The following resolution was passed unanimously by the tenth party congress of the CPGB-ML.
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This congress confirms that the only correct analysis of imperialism is that made by Lenin:
“We must give a definition of imperialism that will include the following five of its basic features: (1) the concentration of production and capital has developed to such a high stage that it has created monopolies which play a decisive role in economic life; (2) the merging of bank capital with industrial capital, and the creation, on the basis of this ‘finance capital’, of a financial oligarchy; (3) the export of capital as distinguished from the export of commodities acquires exceptional importance; (4) the formation of international monopolist capitalist associations which share the world among themselves and (5) the territorial division of the whole world among the biggest capitalist powers is completed.
“Imperialism is capitalism at that stage of development at which the dominance of monopolies and finance capital is established; in which the export of capital has acquired pronounced importance; in which the division of the world among the international trusts has begun, in which the division of all territories of the globe among the biggest capitalist powers has been completed.” (Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism, 1916)
This congress applauds our party’s role in assisting with the formation of the World Anti-imperialist Platform. Congress notes that the formation of the Platform was a response to:
1. The harmful confusion in the world’s working-class movement which saw the prestigious Greek Communist party (KKE) use all its influence to spread the erroneous theory that all capitalist countries in the era of monopoly capital must necessarily be imperialist. This anti-Leninist ‘theory’ has been propagated in the name of Leninism to justify denouncing the enemies of imperialism, in particular (but not only) Russia and China, as imperialist countries that are just as much enemies of the working class as the real imperialists grouped in the Nato camp. Thus the KKE and aligned parties around the world have condemned Russia’s SMO in Ukraine as ‘aggressive’ and defined the Ukraine conflict as an ‘interimperialist war’ in the outcome of which the working-class movement has no interest and should not take sides – the very opposite of the truth.
2. The accelerating drive to war by the imperialist countries, led by the USA, against all countries seeking economic independence, which the imperialists see as obstacles to their ability to loot resources for the minimum cost, especially Russia and China (but not exclusively these two, witness the wars in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria, as well as the ‘colour revolutions’ in east European and former Soviet states such as Ukraine). The imperialists are trying to effect ‘regime change’ wherever a state tries to exert even a modicum of sovereignty in order to dismember the territories of its opponents and loot their resources at will, the drive to war being the result of the deepening crisis of overproduction in all of the imperialist countries, which is at the same time increasingly impoverishing its own working classes.
This congress recognises that imperialism is the chief enemy of the working and oppressed peoples, both at home and abroad.
Congress recognises also that in the current world situation of the deepening global crisis of overproduction, which is leading both to the increasing impoverishment of workers and to the accelerating drive to war by the imperialists, it is more important than ever that the revolutionary working-class movement in the imperialist nations:
1. provides a correct analysis of what constitutes imperialism; and
2. bases its work on the understanding that the struggles of the oppressed and anti-imperialist peoples and nations against imperialism are an integral part of our own struggle for emancipation from wage slavery and must therefore be unconditionally and wholeheartedly supported.
This congress acknowledges the importance, at this time and at this stage of the revolutionary movement, of the of the initiative taken by all those forces involved in the formation the World Anti-Imperialist Platform, recognises in particular the significance of the theoretical work of our founding chair, Comrade Harpal Brar, in helping to form its central positions, and confirms its full support for the Paris Declaration of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform made on 14 October 2022 (see document linked below).
Congress appreciates the important role played by some of our own comrades in helping to prepare many of the Platform’s statements and resolutions, and the significant commitment of time and resources our leadership has given to helping the Platform to develop, and to ensure that its international conferences are a success and the influence of its line continues to grow.
Congress applauds the success of the Platform over the last two and a half years in bringing together increasing numbers of progressive, anti-imperialist parties, which are gaining strength from one other’s example and experiences, and benefiting from the clear Marxist-Leninist leadership and analysis provided by the Platform.
Congress therefore resolves that our party will continue to devote the time and funds necessary to support the activities of the Platform (as far as our resources will allow), and to render all possible support to those who are delegated to carry out this important work.
Paris Declaration: The rising tide of global war and the tasks of anti-imperialists, 14 October 2022.
