Syndicalism and the Transition to Communism: An International Comparative Analysis (Studies in Labour History)

During the first two decades of the twentieth century, amidst an extraordinary international upsurge in strike action, the ideas of revolutionary syndicalism developed into a major influence within the world wide trade union movement. Committed to destroying capitalism through direct industrial action and revolutionary trade union struggle, the movement raised fundamental questions about the need for new and democratic forms of power through which workers could collectively manage industry and society.This study provides an all-embracing comparative analysis of the dynamics and trajectory of the syndicalist movement in six specific countries: France, Spain, Italy, America, Britain and Ireland. This is achieved through an examination of the philosophy of syndicalism and the varied forms that syndicalist organisations assumed; the distinctive economic, social and political context in which they emerged; the extent to which syndicalism influenced wider politics; and the reasons for its subsequent demise.The volume also provides the first ever systematic examination of the relationship between syndicalism and communism, focusing on the ideological and political conversion to communism undertaken by some of the syndicalist movement's leading figures and the degree of synthesis between the two traditions within the new communist parties that emerged in the early 1920s. Contents......Page 6 Studies in Labour History General Editor’s Preface......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 List of Abbreviations and Acronyms......Page 12 Introduction......Page 16 PART 1 DYNAMICS OF THE SYNDICALIST MOVEMENT......Page 30 1 Philosophy and Practice......Page 32 2 Origins and Growth......Page 64 3 Composition and Structure......Page 110 4 Internal Divisions......Page 142 5 Influence and Demise......Page 160 PART 2 THE TRANSITION TO COMMUNISM......Page 196 Part 2 Prologue......Page 198 6 Moscow’s Embrace......Page 200 7 Trade Unionism......Page 220 8 Union Bureaucracy......Page 234 9 Economics and Politics......Page 248 10 State and Revolution......Page 262 11 Leadership and the Party......Page 276 12 Syndicalist-Communist Fusion......Page 292 Bibliography......Page 304 B......Page 326 E......Page 327 I......Page 328 L......Page 329 P......Page 330 R......Page 331 S......Page 332 U......Page 334 W......Page 337 Z......Page 338

During the first two decades of the twentieth century, amidst an extraordinary international upsurge in strike action, the ideas of revolutionary syndicalism developed into a major influence within the world wide trade union movement. Committed to destroying capitalism through direct industrial action and revolutionary trade union struggle, the movement raised fundamental questions about the need for new and democratic forms of power through which workers could collectively manage industry and society.

This study provides an all-embracing comparative analysis of the dynamics and trajectory of the syndicalist movement in six specific countries: France, Spain, Italy, America, Britain and Ireland. This is achieved through an examination of the philosophy of syndicalism and the varied forms that syndicalist organisations assumed Contents 6 Studies in Labour History General Editor’s Preface 8 Acknowledgements 10 List of Abbreviations and Acronyms 12 Introduction 16 PART 1 DYNAMICS OF THE SYNDICALIST MOVEMENT 30 1 Philosophy and Practice 32 2 Origins and Growth 64 3 Composition and Structure 110 4 Internal Divisions 142 5 Influence and Demise 160 PART 2 THE TRANSITION TO COMMUNISM 196 Part 2 Prologue 198 6 Moscow’s Embrace 200 7 Trade Unionism 220 8 Union Bureaucracy 234 9 Economics and Politics 248 10 State and Revolution 262 11 Leadership and the Party 276 12 Syndicalist-Communist Fusion 292 Bibliography 304 Index 326 A 326 B 326 C 327 D 327 E 327 F 328 G 328 H 328 I 328 J 329 K 329 L 329 M 330 N 330 O 330 P 330 Q 331 R 331 S 332 T 334 U 334 V 337 W 337 Y 338 Z 338 During the first two decades of the twentieth century, amidst an extraordinary international upsurge in strike action, the ideas of revolutionary syndicalism developed into a major influence within the world wide trade union movement. Through a comparative study of revolutionary syndicalism in six key countries - France, Spain Italy, America, Britain and Ireland - this book provides a broad international analysis of one of the most dynamic and radical labour movements of the twentieth century. The volume also provides the first ever systematic examination of the relationship between syndicalis Philosophy And Practice -- Origins And Growth -- Composition And Structure -- Internal Divisions -- Influence And Demise -- Moscow's Embrace -- Trade Unionism -- Union Bureaucracy -- Economics And Politics -- State And Revolution -- Leadership And The Party -- Syndicalist-communist Fusion. Ralph Darlington. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [289]-310) And Index.