CP of Poland

First of all we would like to thank Workers Party of Belgium for the invitation. In our contribution we will concentrate on three questions: why do we need a communist party? what party we want to build and how do we want to proceed? Concerning the fact that our organizations find themselves on the different levels of development in different countries, that also implies different tactical goals and strategies, we will focus on the advancement from the point we are now.

Where are we now?

The major blow to the communist and workers movement in Poland was the dissolution of Polish United Workers Party (PUWP) in 1990 and transformation of its core into a opportunistic social-democratic organization, which were playing a leading role in counterrevolutionary developments that led to subjecting the country to neo-colonial domination of UE/US/NATO block. This wasn't incidental and it reflects series of fundamental, theoretical and practical mistakes associated with the strategy of PUWP, especially towards the end of its rule. Loss of the working class character of the organization and internal erosion of the party was due to the tolerance of opportunism, petty-bourgeois and bourgeois influence. The objective basis for restoration of capitalism can be found in spontaneous development of official and black-market commodity relations within the socialist framework, that gave rise to appearance of petty-bourgeoisie naturally leaning towards capitalism. Those classes had its political representation in liberal fraction within PUWP. This turned into a major force, supported by external social-democratic and liberal wings of bourgeoisie, gradually rose to power and eventually facilitated the counterrevolution in 1989. Later they supported IMF policies, accession to NATO and UE and sent Polish troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Small minority of communists inside PUWP who opposed the counterrevolution formed a Marxist-Leninist party Communist Union “Proletariat” that was transformed into CP of Poland in 2002. It has existed under constant ideological onslaught of anticommunism which was adopted as the official state ideology. Many comrades have been discouraged by bourgeois lies and falsifications. Anticommunism is not only the ideology directed against political enemies or a way of conservation of relations based on exploitation. Facing consequences of the victory of the counterrevolution: mass impoverishment, unemployment, inequalities, substantial decline of public services, corruption and injustice, ruling elites holds on to anticommunism as the only legitimization of its power. Despite constant media lies against history of socialism, more than 30% of the people prefer to live under socialism than capitalism. This often referred to as “nostalgia” for the past is actually a rational analysis made by the people based on comparison of living conditions and social relations then and today. We strongly reject the term “nostalgia”. Why there is no mass “nostalgia” among the workers in the West for times of e.g. Harold Wilson or Gerard Ford? Bourgeois propaganda tries to bring confusion and withhold the basic and obvious fact, that the account of socialist People's Republic of Poland (1945-1989) is the biggest economic, political, social and cultural achievement in the history of the country. 

The above outlines the set of conditions in which CP of Poland exist. We are Marxist-Leninist political party which aims to build communism, the higher stage of socialism on the basis of social ownership of means of production under dictatorship of proletariat. We strongly oppose a membership in imperialist unions NATO and UE.

We face hostility and subversion from institutional sources (also from opportunistic ultra-left and social-democratic left) but we receive warm reception among the public. As a small organization we still face a task of rebuilding organizational strength and regaining the influence among the working class and the other social strata.

Why a Communist Party?

There are no doubts that capitalism has entered its final stage. Sooner or later, but inevitably, contradictions within the imperialist system: between imperialist centers, capital and labour, production and distribution etc. will sharpen, inflate and lead to a dramatic situation, where postulates of revolutionary social change will no longer be perceived as radical. The role of CPs will be to address the working class and other progressive social strata and lead it towards abolishing capitalist relations through socialization of means of production and transforming  societies towards socialism and communism. It is critical to stress, that this transformation is the only answer to the historic limitation of capitalism, that leads to exploitation, hunger, wars, slavery, and – possibly – ultimate destruction of all life on Earth. Improved management of capitalism is the expression of the interest of the exploiting classes only and it is presented to the working people as a false alternative, when bourgeois power is endangered. We firmly reject the social-democratic concept of an “improved capitalism”, “capitalism with a human face” etc. We stand on the position that the only true way for the humanity has been presented and pioneered by developments of Marxist-Leninist CP, which correctly led the Russian revolution towards the victory over imperialism and fascism and to successful creation of the first union of socialist countries in XX century.

