Kelly - Contemporary Trotskyism

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A fascinating study of a politics that refuses to disappear. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the possibilities and the limits of revolutionary politics.

Matthew Worley, Professor of Modern History, Reading University, UK

John Kelly has written the definitive guide to contemporary Trotskyism in England and Wales. The analysis is sharp and clear, always taking its subject matter seriously, probing every aspect of the phenomenon. It fulfils the authors intention to explain the structure, influence and ambition of the movement utilising the techniques of political science and a deep knowledge of the history of the far left.

John Callaghan, Professor of Politics and Contemporary History, University of Salford, UK

Contemporary Trotskyism is a fascinating and well-researched excavation of a much maligned and under-studied social movement. Mocked and feared in almost equal measure, John Kellys account provides a thorough overview of its highs and lows, its persistence and challenges, as well as those moments Trotskyism influenced the development of British politics as a whole.

Phil Burton-Cartledge, Lecturer in Sociology, University of Derby, UK

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CONTEMPORARY TROTSKYISM

Almost 80 years after Leon Trotsky founded the Fourth International, there are now Trotskyist organizations in 57 countries, including most of Western Europe and Latin America. Yet no Trotskyist group has ever led a revolution or built an enduring mass, political party. Contemporary Trotskyism looks in detail at the influence, resilience and weaknesses of the British Trotskyist movement, from the 1970s to the present day.

The book argues that to understand and explain the development, resilience and influence of Trotskyist groups, we need to analyse them as bodies that comprise elements of three types of organization: the political party, the sect and the social movement. It is the properties of these three facets of organization and the interplay between them that gives rise to the most characteristic features of the Trotskyist movement: frenetic activity, rampant divisions, inter-organizational hostility, authoritarian and charismatic leadership, high membership turnover and ideological rigidity.

Trotskyist groups have been involved in a wide range of important social movements including trade unions, student unions, anti-war, anti-racist and anti-fascist groups. While their energy and activity in civil society have had some success, their influence has never been reflected in votes or seats at elections even after the financial crisis.

Drawing on extensive archival research, as well as interviews with many of the leading protagonists and activists within the Trotskyist milieu, this is essential reading for students, activists and researchers with an interest in the far left, social movements and contemporary British political history.

John Kelly teaches at the Department of Management, Birkbeck College, University of London. He has published widely on trade unions and the labour movement.

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ROUTLEDGE STUDIES IN RADICAL HISTORY AND POLITICS

www.routledge.com/Routledge-Studies-in-Radical-History-and-Politics/book-series/RSRHP

Series editors:

Thomas Linehan , Brunel University , and John Roberts, Brunel University

The series Routledge Studies in Radical History and Politics has two areas of interest. Firstly, this series aims to publish books which focus on the history of movements of the radical left. Movement of the radical left is here interpreted in its broadest sense as encompassing those past movements for radical change which operated in the mainstream political arena as with political parties, and past movements for change which operated more outside the mainstream as with millenarian movements, anarchist groups, utopian socialist communities, and trade unions. Secondly, this series aims to publish books which focus on more contemporary expressions of radical left-wing politics. Recent years have been witness to the emergence of a multitude of new radical movements adept at getting their voices in the public sphere. From those participating in the Arab Spring, the Occupy movement, community unionism, social media forums, independent media outlets, local voluntary organisations campaigning for progressive change, and so on, it seems to be the case that innovative networks of radicalism are being constructed in civil society that operate in different public forms.

The series very much welcomes titles with a British focus, but is not limited to any particular national context or region. The series will encourage scholars who contribute to this series to draw on perspectives and insights from other disciplines.

Titles include:

John Lilburne and the Levellers
Reappraising the Roots of English Radicalism 400 Years On
Edited by John Rees

The Labour Church
The Movement and Its Message
Neil Johnson

Challenging Austerity
Radical Left and Social Movements in the South of Europe
Edited by Beltrn Roca, Emma Martn-Daz and Ibn Daz-Parra

Contemporary Trotskyism
Parties, Sects and Social Movements in Britain
John Kelly

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CONTEMPORARY
TROTSKYISM

Parties, Sects and Social Movements
in Britain

John Kelly

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First published 2018
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

and by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2018 John Kelly

The right of John Kelly to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Kelly, John E., 1952- author.
Title: Contemporary Trotskyism : parties, sects and social movements in Britain / John Kelly.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2018. | Series: Routledge studies in radical history and politics | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017052868| ISBN 9781138943797 (hardback) | ISBN 9781138943810 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781315671048 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: CommunismGreat BritainHistory. | SocialismGreat BritainHistory. | Labor movementGreat BritainHistory. | Social movementsGreat BritainHistory. | Political partiesGreat BritainHistory. | Great BritainPolitics and government1945- | Trotsky, Leon, 1879-1940.
Classification: LCC HX243 .K45 2018 | DDC 324.241/0975dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017038621

ISBN: 978-1-138-94379-7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-94381-0 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-67104-8 (ebk)

Typeset in Bembo
by Swales & Willis Ltd, Exeter, Devon, UK

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