Yu Weihai: New Trends in the International Unification of Communist Parties in Recent Years and Our Response
The Great Changes Unseen in a Century are currently entering a period of accelerated evolution. Crises within capitalism are emerging incessantly and breaking out in concentrated bursts, leading to the "socialist moment" being loudly proclaimed in many parts of the world. As the communist movement encounters several centennial commemorations, Communist Parties in many countries have also entered a period of "centennial" reflection on their strategies and tactics. In the face of these Great Changes Unseen in a Century, what is the current status and developmental trend of the international communist movement? This is the practical environment faced by the Communist Party of China at this historic moment of its own centenary, as well as a major theoretical issue that must be studied within the context of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
Broadly speaking, various Communist and Workers’ Parties throughout the world today are not only numerous but also exhibit a clear trend toward alignment. Calls for the unification of world Communist Parties are rising from all quarters, and various forms of joint action are emerging in many regions. Many Communist and Workers’ Parties have reached a consensus on major issues of the international communist movement—including the socialist struggle, the rights and interests of the working class, peace and justice, new changes in capitalism and new manifestations of imperialism, and the situation of struggles in various regions—issuing joint statements and speaking with a collective voice. They have demonstrated a power of convergence across organizational platforms, ideologies, targets of struggle, and practical actions, collectively creating a new posture for the international communist movement and enriching its forms and connotations. Compared to the international communist movement of the 19th and 20th centuries, this represents a new trend of alignment characterized by many "new historical features." [1]
I. Manifestations of the Alignment of World Communist Parties in Recent Years
The communist movement is inherently international. In the Manifesto of the Communist Party, the program drafted for the Communist League, Marx and Engels explicitly stated: "United action, of the leading civilized countries at least, is one of the first conditions for the emancipation of the proletariat." In the history of the international communist movement, international organizations such as the Communist League, the First International, the Second International, the Communist International (Comintern), and the Information Bureau of the Communist and Workers' Parties (Cominform) played immense roles in uniting the struggles of communists worldwide. The alignment of world Communist Parties in recent years differs from the forms of unification seen in the history of the international communist movement—which featured common organizations, programs, objectives, and actions—and instead possesses many new contents and characteristics.
First is the establishment of a series of aligned organizational mechanisms. The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe plunged the international communist movement into a low ebb. Most Communist Parties fell into the predicament of organizational shrinkage, laxity, fragmentation, reorganization, or even dissolution, while the "End of History" [2] thesis was clamorously asserted. To break out of this predicament, Communist and Workers’ Parties worldwide have strengthened the construction of organizational alignment and established a series of fixed platforms for international coordination, including international conferences and international or regional social organizations. These include the Union of Communist Parties–Communist Party of the Soviet Union (UCP-CPSU) founded in 1993 (currently 18 member parties and 3 observer parties); the International Conference of Marxist–Leninist Parties and Organizations (ICMLPO) founded in 1994 (currently 24 member parties); the International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP) founded in 1998 (currently 118 member parties); the International Marxist Tendency (IMT) founded in 2006 (active in nearly 40 countries and regions); the Communist Party of the Soviet Union founded in 2001 (currently 14 member parties); the International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations (ICOR) founded in 2010 (currently 62 member parties); the Initiative of Communist and Workers' Parties (INITIATIVE) founded in 2013 (currently 30 member parties); International Socialist Alternative (ISA) founded in 2020 (with branches in 34 countries and regions); as well as various other types of Communist and Workers’ Party mechanisms such as the Party of the European Left, the Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties of the Balkan Region, Marxist-Leninist-Maoist parties and organizations, the International Revolutionary Left, the Fourth International, the Communist Front, and the Arab Left Forum. These platforms and mechanisms play important roles in conference exchange, organizational networking, and political alignment, having already become the organizational machinery for the alignment of various Communist Parties. Within these platforms, "we can unite in the most appropriate forms on the path toward a resurrected International." [3] "Communists and opportunists cooperate within it; it is highly probable that the revolutionary Communist Parties of the Solidarity Network (Solidnet) will form a Fourth International alongside the European Communist Initiative, making Solidnet the core of a broad international anti-imperialist and anti-fascist front." [4] "Today we can say without exaggeration and with pride: ICOR has become an active and proactive representative of the world revolutionary association. There are no signs of split or disintegration, nor quarrels of liquidationism." [5]
