Non-members writing in the Standard

[jondwhite]

I think this was in Perrin's book that during World War 2, non-members were writing in the Standard.

[ALB]

Actually I don't bthink there has ever been a blanket ban on non-members writing for the Standard. The position is, at least today, that we do/would publish an article from a non-member provided (a) it expressed our point of view and (b) we indicated that the writer was a non-member. Sometimes, also, they might be published as a letter.

[alanjjohnstone]

And (c) we also permit views contrary to the Party to be expressed through a number of interviews that the Standard has published.But i think a regular "Guest Column" would be a welcomed addition to the Standard since it may perhaps strike up a more lively debate and discussion interaction, something which we presently don't have much of but possibly could capitalise upon.Full 100% expression of the Party case need not be a requisite when a disclaimer can be used. If they wish to be critical of our position in an article our only requirement should be that this is stated explicitly.Other occasions could be i suppose a more expert observation on domestic politics or the international diplomacy in foreign affairs. We do have fairly comradely contact with a number of non-party writers who i think could be persuaded to contribute. On the downside, i think if we only let them write on topics which are acceptable to us, it may limit it to technical details and intricate points of Marxian economics or whatever. 

[robbo203]

 I  agree with Alan's suggestion regarding a "guest column".  Great idea.  It would reduce the kind of "samey" feel to the SS though I dont think it needs to be confined to obscure details of Marxian economics.  There are all sorts of subjects I can think of  – from the threat of global climate change to the nature/nature controversy to issues around the subject of hunter gatherer societies.  Eminent scientists or theorists in their particular field could be asked to write something of interest to readers and it would certainly enhance the appeal of the SS if a regular guest column could be establishedAnother suggestion is something like a debate forum to reflect the interesting diversity of opinion within the SPGB itself and to help break away from this idea that it is some kind of monolithic organisation.From Adam's comment , do I take it now that it is the policy of SS team to accept articles from non members providing the article in question does not fall outside the parameters of the "party case"? Who knows – I might submit an article or two myself

[Anonymous]

robbo203 wrote:

From Adam's comment , do I take it now that it is the policy of SS team to accept articles from non members providing the article in question does not fall outside the parameters of the "party case"? Who knows – I might submit an article or two myself

Great. Look forward to that, Robin.See no good reason why this couldn't become a regular feature in the Standard.  After all, we've been inviting guest speakers to address our meetings for some while now.  For example, we have two lined up at HO during November.http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/event/some-ideological-obstacles-social-change-socialism-head-officehttp://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/event/talk-head-office

[ALB]

Brian Morris's last talk was also published in the Socialist Standard:http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/socialist-standard/2010s/2013/no-1311-november-2013/karl-marx-anthropologistAnd here's a review of one of Yehudi Webster's books:http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/socialist-standard/1990s/1999/no-1140-august-1999/book-review-does-race-exist

[imposs1904]

alanjjohnstone wrote:

 But i think a regular "Guest Column" would be a welcomed addition to the Standard since it may perhaps strike up a more lively debate and discussion interaction, something which we presently don't have much of but possibly could capitalise upon. 

A regular guest column is a horrible idea. I have no objections whatsover to non-members articles appearing in the Standard but to make it a regular month-on-month feature would be a recipe for disaster. Personally, I think the Standard is going through a purple patch at the moment, but my one quibble is that the regular features format sometimes results in columns which are thinner than they should be. If I'm wrong about this, correct me, but it looks sometimes that the tv review or the sports column is hidebounded by the fact that the columns are supposed to fit a certain word length. (usually too short.)Incorporating a 'guest column' as a regular feature in the Standard would, for different reasons, perhaps result in some guest articles  appearing for no other reason than the fact that the format dictates that a guest column is expected every month.Kick the idea to the kerb.

[alanjjohnstone]

Quote:

If I'm wrong about this, correct me, but it looks sometimes that the tv review or the sports column is hidebounded by the fact that the columns are supposed to fit a certain word length. (usually too short.)

Material World column 750-850 wordsI'll accept your suggestion that there should not be a regular guest column…and will amend to frequent submissions from non-members, with some non-members contributors to be headlined prominently on the front cover if appropriate for publicity and contemporary events.   

[imposs1904]

I like the interviews that have been done in recent years. I think that's something that should be encouraged.

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