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YFIS
and the WIL – What’s the Difference?
Tens of thousands of Americans, young and old, are discovering the ideas of Marxism. Only the ideas of Marxism and a class analysis of society can explain the ongoing crisis of world capitalism, which results in war, revolution, counter-revolution, unemployment, poverty, ignorance, racism, etc. With the help of the Internet, the ideas of Marxism are spreading more widely and rapidly than ever. But as Marx explained, it is not enough to explain the world around us; we must actively work to change it. Through the Internet and through word of mouth, thousands of young people have discovered the websites of Youth for International Socialism and the Workers International League. They understand instinctively that there is no future under capitalism - something fundamental must change! We hope the following brief document will be of use for those who have joined YFIS and are interested in learning more about joining the WIL. The WIL is the US sympathizing organization of the international Marxist tendency that produces the In Defence of Marxism website (www.marxist.com). It is the parent group of YFIS in the US and works hand-in-hand with YFIS members across the country. YFIS is a loose-knit group whose members are in general agreement with the ideas of the international as outlined on the above web sites - the ideas of revolutionary Marxism and Trotskyism. Membership is open to any individual (of any age) who is in general agreement with the ideas of the In Defence of Marxism website and who wants to learn more. These basic ideas can be found at: YFIS members should start by reading the YFIS FAQ and educate themselves by reading the works of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky. WIL members are there to discuss Marxism and current events with YFIS members, set up education plans, answer questions, etc., and work together toward membership in the WIL. Just contact us for more info! YFISers are mostly active on the Internet, on the YFIS discussion list and message board, in chats, etc., but where there is are WIL members present, many YFISers do real-world work such as passing out flyers, selling Socialist Appeal, attending protests, demonstrations, and other events, and spreading the ideas of Marxism in conjunction with the WIL members in their area. In many ways, YFIS in the US is more of an education-oriented "learning environment". On the other hand, the Workers International League is a real-world organization that takes a much more active part in the fight for socialism through regular branch meetings, public work, and participation in the labor movement. Members of the WIL are united around the program, ideas, methods, and traditions of the international Marxists who produce the IDOM website. Agreement with the program of the WIL is the first condition of membership Membership in the WIL involves being in general political agreement with the ideas, perspectives, and organizational methods of the WIL; participation in the building of the WIL by working in a comradely manner within the organizational structures of the organization; contributing financially to the building of the organization; and accepting the Constitution of the WIL. For more information on all of this, please contact the WIL at: wil@socialistappeal.org. In practice, this means defending the ideas of the organization, working with or helping to build a local branch, selling the Socialist Appeal paper, continually educating ourselves in the ideas, methods and traditions of Bolshevik internationalism, paying monthly dues, and in general working with the rest of the WIL in order to build the organization and spread the ideas of revolutionary Marxism in the US and internationally. Membership in the WIL is for comrades who are ready to take a more serious, dedicated step toward educating themselves in Marxism, fighting for socialism, and building the forces of revolutionary Marxism in the US. The WIL is a democratic-centralist organization with a democratically elected leadership, as well as rights and responsibilities of membership. Democratic centralism means that while issues are being discussed, all members have the full freedom to express their point of view, ideas, differences, suggestions, proposals, etc. After a reasonable period of discussion, a vote is taken, and whatever decision is taken by the majority is implemented by the organization as a whole. In this way, we are able to freely discuss all aspects of any question, and then work in unison to carry out the decision of the majority in the interest of building the WIL. Members of the WIL pay special attention to theoretical and political analysis. WIL members are encouraged to develop a deeper understanding of Marxist theory and history, and starting an education plan upon joining is part of that process. As compared to YFIS, which has much more general discussions, WIL members have more focused internal discussions and are directly involved in working out the political perspectives and organizational tactics. Although we hold these discussions on an ongoing basis in our branches and on our discussion lists, we also hold a national congress every year at which we discuss all of these issues in detail. In order to assist in the spreading of the ideas of revolutionary Marxism, members write / produce and sell Socialist Appeal. The paper plays an important role in developing the basic ideas outlined in our program, and it is around our paper that we discuss with our contacts and sympathizers. By selling the paper in public, we are able to reach wider layers of workers and youth who are looking for answers to the crisis of world capitalism unfolding around us. Paying dues is important so that we can continually develop and build the organization financially in order to do things such as produce Socialist Appeal, keep the websites running, purchase supplies and books, have full-time organizers working for the organization, etc. To win workers to our ideas and organization, we must orient toward the traditional mass organizations of the working class. In the US, the trade unions are the only traditional mass organizations that exist – there is not yet a mass political party that represents our interests. We therefore intervene at protests, demonstrations, and strikes, working shoulder to shoulder with our working class brothers and sisters in defending and building the unions, and fighting for a mass party of labor. Politically, both YFIS and the WIL stand for the same ideas and goals. The fundamental difference between YFIS and the WIL comes down to the level of activity and the rights and responsibilities that come with membership in the WIL. Whereas YFIS members do not have any formal responsibilities or duties, WIL members do have formal rights and responsibilities, as explained above. By taking on these responsibilities WIL members get participate directly in the building of a revolutionary Bolshevik organization in the US and around the world. Although the WIL is currently still in its formative stages, we have decades of experience from the In Defence of Marxism comrades behind us. We are working towards building a cadre organization, focused on quality over quantity. Clarity of political ideas and organizational methods is of the utmost importance for us at this stage of our development. In order to build in a healthy manner, the WIL is looking for the most advanced and class-conscious layers of youth and the working-class. Understanding and applying the ideas of Marxism is a life-long endeavor.We are all constantly developing ourselves as Marxists, and what better place to learn than in an organization of active, hard working, dedicated Marxists. Although membership in YFIS is usually the first step for most people who end up joining the WIL (since they can learn more about us before becoming WIL members), joining the WIL is the only way to go for those who really want to take part in building the forces of Marxism. It's a lot harder work, but then again, anything worth having is worth fighting for - and world socialism is definitely a goal worth fighting for! For more information on the history of our organization, and our orientation to the mass organizations of the working class we recommend the following: |