The experience of XX century socialism carries an important lesson. The most vital is to stress that it proves that socialism works and not only it “works” but it brings the biggest economic, social, cultural progress ever. The great and indisputable achievements of socialism were possible by developments of Marxist-Leninist theory and its application. The victory of the counterrevolution in 1989 does not disprove Marxism-Leninism. On the contrary, we can see that it was abandoning its scientific principles that led to rise of opportunism, erosion of CPs and strengthening counterrevolutionaries. This is why we are proud to associate ourselves with Marxist-Leninist theory and practice. This is an answer why it is so important to build and strengthen CPs, as the force representing socialism/communism - the only alternative to exploitation, barbarism, wars and destruction.

What party do we want to build?

In order to advance from the point we are now, we need to have a clear vision of what we want to achieve. The scope of functions of CP goes far beyond being simply the electoral machine. CP need to be able to challenge the bourgeois system on all its fronts. As a strong CP we regard not a CP that is numerous or achieves an electoral success. Strong CP means to us an organization that is capable of carrying out immediate and correct actions in response to the sudden sharpening or collapse imperialist contradictions; that fulfills all its elementary functions of introducing and deepening class consciousness among the working class; that is able to develop arguments that can challenge and defeat bourgeois ideology in the public debate and positively address concerns of the people; that can apply Marxist-Leninist methodology to contemporary and past events and develop on its basis a new revolutionary theory; that can create a detailed program of transformation towards socialism and defend it against criticism; that is able on the basis of the theoretical and practical strength to influence and eventually lead the struggles of the working class and other progressive strata. This is the type of the organization we would like to see our CP in the future and we concentrate our efforts to achieve that goal.

We are concerned that many of the above points do not depend on the actual size and membership of the organization but rather are functions of its intellectual capacity of its members and potential of the science of Marxism-Leninism. Even a small organization is capable of creating a powerful message, that can successfully challenge ideology of bourgeoisie; influence and broaden the consciousness of the popular strata. Even a small party can work closely with other groups and social organizations (e.g. trade unions), influence or guide them, initiate and participate in various projects and form tactical alliances – (e.g. anti-imperialist organizations) that will substantially amplify its message and strengthen its influence, allowing the passage to more strategically advanced positions towards a socialist revolution.

A correct position and powerful message created and announced by CP as the immediate response to a rapid sharpening of imperialist contradictions in form of a imperialist war or social unrest can be decisive factor. A strong CP is the to us CP that is prepared to address this situation. To be able to present the alternative in the critical moment and eventually lead the class and popular struggle towards abolishing capitalist relations and building socialism/communism - following the example and success of XX century socialism, but enriched by its experiences; by new achievements of science and technology, by increased ability to defend against internal, external counterrevolution and erosion of CP. Obviously, this requires substantial preparatory – theoretical and practical work.

How do we advance?

The actual advance is mainly facilitated by the involvement in actual struggles and these are different from country to country. Our party is forced to the defensive and through this defensive we will advance. We have withstand an ideological onslaught on basic principles of Marxism-Leninism and we are struggling against intense anticommunism, historical revisionism and lies about the XX century socialism. The latter are used by the bourgeoisie not only as one of few arguments to defend capitalism but also as a justification of legal actions taken against communists. III Congress has made certain steps in order to rebuild and strengthen the party. We have issued a number of statements, explaining our positions on the imperialism and supporting just demands of different social groups. We are running a website with the objective to counter a bourgeoisie ideology and publishing a monthly newspaper “Brzask”. We are also supporting our youth organization which carries out important work among the young people.

From the point we are now we can advance by strengthening our front against anti-communism. In Poland anti-communism is particularly lively due to strong influence of catholic church and so-called “patriotic” right. Anti-communism is aiming to falsify and criminalize communist movement and isolate CP from the working class and popular strata. Anti-communism cannot pass. We are concerned that on that front there is a space for tighter international cooperation between CP of the region and of Europe in general. There is a growing need for the international project that will collect the data and counter the anti-communism; that will tell the truth about XX century socialism, expose and denounce lies of anticommunism, and hinder poisoning the minds of the younger generation.

