Post A Follow Up Discussion Page
Posted by Lawrie Coombs on 22nd November 2000
Country: UK
Mine position is quite simple, there are plenty of negative examples of how not to organise a Workers Party (i.e much of the revolutionary left)-where sacred truths remain unchallenged and a kind of pseudo religious attachment to particular ideas kicks in, this is what has passed for democratic centralism. I think you need freedom to think and challenge any orthodoxy, indeed it is vital to encourage an atmosphere where that is the norm.
However saying that you need to be able to represent the wishes of the majority and present their views as well as your own.
In terms of agreed actions you obviously need some kind of accountability and appreciation of the seriousness of the organisational side of things.
That isn't simple is it! In short no blueprint exists we need collectively as the left to work out organisational structures that take account of the failures of the past and also the effectiveness tight organisation and leadership can have against our enemies.
1) Full freedom and facilitation to criticize. No hiding discussion away.
2) discipline in action.
Obviously a healthy culture engenders healthy attitudes to activity.
will that do? sucked from the thumb rather than any kind of organisational thesis