Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 13:34:12 +0100
To: marxism-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.edu
From: m-14970-AT-mailbox.swipnet.se (Hugh Rodwell)
Subject: Re: "Terrorism and Communism"


Jorn writes:

>The lessons to be learnt is, I think, that terrorism is one the one hand an
>*expression* of weakness of the mass movement. On the other it
>deepens this weakness.
>
>But maybe one much more important lesson is the need to build an
>experienced mass working class leadership as one very important
>component of the struggles to come, so that the next time the left
>wouldn't be marginalized as quickly as it happened to the very strong
>Italian left.

This second point is crucial. It's not just 'one very important component',
but *the most important component*. It's the only way we'll get the power
of the mobilized working class focused on the target of state power and
able to strike with all its strength.

It's also crucial to getting past the problems of terrorism as a method. I
would rather see terrorism not so much as an expression of the weakness of
the mass movement - better, the weakness of the leadership - but as an
expression of the depth of the crisis of the state/mode of production. The
crisis is so intense and the needs of the masses so great, that the
pressure to do something - anything - is enormous. When water is about to
boil, it gets very turbulent.

There's a parallel in the lunatic fringes of most powerful social
movements. They're usually driven by frustration and revenge. I'm thinking
of slogans such as 'A castration for every rape'. You'll all have your own
favourites. (Our friends from the SSSC provide examples every day.)

So we're living in stormy times. In the midst of a huge and worsening
capitalist crisis. Keep roped together, use the right gear and make sure
you've got a trustworthy compass!

Cheers,

Hugh




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