1

THE BIENNIO ROSSO: FROM MASS STRIKE TO SOVIET

POWER?
In the frst session of The Co!ne"s re#$in% %ro!& on It#'( )e )i'' *e $is+!ssin%
the ,Biennio Rosso"-"T)o re$ (e#rs" )hi+h shoo. the +o!ntr( in the #fter#th of
Wor'$ W#r I/ This )#s &#rt of # %ener#' re0o'!tion#r( o0eent #+ross '#r%e &#rts of
E!ro&e1 )ith )or.ers" +o!n+i's #'so est#*'ishe$ in 2er#n( #n$ H!n%#r( fo''o)in%
the 1314 R!ssi#n re0o'!tion/ It )#s # &erio$ not on'( of hi%h5&it+he$ +'#ss str!%%'e
*!t #'so of +re#ti0e $e*#tes #s to the ro'e of tr#$e !nions1 &o'iti+#' &#rties #n$
)or.ers" +o!n+i's #n$ ho) # &ost5re0o'!tion#r( so+iet( sho!'$ *e or%#nise$/
The re+oen$e$ re#$in% in this &#+. +o0ers soe of the i&ort#nt 0ie)&oints on
the &erio$1 )hi+h #re )orth st!$(in% )hether or not )e #%ree )ith the/
The frst t)o #rti+'es e6&'#in the histor( of the )or.ers" o0eent in this &erio$1
*e%innin% )ith stri.es #n$ $e0e'o&in% into the est#*'ishent of F#+tor( Co!n+i's #n$
se'f5#n#%e$ )or.&'#+es/
The s!*se7!ent three #rti+'es hi%h'i%ht the $e*#te )hi+h eer%e$ #s to the
re0o'!tion#r( &otenti#' of the o0eent/ W#s it re0o'!tion#r( to sh!t $o)n
&ro$!+tion1 or e0en to t#.e o0er the )or.&'#+e? Ho) +o!'$ or%#ns of str!%%'e
&ref%!re # so+i#'ist so+iet(? Wh#t )#s the re'#tionshi& *et)een the f#+tor( +o!n+i's
#n$ so0iets 8)or.ers" +o!n+i's9? :i$ the It#'i#n )or.in% +'#ss nee$ # re0o'!tion#r(
&#rt(? :i$ this o0eent in the in$!stri#' +entres #$$ress the +on+erns of the
&re$oin#nt'( &e#s#nt &o&!'#tion of so!thern It#'(?
It is not +o&!'sor( to $o #'' the re#$in%1 *!t the ore &eo&'e re#$ the ore
$e0e'o&e$ #n$ &#rti+i&#tor( the $is+!ssion #t the eetin% )i'' *e/ The fn#' #rti+'e *(
A#$eo Bor$i%# is *( f#r the 'on%est1 #n$ (o! +#n +ons!'t the one on &/1; for #
*riefer 0ersion of the s#e t(&e of #r%!ent/
Contents:
&/ < 1918-1921: THE ITALIAN FACTORY OCCUPATIONS - BIENNIO ROSSO:
=nsi%ne$ #rti+'e fro >i*Co1 %i0in% # *rief histor( of e0ents )ith s&e+i#'
fo+!s on #n#r+hist &ers&e+ti0es/
&/ ; THE TURIN FACTORY COUNCILS MOVEMENT: A re&ort $es&#t+he$ in
?!'( 13<@ to the E6e+!ti0e Coittee of the Co!nist Intern#tion#'1
re&!*'ishe$ in L'Ordine Nuovo1 1A M#r+h 13<1 / =nsi%ne$1 &ro*#*'( *( Antonio
2r#s+i/
&/1B BUILD SOVIETS! *( E%i$io 2enn#ri1 La Squilla1 <C
th
Fe*r!#r( 13<@/
<
&/1; SEIZE POWER OR SEIZE THE FACTORY? b A!"#$% B%&#'(") Il
Soviet1 << Fe*r!#r( 13<@
&/14 TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WOR*ERS+ COUNCILS IN ITALY
*( A#$eo Bor$i%#1 Il Soviet1 +o''e+tion of #rti+'es ?#n!#r(5Fe*r!#r( 13<@
,-!) M%.#" 2
.#
M") F&$$#%! B%%/01%-) A.($2 A22$ 3A2#("4$ E"04
45b$6
1918-1921: THE ITALIAN FACTORY OCCUPATIONS - BIENNIO ROSSO
U.0'(.$# "&4'72$ 8&%!L'bC%!) ('9'.( " b&'$8 1'04%& %8 $9$.40 :'41 0-$7'"2
8%750 %. "."&71'04 -$&0-$74'9$0;
A brief history of the Italian Biennio Rosso (two red years) and the mass fatory
ou!ations of "#$% where half a million wor&ers ran their wor&!laes for
themselves' (he reformist unions then ne)otiated an end to the on*its+
learin) the !ath for the fasist reation , the Biennio Nero (two bla& years) of
"#$",$$'
After the First Wor'$ W#r1 E!ro&e"s )or.in% +'#ss )ent on # #ssi0e
r#$i+#'is#tion &ro+ess/ =nion e*ershi& e6&'o$e$ )ith stri.es1 $eonstr#tions
#n$ !&risin%s in+re#sin% )ith it/ It#'( )#s no e6+e&tion/ Its )or.ers )ere #n%r(
)ith the f#''5o!t fro the )#r #n$ )ere %ettin% in+re#sin%'( i'it#nt/ A &erfe+t
e6#&'e of this +#n *e fo!n$ in the f#+tor( o++!&#tions of 13<@/
The $e0e'o&ent of r#$i+#' !nionis in It#'( st#rte$ D!st #fter the )#r/ In T!rin1
#n$ #'' #+ross It#'(1 # r#n. ,n" f'e )or.ers" o0eent )#s %ro)in% )hi+h )#s
*#se$ #ro!n$ ,intern#' +oissions"/ These )ere *#se$ on # %ro!& of &eo&'e in
# )or.sho& )ith # #n$#te$ #n$ re+#''#*'e sho& ste)#r$ for e0er( 1;5<@
)or.ers/ The sho& ste)#r$s in one f#+tor( )o!'$ then e'e+t their ,intern#'
+oission" )hi+h )#s re+#''#*'e to the/ This )#s .no)n #s the ,f#+tor(
