Communist Conference: Developing New Leaders

International Communist Conference here ♦ Women in Struggle for Communism here ♦ What does it mean to lead? here ♦

International Communist Conference: Overcoming Obstacles, Breaking Borders, Developing New Communist Leaders

EL SALVADOR, December 5—”Now I can go to the Red Flag study groups,” a worker said. “Before, I didn’t have someone to take care of my children on the weekend, and it is also the only time to share with them.”

Workers, women and men, must make the time needed to attend political study groups and Party meetings. That’s why we decided to include the family group in activities: so that more workers whose obstacle was taking care of their children could participate.

The factory workers have faced multiple obstacles. These include leaving their family under the care of others, traveling in inappropriate conditions especially today in pandemic times, economic pressures, exploitation by the bosses, insecurity, and violence.

A worker leader whose family is also part of the International Communist Workers’ Party (ICWP) pointed out: “I have problems continuing to be active in the Party collective, but I will continue attending the meetings, because I believe in communist ideas.”

For years she has carried out enormous organizational work. We are waging a political struggle with her, so that she continues to give leadership to other workers. The upcoming conference will help to clarify her communist ideas and those of many other workers.

The International Communist Workers Party has a historic challenge: to mobilize the masses for communism, to organize the working class worldwide. As part of this plan, this international conference will respond to the need for the growth of new collectives, the development of a new generation of communist leaders, and the leadership of working women, among others, to intensify the struggle for communism.

Male and female workers, students, former farmworker combatants, teachers, health workers and comrades from other countries will all participate enthusiastically in the international conference, breaking the borders for communism. There will also be a Forum on the strike wave and the role of the ICWP in organizing class struggle worldwide.

Social Relations Among Communist Comrades

In a meeting with two women leaders to expand on the party line and refine some details of the activity, one of them said “I want to interact with the factory workers. We are fighting for a society without discrimination, we are one class. I think the conference will be a great opportunity to do that.”

The conference will develop an agenda that allows a qualitative change in the way those in the Party, inside and outside the factory, interact. The comrade’s request shows the need to see how communist relations should be in the party and how women can give leadership.

The development of women’s leadership needs more commitment on the part of the whole Party, considering that women have been key in the growth of the Party and historically in revolutionary struggles throughout the world.

Collective Leadership of ICWP

The formation of new collectives and study groups, even with time limitations, has gradually strengthened the participation of new comrades. The workers have felt more confidence in these groups that allow them to raise their ideas and questions about ICWP’s line.

For example, one worker asked, “Who are the leaders of this Party? Is there someone else who gives the orders?”

 A worker comrade replied, “We don’t receive orders. In collectives we discuss everything, and we make decisions collectively. The ICWP is a mass party. Every worker who shares the conviction to fight for communism can be here and be part of discussing all aspects of the fight and help make the best decisions.”

“All workers should be part of a collective like this, to discuss the party line and make plans for the political struggle, until it is considered to be at a point that can be carried out,” said a comrade.

The fight for communism is today! Attend the international conference! Log in to participate in the Forum! One working class, one International Communist Workers’ Party! Long live communism!

Women in the Struggle for Communism

In El Salvador, we live in a constant struggle against an oppressive capitalist system with gender attacks that increase daily, where opportunities do not exist, where we are discriminated against. Thousands of women are harassed and subjected to this capitalist system, which encourages discord and conflict among workers so that unity doesn’t exist. This creates instability.

We must not stop. On the contrary, we need to unite and mobilize the masses of working-class women to let them know that the answer lies in communism, which will end sexism.

In communism, there is a voice and no more silence for thousands of women who, due to the need to survive, are oppressed. Not fighting for reforms or changes of laws, but the fight for a new system: an equitable communist society where we all fight for a common good in unity and harmony among men and women.

I feel very proud to be a member of our party ICWP. I share the communist ideology of our party with friends and family to mobilize the masses and fight for a communist society free from subjugating capitalism. As well as sharing our Red Flag newspaper so that they know that we are not alone,  that we are an International Party in the constant struggle for communism, which is the solution. And in turn they will share our ideology and our Red Flag newspaper.

The struggle continues.

-Comrade in El Salvador

What Does It Mean to Lead?

Leading/following is a contradiction.  They are opposites and neither can exist without the other.   No one is a leader unless others “follow” them. In capitalism, the two sides interfere with each other: nobody likes to be bossed around.  Especially when “following the leader” means acting against their own best interests.

A recent article said, “In the factories today, the workers’ collectives give leadership to the comrades who demonstrate their willingness to fight for a new world.”  That is, other comrade workers follow their lead.

Sometimes “leadership” is confused with “responsibility.”  Comrades and friends take (or share) responsibility for aspects of Party work.  They agree to be accountable to a collective, practicing criticism and self-criticism to improve that work.

Such positions, however important, are not always “leadership.” For example, a comrade is responsible for formatting pictures in Red Flag.  Other comrades sometimes help, but the task can be done without anyone “following.”

In contrast, several comrades have been responsible for layout.  They have built long-term relationships with others who are now following their lead.  Layout is a task, but helping others to take responsibility for it is leading.

Becoming a leader is a process.  For example:  a comrade sets up meetings and invites friends – important tasks! But nobody comes.  Or someone comes once and doesn’t return. The comrade organizer is not yet a leader because nobody is following.

But, encouraged by their collective, they keep trying.  They deepen personal-political relationships.  Often, that work adds up, little by little.  Another meeting… but this time three people come and enjoy a productive discussion.  They want to return.  There are qualitative changes:  a new collective exists and the comrade organizer is now a leader.

In capitalism, “leaders” are those appointed or elected to a “leadership position” – or they inherit it or forcibly seize it. Capitalist leaders are members or accomplices of the ruling class.  The masses are “followers.”  We’re supposed to cast a vote occasionally (if we’re allowed) and do what the “leaders” tell us. As the article said, “In communism there will be no elections of this type.”

But the article continued, “The leadership will be given to those who demonstrate the greatest commitment to the fulfillment of the human being.”  This is, at best, confusing. Positions of responsibility may be assigned (“given”) to people who accept them, but becoming a leader is not something that can be “given.”

This sentence also implies that leadership involves being exceptional. I think that’s wrong.  In ICWP today, and in communism after world revolution, we want everyone to lead in some areas and follow in others, as we are willing and able. Our different strengths will complement each other as we all learn and develop new strengths.

Communism resolves the leading/following contradiction by “leaders” helping “followers” develop as leaders. And leaders being open to learning from (“following”) their followers.  We make and carry out decisions collectively in our common interest. We all have responsibilities. Nobody is a boss.  Nobody just follows orders.  Starting now, in our party!

-Comrade in California (USA)

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