Second is the use of joint statements to consolidate voices and spirit. Since the start of the new century, the rise of the internet has broadened the channels of interaction between Communist Parties. They utilize international meetings and online platforms to issue joint statements on major events concerning the vital interests of the masses. These platforms include Solidnet, In Defense of Communism, In Defense of Marxism, the INITIATIVE of Communist and Workers’ Parties, the International Communist Review, Redglobe, Newepoch.media, ICOR, the International Conference of Marxist–Leninist Parties and Organizations, Maoistroad, etc. Through the integration of online and offline efforts, joint statements have become routine and are increasing daily. They serve not only as a window for parties to maintain contact but also, to a certain extent, demonstrate consistent theoretical viewpoints and directions of struggle. The number of parties signing these joint statements ranges from as few as two to more than a hundred. Taking the year 2020 as an example, world Communist and Workers’ Parties issued a series of joint statements centered on the 200th anniversary of Engels’ birth, the 150th anniversary of Lenin’s birth, the 127th anniversary of Mao Zedong’s birth, the 75th anniversary of the victory over fascism, International Workers' Day (May Day), as well as the pandemic, the Palestinian issue, the situation in Iran, anti-communism, and protest activities around the world. On April 22, 2020, ninety-three Communist and Workers’ Parties signed a joint statement commemorating the 150th anniversary of Lenin’s birth, with the number of signatories reaching a new high for joint statements in recent years.
Third is the conduct of consistent international struggle. The forms of alignment among world Communist Parties are diverse, appearing with increasing density and interconnectedness. Through party media or aligned organizational mechanisms, various Communist Parties coordinate and carry out demonstrations, solidarity actions, and other forms of struggle and protest across the globe. In anti-imperialist struggles in places like Venezuela, Cuba, Palestine, and Iran; in anti-communist struggles in Georgia, Ukraine, and the European Parliament; and in the Black civil rights struggle in the United States, communists from various countries have simultaneously organized various solidarity activities worldwide. According to the author’s one-year field research in the U.S. in 2019, the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), among others, responded to international calls by organizing street demonstrations at all levels—from the central leadership to state branches and local clubs—specifically during the "Hands Off Venezuela" campaign. During the 2019 struggle against U.S. threats of war with Iran, several parties including the Workers World Party (WWP), the PSL, and the Maoist Communist Party (MCP) held rallies outside Philadelphia City Hall to carry out solidarity activities for Iran.
Fourth is the condensation and formation of a collective spirit, imparting an international character to the fragmented communist movement. Although the struggles of Communist Parties in various countries lack a common international action program, they have objectively formed a collective spirit. Summarily, the collective spirit of contemporary Communist Parties primarily includes: the pursuit of socialism and communism in terms of ideals and convictions; the overthrow of capitalism and establishment of a socialist society in terms of struggle objectives; the advocacy of freedom, democracy, fairness, justice, internationalism, environmental protection, and gender equality in terms of values; opposition to war, aggression, imperialism, neoliberalism, fascism, and racism in terms of ideology; and the defense of the rights of the working class and the people, opposition to racial and gender discrimination, and opposition to right-wing governments in terms of practical struggle. It is under this collective spirit that communists of all countries have converged into a force that constrains capitalism. Guided by this collective spirit, fragmented actions have also exhibited strong commonalities and convergence, invisibly coalescing across the world into a "socialist community" and collectively igniting the "prairie fire" [6] of the contemporary international communist movement.
II. New Characteristics of the Current Alignment of World Communist Parties
Amidst the Great Changes Unseen in a Century, the organizational forms and modes of activity of Communist Parties in various countries have undergone many new changes, as have their international alignment activities. This is primarily reflected in the aspects of the subjects of alignment, the space of alignment, the frequency of alignment, and the methods of alignment.
