International Socialist Organization
We are unstoppable another world is possible
social context
The International Socialist Organization formed in the 1970s as a socialist organization dedicated to working class solidarity and socialism "from below". The only way to be free from capitalism, which exploits the many while the few profit, is for the international working class to come together, seize the means of production, and restructure the world in a way that allows the workers to distribute the resources they create. Capitalism teaches us that we must compete with each other for survival, but the reality is that there is more than enough for everyone and that humans lived in cooperation in pre-class societies. The ISO works to build a revolutionary party that can carry revolution into socialism, as was done in 1917 with the Russian Revolution. Unfortunately, that working-class revolution was eventually lost to counter-revolution and the dictatorship of Stalin. Still, the ISO looks to that Revolution as an example of what is possible and there is hope that if we learn from the mistakes that lead to Stalin, we can form a true socialist society free from the ills capitalism.
We are aware, as the revolutionaries in Russia were, that we cannot force revolution, but can only act as a guiding force in raising consciousness and tactics in revolutionary times. That means that our work today consists mainly of standing in solidarity with all oppressed people while preparing ourselves to be leaders if revolution comes. While Trump has increased the level of struggle today, the ISO is active during times of low struggle as well. Education, weekly meetings, practicing democratic centralism, assisting in unions, and participating in movements are the ongoing tasks of the organization. This practice in times of low struggle has proven invaluable since Trump's election as the organization has had to pivot quickly with each group under attack by Trump. The level of organization means that we are able to stand in solidarity with all oppressed people while never abandoning our politics. The knowledge of current events and history allows us to better understand what is happening so that we can better prepare to fight it. We are an organization that relies on the power of the people, which is important because politicians will work to maintain the status quo. No one is coming to save us but us.
We are aware, as the revolutionaries in Russia were, that we cannot force revolution, but can only act as a guiding force in raising consciousness and tactics in revolutionary times. That means that our work today consists mainly of standing in solidarity with all oppressed people while preparing ourselves to be leaders if revolution comes. While Trump has increased the level of struggle today, the ISO is active during times of low struggle as well. Education, weekly meetings, practicing democratic centralism, assisting in unions, and participating in movements are the ongoing tasks of the organization. This practice in times of low struggle has proven invaluable since Trump's election as the organization has had to pivot quickly with each group under attack by Trump. The level of organization means that we are able to stand in solidarity with all oppressed people while never abandoning our politics. The knowledge of current events and history allows us to better understand what is happening so that we can better prepare to fight it. We are an organization that relies on the power of the people, which is important because politicians will work to maintain the status quo. No one is coming to save us but us.
why i chose the iso
I was called to this work, which entails fighting for social justice at an international level as well as building a revolutionary party because I see how broken the system is. I see how it has failed myself and so many people that I love as well as strangers. Socialism is a solution to the problems of today and the problems to come. It requires collective action and I have learned the hard way that this work cannot be done in isolation. This has been a challenge for me because I am accustomed to fighting alone, but it has given me a tremendous amount of hope and from that hope I am able to sustain myself in this work.
I joined the ISO fairly quickly after finding the organization. This was in part because I believed in the politics, but also because ISO values discussion, debate, and true democracy. I know that if I have a disagreement, I can debate it out, but will act in unity if we democratically decide to go a different route. We also learn from mistakes and continue to move forward. The organization is goal-oriented and that is sustainable for this fight, which will be a life-long one.
Most of all, I believe in socialism because I believe in people. There is a documentary called Battle of Chile that was made of Chile in the 1970s. Chile never achieved socialism, but the country was in a pre-revolution before the military coup led by Pinochet. In this documentary, every day people are speaking with confidence and concern for their fellow Chileans. They know their power and come together to fight back when the capitalists do things like a "boss's strike" in an attempt to shut down the government which had a socialist president. The workers ran the companies without the bosses in order to keep the economy strong. Throughout the documentary, working class people overcome the obstacles before them because of they are conscious of the enemy of capitalism, conscious of their power, and they use collective action. Below is part 1 of the 3 part series. All parts can be seen on youtube.
