SEP describes itself as a revolutionary socialist party, because the SEP believes capitalism is "beyond reform"[1] and only "a revolutionary movement that has as its aim the establishment of workers' power" can win socialism.[2]
In 1958, SWP adopted a policy of "regroupment": Pursuit of former members of Stalinist communist parties, who had been disillusioned by the Secret Speech.[3]: 844–845 This SWP strategy also meant greater support for Fidel Castro, whom SWP leadership called an "unconscious" Trotskyist.[4]
In 1962, the RT split: Robertson's majority kept the name. Wohlforth's minority renamed itself the Reorganized Minority Tendency (RMT).[3]: 866
In 1963, in preparation for merging the ICFI with the ISFI, Wohlforth was removed from the SWP's Political Committee.[3]: 924
Formation
In November 1963, the SWP expelled Robertson and the RT, who created the Spartacist League. Robertson's appeal was denied in April 1964.[3]: 917–918
In September 1964, the SWP expelled Wohlforth and the RMT, who created the American Committee for the Fourth International (ACFI) and launched the biweekly Bulletin of International Socialism.[3]: 866, 917–918, 924 [5] ACFI maintained connections with Gerry Healy and the (non-merged portions of the) ICFI, which they considered the legitimate Trotskyist movement. ACFI became the American section of the ICFI.[citation needed]
Wohlforth argued that the split was due to their demand for discussion of the decision by the Sri Lankan Trotskyist Lanka Sama Samaja Party to participate in the national government.[3]: 924 ACFI characterized this decision as "opportunism" that originated in the "centrist" position of the LSSP during the split between the ISFI and ICFI of 1953.[6]
Subsequent history
In 1966, ACFI renamed itself to the Workers League (WL).[3]: 866
In 1973, WL entered serious organizational crisis. About 150 members and most of its founding leaders left. At Healey's insistence, Wohlforth was forced out of leadership.[3]: 927
In 1995, parties affiliated with ICFI each renamed themselves as Socialist Equality Party. In 1998, the ICFI launched the World Socialist Web Site.[7] ICFI runs the publishing house Mehring Books, formerly named Labor Publications.[8]
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