First is the equality and diversification of the subjects of alignment. Unlike previous alignments in the history of the international communist movement, the current alignment of world Communist Parties is built upon the independence and mutual equality of each party. This is a voluntary alignment based on equality—a "grouping together" for warmth under the umbrella of international communist organizational mechanisms. On the other hand, "it is not feasible today for all Communist and Workers' Parties to adopt a single strategic behavior; there are subtle or major differences among us in terms of theory, strategy, and tactics." [7] Consequently, the aligned organizations in which these parties participate are both global and regional; they exist both among Communist Parties and within broad left-wing coalitions, and even include progressive groups and social organizations. Participants include Marxist, Marxist-Leninist, and Marxist-Leninist-Maoist parties, as well as Trotskyist, Hoxhaist, or social-democratized Communist Parties. Despite significant theoretical differences among these diverse subjects, they are able to speak with a collective voice on many important issues facing the international communist movement. For instance, during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, platforms such as the IMCWP's "Solidnet," the "INITIATIVE of Communist and Workers’ Parties," the "International Conference of Marxist–Leninist Parties and Organizations," "ICOR," and "Maoistroad" all issued joint statements on the pandemic, though their contents and viewpoints varied.
Second is resonance and networking across space. The contemporary international communist movement has moved away from a model of a single center and unified leadership. Instead, it features separate actions within multiple organizational mechanisms that collectively project a unified voice, shifting toward a networked alignment. Communist Parties scattered across the globe take coordinated actions on the same issues—akin to a "butterfly effect"—demonstrating characteristics of resonance. Simultaneously, in terms of spatial distribution, exploration and action regarding alignment are carried out at national, regional, and global levels. When participating in joint solidarity actions, various Communist Parties often engage in overlapping and cross-participation across multiple organizational mechanisms, thus forming a mesh-like tendency in their alignment. Regarding organizational platforms, many Communist Parties are formal members of multiple platforms simultaneously. For example, the Labour Party of Turkey (EMEP) is a member of the Hoxhaist ICMLPO, a member of the IMCWP, and was previously a member of the International Communist Seminar (which ceased activity in 2014).
Third is continuity and intensification in frequency. Cataloged by the harsh environment for survival and the inherent international characteristics of the communist movement, many world Communist Parties have repeatedly issued joint calls and appeals. Through the joint efforts of many parties, the world's Communist Parties have carried out more intensive joint actions, creating a surging trend of alignment. In fact, since the outbreak of the 2008 financial crisis, the organizational mechanisms for the alignment of world Communist Parties have been continuously improved, practical struggles have been unceasing, joint statements have become more frequent, and a collective spirit has become increasingly prominent. They speak and exert force continuously and intensively through annual meetings, normalized statements, and coordinated solidarity actions and demonstrations. Taking only the pandemic and the 150th anniversary of Lenin's birth in the first half of 2020 as examples...
Taking anniversaries, May Day, and global protest activities as examples, world Communist Parties have issued more than 30 joint statements, while unilateral expressions of solidarity and declarations have been even more numerous [17]. This continuity of activity helps maintain the presence and influence of the socialist movement worldwide, enhances its vitality, and allows more people to see its formidable strength and immense potential.