I joined the ISO fairly quickly after finding the organization. This was in part because I believed in the politics, but also because ISO values discussion, debate, and true democracy. I know that if I have a disagreement, I can debate it out, but will act in unity if we democratically decide to go a different route. We also learn from mistakes and continue to move forward. The organization is goal-oriented and that is sustainable for this fight, which will be a life-long one.
Most of all, I believe in socialism because I believe in people. There is a documentary called Battle of Chile that was made of Chile in the 1970s. Chile never achieved socialism, but the country was in a pre-revolution before the military coup led by Pinochet. In this documentary, every day people are speaking with confidence and concern for their fellow Chileans. They know their power and come together to fight back when the capitalists do things like a "boss's strike" in an attempt to shut down the government which had a socialist president. The workers ran the companies without the bosses in order to keep the economy strong. Throughout the documentary, working class people overcome the obstacles before them because of they are conscious of the enemy of capitalism, conscious of their power, and they use collective action. Below is part 1 of the 3 part series. All parts can be seen on youtube.
Where We Stand
The International Socialist Organization’s “Where We Stand” is the best place to start if you want to learn the basic political principles and positions that guide our organization’s ideas and our work. The “Where we stand” was written and adopted by members of the ISO at our founding convention in 1977 and amended several times by delegates at successive conventions.
Recently, Paul D’Amato, author of The Meaning of Marxism, wrote a series of SocialistWorker.org articles elaborating on the points made in the “Where we stand.” The version below is linked to the relevant article about each section via footnotes throughout.
If you want to read more about the topics and questions covered in the “Where we stand,” you can move on to The Meaning of Marxism, published by Haymarket Books. Local branches of the ISO have regular study groups on this book, which you are welcome to check out. Additional readings can be found at the Becoming a Marxist study guide.
Socialism, not capitalism
War, poverty, exploitation, oppression and worldwide environmental destruction are products of the capitalist system, a system in which a minority ruling class profits from the labor of the majority.[1] The alternative is socialism, a society based on workers collectively owning and controlling the wealth their labor creates.[2]
We stand in the Marxist tradition, founded by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, and continued by V.I. Lenin, Rosa Luxemburg and Leon Trotsky.[3]
Workers' power
Workers create society's wealth, but have no control over its production and distribution. A socialist society can only be built when workers collectively take control of that wealth and democratically plan its production and distribution according to present and future human needs instead of profit.[4]
The working class is the vast majority of society and is the key to the fight for socialism. Workers' central role in production gives them a social power--by use of the strike weapon--to paralyze the system like no other social force.
Socialism is working-class self-emancipation. Only mass struggles of the workers themselves can put an end to the capitalist system of oppression and exploitation.[5]
We support trade unions as essential to the fight for workers' economic and political rights.[6] To make the unions fight for workers' interests, rank-and-file workers must organize themselves independent of the union officials.[7]
Revolution
We actively support the struggle of workers and all oppressed people for economic, political and social reforms, both as a means to improve their conditions and to advance their confidence and fighting strength. But reforms within the capitalist system cannot put an end to oppression, exploitation or ecological devastation. Capitalism must be replaced.[8]
The structures of the present government grew up under capitalism and are designed to protect capitalist rule.[9] The working class needs an entirely different kind of state--a democratic workers' state based on councils of workers' delegates.[10]
We do not support candidates of capitalist parties like the Democrats or the Republicans.[11] We support genuine left-wing candidates and political action that promotes independence from the corporate-dominated two-party system in the U.S.[12]
Internationalism
Capitalism is an international system, so the struggle for socialism must be international, uniting workers of all countries. The international working class is the only force capable of solving global problems like war, hunger and environmental destruction.[13]
Socialists oppose imperialism--the division of the globe based on the subjugation of weaker nations by stronger ones--and support the self-determination of oppressed nations.[14] We oppose all immigration controls.[15]
We oppose U.S. intervention in Cuba, the Middle East, and elsewhere. We are for self-determination for Puerto Rico.[16]
China and Cuba, like the former Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc, have nothing to do with socialism. We support the struggles of workers in these countries against the bureaucratic ruling class.[17]
Full equality and liberation
Capitalism divides the working class, based on sexual, gender, racial, national and other distinctions. The specially oppressed groups within the working class suffer the most under capitalism.
