When future ages look back at this time, they will judge our
generation by the way it responded to this grave obligation.
We believe there is no better life than participating to the best of your
ability in the struggle for socialism. We in Socialist Action invite you to
join us in this fight for a better world!
|