We can advance by taking up and supporting initiatives on the local level, working closely with workers and popular strata, we can strengthen our influence, gain contacts and present our points directly to the public. More generally, by supporting just demands and causes of various social and professional groups; by engagement in class struggles; by tactical flexibility and formation of tactical alliances; by cooperating and influencing  various groups that are not hostile towards communists we can rebuild our influence in the working class and in wider section of the society and catalyze the formation of class consciousness and understanding of true nature of imperialism.

It is also crucial to carry out extensive theoretical work on the experiences of native communist and workers movement; to run a number of projects aiming in giving an satisfactory answer to the question of strengths and weaknesses of the communist movement; concrete reasons for the victory of the counterrevolution in our country; evaluation of decisions made on different stages of building of socialism etc. It is necessary to collect information about “socialist times” in our countries and analyze it critically, but – also to stress unquestionable achievements and emphasize great successes of socialist construction in order to pass it in the systematic form to the younger generations. We should initiate or support all the initiatives (often spontaneous) having the similar objective.

It is also necessary to carry out extensive theoretical work on the socialism of the future, in order to give concrete solutions; concrete and realistic way for the revolutionary transformation from capitalism to socialism/communism. We should be able to give a positive and detailed answer to the issues, questions and difficulties which arise from realization of our postulates: exiting the UE/NATO, escape of capital, foreign debt, possible counterrevolutionary intervention/blockade, small producers/traders/farmers, central planning, industrialization, international cooperation etc. This extensive theoretical work should refer to the experience of socialism of XX century. Realization of that project will give us an serious advantage over opportunistic ultra- and social-democratic left, that the former is strong only by means of empty slogans. The strong theory can be the critical factor than would act in favor of CP program and practice, as Lenin said "Without a Revolutionary Theory there cannot be a Revolutionary Movement".

What is also important in order to strengthen the CP is the question of new cadres and youth. The future aims of the communist and workers movement will be realized by the next generation, therefore the question of upbringing of young comrades is critical. Therefore work with the youth; Marxist-Leninist education is among the most important tasks of CP activities. It is crucial particularly because young people are not only susceptible to anti-communism but also to all forms of subversive, ultra-left and social-democratic opportunism that is being directed by the bourgeoisie in order to weaken the communist movement, communist parties and isolate its followers in harmless political sects, that adopts often openly pro-imperialist and anti-communist positions.

The struggle against ultra-leftist and social-democratic opportunism is another critical task of the CP. It is necessary to expose and denounce historical mission of ultra-leftism and social-democracy as wings of the bourgeoisie, 5th column in the communist and workers movement. It is necessary to reject subversive call for “unity of the left” in order to neutralize the line of CP. Opportunistic left is the alliance of the bourgeoisie forces inside the circles critical towards capitalism. Its mission is to confuse, subvert and force the fundamentally wrong and harmful positions. For example, many ultra-lefts currents supported counter-revolutionary “Solidarity” and other “color revolutions”, now they are supporting Al-Kaida terrorists in Libya. Social-democrats, on the other hand support the UE, that is the imperialist union of monopoly capital from Western Europe. Both are hostile towards Marxism-Leninism. Their destructive, pro-imperialist actions has to be exposed and battled.

The last thing we want to mention, is that many comrades were discouraged by the counter-revolution of 1989 and advances of reaction in last 3 decades. But all the political gains of the imperialism are temporary. Capitalism cannot sustain itself without collapsing. Expansion of its internal contradictions will lead to the situation, when socialist alternative will once more, and – eventually – be considered and adopted by the workers and the popular strata. Our century will be the century of the big advance of the socialism and its is a big challenge and mission for CP. It is crucial to ensure that victory can be achieved and working people can win over exploitation and imperialism.

Bie 
CP of Poland