We oppose racism in all its forms. We support the struggle for immigrant rights. We fight for real social, economic and political equality for women, and for an end to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
We support the fight for Black liberation and all the struggles of the oppressed. The liberation of the oppressed is essential to socialist revolution and impossible without it.[18]
The revolutionary party
To achieve socialism, the most militant workers must be organized into a revolutionary socialist party. The ISO is committed to playing a role in laying the foundations for such a party. We aim to build an independent socialist organization, rooted in workplaces, schools and neighborhoods that, in fighting today's struggles, also wins larger numbers to socialism.[19]
Recently, Paul D’Amato, author of The Meaning of Marxism, wrote a series of SocialistWorker.org articles elaborating on the points made in the “Where we stand.” The version below is linked to the relevant article about each section via footnotes throughout.
If you want to read more about the topics and questions covered in the “Where we stand,” you can move on to The Meaning of Marxism, published by Haymarket Books. Local branches of the ISO have regular study groups on this book, which you are welcome to check out. Additional readings can be found at the Becoming a Marxist study guide.
Socialism, not capitalism
War, poverty, exploitation, oppression and worldwide environmental destruction are products of the capitalist system, a system in which a minority ruling class profits from the labor of the majority.[1] The alternative is socialism, a society based on workers collectively owning and controlling the wealth their labor creates.[2]
We stand in the Marxist tradition, founded by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, and continued by V.I. Lenin, Rosa Luxemburg and Leon Trotsky.[3]
Workers' power
Workers create society's wealth, but have no control over its production and distribution. A socialist society can only be built when workers collectively take control of that wealth and democratically plan its production and distribution according to present and future human needs instead of profit.[4]
The working class is the vast majority of society and is the key to the fight for socialism. Workers' central role in production gives them a social power--by use of the strike weapon--to paralyze the system like no other social force.
Socialism is working-class self-emancipation. Only mass struggles of the workers themselves can put an end to the capitalist system of oppression and exploitation.[5]
We support trade unions as essential to the fight for workers' economic and political rights.[6] To make the unions fight for workers' interests, rank-and-file workers must organize themselves independent of the union officials.[7]
Revolution
We actively support the struggle of workers and all oppressed people for economic, political and social reforms, both as a means to improve their conditions and to advance their confidence and fighting strength. But reforms within the capitalist system cannot put an end to oppression, exploitation or ecological devastation. Capitalism must be replaced.[8]
The structures of the present government grew up under capitalism and are designed to protect capitalist rule.[9] The working class needs an entirely different kind of state--a democratic workers' state based on councils of workers' delegates.[10]
We do not support candidates of capitalist parties like the Democrats or the Republicans.[11] We support genuine left-wing candidates and political action that promotes independence from the corporate-dominated two-party system in the U.S.[12]
Internationalism
Capitalism is an international system, so the struggle for socialism must be international, uniting workers of all countries. The international working class is the only force capable of solving global problems like war, hunger and environmental destruction.[13]
Socialists oppose imperialism--the division of the globe based on the subjugation of weaker nations by stronger ones--and support the self-determination of oppressed nations.[14] We oppose all immigration controls.[15]
We oppose U.S. intervention in Cuba, the Middle East, and elsewhere. We are for self-determination for Puerto Rico.[16]
China and Cuba, like the former Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc, have nothing to do with socialism. We support the struggles of workers in these countries against the bureaucratic ruling class.[17]
Full equality and liberation
Capitalism divides the working class, based on sexual, gender, racial, national and other distinctions. The specially oppressed groups within the working class suffer the most under capitalism.
We oppose racism in all its forms. We support the struggle for immigrant rights. We fight for real social, economic and political equality for women, and for an end to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
We support the fight for Black liberation and all the struggles of the oppressed. The liberation of the oppressed is essential to socialist revolution and impossible without it.[18]
The revolutionary party
To achieve socialism, the most militant workers must be organized into a revolutionary socialist party. The ISO is committed to playing a role in laying the foundations for such a party. We aim to build an independent socialist organization, rooted in workplaces, schools and neighborhoods that, in fighting today's struggles, also wins larger numbers to socialism.[19]
What we do...
