World Revolution:1968
C. L. R. James (1968): World Revolution: 1968
1. We take it for granted that those in contact with working class or classes nearest to it, both inside and outside of France are communicating to learn as much as they can.
2. Marxists have a special function, first of all to analyze the situation and to know exactly the stage of development.
3. Three things are requisite for the Marxist to understand: i. The national state must be destroyed. The only way to do so is the break-up of all bourgeois institutions and their replacement by socialist institutions. French Revolution has shown that the mass population is ready to take over society and form new institutions. Decay of bourgeois institutions is proved by the peoples’ protests and by the bourgeoise and middle classes’ inability to stop to revolution. The bourgeosie are paralyzed by the corruption of the capitalistic regime and the power of their opponent. ii. The first enemy is the bourgeois national state. It’s impossible for a national state of any kind to develop and maintain itself at this point in the 20th century. Marxist must know and make it clear that the national quality of states must be destroyed and the revolution has to be international. The appeal to the people of other European countries must be made to make them follow and perpetuate the French Revolution. The nation state can’t function today, not knowing this clearly would be the destruction of the revolution. iii. Economic relations, political relations, protection of the revolution against military intervention or financial pressure as other troubles depend on transforming bourgeosie institutions into socialist institutions. The establishment of the socialist regime is absolutely necessary in order to maintain the ordinary necessities of life and to defend the elementary rights of all society
4. What are the new socialist institutions? Nobody knows. The working class and the general public are creating them in action. Our duty is to be aware of that and let the public know they alone can make the new institutions. We use the highest peaks of in history as a guide. The highest is the instinctive action of the working class in the Hungarian revolution.
5. The rejection of the bourgeois regime by the public would have collapsed without the communist party. The knowledge of this has given students the leadership. Communist party, Social Democratic Party, Trade Union leadership are all bourgeois institutions. The revolution will save itself delay and temporary defeats if it recognizes from the beginning that all negotiations are done so by themselves. Outside of France, no regular institutions can be allowed to negotiate on the behalf of any section of the revolution, every group must represent themselves. E.g. Students must represent students and workers must represent workers at negotiations. No established organization that has been functioning in the bourgeois regime is to be accepted as a representative. For the revolution of 1968 this is a key point.
6. To get rid of de Gaulle is now a strictly minor matter. Individuals can choose to participate in election. The real problem would be swapping new institutions for old ones.
7. What is urgently required is a) sending representatives to countries abroad, especially newly independent countries and b) the invitation of representatives from all countries to come to France and learn what’s necessary for revolutionary struggle. The absence of intervention or comments on this by developed countries show that they know they are in a dangerous position.
8. Marx put the basic ideas of the Marxist movement in the Communist Manifesto after profound studies in philosophy, economics and revolutionary history. Then came the Commune in 1871, which gave to Lenin and the Bolsheviks indications to be able to understand what took place in 1905. 1905 was the rehearsal for 1917. We have to be able to first understand what has taken place between 1917 and 1968, it’s for our own good. Marxists must be clear to the stage of development so they are able to recognize, welcome and intensify the advances that are taking place in the nation and in the world. This work must be done. Only a Marxist can do it, and it would be the greatest mistake to not do it at all.
In World Revolution: 1968, James predicts that the revolution taking place in France will spread and become a global phenomenon. He believed that Marxists will take up a crucial role in this revolution and without them the revolution could collapse. James urges people to study from the revolution in France and carry it out around the world. According to James, Marxists would have a strong responsibility to do this and have a thorough understanding of the situation at hand. Marxist must understand that the bourgeosie must be destroyed and the bourgeosie institutions must be replaced with socialist ones that are made by the public. James strongly suggests that people must represent themselves in creating the new world. Partoes cannot represent people other than themselves and all bourgeosie organizations can not be negotiated with. James invited people to go to France in order to study the revolution and hoped to send representative abroad to bring the revolution to other parts of the world. The gay rights movement is somewhat similar to Jame’s vision. It follows James’ hopes for the revolution and the acceptance of gay rights is spreading across the globe. In 2001, only Netherland allowed for gay marriage. Today, the number of countries recognizing gay marriage has risen to 18. Do you think the gay rights movement will spread as James hoped the world revolution would?