Republican Socialism in an International context

Certainly any Republican Socialist agenda in this part of the world and on these islands has to include the need for unity of socialists and maximising opportunities to compare experiences and work together. At least some credit can be given to the Scottish Socialist Party individuals who organised a Republican Socialist Convention on the anniversary of Scottish revolutionary John MacLean's death.

Mike Davies, calling himself a socialist republican and Welsh internationalist, outlined the problems faced by the Left in Wales, trying to deal with the sectarian manoeuvring of the British Left, which had sabotaged every unity project. He pointed out that there would be a referendum in Wales seeking more powers for the devolved Welsh Assembly.

Dan Finn, from the Irish Socialist Network, outlined the difficulties faced in trying to unite the Left, in the face of the sectarianism of the co-thinkers of the British Left. Nevertheless, some real unity had been achieved in the referendum to defeat the neo-liberal Lisbon Treaty. The ISN is an all-Ireland organisation producing its own news sheet, Resistance.

Tommy McKearney, a former republican prisoner in the Maze, now an activist in the Independent Workers Union and editor of Fourthwrite, outlined the situation in the Six Counties, after the Good Friday Agreement. This had copper fastened partition and entrenched sectarian divisions. Yet, most of the earlier economic underpinning of state-backed sectarian had disappeared. Objectively, there were grounds for overcoming past divisions, but this would mean opposing communitarian politics and challenging the current divided political set-up on class grounds.

The platform speakers briefly outlined what they had got from the day, and the possibilities for future joint activities. There was common agreement that despite differences of viewpoint, the whole day was conducted in a very comradely manner, in marked contrast to the participants’ experiences in gatherings dominated by the British Left and their co-thinkers in Ireland. Their methods seemed to duplicate some of those used by the UK state, to ensure its continued domination over the working class and peoples of these islands. Participants were optimistic that there was a real basis for organising by uniting on socialists in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England on ‘internationalism from below’ principles.

See more on a talk prepared by Allan Armstrong for the Republican Socialist Convention by clicking here

Well I don't disagree with what individuals in the SSP have been attempting to achieve but in the absence of a Republican Socialist Party in Scotland we also have to learn about Republican Socialist unity in Scotland to assist others in working class struggle and the break up the British state. What genuine Republican Socialists will realise that some of the worst obstacles to unity come from within. However Internationalism from below is a sentiment worth echoing. And the platform for Republican Socialists must be broad based.

Also theoretical analysis is all very well but follow up on the Convention proposals or a co-ordinated plan is needed which would be better in the longer term.

Republican Socialists must always follow up ideas which precede with action.