“We are a U.S. organization with branches and members in about 40 cities and connections to other socialists around the world. We organize in the here and now against injustice and for reforms that will benefit the working class and oppressed. These struggles are important in their own right, but they are also building blocks for a movement to achieve a socialist society. At our meetings and in our publications, we discuss the political issues and movements of today, along with the rich history of past struggles from below and the ideas of the Marxist tradition dedicated to achieving socialism.”
An overview of what we do:
Fight racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamaphobia, imperialism, colonialism, homophobia, ableism, and all other forms of oppression
Expose Capitalism
Support working class people in ways that improve life under capitalism
Offer a socialism as an alternative
Build a Revolutionary Party
Help to raise consciousness and build confidence
Support Unions and strikes
Erase historical amnesia with history, analysis of history, and talks
Look to the Russian Revolution as a model as it is the only successful worker's revolution in history
Believe in working class revolution from below- therefore we do not consider Stalin's Russia or Venezuela to be true socialism
Spaces for debate and democracy
Communicate regularly on a national level with branch meeting, national meetings, monthly calls, internal bulletin, our newspaper
Bring in new layers of revolutionaries and train them as cadre
Study current events in order to mobilize in the most effective ways- follow the "freedom of discussion, unity of action" model
Democratically decide on best strategies and tactics
Learn from setbacks
Practice militancy and patience as we work to achieve socialism
An overview of what we do:
Fight racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamaphobia, imperialism, colonialism, homophobia, ableism, and all other forms of oppression
Expose Capitalism
Support working class people in ways that improve life under capitalism
Offer a socialism as an alternative
Build a Revolutionary Party
Help to raise consciousness and build confidence
Support Unions and strikes
Erase historical amnesia with history, analysis of history, and talks
Look to the Russian Revolution as a model as it is the only successful worker's revolution in history
Believe in working class revolution from below- therefore we do not consider Stalin's Russia or Venezuela to be true socialism
Spaces for debate and democracy
Communicate regularly on a national level with branch meeting, national meetings, monthly calls, internal bulletin, our newspaper
Bring in new layers of revolutionaries and train them as cadre
Study current events in order to mobilize in the most effective ways- follow the "freedom of discussion, unity of action" model
Democratically decide on best strategies and tactics
Learn from setbacks
Practice militancy and patience as we work to achieve socialism
What i do
Publicity Lead
As publicity lead, my job is to make sure that the logistical aspects of publicity are handled. This includes social media, the creation and distribution of flyers, reaching out to news outlets, and any other aspect of publicity.
Beyond the logistical component, my job is to make sure that we are adequately projecting our politics. I lead meetings usually once a week with the team to go over our political perspective and brainstorm the best ways to project that perspective.
SALP Lead
It is through SALP that we get our rooms on campus. We also get a certain amount of funding for having speakers come speak to students. There are a lot of logistical aspects that go into being a student group and it's important to stay ahead of deadlines. Since I'm graduating I'll be passing this job on to someone else, but I'll be training them and helping them to navigate the paperwork.
Writing
Everyone is encouraged to write for our newspaper, Socialist Worker. Writing is something I enjoy and I feel I have more of an impact as a writer than a speaker. I've written articles about the freedom of speech, the defunding of afterschool programs, and the impact of art in social justice. I'm also writing a solidarity statement for our comrades in Berkeley who will be standing up to a white supremacist rally in a few weeks.
Talks
Giving educational talks that lead into discussion is another important task for members. In the process of writing and giving the talk, our own understanding of the subject deepens. So far I've given talks on Understanding the Alt-Right, How Worker's Consciousness Changes, and Women and Socialism.
Other Leadership Roles
With all that is happening, there is a tremendous need for leadership. Part of that is empowering newer members and giving them the tools they need to grow. This also means stepping up when mobilizations need captains to lead the branch in a political way at rallies with safety as a primary concern. It also means speaking up in meetings and helping out with planning events, study groups, and new member development.
Other Branch Duties
I participate in the majority of the branch's activities. I've also participated in some of the leadership activities on a national level. I hope to work more with the book publishing aspect of the organization in the future.
As publicity lead, my job is to make sure that the logistical aspects of publicity are handled. This includes social media, the creation and distribution of flyers, reaching out to news outlets, and any other aspect of publicity.