+o!n+i'"/
B( No0e*er 131C1 these +oissions h#$ *e+oe # n#tion#' iss!e )ithin the
tr#$e !nion o0eent #n$ *( Fe*r!#r( 13131 the It#'i#n Fe$er#tion of Met#'
Wor.ers 8FIOM9 )on # +ontr#+t to #''o) the +oissions in their )or.&'#+es/
The( then trie$ to tr#nsfor these +oissions into +o!n+i's )ith # #n#%eri#'
f!n+tion/ B( M#( 13131 the( E)ere *e+oin% the $oin#nt for+e )ithin the
et#')or.in% in$!str( #n$ the !nions )ere in $#n%er of *e+oin% #r%in#'
#$inistr#ti0e !nits/F 8C#r' >e0(1 2r#s+i #n$ the An#r+hists9 Tho!%h these
$e0e'o&ents h#&&ene$ '#r%e'( in T!rin1 this i'it#n+( s)e&t It#'( )ith &e#s#nts
#n$ )or.ers seiGin% f#+tories #n$ '#n$/ In >i%!ri#1 #fter # *re#.$o)n in &#( t#'.s1
et#' #n$ shi&*!i'$in% )or.ers o++!&ie$ #n$ r#n their &'#nts for fo!r $#(s/
:!rin% this &erio$1 the It#'i#n S(n$i+#'ist =nion 8=SI9 %re) to C@@1@@@ e*ers
#n$ the inH!en+e of the It#'i#n An#r+hist =nion 8<@1@@@ e*ers &'!s =#nit#
No0#1 its $#i'( &#&er9 %re) #++or$in%'(/ We'sh M#r6ist1 2)(n Wi''i#s s#(s
B
+'e#r'( in his *oo. Pro'et#ri#n Or$er th#t the EAn#r+hists #n$ re0o'!tion#r(
s(n$i+#'ists )ere the ost +onsist#nt'(Ire0o'!tion#r( %ro!& on the 'eftIThe
s(n$i+#'ists #*o0e #'' +#&t!re$ i'it#nt )or.in%5+'#ss o&inion )hi+h the so+i#'ist
o0eent )#s !tter'( f#i'in% to +#&t!re/F An#r+hists )ere the frst to s!%%est
o++!&(in% )or.&'#+es/ F#o!s #n#r+hist Erri+o M#'#test# )rote in =#nit# No0#
in M#r+h 13<@ E2ener#' stri.es of &rotest no 'on%er !&set #n(oneIWe &!t
for)#r$ #n i$e#: t#.e5o0er of f#+toriesIthe etho$ +ert#in'( h#s # f!t!re1
*e+#!se it +orres&on$s to the !'ti#te en$s of the )or.ers" o0eentF/ The
s#e onth1 $!rin% # s(n$i+#'ist +#&#i%n to est#*'ish +o!n+i's in Mi'#n1 Jthe
se+ret#r( of the =SIK #'so +#''e$ for #ss f#+tor( o++!&#tions #n$ )#s soon
fo''o)e$ *( the F#+tor( Co!n+i' Coiss#rs/
O*0io!s'(1 this i'it#n+( )#s %oin% to &ro0o.e # re#+tion fro the *osses/
Bosses or%#nis#tions $eno!n+e$ f#+tor( +o!n+i's for en+o!r#%in% Ein$is+i&'ineF
#on%st )or.ers #n$ #s.e$ the %o0ernent to inter0ene/ The st#te *#+.e$ the
*osses 8s!r&rise$?9 )ho *e%#n to enfor+e e6istin% in$!stri#' re%!'#tions/ The
+ontr#+t )on *( the FIOM in 1313 e#nt th#t intern#' +oissions )ere *#nne$
fro sho& Hoors #n$ restri+te$ to non5)or.in% ho!rs/ As s!+h1 sto&&in% )or. to
ho'$ sho& ste)#r$ e'e+tions 8#on%st other thin%s9 )#s in 0io'#tion of +ontr#+t/
The o0eent )#s on'( .e&t #'i0e thro!%h #ss $iso*e$ien+e #n$ the *osses
!se$ stri+ter f#+tor( +ontro's to +o*#t the/
The *i% sho)$o)n1 ho)e0er1 )#s in A&ri'/ When se0er#' sho& ste)#r$s )ere
s#+.e$ #t Fi#t1 the )or.ers st#%e$ # sit5in stri.e/ The *osses res&on$e$ )ith #
'o+.o!t )hi+h the %o0ernent s!&&orte$ *( $e&'o(in% troo&s #n$ &'#+in%
o!nte$ #+hine %!n &osts o!tsi$e the f#+tor(/ After t)o )ee.s on stri.e1 the
)or.ers $e+i$e$ to s!rren$er/ The e&'o(ers then res&on$e$ )ith the $e#n$s
th#t the FIOM +ontr#+t sho!'$ *e re5i&ose$ #'on% )ith #n#%eri#' +ontro'/
These $e#n$s )ere #ie$ #t $estro(in% the f#+tor( +o!n+i' s(ste #n$ the
)or.ers of T!rin res&on$e$ )ith # %ener#' stri.e in $efen+e of it/ The stri.e )#s
so'i$ in T!rin #n$ e0en s&re#$ to Pie$ont1
1
in0o'0in% ;@@1@@@ )or.ers #t its
hei%ht/ The T!rin )or.ers +#''e$ for the C2> tr#$e !nion #n$ the So+i#'ist P#rt(
8PSI9 to he'& the s&re#$ the stri.e n#tion#''(/ Both the C2> #n$ PSI reDe+te$ the
+#''/ The #n#r+ho5s(n$i+#'ist inH!en+e$ !nions E)ere the on'( ones to o0e/F
8Wi''i#s1 Pro'et#ri#n Or$er9 R#i')#( )or.ers in Pis# #n$ F'oren+e ref!se$ to
tr#ns&ort troo&s to T!rin/ :o+. )or.ers1 #n$ other in$!stries )hi+h the =SI h#$
inH!en+e1 he'$ stri.e ro!n$ 2eno#/ Wi''i#s notes th#t tho!%h E#*#n$one$ *(
the )ho'e so+i#'ist o0eent1F the T!rin stri.ers Esti'' fo!n$ &o&!'#r s!&&ortF
)ith E#+tionsI either $ire+t'( 'e$ or in$ire+t'( ins&ire$ *( #n#r+ho5s(n$i+#'ists/F
An$ in T!rin1 the #n#r+ho5s(n$i+#'ists )ere thre#tenin% to #.e 2r#s+i #n$ +o/
#n irre'e0#n+e )ithin the +o!n+i' o0eent/
E0ent!#''( the C2> 'e#$ershi& sett'e$ the stri.e on the e&'o(ers" ters i/e/
'iitin% the sho& ste)#r$sL +o!n+i's to non5)or.in% ho!rs/ The #n#r+hists
M+riti+ise$ )h#t the( *e'ie0e$ )#s # f#'se sense of $is+i&'ine th#t h#$ *o!n$
so+i#'ists to their o)n +o)#r$'( 'e#$ershi&/ The( +ontr#ste$ the $is+i&'ine th#t
&'#+e$ e0er( o0eent !n$er the L+#'+!'#tions1 fe#rs1 ist#.es #n$ &ossi*'e
*etr#(#'s of the 'e#$ersL to the other $is+i&'ine of the )or.ers of Sestri Ponente
1
Re%ion of north5)estern It#'(1 +#&it#' T!rin 5 :B
A
)ho str!+. in so'i$#rit( )ith T!rin1 the $is+i&'ine of the r#i')#( )or.ers )ho
ref!se$ to tr#ns&ort se+!rit( for+es to T!rin #n$ the #n#r+hists #n$ e*ers of
the =nione Sin$#+#'e )ho for%ot +onsi$er#tions of &#rt( #n$ se+t to &!t
these'0es #t the $is&osition of the Torinesi/M 8C#r' >e0(1 2r#s+i #n$ the
An#r+hists9
Res&on$in% to )#%e +!ts #n$ 'o+.o!ts1 Se&te*er s#) #ssi0e st#(5in stri.es/ In
i$5A!%!st1 =SI +#''e$ for +o5o&er#tion )ith the C2> to o++!&( the f#+tories
*efore the( )ere 'o+.e$ o!t/ The =SI s#) these o++!&#tions #s *ein% +riti+#' to
the )or.ers" str!%%'e )hi+h !st *e $efen$e$ *( #n( e#ns ne+ess#r( #n$
+#''e$ for s!&&ort fro other in$!stries/ Stri.es 7!i+.'( s&re#$ to en%ineerin%
f#+tories1 r#i')#(s #n$ ro#$ tr#ns&ort )ith &e#s#nts seiGin% '#n$/ As )e'' #s
o++!&(1 stri.ers &'#+e$ the !n$er )or.ers" +ontro' #n$ soon ;@@1@@@ stri.ers
)ere &ro$!+in% for these'0es/ Se'f5#n#%e$ f#+tories +ontin!e$ to &#(
)or.ers" )#%es #n$ there )ere #re$ &#tro's to &rote+t #%#inst #tt#+./ Se'f5
#n#%e$ f#+tories est#*'ishe$ +'ose so'i$#rit( )ith &ro$!+e *ein% &oo'e$ #n$
sh#re$ o!t *( the )or.ers/ It#'( )#s M&#r#'(se$1 )ith h#'f # i''ion )or.ers
o++!&(in% their f#+tories #n$ r#isin% re$ #n$ *'#+. H#%s o0er the/M The
o0eent s&re#$ !& #n$ $o)n It#'( )ith =SI i'it#nts #t the forefront/ R#i')#(
)or.ers #%#in ref!se$ to tr#ns&ort troo&s1 &e#s#nts o++!&ie$ '#n$ #n$ )or.ers
)ent on stri.e #%#inst the or$ers of reforist !nions/
B!t #fter o0er # onth1 the )or.ers )ere on+e #%#in *etr#(e$ *( the PSI #n$ the
C2>/ The( o&&ose$ the o0eent #n$ &roise$ the st#te # ret!rn to ,nor#'it("
in e6+h#n%e for 'e%#'ise$ )or.ers" +ontro' #'on%si$e the *osses/ Of +o!rse1 the
)or.ers" +ontro' ne0er #teri#'ise$/
Be+#!se the )or.ers sti'' re'ie$ on the C2> *!re#!+r#ts for infor#tion on )h#t
)#s %oin% on in other +ities1 the( )ere ne0er #*'e to *e f!''( in$e&en$ent/ As
s!+h1 the !nion !se$ this &o)er to iso'#te f#+tories fro e#+h other/ Tho!%h the
#n#r+hists o&&ose$ the ret!rn to )or.1 the( )ere sti'' # inorit( 8# '#r%e
inorit(1 *!t # inorit( nonethe'ess9 #n$ )itho!t C2> *#+.in%1 the( )ere !n#*'e
to e6ten$ the stri.e/
After the )or.ers 'eft the f#+tories1 the %o0ernent #rreste$ &roinent e*ers
of the =SI #n$ =AI/ The so+i#'ists i%nore$ this &erse+!tion of 'i*ert#ri#n #+ti0ists
#n$ +ontin!e$ to !nti' s&rin% 13<1 )hen #n#r+hists1 in+'!$in% M#'#test#1 *e%#n #
h!n%er stri.e fro insi$e &rison/
With )or.ersL i'it#n+( $#&ene$1 *i% *!sinesses t!rne$ en #sse to the f#s+ist
o0eent to +o&rehensi0e'( +r!sh the &o)erf!' )or.in% +'#ss1 )hi+h the( $i$
te&or#ri'(1 *!t not )itho!t eetin% stiN resist#n+e/
;
THE TURIN FACTORY COUNCILS MOVEMENT
A &$-%&4 #$0-"471$# '. <52 192= 4% 41$ E>$754'9$ C%!!'44$$ %8 41$
C%!!5.'04 I.4$&."4'%."2) &$-5b2'01$# '. L'Ordine Nuovo) 1? M"&71 1921
; U.0'(.$#) -&%b"b2 b A.4%.'% @&"!07';
One of the e*ers of the It#'i#n $e'e%#tion th#t h#s D!st ret!rne$ fro So0iet
R!ssi# re&orte$ to the )or.ers of T!rin th#t the &'#tfor set !& to )e'+oe the
$e'e%#tes #t Kronst#$t
<
*ore the fo''o)in% ins+ri&tion: M>on% 'i0e the A&ri' 13<@
%ener#' stri.e in T!rinM/ It )#s )ith %re#t &'e#s!re #n$ s#tisf#+tion th#t the
)or.ers %reete$ this &ie+e of ne)s/ The #Dorit( of the e*ers of the It#'i#n
$e'e%#tion to R!ssi# h#$ *een o&&ose$ to the A&ri' %ener#' stri.e/ In their
#rti+'es #%#inst the stri.e1 the( #int#ine$ th#t the T!rin )or.ers h#$ *een
s!Nerin% !n$er #n i''!sion #n$ h#$ o0er5esti#te$ the i&ort#n+e of the stri.e/
So the T!rin )or.ers )ere 0er( &'e#se$ to he#r of the s(&#theti+ #+tion of the
Kronst#$t +or#$es1 #n$ the( s#i$ to these'0es: MO!r R!ssi#n Co!nist
+or#$es h#0e # *etter !n$erst#n$in% #n$ esti#tion of the i&ort#n+e of the
A&ri' stri.e th#n the It#'i#n o&&ort!nists1 #n$ in this )#( h#0e t#!%ht the #
%oo$ 'esson/M
T1$ A-&'2 S4&'/$
The A&ri' o0eent in T!rin )#s in f#+t # %'orio!s +h#&ter in the histor(1 not on'(
of the It#'i#n1 *!t of the E!ro&e#n &ro'et#ri#t 5 #n$ e0en1 one i%ht +'#i1 in the
histor( of the )or'$5)i$e &ro'et#ri#t/ In f#+t1 this )#s the frst tie in histor( th#t
# &ro'et#ri#t en%#%e$ in str!%%'e for +ontro' o0er &ro$!+tion1 )itho!t *ein%
$ri0en into #+tion thro!%h the &ri0#tions #n$ s#+rif+es in0o'0e$1 +#rrie$ the
str!%%'e thro!%h to its +on+'!sion/ The et#'5)or.ers str!+. for one onthO the
other +#te%ories of )or.ers str!+. for ten $#(s/ In its '#st ten $#(s1 the %ener#'
stri.e en+o&#sse$ the )ho'e of Pie$ont1 o*i'iGin% #*o!t h#'f # i''ion
in$!stri#' #n$ #%ri+!'t!r#' )or.ersO this e#ns th#t it in0o'0e$ #*o!t fo!r i''ion
of the &o&!'#tion/
The It#'i#n +#&it#'ists e6erte$ e0er( eNort to stiHe the T!rin )or.ersL o0eent/
A'' the e#ns of the *o!r%eois St#te )ere &'#+e$ #t their $is&os#'1 )hi'e the
)or.ers h#$ to f%ht on their o)n1 )itho!t #n( #ssist#n+e )h#tsoe0er either fro
the 'e#$ershi& of the So+i#'ist P#rt(
B
or fro the 2ener#' Confe$er#tion of
>#*o!r/ In$ee$1 the 'e#$ers of the P#rt( #n$ the Confe$er#tion s&!rne$ the T!rin
)or.ers1 #n$ $i$ #'' in their &o)er to &re0ent the )or.ers #n$ &e#s#nts of It#'(
fro t#.in% #n( re0o'!tion#r( #+tion th#t i%ht h#0e en#*'e$ the to
$eonstr#te their so'i$#rit( )ith their T!rin *rothers #n$ %i0e the soe
<
Ree*er1 this #'' h#&&ene$ onths *efore the Kronst#$t re*e''ion #%#inst the Bo'she0i.sP
5 :B
B
The P#rtito Co!nist# $"It#'i# )#s not fore$ !nti' ?#n!#r( 13<1/ Co!nist ten$en+ies
s!+h #s those %ro!&e$ #ro!n$ the ne)s&#&ers Il Soviet 8#nti5&#r'i#ent#ri#n1 in+'!$in%
A#$eo Bor$i%#9 #n$ L-Ordine Nuovo 8'e$ *( Antonio 2r#s+i9 )ere #+ti0e )ithin the
So+i#'ist P#rt( 8PSI9 !nti' this &oint 5 :B
Q
eNe+ti0e #ssist#n+e/ B!t the T!rin )or.ers $i$ not 'ose he#rt/ The( *ore the
)ho'e *r!nt of the +#&it#'ist re#+tion1 *!t o*ser0e$ $is+i&'ine ri%ht !& to the 0er(
'#st oent/ An$ e0en #fter the $efe#t1 the( re#ine$ f#ithf!' to the *#nner of
+o!nis #n$ )or'$ re0o'!tion/
A."&71'040 ".# S.#'7"2'040
The &ro&#%#n$# iss!e$ *( the #n#r+hists #n$ s(n$i+#'ists #%#inst P#rt( $is+i&'ine
#n$ the $i+t#torshi& of the &ro'et#ri#t h#$ no inH!en+e o0er the #sses1 e0en
#fter the *etr#(#' of the 'e#$ers +#!se$ the stri.e to en$ in # $efe#t/ In f#+t the
T!rin )or.ers s)ore to ste& !& their re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e #n$ to )#%e it on t)o
fronts: on the one h#n$L #%#inst the 0i+torio!s *o!r%eoisie1 #n$ on the other
#%#inst their o)n tre#+hero!s 'e#$ers/ The re0o'!tion#r( +ons+io!sness #n$
$is+i&'ine )hi+h the T!rin #sses $eonstr#te$ h#0e their histori+#' roots in the
e+onoi+ #n$ &o'iti+#' +on$itions in )hi+h the +'#ss str!%%'e $e0e'o&e$ in T!rin/
This +it( is # &!re'( in$!stri#' +entre/ Ne#r'( three 7!#rters of the &o&!'#tion1
)hi+h n!*ers h#'f # i''ion inh#*it#nts1 is #$e !& of )or.ers 5 &ett(5*o!r%eois
e'eents #re insi%nif+#nt in n!*er/ F!rtherore1 there is # so'i$ #ss of +'er.s
#n$ te+hni+i#ns in T!rin1 #'' of )ho #re or%#niGe$ in !nions #n$ #R'i#te$ to the
Ch#*er of >#*o!r/ :!rin% #'' the #Dor stri.es the( stoo$ *( the )or.ers1 )ith
the res!'t th#t1 if not #'' of the1 then #t 'e#st # #Dorit( h#0e #+7!ire$ the
ent#'it( of # tr!e &ro'et#ri#n1 str!%%'in% #%#inst +#&it#' to #+hie0e the
re0o'!tion #n$ +o!nis/
I.#504&'"2 P&%#574'%.
Vie)e$ fro o!tsi$e1 the &ro+ess of &ro$!+tion in T!rin is &erfe+t'( +entr#'iGe$
#n$ hoo%eneo!s/ The en%ineerin% in$!str(1 )hi+h e&'o(s #*o!t ;@1@@@ sho&5
Hoor )or.ers #n$ 1@1@@@ +'er.s #n$ te+hni+i#ns1 is the ost i&ort#nt/ The FIAT
&'#nts #'one e&'o( B;1@@@ )or.ers1 +'er.s #n$ te+hni+i#nsO in this frLs
&rin+i&#' &'#nts1 1Q1@@@ )or.ers #re e&'o(e$ &ro$!+in% otor 0ehi+'es of e0er(
.in$1 !sin% the ost o$ern #n$ #$0#n+e$ te+hni7!es/ The &ro$!+tion of otor
0ehi+'es is the +h#r#+teristi+ fe#t!re of the T!rin en%ineerin% in$!str(/ The
%re#ter &#rt of the )or.5for+e is #$e !& of s.i''e$ )or.ers #n$ te+hni+i#nsO
these $o not1 ho)e0er1 sh#re the &ett(*o!r%eois ent#'it( of s.i''e$ )or.ers of
soe other +o!ntries 5 for e6#&'e1 En%'#n$/ Motor 0ehi+'e &ro$!+tion1 )hi+h is
the $oin#nt fe#t!re of the en%ineerin% in$!str(1 h#s s!*or$in#te$ other
*r#n+hes of &ro$!+tion to itse'f: for e6#&'e1 the )oo$5)or.in% #n$ r!**er
in$!stries/ The et#'5)or.ers for the 0#n%!#r$ of the T!rin &ro'et#ri#t/ 2i0en
the +h#r#+teristi+s of this in$!str(1 e0er( tie the et#'5)or.ers t#.e #+tion
the( s&#r. oN # %ener#' #ss o0eent th#t t#.es on &o'iti+#' #n$ re0o'!tion#r(
o0ertones1 e0en if it *e%#n in the &!rs!it of ere'( tr#$e5!nion o*De+ti0es/
T!rin &ossesses # sin%'e i&ort#nt tr#$e5!nion or%#niG#tion1 the Ch#*er of
>#*o!r1 )hi+h h#s 3@1@@@ )or.ers #R'i#te$ to it/ The e6istin% #n#r+hist #n$
s(n$i+#'ist %ro!&s h#0e 0irt!#''( no inH!en+e )h#tsoe0er o0er the #ss of
)or.ers1 )ho o&t fr'( #n$ $e+isi0e'( for the So+i#'ist P#rt( se+tion1 )hi+h in
4
t!rn is #$e !& for the ost &#rt of +o!nist )or.ers/ The +o!nist
o0eent h#s the fo''o)in% *#tt'e or%#niG#tions #t its +o#n$: the P#rt(
se+tion )ith 11;@@ e*ers1 <C +'!*s )ith 1@1@@@ e*ers #n$ <B (o!th
or%#niG#tions )ith <1@@@ e*ers/ There is # &er#nent #n$ #!tonoo!s
+o!nist %ro!&in% )ithin e0er( one of these or%#niG#tions/ The in$i0i$!#'
%ro!&in%s #re +o*ine$1 *( #re#1 into )#r$ %ro!&in%s1 )hi+h in t!rn #re
re&resente$ in # steerin% +oittee )ithin the P#rt( se+tion/ This +oittee
+on+entr#tes the )ho'e of the +it(Ls +o!nist o0eent in its h#n$s1 #s )e''
#s the 'e#$ershi& of the #ss of the )or.ers/
T5&'.) 41$ C"-'4"2 %8 I4"2
Before the *o!r%eois re0o'!tion )hi+h +re#te$ the &resent or$er in It#'(1 T!rin
)#s the +#&it#' of # s#'' st#te1 +o&risin% Pie$ont1 >i%!ri# #n$ S#r$ini#/ At
th#t tie1 +oer+e #n$ 'i%ht in$!str( &re$oin#te$ in the +it(/ After the
!nif+#tion of the Kin%$o of It#'( #n$ the tr#nsfer of the +#&it#' to Roe1 it
seee$ th#t T!rin stoo$ in $#n%er of 'osin% its i&ort#n+e/ B!t the +it( soon
re+o0ere$ fro its e+onoi+ +risis #n$ *e+#e one of the ost i&ort#nt
in$!stri#' +entres in It#'(/ One +#n s#( th#t It#'( no) h#s three +#&it#'s: Roe1 #s
#$inistr#ti0e +entre for the *o!r%eois St#teO Mi'#n1 #s the +o!ntr(Ls +oer+i#'
#n$ fn#n+i#' +entre 8#'' the *#n.s1 +oer+i#' oR+es #n$ fn#n+e ho!ses #re
+on+entr#te$ in Mi'#n9O #n$ fn#''( T!rin1 #s in$!stri#' +entre/ It is in T!rin th#t
in$!stri#' &ro$!+tion h#s #tt#ine$ its #6i! 'e0e' of $e0e'o&ent/ When the
+#&it#' )#s tr#nsferre$ to Roe1 the )ho'e of the inte''e+t!#' &ett( #n$ i$$'e
*o!r%eoisie ei%r#te$ fro T!rin #n$ f!rnishe$ the ne) *o!r%eois St#te )ith the
#$inistr#ti0e &ersonne' it nee$e$ to f!n+tion/ On the other h#n$1 the
$e0e'o&ent of he#0( in$!str( in T!rin #ttr#+te$ the +re# of the It#'i#n
)or.in%1 +'#ss to th#t +it(/ The &ro+ess of $e0e'o&ent of T!rin #s # +it(1 *oth
fro the &oint of 0ie) of It#'i#n histor( #n$ fro th#t of the It#'i#n &ro'et#ri#n
re0o'!tion1 is f#s+in#tin%/
This )#s ho) the T!rin &ro'et#ri#t +#e to #ss!e the s&irit!#' 'e#$ershi& of the
It#'i#n )or.in% #sses1 )ho #re *o!n$ to the +it( *( f#i'( ties1 ties of histor(
#n$ tr#$ition1 #s )e'' #s inte''e+t!#' *on$s 8it is the i$e#' of e0er( It#'i#n )or.er
to *e #*'e to )or. in T!rin9/ A'' this e6&'#ins )h( the )or.in% #sses fro one
en$ of It#'( to the other )#nte$ to $eonstr#te their so'i$#rit( )ith the %ener#'
stri.e in T!rin1 e0en #t the +ost of %oin% #%#inst the )i'' of their 'e#$ers/ The(
0ie) this +it( #s the +entre1 #s the +#&it#' of the +o!nist re0o'!tion 5 the
Petro%r#$ of the &ro'et#ri#n re0o'!tion in It#'(/
T:% A&!$# I.05&&$74'%.0
:!rin% the 131A51C I&eri#'ist W#r1 T!rin )itnesse$ t)o #re$ ins!rre+tions/
The frst1 )hi+h *ro.e o!t in M#( 131;1 h#$ #s its #i the &re0ention of It#'(Ls
inter0ention in the )#r #%#inst 2er#n( 8on this o++#sion the .asa del
/o!olo )#s s#+.e$9/ The se+on$1 in A!%!st 13141 too. on the +h#r#+ter of #
'#r%e5s+#'e re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e/
C
The ne)s of the M#r+h re0o'!tion in R!ssi# )#s %reete$ in T!rin )ith
in$es+ri*#*'e Do(/ The )or.ers )e&t )ith eotion )hen the( he#r$ th#t the Ts#rLs
re%ie h#$ *een o0erthro)n *( the )or.ers of Petro%r#$/ B!t the T!rin )or.ers
$i$ not #''o) these'0es to *e t#.en in *( the $e#%o%i+ rhetori+ of Kerens.(
#n$ the Menshe0i.s/ When the ission sent to Western E!ro&e *( the Petro%r#$
So0iet #rri0e$ in T!rin in ?!'( 13141 the $e'e%#tes Sirno0 #n$ 2o'$en*er%1 )ho
#&&e#re$ *efore # +ro)$ of ;@1@@@ )or.ers1 )ere %reete$ *( $e#fenin% sho!ts of
M>on% 'i0e >eninP >on% 'i0e the Bo'she0i.sPM 2o'$en*er% )#s none too &'e#se$
)ith this re+e&tion 5 he +o!'$ not f#tho ho) Cor#$e >enin h#$ #+7!ire$ s!+h
&o&!'#rit( #on%st the )or.ers of T!rin/ Nor sho!'$ it *e for%otten th#t this
e&iso$e o++!rre$ #fter the s!&&ression of the Bo'she0i. re0o't in ?!'(1 #n$ #t #
tie )hen the *o!r%eois &ress in It#'( )#s r#%in% #%#inst >enin #n$ the
Bo'she0i.s1 $eno!n+in% the #s *#n$its1 intri%!ers1 #%ents #n$ s&ies of 2er#n
I&eri#'is/ Fro the $#te of It#'(Ls entr( into the )#r 8<A M#( 131;91 the T!rin
&ro'et#ri#t h#$ he'$ no #ss $eonstr#tion/
B"&&'7"#$0) T&$.71$0) B"&b$#- W'&$ E.4".(2$!$.40
The i&ressi0e %#therin% th#t h#$ *een or%#niGe$ in hono!r of the $e'e%#tes
fro the Petro%r#$ So0iet si%n#''e$ the *e%innin% of # ne) )#0e of #ss
o0eents/ Not # onth h#$ &#sse$ *efore the )or.ers of T!rin rose in #rs
#%#inst It#'i#n I&eri#'is #n$ i'it#ris/ The ins!rre+tion *ro.e o!t on <B
A!%!st 1314/ For f0e $#(s the )or.ers fo!%ht in the streets of the +it(/ With
riHes1 %ren#$es #n$ #+hine5%!ns #t their $is&os#'1 the ins!r%ents e0en
#n#%e$ to o++!&( se0er#' 7!#rters of the +it( #n$ to #.e three or fo!r
#tte&ts to %#in +ontro' of the +entre1 )here the %o0ernent instit!tions #n$
i'it#r( +o#n$ &osts )ere sit!#te$/
B!t t)o (e#rs of )#r #n$ re#+tion h#$ )e#.ene$ the forer'( &o)erf!'
or%#niG#tion of the &ro'et#ri#t1 #n$ the )or.ers1 )ith their inferior s!&&'( of
#rs1 )ere $efe#te$/ In 0#in the( +o!nte$ on s!&&ort fro the so'$iers 5 *!t
these '#tter h#$ #''o)e$ these'0es to *e t#.en in *( insin!#tions th#t the re0o't
h#$ *een st#%e$ *( the 2er#ns/ The &eo&'e ere+te$ *#rri+#$es1 $!% tren+hes1
#n$ s!rro!n$e$ soe of the $istri+ts )ith e'e+trife$ *#r*e$5)ire ent#n%'eents/
For f0e $#(s the( re&!'se$ #'' #tt#+.s fro the troo&s #n$ &o'i+e/ O0er ;@@
)or.ers )ere .i''e$ #n$ # f!rther <1@@@ serio!s'( inD!re$/ After this $efe#t1 the
*est e'eents )ere #rreste$ #n$ sent #)#(1 #n$ the &ro'et#ri#n o0eent 'ost
its re0o'!tion#r( $ri0e/ Ne0erthe'ess1 the +o!nist s(&#thies of the T!rin
&ro'et#ri#t )ere not e6tin%!ishe$/
E0i$en+e of this +#n *e fo!n$ in the fo''o)in% e&iso$e/ A short tie #fter the
A!%!st ins!rre+tion1 e'e+tions )ere he'$ for the A$inistr#ti0e Co!n+i' of the
T!rin Co5o&er#ti0e A''i#n+e 8TCA91 # 0#st or%#niG#tion th#t s!&&'ies the *#si+
nee$s for # 7!#rter of the &eo&'e of T!rin/
T1$ C%-%-$&"4'9$ A22'".7$
3
The TCA is #$e !& of the R#i')#(enLs Co5o&er#ti0e #n$ the 2ener#'
Asso+i#tion of Wor.ers/ For #n( (e#rs the So+i#'ist se+tion in the +it( h#$
+ontro''e$ the A$inistr#ti0e Co!n+i'1 *!t no) it no 'on%er h#$ the +#&#+it( to
+#rr( o!t #n( eNe+ti0e #%it#tion #on%st the )or.in% #sses/ The +#&it#' of the
A''i#n+e )#s #$e !& for the ost &#rt of sh#res in the R#i')#(enLs Co5
o&er#ti0e o)ne$ *( the r#i')#(en #n$ their f#i'ies/ The %ro)th re%istere$ *(
the A''i#n+e h#$ in+re#se$ the 0#'!e of the sh#res fro ;@ to 4@@ >ire/
Ne0erthe'ess1 the P#rt( s!++ee$e$ in &ers!#$in% the sh#reho'$ers th#t the #i
of # )or.ersL +o5o&er#ti0e is not to se+!re # &roft for its in$i0i$!#' e*ers1 *!t
to stren%then the e#ns of re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'eO so the sh#reho'$ers
+ontente$ these'0es )ith # $i0i$en$ of B/; &er +ent on the noin#' 0#'!e of ;@
>ire r#ther th#n on the re#' 0#'!e of 4@@ >ire/ After the A!%!st ins!rre+tion1 #
+oittee of r#i')#(en )#s fore$1 )ith the s!&&ort of the &o'i+e #n$ the
*o!r%eois #n$ reforist &ress1 to &!t #n en$ to So+i#'ist P#rt( +ontro' of the
A$inistr#ti0e Co!n+i'/ Sh#reho'$ers )ere &roise$ ie$i#te 'i7!i$#tion of the
Q;@ >ire $iNeren+e *et)een the noin#' #n$ +!rrent 0#'!e of e0er( sh#re/
R#i')#(en )ere &roise$ es&e+i#''( f#0o!r#*'e tre#tent in the s!&&'( of
foo$st!Ns/ The reforist tr#itors #n$ the *o!r%eois &ress )hee'e$ o!t e0er(
e#ns of &ro&#%#n$# #n$ #%it#tion in or$er to tr#nsfor the Co5o&er#ti0e fro #
)or.ersL or%#niG#tion into # +oer+i#' *!siness r!n #'on% &ett( 5/*o!r%eois
'ines/ The )or.in% +'#ss )#s e6&ose$ to #'' #nner of &erse+!tions/ Censorshi&
$ro)ne$ the 0oi+e of the So+i#'ist se+tion/ An$ (et1 in s&ite of #'' these
&erse+!tions #n$ *r!t#'ities1 the So+i#'ists 5 )ho h#$ ne0er #t #n( tie
#*#n$one$ their &oint of 0ie) +on+ernin% the )or.ersL Co5o&er#ti0e 5 i/e/ th#t it
)#s # )e#&on to *e !se$ in the +'#ss str!%%'e 5 o*t#ine$ # #Dorit( on+e #%#in
)ithin the Co5o&er#ti0e A''i#n+e/ The So+i#'ist P#rt( re+ei0e$ 4@@ o!t of C@@
0otes1 $es&ite the f#+t th#t ost of the e'e+tors )ere )hite5+o''#r r#i')#(
)or.ers #n$ i%ht h#0e *een e6&e+te$1 #fter the $efe#t of the A!%!st
ins!rre+tion1 to h#0e )#0ere$ in their 'o(#'ties #n$ e0en to h#0e sho)n
re#+tion#r( ten$en+ies/
T1$ P%04- W"& P$&'%#
After the +'ose of the I&eri#'ist W#r1 the &ro'et#ri#n o0eent #$e r#&i$
#$0#n+es/ The )or.in% #sses of T!rin )ere )e'' #)#re th#t the histori+#' &erio$
o&ene$ !& *( the )#r )#s &rofo!n$'( $iNerent fro the &re5)#r e&o+h/ The T!rin
)or.in% +'#ss )#s 7!i+. to &er+ei0e the n#t!re of the IIIr$ Intern#tion#' #s # *o$(
of the )or'$ &ro'et#ri#t1 )ith the ro'e of $ire+tin% the +i0i' )#r1 seiGin% &o'iti+#'
&o)er1 settin% !& the &ro'et#ri#n $i+t#torshi& #n$ est#*'ishin% # ne) or$er in
e+onoi+ #n$ so+i#' re'#tions/ In #'' the )or.ersL Asse*'ies1 it )#s the e+onoi+
#n$ &o'iti+#' &ro*'es of the re0o'!tion th#t fore$ the s!*De+t of $is+!ssion/
The *est e'eents in the )or.in%+'#ss 0#n%!#r$ +o*ine$ to &ro$!+e # )ee.'(
ne)s&#&er of +o!nist ten$en+(1 L'Ordine Nuovo/ The +o'!ns of this )ee.'(
)ere $e0ote$ to $is+!ssion of the 0#rio!s &ro*'es of the re0o'!tion: )h#t sort
of re0o'!tion#r( or%#niG#tion )#s nee$e$ *( the #sses )ho h#$ to )in the
!nions for the +o!nist +#!seO ho) to shift tr#$e!nion str!%%'e o!t of its
n#rro)'( reforist #n$ +or&or#tist fr#e)or. !& to the 'e0e' of re0o'!tion#r(
1@
str!%%'e1 +ontro' o0er &ro$!+tion #n$ &ro'et#ri#n $i+t#torshi&/ The 7!estion of
