Scientific Organizing
The Editors of The Class Struggle Chronicle
10/1/2024
Organizing—be it political, labor, or community organizing—is a science.
Building power for working and oppressed people involves a balanced and healthy combination of analysis and action, sometimes framed as theory and praxis. Every action or event should follow a similar line of preparation: thoroughly analyzing the specific situation, strategizing a course of action appropriate for those conditions, and executing a disciplined and well-planned action. Each component strengthens and informs the other over time. As we participate in more direct actions, our understanding grows, making our analysis stronger; simultaneously, the more our understanding develops, the stronger and more effective will our actions be. This dialectical relationship lies at the heart of effective organizing.
Too often, well-intentioned progressive groups and individuals fall into the trap of neglecting one side of the dialectic. How many perpetually-online “revolutionaries” do you know who say all of the right things, but never leave their home to bump elbows with the working and oppressed masses? Conversely, how often have you encountered a group or person who enthusiastically throws themselves at progressive causes, but never finds a base to work from, usually drifting aimlessly from action to action, lacking the critical underpinnings of an ideological framework and program? These two problems—the terminally online leftist and the directionless, ungrounded progressive—are hinderances to effective organizing and securing power for working and oppressed people.
Jumping into the trenches of class struggle is a scary prospect. For many, especially young organizers, where to begin poses a challenge that seems insurmountable; for those located in smaller communities, isolated from established progressive-left collectives, groups, and organizations, the obstacles to getting involved seem even greater. For others, crippling social anxieties may hinder them from reaching out and getting involved in local organizing efforts. And for still others, exhaustion from overwork and the burdens of making it by in dog-eat-dog society leave little energy for action. For these individuals, it is quite natural to bury oneself in books of theory and history, to sit before a computer screen all day, reposting leftist memes and articles. Many of these folks can rightly boast of an impressive array of knowledge and can quote, verbatim, the greatest revolutionaries, organizers, and activists of history.
The problem with this situation, however, is obvious: without firm ties to the working and oppressed masses, all the book knowledge in the world cannot provide an adequate and working analysis of the current conditions within society. Left unchecked, this phenomenon can develop into something malignant, creating a progressive who is so detached from everyday working people that they become evangelists for the left, spouting theory-heavy rhetoric to workers who respond by either ignoring the message or, even worse, become rankled by the “holier-than-thou,” know-it-all attitude that many of these folks exude, pushing them away from the left. This can create a cycle of demoralization for the well-intentioned leftist, eventually leading to a nihilism, despair, and resentment.
On the other hand, the phenomenon of activism without a foundation of proven theory is equally destructive to building working class power. For many, especially those with hearts for the marginalized and vulnerable of society, action seems to be the only important part of organizing. Such folks rightly identify the urgency and desperation of working and oppressed people today and wish to alleviate their suffering as quickly as possible. Their hearts are in the right place and, often times, much good does come from their efforts.
This situation can be compared to a kite missing its line. Such individuals and groups tend to bounce from cause to cause, situation to situation, issue to issue. They see injustices in every crevice of society and want to address each and every one without due consideration or analysis. This path eventually results in burnout and the rollback of gains the individual or group achieves. Without a coherent, scientific outlook and approach, an organizer is left without guideposts and invariably ping-pongs between groups and causes until they tire or give up. Such a position is a common trend among reformists (as opposed to revolutionaries) who attempt to apply a multitude of Band-Aids to a tumor-ridden society that actually needs urgent and dramatic surgery.
For those struggling with perpetual isolation from the broader working class struggle or for those caught in the pinball machine of action without a foundation of ideological understanding, identifying which aspect of organizing—analysis or action—is lacking and making the necessary correction(s) is the way out. Similarly, in order to prevent such pitfalls for new organizers, when a worker becomes class conscious, awakening to the realities and injustices of our class society, it is imperative that experienced organizers be there to guide them into a scientific approach to organizing. This scientific approach, as has been said, requires a healthy combination of both theory and praxis (analysis and action), understanding that both inform and strengthen the other. Just one solitary component may produce good results here and there, but without the other element, seizing political, economic, social, and cultural power for working and oppressed people will remain unattainable.
Becoming an effective organizer is a never-ending process of analysis/action, failures/mistakes, learning/mentoring, celebration/self-criticism, building up/breaking down. It requires discipline, study, practice, and perseverance. Organizing can be exhausting, heartbreaking at times, but also offers experiences that the vast majority of working people will never see: the elation of successfully leading a union drive or strike, the satisfaction of forcing those in power to serve the needs of the many, the joy of finding a collective of likeminded folks, the inspiration of seeing a community come together. The great William Z. Foster called leftist organizers the “Militant Minority” and rightly identified that this minority is tasked with the enormous responsibility of leading working and oppressed people to liberation. The work before us is great, but together, united in scientific analysis, informed strategy, and targeted action, we hold the power to remake society into one which serves the interests of our class.
For those just now entering into the realm of left organizing: welcome!
The Louisville Workers Brigade encourages you to dive headfirst into studying working class history and economic and political theory. We also encourage you to connect with a local leftist organization—be that a working class political party, a labor union, or a community group—and to seek mentors who can guide you towards the scientific approach to organizing that we’ve outlined. Find your place in the diverse array of roles organizers fill in the work of securing power for working and oppressed people. Get involved. Seek both book knowledge and practical experience, knowing that both will work together to mold you into an effective organizer. Lastly, feel free to reach out to us here with the Brigade: we are always happy to get you connected with a group (including ours!) and to suggest material to study!
May our paths cross in the trenches of class war and may our destinies be secure in the liberation of all working and oppressed people!