Fourth is diversity in method and the focus on specific issues. Different from previous organizational forms of alliance, the current alignment among the world’s Communist Parties possesses new characteristics. Party alliances, international conferences, joint statements, and solidarity protests are the most common primary forms; a salient feature is that these are centered on specific issues rather than formal organization (issue-driven rather than organization-driven). Many Communist Parties not only participate in common international conferences and have established fixed platform mechanisms but have also formed electoral alliances, governing coalitions, and united front alliances in various practical elections, achieving an issue-based convergence guided by a shared spirit. For example, according to incomplete statistics [18], 14 Communist Parties (including the Workers Party of Bangladesh, the Communist Party of Chile, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Revolutionary Socialist Party, the Iraqi Communist Party, the Communist Party of Israel, the Portuguese Communist Party, the South African Communist Party, the Syrian Communist Party, the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, the Communist Party of Spain, the Communist Party of Uruguay, and the Communist Party of Venezuela, etc.) have participated in or formed electoral alliances in recent years. In terms of governing coalitions, more than 10 parties—including the Communist Party of Argentina, the Workers Party of Bangladesh, the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia, the Communist Party of Nepal, the South African Communist Party, the Communist Party of Spain, the Syrian Communist Party, the Syrian Communist Party (Unified), and the Communist Party of Sri Lanka—have formed national or local governing coalitions by aligning with other left-wing parties. Furthermore, these Communist Parties actively unite with progressive domestic forces and left-wing organizations to build united front alliances or fronts, collectively pooling their voices and strength on issues such as anti-capitalism, anti-imperialism, anti-war efforts, the realization of fairness, justice, and environmental protection, and the defense of the rights of the working class and the people. For instance, five Indian parties—the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation, the All India Forward Bloc, and the Revolutionary Socialist Party—have formed a Left Front alliance. Their interaction is highly robust; in recent years, they have frequently issued joint statements and coordinated various activities [19].
III. An Evaluation of the Current Trend of Alignment Among World Communist Parties
The developing trend toward alignment among world Communist Parties further highlights the class-based, international, interconnected, and organizational tendencies of the socialist movement. This not only helps consolidate communist forces worldwide, ensuring that the "torch is passed from generation to generation" [8] in the international communist movement, but also enriches its content and forms.
(1) It has strengthened the power to counteract capitalism and expanded the momentum of world socialism. Most non-ruling Communist Parties abroad are relatively scattered and weak. World Communist Parties differ in their theoretical propositions, organizational status, and ideological lines, as well as in their understanding of existing socialist countries and even the world socialist movement as a whole; nevertheless, they embody certain commonalities. Communist Parties unite because of these commonalities. On one hand, by sounding the clarion call for an offensive against capitalism from different angles, they undoubtedly strengthen the forces counteracting capitalism. On the other hand, through the process of alignment, these parties have created multiple joint platforms, enabling them to "twist into a single rope" [9], focus their voices and strength, and carry out coordinated actions. This undoubtedly helps elevate the overall strength and momentum of world socialism; for individual parties, it also provides better development opportunities. Through alignment, they strengthen communication and exchange, learn from and bridge one another's experiences, and provide mutual support and solidarity, thereby increasing their own social influence.
(2) It has enriched and developed the connotations and forms of the international communist movement. The so-called international communist movement is "an international proletarian revolutionary movement led by proletarian parties guided by Marxism, whose purpose is to overthrow bourgeois rule and all systems of exploitation, establish and develop the socialist system, and ultimately achieve the complete liberation of man and the establishment of a communist society" [20]. The alignment of world Communist Parties is the best footnote to the persistence of the contemporary international communist movement. Today’s international communist movement is no longer characterized by "one center, one line, and one model" [21]; instead, it has updated its forms and connotations under the trend of party alignment.
First, the international communist movement has not faded from the stage of history. Many commentators directly deny the existence of a world socialist movement, arguing for the "ideological and theoretical abandonment of the traditional concept of the 'international communist movement'" because "contemporary world socialism" is merely a "grand collection" of various socialist forces, schools, or models that are "independent, autonomous, acting on their own, and without unified connection" [22]. It is true that the theme of the international communist movement is no longer Bolshevik-style world revolution, and violent revolution is not the choice of the vast majority of contemporary communists for conducting the proletarian revolutionary movement. Under the premise of acknowledging the objective fact that a large number of Communist Parties still exist, examining international proletarian revolutionary movements is the key to examining the international communist movement. Various joint mechanisms together weave an active network of the international communist movement, supporting frequent international conferences, statements, solidarity actions, and alliances, thereby giving the communist movement international substance. The international alignment of the subjects, spaces, temporalities, and methods of world Communist Parties interprets the "unceasing life" and the "passing of the torch" [10] of the contemporary communist movement.
