(...and from other sources but Cliff was
crucial and a living link to earlier struggles.)
(i) "Class" is economic, not just
social. Those who own only their own labour power (ability to work) have to sell
that labour power to those who control the means of production. Thus, class is
defined by different relationships to the means of production.
(ii) The buying and selling of
commodities, including labour power, is the present, capitalist, form of class
divided society.
(iii) Unlike earlier forms, capitalism
is dynamic, perpetually re-making itself, thus generating the illusion that it
no longer exists. However, eg, white collar workers replace blue collar workers
but remain "workers", ie, those who must sell their labour power to survive. I
was asked, "Where are the means of production in a school?" The school produces
disciplined, literate, numerate workers for factories, offices, shops, public
services, armed forces etc so the means of production are the class rooms,
desks, writing materials, text books, exercise books, computers, library, sports
fields etc. When public transport was nationalised, someone said that it had
nothing to do with profit. Public transport moves workers to where they produce
or consume so it has everything to do with profit.
(iv) In class society, there is class
conflict, whether hidden or open. This is an inherent conflict of material
interests between classes.
(v) There is always potential for
revolution and revolutionary situations or opportunities, when class conflict
intensifies and becomes more open, occur regularly on a global scale.
(vi) Revolution is the seizure of
economic and political power by the vast majority, those who must currently sell
their labour power to survive. Thus, it is not a minority seizure of political
power.
(vii) However, it will not just happen.
A minority that understands revolutionary processes can gain mass support in a
revolutionary situation and can thus lead the struggle to completion. Otherwise,
opportunities come and go and have done.
(viii) Leaders are not rulers. Someone
who gives a moral lead against injustice does not and cannot coerce those who
follow their lead. The Paris Commune showed Marx and Engels how the majority can
control society and can thus prevent their leaders from becoming a new ruling
class.
(ix) Revolutionaries must continually
promote their ideas and engage in struggle. It is too late to start organising
when a revolutionary opportunity occurs.
(x) A revolutionary organisation that is
big enough to influence wider numbers can give the lead the makes the
difference.
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