From: TimW333521-AT-aol.com
Date: Tue, 5 Mar 1996 08:54:02 -0500
Subject: Re: Mexican Trots- A Query


I would like to thank Carlos and Walter for their somewhat confusing and
depressing information on Mexican Trotskyism.

I you have read my book, the Prophet's Children, you will realize that my
experience with the PRT was at or near its height of strength.  It was quite
large, democratic, and contained many tendencies.  Its intellectual life was
rich and it had at least the beginning of a base among workers and peasants.

So the sad, but interesting, question is: what happened?

Here are some thoughts, or more like suggestions for others to develop into
thoughts.  

(1) The PRT grew at a point in time when there was a real vacuum on the left
in Mexico which it reasonably adroitly partially filled.

(2)  The overwhelming event which knocked the legs out of this promising
party was the emergence of the PRD.  That party became overnight the
expression of left in Mexico and largely remains so today.

(3) This gave the  Trots two alternatives: (a) to join it and risk the
dangfer of becoming absorbed (Gilly's course) ; (b) stand outside but risk
being marginalized (bulk of PRT as other mini-groups).

(4) Those that followed the latter course simply could not find political
space to the left of PRD and fractured.  (And it is unclear to me what life,
outside of a political machine or machines, exists within the PRD).

(5) Suddenly, from out of nowhere, emerged the Zapatistas who did succeed in
finding a space to the left of the PRD (also in alliance with it).

(6) No wonder the remaining Trots were pulled towards liquidation into the
Zapatistas (though it is unclear to me if that formation really has an
internal life and structure)

(7)  Well, what should the Trots have done?  Anybody have any good ideas?


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