All around Australia, people from all walks of life are organising to take collective action on a broad range of big and small issues. This is the main political trend. It is important to recognise this. At the same time, it should not be overstated. Parliamentary politics still has a strong hold. The average person is deeply suspicious of it, but has not yet found an alternative.
Moving from the present point to the stage where the people are ready to grasp a revolutionary alternative is not automatic or simple. People have to learn lessons from actual experience. This is the first thing. When they become involved in struggle, the learning escalates. There is also a need for revolutionary ideology and politics to flow into this struggle. Above all, this is the role of the Communist Party.
In the lead-up to a federal election there is more focus on political activity in general. There is also more pressure to direct this activity towards winning the ear of politicians or changing parliamentary parties as the main strategy. This is conditioned by the level of development in the consciousness of people.
In Australia today, many people continue to hope that politicians, parliament and the other institutions will, at best, deliver on a few matters of concern and at worse, stop the slide backwards. At the same time, there is a deeper sense of not totally relying on parliament. There is growing recognition that collective action is more powerful and decisive in producing a successful result.
When they participate, people get a glimpse of what is possible by working together. Workers’ action is the most powerful. It underlines the decisive role of the working class, its organisation, discipline, steadfastness and power at the point of production. Other sections of society note this strength and are drawn to it.
At present the major activity of the working class is trade union activity. This has its strength and it has its weakness. Trade union activity builds working class organisation, strength and unity against the employer, and provides experience in class struggle.
There is also pressure to confine workers’ actions to struggle for concessions within the limits of the status quo, and a lack of flexibility in seeking out allies in struggle. This ultimately leads to an acceptance of capitalism.
The people’s movement is growing. It is taking steps towards a new political form that steers away from parliamentary politics as the main vehicle for change. It is not limited to trade union activity, but extends to take in all sections of society. Its emphasis is on building the organised strength of the working class and working people in general. This expanded form of struggle emphasises politics on the ground, steers away from petty sectarianism, adopts the style of service to the people and is resolute and unwavering in the face of the class enemy.
The people are moving ahead of the political system. The politicians lag well behind.
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