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By Ted Grant
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We are publishing a 1945 article by Ted Grant’s which was a
contribution to the discussion on the national question in Europe then
taking place within the Fourth International. The IKD was the German
section of the Fourth International, but some of its members had
unfortunately drawn some very reactionary conclusions. Instead of the
perspective of the socialist revolution they had been thrown back to
the idea of the “national democratic” revolution. Ted explained the
disastrous consequences this idea would have on the movement and went
on to state the classical Marxist position on this question. |
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By RCP
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In 1946 the perspectives of the then leadership of the Fourth
International were that through “the combined economic, political and
diplomatic pressure and the military threats of American and British
imperialism” the Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union could collapse.
The complete opposite was the truth. Ted Grant, together with the
leadership of the RCP, attempted to correct this mistaken prognosis.
Here we provide the historical 1946 documentation. |
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By Fred Weston
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In 1946 the leaders of the Fourth International were predicting
imminent revolutonary upheavals, when in reality capitalism was
entering the biggest boom in its history. The leadership of the British
Trotskyists, in particular Ted Grant, tried to convince the
International that their perspective was false. History has proven Ted
to be right. No one can doubt it, and we are proud to continue the
tradition that he laid down of serious, meticulous analysis of the real
processes taking place in society. |
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By In Defence of Marxism
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The resolution adopted by the International Pre-Conference of the
Fourth International in April 1946, was permeated with the false
perspective of the impending revolutionary crisis, the impossibility of
a general economic recovery of capitalism and therefore it highlighted
the excellent possibilities to develop the forces of the Fourth
International. All this of course was false and eventually led to one
crisis after another of the organization, and to its final collapse. |
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By In Defence of Marxism
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Ted Grant looks back at his experience in the 1940s and explains why the
leaders of the Fourth were incapable of dealing with the situation. He
outlines the difficult situation that emerged after the war and how it
was necessary “to work out a new perspective”. |
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By In Defence of Marxism
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The leadership of the British section of the Fourth International, the
RCP, was very critical of the positions adopted by the International
and they soberly analysed the real situation and tried to warn the
International of its mistakes. We leave you to read the amendment. |
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By Ted Grant
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Much has changed since this document was first produced, and we
have continually refined and updated our perspectives and analysis in subsequent books and
articles. However, the historical value of this document, especially those parts
concerning the history of the internationals, the rise of proletarian Bonapartism, and the
post-WWII period retain their full force and value.
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By Jimmy Deane
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"I would like through the pages of the journal to express my best wishes to
all the comrades. The ideas you represent today have a very long history."
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By Rob Sewell
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At
10.45am on August 21, Jimmy Deane died of pneumonia after a long illness in a
Liverpool nursing home. He was one of the last in the generation of pre-war
Trotskyists, who together with Ted Grant, fought to keep alive the flame of
genuine Trotskyism under the most difficult circumstances.
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By Rob Sewell
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Rob Sewell examines the origins of
Trotskyism in Britain.
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Fourth International 
