Why We Adhere to the SFIO by French Trotskyism (original) (raw)

French Trotskyism 1934

Why We Adhere to the SFIO

Source: La V�rit�, Special issue, September, 1934;
Translated: for marxists.org by Mitchell Abidor;
CopyLeft: Creative Commons (Attribute & ShareAlike) marxists.org 2010.

Declaration

At the third national conference of the Ligue Communiste the Bolshevik-Leninists of France, from an examination of the French and international political situations and the state of the worker’s movement, reaffirmed their conviction that the program and methods of Leninism that were the basis of their actions are more necessary than ever for the proletariat in order for it to resist fascism, bring down the capitalist regime, and march towards a socialist society.

The Bolshevik-Leninists note that since the February events the two great working class formations have accepted the watchword of the united front, which we have fought for for years, though they do it without giving it the active content imposed by the reactionary threat. Nevertheless, a radical and profound grouping of the working class in France has begun, with political delimitation being carried out through a process of unification. The Bolshevik-Leninists want to take the largest possible part in this grouping on the road to one sole revolutionary party of the proletariat, which can only be carried out through action and through the elaboration and criticism of action.

In the present conditions, continuing as a small independent group will not allow us to effectively play the role the gravity of the situation demands. This is why we have decided to enter, such as we are, with our program and our ideas, the Socialist Party. In the ranks of the sections of the Socialist Party, side by side with the revolutionary workers, with the working class of France, in the common combat against the bourgeoisie WE WANT TO ELABORATE WITH THEM THE BEST MEANS, THE BEST METHOD TO LIBERATE OURSELVES FROM THE CHAINS OF CAPITALISM.

The Bolshevik-Leninists, in entering the Socialist Party, only request the right to participate in actions; that of defending, like any other tendency, the ideas forged in years of struggle. They commit to being disciplined in revolutionary action.

The Bolshevik-Leninists demand of all their sympathizers that they transform their sympathy into adherence by associating themselves with this decisive step.

Comrades, join us in the ranks of the Socialist party for the revolutionary struggle of the proletariat.

Without renouncing our past and our ideas, but also without any ulterior motives, saying just what is, we must enter the Socialist Party. Not for show, not as an experiment, but for serious revolutionary labor under the banner of Marxism.

The National Conference of the Ligue Communiste
August 24, 1934