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December 07:
This forum has beens set up on the personal initiative of some members of the Workers Solidarity Movement. At the moment it is for members of groups who have signed up to the anarkismo* statement and for individual non-aligned platformists who also agree with the statement.
It is intended to open a general forum, open to all, in 2008.
1. Moderators statement
We identify ourselves as anarchists and with the "platformist", anarchist-communist or especifista tradition of anarchism. We broadly identify with the theoretical base of this tradition and the organisational practice it argues for, but not necessarily everything else it has done or said, so it is a starting point for our politics and not an end point.
The core ideas of this tradition that we identify with are the need for anarchist political organisations that seek to develop:
* Theoretical Unity
* Tactical Unity
* Collective Action and Discipline
* Federalism
Anarchism will be created by the class struggle between the vast majority of society (the working class) and the tiny minority that currently rule. A successful revolution will require that anarchist ideas become the leading ideas within the working class. This will not happen spontaneously. Our role is to make anarchist ideas the leading ideas or, as it is sometimes expressed, to become a "leadership of ideas".
A major focus of our activity is our work within the economic organizations of the working class (labour organizations, trade unions, syndicates) where this is a possibility. We therefore reject views that dismiss activity in the unions because as members of the working class it is only natural that we should also be members of these mass organizations. Within them we fight for the democratic structures typical of anarcho-syndicalist unions like the 1930's CNT. However, the unions no matter how revolutionary cannot replace the need for anarchist political organisation(s).
We also see it as vital to work in struggles that happen outside the unions and the workplace. These include struggles against particular oppressions, imperialism and indeed the struggles of the working class for a decent place and environment in which to live. Our general approach to these, like our approach to the unions, is to involve ourselves with mass movements and within these movements, in order to promote anarchist methods of organisation involving direct democracy and direct action.
We actively oppose all manifestations of prejudice within the workers' movement and society in general and we work alongside those struggling against racism, sexism, [religious] sectarianism and homophobia as a priority. We see the success of a revolution and the successful elimination of these oppressions after the revolution being determined by the building of such struggles in the pre-revolutionary period. The methods of struggle that we promote are a preparation for the running of society along anarchist and communist lines after the revolution.
We oppose imperialism but put forward anarchism as an alternative goal to nationalism. We defend grassroots anti-imperialist movements while arguing for an anarchist rather than nationalist strategy.
We recognise a need for anarchist organisations who agree with these principles to federate on an international basis. However, we believe the degree of federation possible and the amount of effort put into it must be determined by success at building national or regional organisations capable of making such international work a reality, rather than a matter of slogans.
2. Forum Goals
Anarchist Black Cat is a international anarchist-communist forum. These are our aims for this project.
The purpose of this forum is:
1. Provide a discussion resource between anarchist groups and individuals all over the world who are influenced by the "platformist", anarchist-communist or especifista tradition of anarchism.
2. Facilitate fraternal debate and discussion between anarchists of this tradition.
3. Provide a space where other anarchists, socialists and anybody else can learn about the activities and views of this anarchist tradition and engage in constructive dialogue with them.
4. Encourage the growth of this tradition throughout the world.
Why we think this is important:
Capitalism is today, more than ever, organised as a global system. Anarchism too needs to be global. The Internet can be a powerful tool to help us organise globally. Although, this is a small step, we believe that an international anarchist-communist news site can play an important part in this task, by:
1. Improving communication between "platformist" organizations and individuals, which is a vital step on the road to achieving greater unity on an international level.
2. Winning people to anarchism, in particular in areas of the world where the movement is weak or non-existent
3. Convincing people who desire social change that the sort of approach outlined in the 'Anarchist Platform' is the best one.
4. Aiding the formation of new anarchist-communist groups and collectives and encouraging people to join the existing ones."
* We are using the anarkismo statement but this project is not formally endorsed by anarkismo.
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