First Published: Unite!, Vol. 4, No. 5, April 1, 1978.
Transcription, Editing and Markup: Paul Saba
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In the world today sharp lines of demarcation are being drawn between Marxism-Leninism and opportunism. As we move toward the formation of the genuine vanguard party of the working class in the U.S., genuine unity is being forged around the Draft Party Program which the MLOC recently issued.
In stark opposition to this principled approach to party building, the Communist Party, Marxist-Leninist [CP(M-L)] has once again issued a call for the formation of a Unity Committee, whose purpose is supposed to be to unite all those Marxist-Leninists who have not, up to now, joined the CP(M-L). But, as in its earlier party building efforts, the CP(M-L)’s recent call is not built around a party program.
In 1975, the CP(M-L)’s forerunner, the October League (OL) called on Marxist-Leninists to unite to build the party based on a loose set of principles. They did not at that time see the need for the party to be founded on a party program.
And now over two years later, the CP(M-L) says that this new Unity Committee can be formed around some kind of “unity statement”. They have once again forgotten the program, even though they now have one.
We must ask, is the CP(M-L) abandoning its program? Do they think it is not their basis for unity? If it is not, then what is their basis of unity?
The CP(M-L)’s aim is to unite all those forces in this country who uphold the revisionist theory of the “three worlds”, which will lead to class collaboration with the U.S. bourgeoisie.
They have no need to unite on other questions of principle or on their program, if unity can be reached on this theory, which they claim to be the real guide for the strategy and tactics of world revolution. In addition, they would prefer that their practice in the trade unions not be questioned, or that their chauvinist stand towards the Black and Chicano Nations or their splitting and wrecking of the Gary Tyler work not be raised. The CP(M-L) wants it pure and simple unity abound the theory of the “three worlds”.
To unite with the CP(M-L) on this basis is to unite with collaboration. They don’t oppose the U.S. bourgeoisie – they chastize it for not building B-l bombers. They praise Tito for calling for an end to the presence of Soviet troops in Africa, but they leave the U.S. bourgeoisie alone. This is the unity that the CP(M-L) wants to build – this is not the unity that the working class of the United States needs to build.
No, the U.S. proletariat is marching forward to build its genuine party. And, as can be seen from the last issue of UNITE!, there is a genuine call for unity among Marxist-Leninists. This will be built on the basis of genuine unity around the Party Program. This program clearly and concisely lays out the strategy which is based on the revolutionary alliance of the working class and oppressed nations in opposition to the bourgeoisie and its social props.
The difference between this revolutionary strategy and the strategy of the CP(M-L)’s “three worlds” strategy is the difference between Marxism-Leninism and opportunism – the difference between revolution and class collaboration.
Yes, we call on Marxist-Leninists to unite into a single party, but this unity will be forged on the Marxist-Leninist principles as laid out in the program and not on opportunism, such as the theory of the “three worlds”.