Difference between revisions of "Trotskyism"

Revision as of 12:06, November 24, 2008

Trotskyism is an extreme left-wing political ideology which originated in the split in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in the 1920s between supporters of Stalin and supporters of Leon Trotsky. Although personal animosity between Trotsky and Stalin was a major factor in the split, it came to be seen as centred on the incompatibility of views regarding the 'Revolution'. Trotsky believed that although the 'working class' had seized power in Russia, true socialism could not be established unless there was a global revolution. The Stalinists denied this, and held that they could create a socialist society in the USSR: the so-called 'Socialism in One Country' strategy. A wilier political operator than his opponent, Stalin was able to edge Trotsky and his supporters out of political power in the Soviet Union, and, by achieving domination of the Third International (the Comintern), was able to impose anti-Trotskist views on the worldwide Communist movement. Trotsky was exiled from the USSR in 1929, and murdered by Stalinist agents in Mexico in 1940.

Trotsky initially sought to recapture communist parties around the world from Stalinist influence, but inevitably small dissident groups, expelled from 'mainstream' communist parties, began to form independent organisations, often practicing entrism in non-communist left-wing parties in an attempt to take them over. In 1938 Trotsky formed the Fourth International, an umbrella body for Trotskyist national groups which sought to provide a global leadership.

However, Trotskyist groups have almost always been very much a fringe element in the politics of the countries where they were active. The sole exception is Sri Lanka, where a Trotskyist party called the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) formed part of a coalition government from 1964 to 1975.

There are many reasons for the failure of Trotskist groups. Within the left-wing movement, they were unable to overcome a strong current of loyalty to the USSR (as the first 'workers' state', and as a result of prestige gained by the USSR, (and by extension by other communist parties) because of its contributuion to the defeat of Hitler). What Trotskyists stood fro was fluctuating and obscure, and then only clear thing about their ideology was that it was not Stalinism. Trotskyist parties were, and are, extremely prone to schisms and violent sectarian feuding, splitting their small numbers of adherents into even tinier groups, which devote most of their energies to internecine feuding over minuscule differences in doctrine. Finally, like the orthodox Communist parties, Trotskyist doctrines were wildly out of tune with world events and people's aspirations. This was most clearly shown at the conclusion of the Second World War. Trotskyist beliefs had it that a global economic collapse was imminent and inevitable, and would be closely followed by either a worldwide communist revolution or the imposition of fascist dictatorships. The failure of this apocalyptic vision to materialise led many active Trotskyists to abandon their faith and to join more mainstream parties.

Trotskyist or Trotskyite

Adherents of Trotskyism are known by both labels. They tend - as do objective outside commentators - to use the term 'Trotskyist' to refer to themselves, while the term 'Trotskyite' is generally used by their enemies, in abusive contexts. The abbreviated term 'Trots' is frequently used, and has connotations of contempt.

Things Trotskyists argue about

Major debates are supposed only to take place over issues of 'principle', while tactical matters should be decided by local parties. However, Trotskyists show a remarkable ability to turn all debates into life-or-death matters of principle. Some of the most major debates have included: