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The Fourth International

Introduction to the 1951 report to the Fourth International by Chinese Trotskyist Peng Shuzhi

By Peter Symonds, 3 October 2019

The World Socialist Web Site is republishing Peng's report which provides important insights into the character of the 1949 Chinese Revolution and issues that it raised for the Fourth International.

From the archives

The Causes of the Victory of the Chinese Communist Party over Chiang Kai-Shek, and the CCP’s Perspectives

By Peng Shuzhi, 3 October 2019

Report on the Chinese Situation to the Third Congress of the Fourth International in 1951.

Drawing the lessons of the ICFI split—International Strategy and National Tactics: The change in the ICFI’s approach to national liberation movements

By Deepal Jayasekera, 30 September 2019

This lecture was delivered to the Socialist Equality Party (US) Summer School on July 25, 2019 by Deepal Jayasekera, Assistant Secretary of the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka

The ICFI and the Crisis of Stalinism

By Barry Grey, 25 September 2019

This lecture was delivered to the Socialist Equality Party (US) Summer School on July 24, 2019 by Barry Grey, US national editor of the World Socialist Web Site and leading member of the Socialist Equality Party in the US.

Introduction to the Turkish language edition of In Defense of Leon Trotsky

Leon Trotsky’s four fateful years in Prinkipo: 1929-1933

By David North, 23 September 2019

The following is the introduction to the recently translated Turkish edition of In Defense of Leon Trotsky, written by the book’s author, David North, chairman of the international editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site. The book was originally published in 2013.

The Dissolution of the USSR and the Unipolar Moment of US Imperialism

By Bill Van Auken, 13 September 2019

This lecture was delivered by Bill Van Auken, senior writer for the World Socialist Web Site, at the Socialist Equality Party (US) Summer School on July 25, 2019.

The World Socialist Web Site reaches 75,000 English articles

By Patrick Martin, 3 September 2019

Last week the World Socialist Web Site passed a major milestone, having published 75,000 articles on its English-language pages since the International Committee of the Fourth International launched the WSWS on February 14, 1998.

The Tiananmen Square massacre, 30 years on

By Peter Symonds, 8 June 2019

What was lacking in the 1989 protests was not determination, audacity and courage, nor numbers, but revolutionary leadership—the essential problem facing the international working class in the 20th century.

From the archives

Ten years since the Tiananmen Square massacre

Political lessons for the working class

By James Cogan, 7 June 2019

The article confirms the essential analysis of the ICFI in 1989 that the terror unleashed by the Stalinist bureaucracy was above all directed against the working class that had risen in revolt against its policies of capitalist restoration.

Imperialist war, the working-class upsurge in the Mideast and North Africa, and the strategy of Permanent Revolution

By Keith Jones, 10 May 2019

We are publishing here the text of the speech to the 2019 International May Day Online Rally delivered by Keith Jones.

The defense of Venezuela and the struggle for socialism in Latin America

By Bill Van Auken, 10 May 2019

We are publishing here the text of the speech to the 2019 International May Day Online Rally delivered by Bill Van Auken.

Opening report to Online International May Day Rally

The resurgence of class struggle and the fight for socialism

By David North, 6 May 2019

We are publishing here the text of the opening report to the 2019 International Online May Day Rally delivered by David North.

Indian Trotskyists hold Kolkata public meeting to celebrate 80th anniversary of the Fourth International

By our correspondents, 13 March 2019

Sunday’s event was held against the background of intense political and military tension and the danger of war between India and Pakistan, with deadly consequences for millions of people in the region.

From the arsenal of Trotskyism

The Political Report by David North to the International Committee of the Fourth International—February 11, 1984

12 February 2019

Thirty-five years ago this week, David North, then the national secretary of the Workers League (predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party), presented at a meeting of the International Committee of the Fourth International a critique of the British Workers Revolutionary Party’s abandonment of key theoretical conceptions and programmatic principles of Trotskyism.

New book now available

Agents: The FBI and GPU Infiltration of the Trotskyist Movement

By Mehring Books, 21 January 2019

The WSWS announces the release of a new book, Agents: The FBI and GPU Infiltration of the Trotskyist Movement, by Eric London.

Indian Trotskyists in Kolkata to celebrate 80 years of the Fourth International

7 January 2019

The Kolkata meeting will review the essential political lessons of the protracted struggle of the Fourth International and their relevance to the fight for socialist internationalism today.

In memory of Halil Celik (1961–2018)

By the International Committee of the Fourth International, 2 January 2019

Halil Celik, founder and leader of the Sosyalist Eşitlik group, which supports the International Committee of the Fourth International in Turkey, died on December 31, 2018 following a serious illness.

The 50th anniversary of the founding of the SEP (Sri Lanka)

The RCL/SEP’s political struggle against the LSSP’s betrayal

By W.A. Sunil and Deepal Jayasekera, 27 December 2018

The RCL waged a consistent struggle, under difficult conditions, against the second coalition government, particularly against the LSSP, which continued to dishonestly trade on its previous Trotskyist record.

In Defense of Leon Trotsky presented at Moscow Book Fair

By our correspondents, 15 December 2018

The publication of the book is of particular importance in Russia and met with significant interest among attendees of the book fair.

David North addresses New Zealand meeting celebrating 80 years of the Fourth International

By our reporters, 11 December 2018

David North spoke to the meeting in Wellington about the history of the Fourth International, the lessons of the rise of fascism in the 1930s, and the political and theoretical basis for building a socialist leadership in the working class.

Indian Trotskyists celebrate 80 years of the Fourth International

By our correspondents, 23 November 2018

The Chennai meeting was attended by workers, youth and intellectuals, including some who had travelled hundreds of kilometres to participate.

The origins and findings of the Security and the Fourth International investigation

By Eric London, 14 November 2018

This is the text and audio of a lecture delivered by Eric London in Detroit, Michigan reviewing the monumental investigation conducted by the International Committee of the Fourth International titled Security and the Fourth International, which exposed the infiltration of the movement by agents of the FBI and Stalinist GPU.

Growing interest in socialism at Chicago meeting on 80th anniversary of Fourth International

By the IYSSE at University of Illinois at Chicago, 14 November 2018

David North spoke to youth and workers on the need to assimilate the lessons of the 20th century to build a movement for socialism today.

David North lecture tour

Nearly 100 attend meeting in New York City on the 80th anniversary of the Fourth International

By our reporters, 13 November 2018

David North spoke on the need for a scientific understanding of history to an audience at New York University composed of workers, students and professionals from the New York and New Jersey area.

Nick Beams delivers successful lectures on the contemporary relevance of Karl Marx at Australian universities

By our reporters, 31 October 2018

Beams’ lectures were the only events on Australian university campuses outlining the revolutionary perspective of Karl Marx, two hundred years after his birth.

Watch: David North interviewed on Sri Lanka’s English-language Channel Eye TV

10 October 2018

David North, the chairman of the international editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site, discussed the 80th anniversary of the Fourth International on “Rise and Shine,” Sri Lanka’s most popular English-language morning television show, on October 8.

Eighty Years of the Fourth International: The Lessons of History and the Struggle for Socialism Today

By David North, 9 October 2018

On October 7, David North, International Editorial Board chairman of the World Socialist Web Site, delivered the following lecture to a well-attended public meeting in Colombo, organised by the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka).

Large Colombo audience hears David North’s lecture on the history of the Fourth International

By our reporters, 9 October 2018

David North concluded his Sri Lankan tour with a powerful lecture in Colombo, delivered to a large, enthusiastic audience.

Text of David North's remarks to Sri Lankan press conference on Trotskyism

By David North, 2 October 2018

These remarks were delivered by David North, chairman of the WSWS International Editorial Board, at a press briefing in Colombo on October 1.

On the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Fourth International

By David North, 3 September 2018

The founding of the Fourth International on September 3, 1938, was an event of great historical significance and contemporary relevance.

Historic discovery of Left Opposition manuscripts from the early 1930s

By Vladimir Volkov and Clara Weiss, 27 August 2018

The discovery of hitherto unknown manuscripts of the Soviet Left Opposition is a blow to all attempts to falsify, belittle and slander the struggle of the Trotskyist movement against Stalinism.

An “Exemplary Comrade”: The Socialist Workers Party’s 40-year-long cover-up of Stalinist spy Sylvia Callen: Part three

By Eric London, 16 August 2018

This is the third part in a four-part series examining the cover-up by the Socialist Workers Party beginning in 1947 of information exposing the role of Sylvia Callen, the personal secretary of long-time party leader James P. Cannon, as a Stalinist agent.

An “Exemplary Comrade”: The Socialist Workers Party’s 40-year-long cover-up of Stalinist spy Sylvia Callen: Part one

By Eric London, 14 August 2018

This is the first part in a four-part series examining the cover-up by the Socialist Workers Party beginning in 1947 of information exposing the role of Sylvia Callen, the personal secretary of long-time party leader James P. Cannon, as a Stalinist agent.

Resolution of the SEP (US) Fifth National Congress

The Resurgence of Class Struggle and the Tasks of the Socialist Equality Party: Part Two

9 August 2018

This resolution was unanimously adopted by the Socialist Equality Party Congress, held from July 22–27.

Resolution of the SEP (US) Fifth National Congress

The Resurgence of Class Struggle and the Tasks of the Socialist Equality Party

8 August 2018

This resolution was unanimously adopted by the Socialist Equality Party Congress, held from July 22–27, 2018.

Socialist Equality Party (US) holds Fifth National Congress

3 August 2018

The Socialist Equality Party in the United States held its Fifth National Congress July 22-27 in Southeast Michigan.

Preface to the Russian edition of In Defense of Leon Trotsky

By Vladimir Volkov, 2 August 2018

Understanding the role Leon Trotsky played in the twentieth century is fundamental to the revival of the heritage of Marxism in the countries of the former Soviet Union, and to the fight to build the International Committee of the Fourth International.

Greetings from David North to the 50th anniversary meeting of the Sri Lankan SEP

By David North, 27 June 2018

For a half century, the party that was founded in 1968 by an extraordinary group of young revolutionaries has upheld the banner of the International Committee of the Fourth International.

Argentina’s Partido Obrero suppresses questions on alliance with Russian Stalinist with ties to neo-fascism

By Bill Van Auken, 19 June 2018

Presented to the Partido Obrero’s membership as a “comrade” in “refounding” the Fourth International, Darya Mitina has ties to fascists throughout Europe.

Turkish sympathizing group of the ICFI adopts new name

By the Socialist Equality Group (Turkey), 8 June 2018

Toplumsal Esitlik (TE–the Social Equality Group) has changed its name to Sosyalist Esitlik (SE–Socialist Equality Group).

The Demise of Savas Michael’s “New Era”

By David North, 7 June 2018

This examination and exposure of the inveterate opportunism of Savas Michael-Matsas, was originally published on August 11, 1989 and appeared in the Fourth International magazine.

The role of the youth in the fight for socialism

By Genevieve Leigh, 10 May 2018

The following speech was delivered to the ICFI’s May Day 2018 International Online Rally by Genevieve Leigh, a leading member of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in the US.

The laws of capitalism and the breakdown of the global economy

By Nick Beams, 10 May 2018

The following speech was delivered to the ICFI’s May Day 2018 International Online Rally by Nick Beams, a leading member of the Socialist Equality Party in Australia.

Trotskyism is the Marxism of the 21st Century

By Joseph Kishore, 7 May 2018

The ICFI’s fifth annual May Day Online Rally demonstrated that the continuity of Marxism is embodied in the history of the Fourth International.

Twenty years of the World Socialist Web Site: 1998–2018

By David North and Joseph Kishore, 14 February 2018

As the WSWS marks its 20th anniversary of daily posting, it is taking the lead in exposing the conspiracy by governments and corporations to censor the Internet as the ruling class prepares for war and domestic repression.

WSWS publishes Urdu translation of Trotsky’s Lessons of October

13 December 2017

Lessons of October reviews the history of the October 1917 Russian Revolution and the pivotal role of revolutionary leadership.

Preface to the Urdu edition of Lessons of October

By Keith Jones, 13 December 2017

Trotsky’s Lessons of October was written from the standpoint of preparing future “Octobers,” both in the advanced capitalist countries of Europe and the US, and in the oppressed countries of the East.

On the eve of revolution: The Bolshevik Party, factory committees, and the mass movement of the working class

By Tom Carter, 27 October 2017

We are publishing here the text of a lecture delivered Saturday, October 21, by Tom Carter, a member of the National Committee of the Socialist Equality Party (US).

Preface to the Turkish edition of The Heritage We Defend

By David North, 23 June 2017

A Turkish language edition of The Heritage We Defend by David North will be released next month by Mehring Yayıncılık, the publishing house of the Socialist Equality Group (Toplumsal Esitlik), the Trotskyist organization in Turkey working in political solidarity with the International Committee of the Fourth International. The Heritage We Defend was originally published in 1988. We are posting the preface for the Turkish edition written by David North.

India: ICFI supporters hold May Day meeting in Bangalore

By our correspondents, 12 May 2017

The event was part of the Trotskyist movement’s commemoration of the centenary of the October 1917 Revolution.

PES public meeting in Paris calls for active boycott of French elections

By our reporters, 3 May 2017

The Parti de l'égalité socialiste's meeting, attended by over 60 people, was the first public event of a French section of the International Committee of the Fourth International since 1971.

A political appraisal of the ICFI’s 2017 International May Day Online Rally

By Joseph Kishore, 2 May 2017

The 2017 May Day Online Rally, held Sunday, April 30, marks a significant development in the building of the Fourth International as the World Party of Socialist Revolution.

Socialism and the centenary of the Russian Revolution: 1917-2017

By David North and Joseph Kishore, 3 January 2017

A specter is haunting world capitalism: the specter of the Russian Revolution. This year marks the centenary of the world-historical events of 1917, which began with the February Revolution in Russia and culminated in October with the conquest of political power by the Bolshevik Party, under the leadership of Lenin and Trotsky.

Security and the Fourth International

The Smith Act trial and government infiltration of the Trotskyist movement—Part two

Why wasn’t Joseph Hansen a defendant in the Smith Act trial?

By Eric London, 9 December 2016

A new book, Trotskyists on Trial: Free Speech and Political Persecution Since the Age of FDR, by Donna T. Haverty-Stacke, reveals a previously unknown level of FBI surveillance of the Trotskyist movement in the US.

Security and the Fourth International

The Smith Act trial and government infiltration of the Trotskyist movement—Part one

By Eric London, 8 December 2016

A new book, Trotskyists on Trial: Free Speech and Political Persecution Since the Age of FDR, by Donna T. Haverty-Stacke, reveals a previously unknown level of FBI surveillance of the Trotskyist movement in the US.

Build the Socialist Equality Party (France)!

15 November 2016

This statement was adopted as the historical and political basis for the founding of the Parti de l’égalité socialiste, the French section of the ICFI.

The International Committee of the Fourth International founds its French section

By our reporter, 15 November 2016

The International Committee of the Fourth International has recognized the Parti de l'égalité socialiste as its French section.

Public meeting in Chennai, India: Oppose the imperialist war drive! Fight for socialist program!

21 September 2016

The Indian government’s deepening involvement in the US preparations for war against China is occurring behind the backs of the Indian working class and poor.

The Life and Times of Bill Brust

By David North, 15 September 2016

This speech, originally delivered by David North at a memorial meeting in Minneapolis in 1991, reviews the life and political legacy of Bill Brust.

A remembrance of veteran Trotskyist Bill Brust, twenty-five years after his death

By Fred Mazelis, 15 September 2016

Today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the death of veteran Trotskyist Bill Brust, whose political struggle as a revolutionary socialist spanned 53 years.

“You are a man of unimpeachable revolutionary integrity”

On the 75th birthday of Sri Lankan Trotskyist leader Wije Dias

By David North, 9 September 2016

In his greetings, David North reviewed the significance of the more than 50-year struggle for revolutionary internationalism waged by Wije Dias, the leader of the SEP in Sri Lanka.

Socialist Equality Party (US) 2016 Congress Resolutions

For the unity of the working class in the United States and Latin America

27 August 2016

This resolution was passed by the Fourth National Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (US), held from July 31-August 5 in Detroit, Michigan.

Socialist Equality Party (US) 2016 Congress Resolutions

Perspectives and Tasks of the Socialist Equality Party

24 August 2016

The Socialist Equality Party in the US held its Fourth National Congress from July 31 to August 5 in Detroit, Michigan.

For an active boycott of the Brexit referendum!

Statement of the Socialist Equality Party, British section of the International Committee of the Fourth International

29 February 2016

Seventy-five years since the assassination of Leon Trotsky

By Joseph Kishore, 20 August 2015

Seventy-five years after his death, Trotsky emerges ever more clearly as a world historical figure who not only influenced the course of the 20th century, but whose writings and ideas remain an essential guide for orienting the working class today.

Trotskyism and the Minneapolis Teamsters Strike of 1934

Revolutionary Teamsters: The Minneapolis Truckers’ Strike of 1934, by Bryan Palmer

By Tom Mackaman and Jerry White, 24 June 2015

A recent book by historian Bryan Palmer chronicles the role of American Trotskyists in leading one of the most important strikes in US history.

US-Cuban rapprochement: The lessons of history

By Bill Van Auken and David North, 19 December 2014

Hailed by governments and corporations as a historic turning point, the move to “normalize” US-Cuban ties raises profound historical questions for the working class and the socialist movement.

ICFI/WSWS public meeting in India on the danger of world war

11 November 2014

We urge workers and youth to attend the ICFI/WSWS supporters’ meeting in Chennai to discuss the socialist response to the threat of war.

Seventy-five years since the outbreak of World War II

By Barry Grey, 1 September 2014

Under conditions of mounting social tensions and deepening economic crisis, the imperialist ruling classes are recklessly pushing the conflict over Ukraine to the point of open warfare between NATO and Russia.

A tribute to Dave Hyland

By David North, 23 January 2014

We are posting here the tribute to Dave Hyland, former national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party of Britain, delivered by David North, national chairman of the SEP of the US and chairman of the International Editorial Board of the WSWS, to a memorial meeting held January 18 in honor of Comrade Hyland.

Memorial meeting pays tribute to Dave Hyland’s political struggle

By Robert Stevens, 20 January 2014

The Socialist Equality Party of Britain held a memorial meeting on January 18 in honour of Dave Hyland, its former national secretary, who died December 8, 2013, aged 66.

Condolences on the death of Dave Hyland from Australia and the US

24 December 2013

Below, we publish additional letters of condolence sent by Dave’s comrades internationally.

Workers, youth speak on Berlin meeting to mark 75th anniversary of the Fourth International

By our correspondents, 5 December 2013

The World Socialist Web Site spoke with workers and youth who attended the meeting in Berlin last weekend.

Workers and youth speak about the relevance of the Russian Revolution today

By our correspondents, 17 December 2012

Audience members in Melbourne and Sydney spoke with the WSWS about the Russian Revolution and its contemporary significance.

Australian SEP holds first national congress

By our correspondents, 8 May 2012

After four days of intensive discussion, the congress delegates unanimously adopted seven resolutions dealing with the major political issues confronting workers and youth.

Arm Pakistani workers with a revolutionary socialist program

Build the Pakistani section of the International Committee of the Fourth International!

By of Marxist Voice, 6 January 2011

The World Socialist Web Site is publishing here a statement from Marxist Voice, a Pakistani group that has expressed political agreement with the perspectives of the International Committee of the Fourth International and undertaken to work with the ICFI to build it as the World Party of Socialist Revolution.

Arm Pakistani workers with a revolutionary socialist program

Build the Pakistani section of the International Committee of the Fourth International!

Part 3

By Marxist Voice, 5 January 2011

The WSWS is publishing here the third and concluding part of a statement by Marxist Voice, a Pakistani group that has expressed political agreement with the perspectives of the International Committee of the Fourth International.

International condolences on the death of Sri Lankan Trotskyist

By our correspoondents, 14 September 2010

The sections of the international Trotskyist movement in Britain, Germany and Canada sent messages of condolence to the SEP in Sri Lanka.

May Day 2010

By Peter Symonds, 1 May 2010

The World Socialist Web Site and the International Committee of the Fourth International sends its greetings to workers and young people around the world struggling to defend their living standards and basic rights.