Progressive Workers Movement
432 Homer Street Vancouver, B.C.
North American Conference of Anti-Imperialist Youth Regina, Sask.
Dear Friends,
The Progressive Workers Movement is unable to send a delegate to the North American Conference of Anti-Imperialist Youth as we are more concerned at present with local organizing. However, in the hope that they may further the struggle to build movements in Canada and the U.S. to oppose imperialism, we offer some suggestions for the development and operations of an anti-imperialist movement:
(1) The anti-imperialist movement is the basic unit through which people can be mobilized to oppose imperialism. In an open and honest anti-imperialist movement, one which includes ALL political elements to imperialism, people are brought into contact with socialist and many other political philosophies, and through practice and the presentation of various political lines by the various political elements, develop politically. The main purpose of the anti-imperialist movement is to mobilize as many people as possible to oppose imperialism, and for the group itself partisan political questions should be of secondary importance.
In order to develop the widest possible anti-imperialist movement, it is essential to welcome into the movement as wide a range of people as possible. All types of people who oppose imperialism, in however limited a way must be included in the group – up to and including the national bourgeoisie. A cardinal rule of all anti-imperialist tendencies, however bankrupt, for the bankrupt ones will soon expose themselves and the truly progressive ones win support.
(2) Historically so-called anti-imperialist fronts have usually excluded the participation of communists. As we have said, an anti-imperialist movement that excludes any group that opposes imperialism is making a grave error; particular philosophies in the movement should not be afraid of debate with opposing philosophies (within an anti-imperialist context) unless they are manipulating the movement or uncertain of their own beliefs and unwilling to put them to a public test. Communists, and all other groups, must have the right to participate fully in the anti-imperialist movement, but at the same time maintain independence of position and action.
(3) By this same token, an anti-imperialist movement cannot progress if the major political faction in the movement, by virtue of its superior numbers, places qualifications for membership upon the people seeking to join the movement that go beyond the simple desire to oppose imperialism. By demanding of prospective members a specific political ideology or advanced political understanding, the anti-imperialist group will cut off participation by the mass of the people. The anti-imperialist movement, as we said before, must be a forum where, firstly, actions are proposed to oppose imperialism, and secondly where various political philosophies contend and recruit members. A political movement must struggle ideologically for leadership, not impose it. Any political movement with a majority in the anti-imperialist movement should, in this same regard take pains to share leadership among the various other elements, to avoid public charges of discrimination by one group, and to allow the fullest development and exposure of other political tendencies.
(4) In various national situations, differences exist in conditions and stages of struggle. For example, in Canada the major contradiction at present is U.S. domination of the economy, so the struggle is basically one for self-determination. In the U.S., the struggle is mainly directed against indigenous capitalism, with aspects of national liberation struggle in the black community.
Tactics in the anti-imperialist struggle will vary according to unique characteristics of different areas, and no attempt should be made to impose strict uniformity of tactics in all areas. Specifically, the creation of an organization which calls for identical tactics in both Canadian and U.S. struggles, cannot be successful, (particularly for Canada, which would normally be in a numerically subordinate position having its views accepted). The co-operation between U.S. and Canadian groups in as many areas as possible to assist the anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist fight is of course highly desirable, but only if independence of action is maintained.
Similarly, no tactic adopted by another country in the anti-imperialist struggle should necessarily be adopted as a requirement by the anti-imperialist group on China’s Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution should be simply insisting upon the right of China to undertake internal change. Because of China’s position as a socialist society, support for or opposition to the cultural revolution is a socialist question and should not require the anti-imperialist group to take a position on it.
Wishing you success in the anti-imp struggle,
PROGRESSIVE WORKERS MOVEMENT