Theses on the Basic Tasks of the Comintern
2. Тезисы об основных задачах Коминтерна
Date: 1920
Source: ru:PSS/v41
Translated by: AI (Claude)

I. The Essence of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat and Soviet Power

(pp. 1-5) (§§ 1-4).

1. Introduction.

1. The main concepts and "essence," the soul of the Third International: the dictatorship of the proletariat and Soviet power.

"Fashion," thoughtless enthusiasm, deception. False interpretation. Mistakes.

I

2. The "essence" of the dictatorship of the proletariat:

3. Soviets for this, in this struggle; outside it

an empty shell [only oppressed classes + minority of neutral etc.]

Summa – summary. Ed.

II. Verbal and actual recognition of the dictatorship of the proletariat.

II. What Should Immediate and Universal Preparation for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat Consist of?

(pp. 5 - p. 14) (§§ 5-13)

5. In the vast majority of countries the preliminary preparation of the proletariat for its dictatorship has not been completed (often not begun) yet, to say nothing of preparing for the collapse of the upper strata.

On the other hand, verbal "recognition" à la Second International.

6. § 8, + for the dictatorship of the proletariat is a struggle with reformism (exposure) not only by arguments, but also by weapons

(Finland, Russia, Hungary, Poland, Germany).

idem – the same. Ed.

11. § 12. connection with the masses

12. § 13. id. strikes

7. § 14. collaborationism ad § 8

13. § 15. illegal organization

{ NB + Combination of legal + illegal work

II

[Note 174: This refers to the wrecking by opportunists of the international political strike of workers, which was planned for July 21, 1919 in support of the Russian and Hungarian revolutions with a demand for non-interference by imperialist governments in Russian and Hungarian affairs. The right-wing leaders of socialist parties and trade unions did everything to prevent the implementation of the international strike. The behavior of French social-compromisers was treacherous. On July 20, on the eve of the strike, the leaders of the General Confederation of Labor (Jouhaux, Merrheim and others) proposed to postpone the strike, although initially, in order to deceive the workers, they had spoken in favor of holding it. Thus the international strike was thwarted, there was no united action of the proletariat of all countries; on the appointed day only separate strikes took place in England, Italy, Germany, Norway and some other countries.]

Anarchist strikes. Ed.

Selected troops. Ed.

16. The main enemy within the international workers' movement remains opportunism, mainly of the upper strata and leaders, both among trade unions and cooperatives, etc., and among parties like the Independent Party of Germany, the Independent Labour Party of England, the French Socialist Party, the Swiss and American Socialist Parties, etc.

Their recognition of the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet in fact changed their opportunist policy.

Therefore their immediate accession to the Third International is impossible. First it is necessary:

(a) their dissemination of all resolutions of the I and II Congresses of the Third International (b) their discussion by all cells and organizations of their parties (c) providing the Executive Committee of the Third International the opportunity to participate in this discussion for 2-3 months (d) convening emergency congresses of the respective parties (e) "purification" of them from opportunist leaders and correction in practice of their policy.

18. In relation to the reformist wing of the Italian Socialist Party, especially in parliament (+ syndicates + cooperatives), purification is also necessary.

19. On the other hand, the mistakes of the left, which, however, are less dangerous now and cannot prevent immediate accession on condition of submission to the I and II Congresses

of the Third International and correction of tactics.

These mistakes are: (mainly)

(a) party and "mass" (idol)

(b) parliamentarism (c) trade unions.

Parties and groups (partly affiliated, partly not):

Dutch Communist Party "Kommunismus" Viennese.

NB The best in anarchism can be and must be attracted.

___

ΣΣ [Sum total]

20. The revolutionary workers' movement is growing splendidly.

Correction of tactics and organization is necessary on the basis of all resolutions of the Third International, – mainly the following:

(a) communist groups + I.W.W. + left part of I.L.P. + left part of trade unions in England and America. Rapprochement and merger, (b) id. 2 communist parties + left part of "independents" (on the basis of K.P.D), (c) transformation of the French Socialist Party in the spirit of its communist fraction and the communist part of C.G.T., (d) purification of the Italian, (e) id. in small countries, (g) rapprochement and merger with the revolutionary movement of the East and colonies.

===

+ Addition

on strikes: betrayals of leaders.

Reformists = agents of the bourgeoisie in the workers' movement.

Struggle with the bourgeoisie = struggle with its agency.

___

Add to Section II

§ Freedom of the press

Leaflets (50 lines)

several times a week.

Seizure of printing houses for this purpose

Replacement + supplement.

[Note 176: "De Tribune" ("The Tribune") – a newspaper founded in 1907 by the left wing of the Social-Democratic Workers' Party of Holland. From 1909, after the expulsion of the left from the party and their organization of the Social-Democratic Party of Holland, it became the organ of this party; from 1918 – organ of the Dutch Communist Party; it was published under this name until 1940.]

III. Correction of the Line (Partly and Composition) of Parties Adhering and Wishing to Adhere to the Communist International.

13. In contrast to the Second International, questions must be posed more directly and >[more] centralized.

14. Three important parties ("independents" of Germany + England + France) + American Socialist Party + Swiss Socialist Party (if correct).

15. Cannot immediately accept the old composition and character of work of non-communist parties

(α) publication in all periodicals (β) discussion in all sections (γ) id. at a special congress (δ) purifier [purify] (ε) all party organs in the hands of communists (ζ) prove by deeds.

16. Communists in these parties? Parts to remain,

18. Particularly necessary is rapprochement of I.W.W. and Shop Stewards.

Written in July, not later than the 4th, 1920.

Printed for the first time, from the manuscript