Russia and the Social Revolution
RUSSIA’S PRESENT POLICY
“Mr. Sokolnikoff went on to say that while the conviction of his Government was that the present crisis could not be cured by capitalist measures but only by socialistic planned economy, his Government were in no way attempting to use this opportunity to create disorder in the world’s economy as had been stated by some fanatic anti-Soviet journalists. The Soviet Government was acting in accordance with their belief that two different economic systems could exist peacefully.” (Brit. Russian Gazette, Nov., 1931.)
The above speech by the Soviet Ambassador to Great Britain is in complete contrast to the line taken by the Soviets before the Five-Year Plan started. Then the Third International and Moscow were “out” to smash world-wide capitalism, the British Empire, and to promote general strikes to impede the economy of capitalism. The necessity of building up Russian industry and agriculture under State and co-operative control has caused Russia to drop the Social Revolution proposals, and concentrate on amicable commercial and diplomatic relations with the world enemies of the working class. If Russia were in a position to be independen t; if it had the material and mental development sufficient to ignore and oppose outside capitalist countries—the story of its diplomacy and commerce would be different. But, as Marx taught and history proves, a country cannot avoid the normal stages of social growth determined by social forces. Capitalism in some form or other was essential to prepare the ground for later developments.
THE RUSSIAN FRENCH ALLIANCE
“Each party promises not to undertake any propaganda to the extent of intervention in the private affairs of the other which has for its object the overthrow by force of the established constitution.”
The above is one of the terms of the treaty signed by Russia and France and published in the Press on December 21st, 1931. This is another illustration of Russia’s urgent need for friendly relations with other commercial nations. In this particular case the alliance on items of war and trade is with a capitalist country which Russia has especially denounced. The Communists in France who have complained so much of repression will now find added justification for continuing their patching-up and reform policies and ignoring the call of revolution. The theses of Moscow on armed rising will go into the museum.
Litvinoff, the Soviet Foreign Minister, has recently returned from Turkey, where he was received with great ceremony by Kemal Pasha and the Capitalist Government there. It is not so long since the Communist Magazine here was attacking the treatment of Communists in Turkey and bitterly opposing the Turkish Nationalist internal policy.
WELCOME MUSSOLINI !
The very friendly relations with Mussolini and the cordial association with the Russian Ambassador there is another example of what they used to call “shaking hands with murder.” “Remember Matteoti” used to be a Communist cry, but in the frantic endeavour to rush capitalist development in Russia they cannot afford to recall the slogans of World Revolution. The Trotskyists in America are asking that American Capitalists should loan Russia 100 millions. The plutocrats and “open-shop” capitalists of America are asked to help an alleged revolutionary country to get Socialism. Poland, Germany, Great Britain, etc., are carrying on ordinary capitalist relations with Russia, which is very anxious to promote peaceful business and diplomatic alliances with these bourgeois governments. In America many of the Capitalists, like Ford and the Harvester Company, who are so opposed even to trade union organisation are offered high terms for their assistance to develop Russian resources. Lord Melchett of Imperial Chemicals and class co-operation fame is quite satisfied to co-operate to the tune of millions in Russian contracts. Spanish Republicans not Communists are now invited to send delegations to Russia.
SOME QUESTIONS FOR BOLSHEVIKS
Why has Russia silently quietened the Third International? Why no more violent appeals and flaming theses calling for revolt and uprising? Why does the Soviet Embassy invite prominent Labour members to meet Bucharin at the reception given to him here on his visit recently? Why are Labour misleaders like Jack Mills, ex-M.P. for Deptford, welcomed at the Embassy? Why the co-operation with Mr. Coates, Labour Party spokesman and head of the Anglo-Russian Parliamentary Committee? Why should Stalin give up his time for friendly contact with prominent enemies of Revolution—such as Lady Astor, the Marquis of Lothian and Bernard Shaw? It would be very difficult for an ordinary worker who is a Socialist to receive so much attention from Stalin and Russia generally.
THE SOCIALIST ANSWER AND ATTITUDE
The answer to these questions is simple. And the answer is a thorough confirmation of our attitude to the Bolsheviks, the Third International and the so-called Communist Party in Great Britain.
Russia does these things because Socialism is not possible there at present; because the much expected World Revolution cannot be got by slogans and will be the product alone of advanced economic conditions and an informed working class wanting Socialism, and because five-year plans involve capitalist assistance from the outside.
What we have always claimed is proved true—that capitalism, neglected so much by Czarist aristocrats, has to be developed by the successors of the Czars.
The nonsensical raving of Revolution without Revolutionists is shown up in its true colours. Russia cannot at present take part in the Revolution against World Capitalism. It is occupied with its own problem of developing Russia and hoping (as Michael Farbman put it recently) that at some date in the future it will have reached the stage of present-day capitalist industry in England and America.
In the meantime our work under far different conditions goes on. To advocate Socialism as the object of the working class struggle, where conditions like ours are ripe for Socialism and far too advanced to be dealt with by the reform policies of the Communist Parties in Europe and America and elsewhere.
K.