Wednesday, June 10, 2015
LSSP was one of the few if not the only Party in the world, at that time, to embrace the positions of the Left opposition led by Leon Trotsky, opposed to the mistaken policies of Stalin. In the light of thinking of Trotsky, it is possible to search the situation in the present world. In a struggle for the establishment of democracy in any country in the modern world, it is the organized working class that should take the lead. In cities where power is concentrated, mass power rest with the proletariat.
Other classes such as professionals, intelligentsia, and students may be active, but incapable of sustaining a struggle. These middle elements become the instrument of liberal bourgeoisie who often come to power at the end of the struggle. Middle classes with the connivement of international bourgeoisie will help the liberals to come to power.
Except Marxists who understand the role of the petty bourgeoisie, others make the masses believe that democratic revolution should conclude under the leadership of liberals. Some Marxists who followed the line of thinking of Stalin agreed to compromise with the latter idea. This led to the division within the LSSP, even in the early period.
Workers' party
Thus it was those members of the Sama Samaja Party who supported the policies of Stalin who were expelled from the Party in 1938/39. Thereafter the Party aligned itself with the 4th International formed by Trotsky, a little prior to his assassination by a Stalinist agent in August 1940. The Lanka Sama Samaja Party, though its leaders were from the upper Middle Class intelligentsia, was from its very inception a workers' party or a party of the working class. Its aim of ushering in a Socialist Society in this country had to be under the leadership of the working class supported by the poor peasantry.
People such as Lesley and Hector understood that socialism can be achieved only under a world revolution, and talk of socialism in one country could only mean social reforms and social welfare. Such leaders had an understanding of the democratic tasks faced by the people in Lanka. However, they too were not able to understand fully, the national problem that could divide the country. They did not go beyond Parity of languages. This is exposed in the book by Lesley on party history:-
'The LSSP took its seats in the Opposition and, as the single largest party in the Opposition; the Leadership of the Opposition fell to it. However, at the commencement, the LSSP defined its attitude to the new MEP Government as one of "responsive cooperation". This attitude however changed to one of opposition very soon, when the Government introduced its "Sinhala Only" Bill.
This was the occasion for minor riots. But in 1958, when a pact which the Prime Minister, Bandaranaike, had concluded with the Federal Party broke down, there were widespread riots and killings, followed by a period of Emergency which lasted several months. For a number of months political life was at a virtual standstill. ---- . Finally, Sinhalese communalism and Tamil communalism, which were roused to a high pitch by the policies of the Government itself and by the public declarations of many of its leaders, resulted in widespread rioting and Emergency rule, which threatened the unity of the country and brought the normal administration practically to a standstill. Even to think of economic development in such conditions was not possible. Such is the irony of history. The very question which more than any other had helped to bring the MEP Government to power proved to be the biggest obstacle in the way of the progress of that Government.'
There is no discussion on devolution or Banda- Chelva pact. LSSP neither defended nor supported this democratic resolution. However, the Communist party which did not accept that the democratic tasks can be completed only under proletarian leadership was able to discuss the national problem in relation to the Right of self Determination. For a short period Asoka Abewardhana's father became the general secretary as he introduced the discussion on self- determination. However, even the Communist party failed to make public these ideas.
Civil unrest
In this modern world Marxist parties defer from liberals not only on the issue of socialism. World over, the problems of human rights and other democratic issues have come to the fore front. Even in Britain and America, equality issues have become important in all elections. Recently, huge mass actions took place in America on issues related to democracy. In April 12, 2015, Freddie Carlos Gray, Jr., a 25-year-old African-American, was arrested by the Department for possessing what the police alleged was an illegal switchblade. While being transported in a police van, Gray fell into a coma and was taken to a trauma center. Gray died on April 19, 2015; his death was ascribed to injuries to his spinal cord. Gray's death resulted in an ongoing series of protests and civil disorder.
A major protest in downtown Baltimore on April 25, 2015, turned violent, resulting in 34 arrests and injuries to 15 police officers. After Gray's funeral on April 27, civil unrest intensified with looting and burning of local businesses and a CVS drug store, culminating with a state of emergency declaration by Governor Lawrence Hogan. It led to Maryland National Guard deployment to Baltimore, and the establishment of a curfew until May 3.
Liberal Democrats
In UK, the Scottish National Party, having enjoyed a surge in support since the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, became the third largest party in the Commons by winning 56 of the 59 seats in Scotland, mostly at the expense of Labour. The Liberal Democrats, led by the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, suffered their worst result since 1970 and held just eight out of their previous 57 seats. The Green Party won their highest ever share of the vote with 3.8% and held their only seat of Brighton Pavilion with a larger majority.
The campaign was marked by the growing support for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), which came third in terms of votes with 12.9% though won only a single seat. Result shows that national problem have become a major issue surpassing social and class problems.
In both these powerful developed countries, democratic problems have attracted mass attention and campaigns have demanded speedy solutions. While development with high technology has reduced the rate of profit to an alarming level, where state has to intervene in a big way to save capitalism; mass consciousness has developed in the direction of democracy and human rights.
In that scenario, it is a grave tragedy that in this country, the so called Marxist leaders of old Sama Samajist movement, including those of Communist party are in the name of socialism, hangs on to leaders who have dragged the country to fascist- styled rule with the support of worst kind of MNCs.
