The Thinking Reed

I do not think it would be a great revelation if I say that restructuring is now entering a critical phase. The old structures are already beginning to be dismantled but the new ones are not yet working and, in any case, are not bearing fruit. Under these conditions social contradictions are exacerbated and reactionary forces close ranks on a common platform of opposition to democratization. This is a very dangerous and a very important period in our history.

Before us we have the explicit process of the formation of a reactionary bloc comprising the bureaucracy sabotaging restructuring, Stalinists and extremists from ‘Pamyat' ’. All of these currents are quite heterogeneous, between them exist significant differences, but hatred of any attempt at real democratization brings them together. What can we counterpose to this? Only the consolidation of the left wing of restructuring. It is already possible to speak with complete certainty of three basic left tendencies in our society: social-political clubs with a socialist orientation, ecological and cultural-democratic groups and associations.

Much unites all of these three tendencies. But serious difficulties exist on the path to achieving a genuine unity. First of all there is a multiplicity of theoretical languages. In the absence or weak development of a common political culture everyone speaks in their own language. Even people adhering to basically identical views often cannot reach mutual agreement and understanding. A dialogue is needed which would allow a common theoretical language to be elaborated. We are diverse and we will speak in different ways. But we must learn to speak in one language so as to understand one another.

And there are other problems. There is no sense in speaking of an ‘informal movement’ in general. With such a view of things it would be impossible to understand the difference between Leningrad’s ‘Spasenie’ [Salvation] and ‘Pamyat' ’ as has already been reflected in a series of publications. This is a formal approach to ‘informal organizations’.

If we really want to unite then what is important is not the principle of informality but the community of our aims, ideals and values. It seems to me that there is such a community amongst a majority of groups present at this conference: a unity of democratic values within the framework of a firm socialist orientation. It is patently clear that we understand socialism in different ways. But it is no less important that under no circumstances can we or must we unite with Stalinists, with nationalist extremists or with supporters of the capitalist road. This is completely excluded. Finally, it is now very important, to use Lenin’s phrase, ‘to separate the chatterers from the workers’. This can only be done through work, practice.

Regardless of whether or not some sort of association of Left clubs is created at this conference it is patently obvious that a coordinating structure is needed to ensure joint work. A controlled exchange of information will allow us to arrive at a resolution of this task without harming anyone’s interests or subordinating some to others.

We would have liked an exchange of information to have immediately worked towards consolidating the Left. Now we must specifically resolve the problem of how to achieve this. The conference has not been organized for squabbles and chatter but for a common resolution of particular problems. We must understand that this is an urgent task. If we do not settle these questions today, tomorrow might be too late.

Declaration of the Federation of Socialist Clubs drawn up at the First Meeting of Informal Associations in Moscow2

We, independent social organizations gathered in Moscow in August 1987 as part of the information meeting for dialogue, called ‘Social Initiatives in the Context of Perestroika’, make the following declaration:

1. The social processes that are developing under perestroika have led to the appearance of independent social and sociopolitical organization. Under the Soviet Constitution all power belongs to the people. Therefore, these organizations, as part of the people, have the right to express and defend their interests independently and without any intermediaries.

2. The groups and associations who have signed this declaration support a socialist model of development for our country. As convinced proponents of socialism, we support the goal of moving towards a classless society and the complete withering away of the state, which was proclaimed in October 1917. We see the formation of independent social groups and associations, and an increase in their influence, as one of the ways of developing a self-managed society and eliminating administrative and bureaucratic structures.