Reply To: Status of World Socialist Party (US)
But I think what Marcos was getting at is that any re-launched, re-branded WSPUS cannot be a clone of the SPGB. There are just too many differences in the environment where the WSPUS operates.
Yes that is quite true, Alan, and I wasn’t proposing the WSPUS adopt the same branch based model as the SPGB. There simply aren’t the numbers to make that possible anyway – more so given the huge size of the US compared to the UK
What I am saying, though, is that the SPGB must fully commit itself to supporting the WSPUS in its efforts to revive itself – financially, logistically and in other ways – otherwise this is just not going to work. They need our help at the present time. Things will change once they achieve real growth
In my conversations with comrades in the US I am not only making suggestions to them but also trying to get an idea of what they themselves want. There are a number of promising ideas being discussed and I will endeavour to bring these all together in my report which will serve as a contribution to a developing an overall strategy for growth.
I have also contacted the SPC to see if there are ways and means by which the two parties could collaborate to their mutual benefit. One possible idea which is being explored is to hold an annual residential weekend school alternating between the US and Canada, somewhat along the lines of the SPGB’s summer school
The main thrust of any approach to reviving the WSPUS has to focus on significantly increasing the level of connectivity and internal communication within the Party and steps are already being taken to do something about this I can happily report.
On the question of new applicants in the US, my own opinion is that the SPGB membership committee should continue to process these applications for the time being until an administrative apparatus capable of doing this emerges within the WSPUS. Information packs sent out to new members should include material specifically related to the WSPUS in the case of new members based in America.