Beyond the logistical component, my job is to make sure that we are adequately projecting our politics. I lead meetings usually once a week with the team to go over our political perspective and brainstorm the best ways to project that perspective.
SALP Lead
It is through SALP that we get our rooms on campus. We also get a certain amount of funding for having speakers come speak to students. There are a lot of logistical aspects that go into being a student group and it's important to stay ahead of deadlines. Since I'm graduating I'll be passing this job on to someone else, but I'll be training them and helping them to navigate the paperwork.
Writing
Everyone is encouraged to write for our newspaper, Socialist Worker. Writing is something I enjoy and I feel I have more of an impact as a writer than a speaker. I've written articles about the freedom of speech, the defunding of afterschool programs, and the impact of art in social justice. I'm also writing a solidarity statement for our comrades in Berkeley who will be standing up to a white supremacist rally in a few weeks.
Talks
Giving educational talks that lead into discussion is another important task for members. In the process of writing and giving the talk, our own understanding of the subject deepens. So far I've given talks on Understanding the Alt-Right, How Worker's Consciousness Changes, and Women and Socialism.
Other Leadership Roles
With all that is happening, there is a tremendous need for leadership. Part of that is empowering newer members and giving them the tools they need to grow. This also means stepping up when mobilizations need captains to lead the branch in a political way at rallies with safety as a primary concern. It also means speaking up in meetings and helping out with planning events, study groups, and new member development.
Other Branch Duties
I participate in the majority of the branch's activities. I've also participated in some of the leadership activities on a national level. I hope to work more with the book publishing aspect of the organization in the future.
Weekly meetings and educational talks
The ISO meets every week with a prepared agenda which is voted on before every meeting. That allows us to make the most of our two hour meeting. The agenda is planned by members of our branch committee. The branch committee is a group of people who were elected to guide the branch politically. It is their responsibility to be aware of the political moment, the needs of the branch, and the history and theory that can fulfill those needs. In order to be an effective revolutionary, it is important to be active in movement work and engaged in theory. Our weekly meetings may be educational or nature or focused on plans for how we relate as a branch to an active struggle. Every topic is followed by organized discussion. We also hold extra meetings for people who are curious about the ISO and for new members who want to strengthen their understanding of theory.
|
Panels, discussions, and PSU rallys (sample work)
These are a few of the flyers that I created this school year to advertise large public meetings that we held. Creating flyers is something that I have since delegated as lead of the publicity fraction. All of our meetings our open to non-members, but we have some meetings which we actively try to bring a wider audience to. These meetings are usually talks followed by discussion. These talks may be a panel or a single speaker who has some expertise or experience on a subject. However, the discussion is not a Q & A. We value all discussion and anyone in the room can answer any question brought to the floor. This is a valuable asset to our organization as we are all training to be leaders and to trust each other as working class people instead of looking to leaders.
tabling
Once a week, we do what we call "tabling" on campus. We set up a table with our books, flyers for events, newspapers, and other materials. An important part of our work is in talking to people and selling our revolutionary newspaper. We sell the paper for $1 to cover production costs. The paper gives insight and analysis of current events from a socialist perspective. The paper allows us to see where people are at in terms of relating to our politics. It also gives us a chance to ask the question "what do you think it will take to stop the right? Or to end these mass deportations? Or to defeat Trump?" These questions help us to gauge the audience and they also get people thinking along those lines. Asking these questions is important for raising consciousness and for empowering people.
erasing historical amnesia and education
https://www.haymarketbooks.org/The ISO is connected with a publishing company called Haymarket Books. This publishing company prints books on socialism, theory, art, poetry, and more. They are dedicated to amphlphying voices of oppressed people and publishing work which helps us to build a better world.
“No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them. Nobody is going to teach you your true history, teach you your true heroes, if they know that that knowledge will help set you free."
-Assata Shakur
“No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them. Nobody is going to teach you your true history, teach you your true heroes, if they know that that knowledge will help set you free."