Second, the new alignment of the international communist movement exists alongside internal sectarian struggles. Fragmentation, internal friction, and disputes have long been inherent labels attached to the international communist movement. On the stage of the international communist movement today, a large number of communist party organizations are active. According to incomplete statistics from Wikipedia, there are approximately 400 existing Communist Parties of various sizes in the world [23]. Many countries have several, or even a dozen or twenty, communist parties. Taking the United States as an example, there are a large number of communist parties with many factions, including Marxist-Leninist, Marxist-Leninist-Maoist, Democratic Socialist, Trotskyist, Hoxhaist, and Anarchist types. It can be said that they include almost all factions found in the history of the international communist movement and contemporary world socialism, with more than 10 parties such as the Communist Party USA, the PCUSA, the Workers World Party, the Revolutionary Communist Party, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the Socialist Workers Party, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the Progressive Labor Party, and the Maoist Communist Party. This considerable number of parties is the awkward result of the fragmentation and continuous fission of communist parties, as well as a manifestation of internal friction, disagreement, and splits between parties.
Parties of various factions have their own international joint platforms, and the boundaries between them are often very clear and markedly exclusive. For example, the International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP), although possessing a certain degree of openness, still refuses the entry of many Communist Parties. This phenomenon is widespread among the global Left, invisibly weakening the international significance of alignment and reducing cohesion. The internal friction and sectarianism of today’s international communist movement exert a huge counter-force against efforts at alignment, causing explorations of unity to remain trapped in a predicament of low efficiency.
Third, the international communist movement has changed from a "center-periphery" movement into a relatively loose, networked movement. On the basis of independence, equality, and voluntarism, Communist Parties in various countries can independently choose different organizational mechanisms to achieve alignment at different levels and for different purposes. For example, the Communist Party of Greece is frequently active on platforms such as the IMCWP, the Initiative of Communist and Workers' Parties, the International Communist Seminar, and the Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties of the Balkan Region. The same is true for other Communist Parties.
Finally, the international communist movement is characterized by greater fragmentation and diversity. Since the birth of Marxism, people have interpreted it from various perspectives. Although the ideological sources of Communist Parties in all countries derive from revolutionary mentors such as Marx, Engels, and Lenin, they have developed different understandings and connotations across different historical processes and geographic regions. Communist Parties have evolved into different types. This diversity is reflected not only in the differences between different types of parties (such as ruling vs. non-ruling, Marxist-Leninist vs. Marxist-Leninist-Maoist, Trotskyist, Hoxhaist, etc.) and the differences between joint mechanisms, but also in the diversification of the issues for alignment. The alignment of Communist Parties under different issues is both guided by the spirit of internationalism and a reflection of their competitive exploration of their own socialist paths within their respective nation-states. While diverse alignments certainly increase the aggregate power of the international communist movement, they also provide fertile soil for sectarianism and dogmatism. The increasing "issue-driven" characteristic of these alignments makes the tension between the short-term and long-term goals of the international communist movement more prominent.
IV. Our Response to the "New Historical Features" of the Trend of Alignment Among World Communist Parties
The report of the 18th National Congress of the CPC pointed out: "Developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is a long-term, arduous historical task, and we must be prepared to conduct a great struggle with many new historical features" [24]. The new trend of alignment among world Communist Parties and the new connotations and forms of the international communist movement are precisely among the "new historical features" that need to be seriously studied and grasped in the process of advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. How then can we better study and grasp this "new historical feature" to serve the "great struggle"?
First, we must strengthen research on the international communist movement. The trend toward alignment among world Communist Parties has added new vitality and injected new content into the movement. Therefore, we must strengthen research on the international communist movement in the New Era, examine its connotative characteristics, organizational mechanisms, aligned forces, and shared spirit, and explore its laws of development—particularly by conducting in-depth research on the relationship between socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era and the international communist movement.
