In June last year a unanimous decision was made by the Victorian Socialists’ conference to establish a nationwide organisation known as the Socialist Party. The enthusiastic welcome that this new party has received has exceeded many expectations.
Owen Marsden-Readford reviews a new book on revolutionary movements in Poland, South Africa, Iran and Brazil in the late 20th century.
Duncan Hart examines the concept of the “dictatorship of the proletariat” in its historical context, and argues that Hal Draper was wrong to argue that Lenin’s interpretation was an anti-democratic departure from that of Marx and Engels.
Darren Roso explores the foundation of the French Communist Party, outlining Trotsky's political approach to winning over leading syndicalists to the Marxist movement.
Sadia Schneider reviews a new collection of essays on the application of Lenin's ideas to the contemporary politics.
Ian Birchall examines how the Communist International engaged with syndicalists in an attempt to build an revolutionary working-class movement in the wake of the Russian Revolution.
Darren Roso reviews a new biography of Werner Scholem, a leading figure in the ultra-left faction of the German Communist Party during the tumultuous Weimar republic.
Liz Walsh reflects on the experience of launching the Victorian Socialists.
Rjurik Davidson, winner of the Ditmar Award, author of Unwrapped Sky, The Stars Askew and other fiction, examines Antonio Gramsci’s political practice in his early years.
In the aftermath of the 1917 Russian Revolution, the newly formed Communist International attempted to develop a revolutionary approach to union work in the West. Mick Armstrong looks at the application of that strategy in Australia and Britain.