-Assata Shakur
In addition to books, opportunities for education can be found in the online version of our newspaper, Socialist Worker or with a site called WeAreMany.org, which has audio and videos of talks from people around the world. Additionally, an annual Socialism conference is held in Chicago
movement work during the 2016-2017 school year
In the ISO we know it is important to stay sharp in theory and that theory must also be used in practice. It is through struggle that the working class gains consciousness and confidence. We have always participated in mass movements, which has increased greatly since the election of Trump.
"Before going back to college, i knew i didn't want to be an intellectual, spending my life in books and libraries without knowing what the hell is going on in the streets. Theory without practice is just as incomplete as practice without theory. The two have to go together.”
-Assata Shakur
"Before going back to college, i knew i didn't want to be an intellectual, spending my life in books and libraries without knowing what the hell is going on in the streets. Theory without practice is just as incomplete as practice without theory. The two have to go together.”
-Assata Shakur
The ISO has mobilized for many demonstrations this school year. While we did movement work before Trump came on the scene, Trumps election has greatly increased movement work in Portland and around the world. Since September, we have been a part of the Dakota Access Pipeline opposition and protected Planned Parenthood clients from bigots. Many of our members helped with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement both on campus and city-wide, which lead to PSU and the city divesting from companies which profit off of the occupation of Palestine. We have mobilized for immigrant rights on May Day and at detention centers and after kidnappings of immigrants by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). We marched in the women's march, the science march, climate march, anti-inauguration protests, and we took the lead in organizing Portland Stands United Against Hate, a coalition group created to stand up to white supremacists when they come to Portland. The coalition formed after the murders on the Max train and is an ongoing coalition which will continue to mobilize the largest numbers of people possible to stand up to white supremacy in our city. Along with organizing experience, we bring a loud and confident presence to these movements. We come with chants and bullhorns which engage the crowd and raise confidence. We talk to people in these mobilizations and always tie the current ills back to the source: capitalism.
|
UNmet needs
There is a problem with communication in the branch because people are afraid to voice their opinions. I hope to help raise confidence in the people around me and help to work out problems. There is a problem of complaining without trying to solve the problem, which is something that I think can hurt a group's dynamic. There is also a problem with ultra-leftism, which is acting outside of democratic centralism and in an anarchist way. It's difficult to hold back the anger with all that is happening now, but if we do not behave in a way that is rational and democratic we put ourselves in very dangerous situations and we can actually hurt movements. This includes personal work that I need to do because I tend to let my emotions carry me away.
plan of action
- Bring problems to the attention of the branch committee so they can have a good understanding of the needs of the branch
- Communicate directly with comrades who are complaining
- Encourage members to feel confident in raising concerns in branch meetings
outcomes
I have done all of the things listed above and the result has been very good for the most part. The branch has decided to have a few educational talks about ultra-leftism and ID politics and how they are detrimental to building solidarity and a strong movement. We have focused on new member development so that people feel stronger about speaking up in meetings. I've been educating myself on ID politics and ultra-leftism. I don't feel confident enough to articulate my opposition to ID politics yet, but I'm continuing to practice it. I've met with some people one on one in order to get to the root of the complaining and hope to find solutions. I didn't do a great job in these conversations as I was impatient and not as articulate as I would have liked. Overall, however, I think the changes I've tried to make recently have benefited the branch.
Looking forward
fighting the right and building the left
With the horrific presidency of Donald Trump emboldening white supremacists, it's of extreme importance that we build mass movements at this time in order to demoralize the supremacists. The left is small and fractured right now and our job is to help build the left and build consistent opposition to the right- in whatever form that takes. We are continuing the Portland Stands United Against Hate coalition so that we can continue to mobilize people in the face of right wing terror.
Single-payer healthcare
We will also be spending a lot of time talking about fighting the sadistic Trump care while also advocating for single-payer healthcare. We believe this is something that the people need to demand. Democrats have consistently shut down any chance we have had for single-payer in this country. It is up to the people to demand healthcare as a human right.
Flexibility
We have our priorities, but we are also aware that we need to pay close attention and be ready to change plans quickly. Attacks on the LGBT community especially trans people, Native Americans, immigrants, Muslims, African Americans, and many other groups are frequent and we have to figure out the best way to stand in solidarity with these groups while always focusing on building a better world under socialism.
Reflection
|