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Special pages :
Letter to the Plenum of the International Secretariat, September 18, 1933
| Author(s) | Leon Trotsky |
|---|---|
| Written | 18 September 1933 |
In Defense of the IS
To the Plenum of the International Secretariat
Dear Comrades:
The work of the International Secretariat has now acquired an absolutely exceptional importance. In addition to the old tasks of uniting the numerous sections and directing their revolutionary work, the Secretariat (plenum) has now become the representative of the entire Left Opposition within the Bloc of Four, which holds aloft the banner of the new International. Beginning right now, the Secretariat must carefully follow the activity of its allies, exchange experiences and criticisms with them, participate in elaborating the program of the new International, organize conferences with sympathizing organizations, etc., etc. ⌠The Secretariat can accomplish these historic tasks only if it has real internal cohesion as well as support on all sides from all the sections.
All serious Bolshevik-Leninists reject with indignation unprincipled insinuations addressed to the Secretariat, attacks on its authority, and direct violations of its decisions. Strong leadership centers do not fall from the sky. They are formed through experience in accordance with the development and maturity of the organizations themselves. The elementary condition for the formation of a strong center is a Marxist approach to the principle of centralism, the authority of the leadership, and discipline.
The plenum (Secretariat) has taken the responsibility for our new political course; and through the intermediary of a special delegation, it has participated in the work of the Paris conference. It is enough to reflect seriously on the significance of this fact and the perspectives it opens to understand the gigantic importance of the leading international body of the Bolshevik-Leninists under the present conditions! Any attempt to weaken the IS and undermine its authority must be all the more mercilessly denounced since this is tantamount to disarming the Bolshevik-Leninists, with respect to our allies as well as our enemies.
You have recognized that the work of one of the members of the IS, directed toward discrediting the International Secretariat and overtly violating its decisions, is incompatible with membership in the International Secretariat. Not one serious revolutionary will contest the justice and necessity of your decision. Leadership can only be exercised by those who can exercise self-control. The members of the International Secretariat must set an example of discipline, and not take the initiative in criminally violating it.
The International Secretariat was elected by a legal assembly of representatives of the sections. The leaderships of the sections were elected democratically. No one has the slightest right to deny that the plenum (International Secretariat) expresses the real will of our international organization.
In case of doubt about the competence of the Secretariat and its majority, the Secretariat has a simple method of resolving the question: open the situation, as it stands, to all sections and ask their opinion. There cannot be the slightest doubt that the overwhelming majority of the sections will support the majority of the International Secretariat and call the disrupters to order. If even this method were found to be wanting, still smother road would remain: call together the representatives of all sections to examine the questions in dispute and make decisions. This would make it impossible in the future for isolated groups and individuals to sabotage the central and most important work.
If one group or another that hangs around the fringes of our organization prefers an anarchist federation to a democratic-centralist organization, even this will not hinder our growth, development, and progress. All the groups that split from the Bolshevik-Leninists are dragging out a pitiable existence, without hope or perspective. Let this be a warning to those who take the problem of discipline in the organization too lightly.
I want you to know that my support is entirely and completely assured to the International Secretariat â that is, to its legal majority.
Communist greetings,
G. Gourov [L. Trotsky]