Socialism of the Future / Future of Socialism

Sudhakar Reddy congratulated the organizers of the discussion. He began by saying that after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the East European socialist countries people all over the world started doubting the future of socialism, and in more than eight decades, several discussions have been going on, on how to create more confidence in the people about socialism.

He said that though there is no doubt about the necessity of Socialism there could be differences regarding how and what sort of socialism to achieve. He said that he agreed with Surendra Mohan’s earlier analyses about the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union. The very unfortunate collapse of socialism in the Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe has had very bad consequences all over the world. And today there is the growing onslaught of imperialism to deal with and the third world is its biggest victim.

Over the last century communists and socialists have been fighting against each other. He said that possibilities for some sort of an understanding between the socialist left and the communist left must be explored. But at the same time he said that criticisms from the communists could not be accepted by the socialists. He argued that it is not necessary to ‘teach’ Marxism in such seminars. It is only through debates and discussions that both can understand each other.

He said that there have been very successful experiments of socialism led by revolutionary communists at the same time there are also interesting experiences of the socialists in different countries, like in Brazil. At the same time communists have been socialist activists a number of times. Even if communists believe that the class battle alone will bring about revolution and only through revolution, is socialism possible, doesn’t mean that they reject all that is being proposed by the socialists. Several times communists have been described as seeing the communist manifesto as the bible. Marxism is a science, which when applied to the existing conditions in each country or the historical conditions helps in explaining the realities and exploring methods of revolution in each country. Sometimes it leads to victory, unfortunately failures led to very serious and dangerous consequences.

He continued by saying that there have been several experiences throughout the world and the failures in some countries; the collapse of the Soviet Union and socialism doesn’t mean that Marxism and Leninism failed. He said that Marxism is a science that can help the humanity to find it’s way for socialism.

On several issues he said there are serious differences; on the questions of the dictatorship of the proletariat, violent methods to bring revolution and on the theory of revolution. Communists have said, that they have understood, that it is possible only through a violent method. Violence is to be decided by the enemy, but communists do not only believe in violence as the propaganda about them often goes. Violence and counter violence are two different things. The class battle has to be waged to bring power to the working class.

In the world today, there is a big offensive being waged by imperialism through globalization, through its international agencies and fascist forces are wreaking havoc in India. In these circumstances, communists, socialists and democrats have to join hands. And only by such struggles can some consensus be found on the kind of battles that will have to be waged and that can be won.

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