Second, we should deeply study Xi Jinping’s theoretical proposition on "a new type of party-to-party relations." Epistemologically, this theoretical proposition is a major innovation in the CPC’s party diplomacy policy; methodologically, it is an effective way to resolve the frequent splits, disputes, and disagreements among foreign Communist Parties; and in terms of logic and prospects, it is the key for socialism with Chinese characteristics to lead the development of world socialism. Taking Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the logical starting point, we should systematically study Xi Jinping’s theoretical proposition on a new type of party-to-party relations from five dimensions: background and formation, connotation and system, characteristics and principles, significance and value, and mechanism and path. We should carry out applied research on the transformation of this theory centered on the essence and concepts of party diplomacy, thereby constructing specific policies for the CPC's party diplomacy in the New Era, with party diplomacy subjects, main lines, concepts, connotations, levels, fields, orientations, platforms, and mechanisms as key points.
Third, amidst the networked trend of alignment among world Communist Parties, we must establish strategic thinking and maintain strategic resolve. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe, the situation of the international communist movement became more complex. Communist Parties of various types and factions have taken the stage, and many parties have large theoretical differences—particularly regarding their cognition of and attitude toward socialism with Chinese characteristics, where many disagreements exist. Vociferous criticism, denial, and attacks against us occasionally appear in many joint statements; the combined effect of these voices warrants vigilance. It is precisely these parties that are most enthusiastic about calling for the establishment of a new international organization similar to the "Comintern" and are most keen on promoting a Bolshevik-style world revolution. At the same time, there are voices domestically arguing that the CPC, as the world's largest communist party, should take the baton from the Soviet Union and courageously shoulder the banner of uniting world socialist forces. Clearly, engaging in "great unity" and "great alignment" based on wishful thinking neither conforms to our country’s current development strategy nor is it realistic. Facing this trend of alignment, we must establish strategic thinking and maintain strategic resolve: do not lead, do not shoulder the banner, do not participate, and do not oppose. Developing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics well is the greatest contribution to the international communist movement.
Lastly, we should rationally utilize the forces of world socialism. The aligned actions of the world’s Communist Parties are both a fresh force for counteracting capitalism and can be rationally utilized to become external auxiliary forces and friendly troops serving the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In fact, in their aligned actions, most Communist Parties have given us public support, becoming a force that can be utilized. In March 2020, among 82...
In a joint statement signed by numerous communist parties titled "Immediate Measures to Protect the Health and Rights of the Peoples," China’s internationalist actions in the fight against the epidemic received high praise [28]. In April, the Communist Party of China, together with more than 230 political parties from over 100 countries, issued a common appeal to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This received support and praise from many of the world’s communist parties through various means, including signing the appeal, publishing articles, and sending messages of appreciation [29].
To better utilize this unified force of world socialism, we must, first and foremost, strategically emphasize and perform well in united front work [11] with foreign communist parties, actively and proactively planning and building a unified force that is favorable to our interests. Second, with the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) [12] as the primary body, we must implement Xi Jinping’s theory on new-type party-to-party relations, strengthen exchanges with foreign communist parties, and establish a multi-level exchange mechanism centered on high-level thematic dialogues between political parties. Third, we must leverage the research capabilities of civil society and universities, establish national-level research think-tanks, create mechanisms for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and strengthen theoretical exploration. Only through a multi-pronged approach can we better tell China's story [13] and provide political leadership to world socialism.
Xi Jinping pointed out: "Although world socialism will encounter twists and turns in its development, the general trend of human social development has not changed, and will not change" [30]. The new development trends of the world’s communist parties further confirm the correctness of this profound judgment. As the Communist Party of China welcomes the centenary of its founding, clearly recognizing the current status and characteristics of the development of the international communist movement, grasping its new development trends, further strengthening the "Four Awarenesses" [14], bolstering the "Four Confidences" [15], achieving the "Two Upholds," and successfully developing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics—this is the most beautiful birthday gift offered for the centenary of the Communist Party of China.