The LIS in Australia
Of the 22 al 26 August participated with Alejandro Bodart conference Socialism Sydney. It was organized by Socialist Alternative of Australia and various internal activities of the organization. They were days of intense political debate with a strong youth participation. In a world in crisis, revolutionary socialists continue to build international links.
The conference
The event took place in the premises of the Faculty of Law, University of Sydney. More than 500 participants developed dozens of conversations with a variety of issues ranging from the world political situation, covering the tensions between the US and China, Hong Kong revolutions and Sudan, to the effect of building revolutionary parties, through the struggle of the LGBT movement, the growing rebellion against the ecological crisis, the rise of new formations right and the study of the classics of revolutionary Marxism. From Friday afternoon until closing Sunday night, hundreds of participants discussed in various panels.
Our party was invited by fellow Socialist Alternative to expound on the political situation in Latin America and the development of the revolutionary left. In one of the panels more assistance throughout the event, Alejandro Bodart He developed the main elements of the dynamics of the continent. Starting from the decade of 90 and neoliberal reforms, then developing the cycle of rebellions and revolutions of the early twenty-first century, the experiences of governments 'progressive' and wear the heat of the global crisis, until the current time of crisis right projects, He built a broad overview to give rise to the tasks of revolutionaries in this.
Socialist Alternative
Socialist Alternative is the main force of the revolutionary left in Australia. It has several hundred members and development in the cities of Melbourne, Sidney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth y Wollongong. Publishes a biweekly newspaper called Red Flag (Red flag) and a theoretical and political magazine called Marxist Left Review. It has a strong presence in the university student movement, work in the labor movement, a solid frame structure and is an active part of campaigns as the struggle of solidarity with the Palestinian people and the boycott of the genocidal state of Israel, the defense of migrants and the growing international social and environmental movement Rebellion Against Extinction.
Founded in the mid-decade 90, the organization has its roots in the tradition linked to the Trotskyist leader Tony Cliff that from the decade of 70 He was grouped around the International Socialist Tendency, whose main party is the Socialist Workers Party of England. After considerable debate about the dynamics of the global situation in the early 90, a group of leaders who expressed differences with exitistas characterizations of the "mother party" English was expelled from the International Socialist Organization (Australian section of the IST), dando origen a Socialist Alternative. In the decade of the 2000 the organization was experiencing sustained development from its intervention in the fight against the Iraq war and anti-globalization movement, then merging with another organization Trotskyist tradition, becoming the most dynamic force left Australian.
The political situation in Australia
The political dynamics of the country is strongly marked by the itinerary of the Labor Party. This has been responsible for implementing the neoliberal reforms in recent decades. Since the eighties he used his control of the union bureaucracy to enchalecar the labor movement and take it to a series of defeats. This not only led to a loss of rights, but also to a sharp decline in militancy and labor organization.
Historically Australia had one of the highest figures in the world unionization, and today has fallen to 13%. Nevertheless, at the conference we could see how it starts to move a new moment in the country's political situation, with a youthful activism that begins to grow facing the policies of capitalist plunder. Youth Socialist Alternative is an active part of this new awakening of struggles.
Australia plays a key role in the Pacific region. From its origins was an enclave for the advancement of colonialism and imperialism, first British and then US. Formally, it is a parliamentary monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as sovereign. Although the fundamental political and military alliance is with America, which it has major military bases on its territory. Hence the growing tension between the US and China has become a central debate of national policy, and it was one of the key themes of the conference. If its historical ties with US imperialism mark the alignment of the Australian bourgeoisie USA, its economy has become increasingly dependent on exports to China. These, mainly consisting of carbon and sale of educational services, They represent 40% of product revenue from international trade. The global crisis and the slowdown in China mark a horizon where the crisis can enter the country, creating new challenges and opportunities for revolutionaries.
International unity of revolutionaries
Our trip to Sydney was a great opportunity to establish links with fellow Socialist Alternative, learn more about their history and experience directly development and militant activity. In addition to participating in the Conference, We had the opportunity to meet with members of his national leadership and were invited to participate in a regional plenary Sydney.
In addition to exchanging views on the world situation, and on Australia and Argentina particularly, We could talk about the need to take steps towards the unity of revolutionaries internationally. We share our views on the situation of Trotskyism internationally. We discussed at length the recent crisis in the US ISO with which they had strong ties, and also on the political and organizational boundaries of the United Secretariat of the Fourth International, whose meetings they participate as observers.
Despite coming from different traditions, we have common conclusions on the tasks Stage. From currents to suit passing fashions, We share the importance of the fight in defense of the construction of revolutionary organizations. Also the need to overcome isolation and knit political and organizational links to international level, leaving behind the bureaucratic model of the mother party in the international construction. They transmit and the project we faced in building the International Socialist League.
In that way, we have initiated a fruitful dialogue with colleagues we expect further development. For now, we have been invited to a new conference held in Melbourne in early 2020, and colleagues have decided to participate in the Congress of the LIS also scheduled for mid 2020. We continue taking concrete steps on the path of international unity of revolutionaries and this new trip was undoubtedly a significant step in that direction.
Luis Meiners
