ALB wrote:The criticism we

November 6, 2012 at 2:28 am #86620

Participant

ALB wrote:

The criticism we made of a self-managed market economy of worker-controlled workplaces put forward by such groups as Solidarity in the 60s and 70s applies to them, but our problem is how do we get across the need for some degree of centralisation and for political action. Another drawback is that, unlike those we argued with at that time, modern anti-capitalists are not using the same language that we are used to (socialism, working class,class struggle, Marx, etc). But at least we've haven't got the baggage of vanguardism and insurrection that the SWP and other Trotskyists have.

I seem to recall saying something similar not that long ago. But I found I was critiscised heavily by many, even quite aggressively at times.But at least the reality is starting to sink in.During the late eighties and early nineties I came across a new breed of "punks" into very similar music, except they didn't like the term "punk". They had new words to describe their music and fashion.My point is, new generations want their own identity. They are not concerned and do not like it when it is shown their ideas, fashion, music and even politics have been around before them.I hate to bring this up, because it shouldn't really be important, but unfortunately it is so often in modern society. But there is probably also a generation gap. I imagine most of the SPGB members are over a certain age, probably forties onwards?I would love to be wrong. But if I am not, then we have ageing members using what is often perceived to be outdated language. Not quite a recipe for success in todays youth orientated consumer society.What to do about it. That is the big issue. I don't think Botox or mud masks would do much good and neither will pretending we are younger, by adopting modern fashions, and music tastes. That just leaves the obvious. Now I am not suggesting adapting language will work any magic, but it may stop the party slipping into irrelevant oblivion.