F#+tor( Co!n+i's too )#s &'#+e$ on the #%en$#/
S#'' +oittees of )or.ers )ere #'re#$( in e6isten+e insi$e the T!rin f#+tories:
the( )ere re+o%niGe$ *( the +#&it#'ists #n$ soe of the h#$ #'re#$( '#!n+he$
# +#&#i%n #%#inst the *!re#!+r#tis1 reforist s&irit #n$ +onstit!tion#'
ten$en+ies of the !nions/ B!t for the ost &#rt these +oittees )ere nothin%
ore th#n +re#t!res of the !nions/ The 'ists of +#n$i$#tes for the +oittees
8the Intern#' Coissions9 )ere $r#)n !& *( the tr#$e5!nion hier#r+hies1 )ho
sho)e$ # &referen+e for )or.ers of o&&ort!nist ten$en+(O )or.ers )ho )o!'$
%i0e no tro!*'e to the *osses #n$ )o!'$ stiHe #n( #ss #+tion *efore it +o!'$
st#rt/ Wh#t the fo''o)ers of L'Ordine Nuovo e&h#siGe$ ost in their
&ro&#%#n$# )#s the tr#nsfor#tion of the Intern#' Coissions/ The( stresse$
th#t the 'ists of +#n$i$#tes sho!'$ *e $r#)n !& *( the )or.in% #sses
these'0es #n$ not *( the !&&er e+he'ons of the tr#$e5!nion *!re#!+r#+(/ The
t#s.s the( #ssi%ne$ to the F#+tor( Co!n+i's )ere +ontro' o0er &ro$!+tion1 the
#rin% #n$ i'it#r( &re&#r#tion of the #sses1 #n$ their &o'iti+#' #n$ te+hni+#'
&re&#r#tion/ The( )ere no 'on%er to &'#( their forer ro'e of )#t+h$o%s
&rote+tin% the interests of the $oin#nt +'#ss1 or to ho'$ *#+. the #sses in their
#+tions #%#inst the +#&it#'ist or$er/
E.4150'"04'7 05--%&4 8%& 41$ C%5.7'20
Pro&#%#n$# in s!&&ort of the F#+tor( Co!n+i's )#s enth!si#sti+#''( re+ei0e$ *(
the #sses/ Within si6 onths1 F#+tor( Co!n+i's h#$ *een set !& in #'' the
en%ineerin% f#+tories #n$ )or.sho&s1 #n$ +o!nists h#$ )on # #Dorit( in the
et#')or.ersL !nion/ The &rin+i&'e of F#+tor( Co!n+i's #n$ +ontro' o0er
&ro$!+tion )#s #&&ro0e$ #n$ #++e&te$ *( the #Dorit( of $e'e%#tes #t +on%ress1
#n$ *( ost of the !nions *e'on%in% to the Ch#*er of >#*o!r/ The or%#niG#tion
of the F#+tor( Co!n+i's is *#se$ on the fo''o)in% &rin+i&'es: e0er( sin%'e f#+tor(
#n$ )or.sho& est#*'ishes its o)n or%#nis1 on # re&resent#ti0e *#sis 8#n$ not
on # *!re#!+r#ti+ *#sis1 #s in the &re0io!s s(ste9/ This or%#nis tr#ns'#tes the
&ro'et#ri#tLs stren%th into re#'it(O it str!%%'es #%#inst the +#&it#'ist or$er1 or
e6er+ises +ontro' o0er &ro$!+tion1 *( e$!+#tin% the )ho'e of the )or.in% #sses
for re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e #n$ the +re#tion of # )or.ersL St#te/ The F#+tor(
Co!n+i' h#s to *e fore$ in #++or$#n+e )ith the &rin+i&'e of or%#niG#tion *(
in$!str(/ML In the e(es of the )or.in% +'#ss1 it !st re&resent # o$e' of
+o!nist so+iet(1 )hi+h )i'' *e #tt#ine$ 0i# the $i+t#torshi& of the &ro'et#ri#t/
In this so+iet(1 +'#ss $i0isions )i'' *e # thin% of the &#st: #'' so+i#' re'#tions )i'' *e
re%!'#te$ in #++or$#n+e )ith the te+hni+#' re7!ireents of &ro$!+tion #n$ its
+orres&on$in% or%#niG#tion1 #n$ )i'' not *e s!*or$in#te to #n or%#niGe$ St#te
&o)er/ It is 0it#' th#t the )or.in% +'#ss sho!'$ see the f!'' *e#!t( #n$ no*i'it( of
the i$e#' for )hi+h it is str!%%'in% #n$ #.in% so #n( s#+rif+es/ It !st re#'iGe
th#t to #tt#in this i$e#'1 se0er#' st#%es !st frst *e &#sse$ thro!%h/ It !st
re+o%niGe the ne+essit( for re0o'!tion#r( $is+i&'ine #n$ $i+t#torshi&/
E0er( f#+tor( is s!*$i0i$e$ into )or.sho&s #n$ e0er( )or.sho& into +re)s )ith
$iNerent s.i''sO e0er( +re) +#rries o!t # &#rti+!'#r &#rt of the )or.5&ro+ess/ The
11
)or.ers in e#+h +re) e'e+t one of their n!*er #s $e'e%#te1 %i0in% hi #n
#!thorit#ti0e #n$ re0o+#*'e #n$#te/ The #sse*'( of $e'e%#tes fro the entire
f#+tor( #.es !& # Co!n+i'1 #n$ this Co!n+i' e'e+ts #n e6e+!ti0e +oittee fro
its o)n r#n.s/ The #sse*'( of &o'iti+#' se+ret#ries of the 0#rio!s e6e+!ti0e
+oittees fors in t!rn # +entr#' +oittee of the Co!n+i's1 #n$ this +entr#'
+oittee e'e+ts fro its o)n n!*er #n e$!+#tion +oittee for the )ho'e
+it(1 )ith the t#s. of or%#niGin% &ro&#%#n$#1 $r#)in% !& )or. &'#ns1 #&&ro0in%
&roDe+ts #n$ &ro&os#'s fro in$i0i$!#' f#+tories #n$ e0en in$i0i$!#' )or.ers1 #n$
fn#''( %i0in% %ener#' 'e#$ershi& to the )ho'e o0eent/
T1$ C%5.7'20 ".# I.4$&."2 C%!!'00'%.0 #5&'.( S4&'/$0
Soe of the f!n+tions of the F#+tor( Co!n+i' h#0e # &!re'( te+hni+#' #n$ e0en
in$!stri#' +h#r#+ter: for e6#&'e1 +ontro' o0er te+hni+#' &ersonne'1 $isiss#' of
e&'o(ees )ho sho) these'0es to *e eneies of the )or.in% +'#ss1 the
str!%%'e )ith #n#%eent to )in ri%hts #n$ free$os #n$ +ontro' o0er the
f#+tor(Ls &ro$!+tion #n$ fn#n+i#' o&er#tions/ The F#+tor( Co!n+i's soon too.
root/ The #sses %reete$ this for of +o!nist or%#niG#tion )ith enth!si#sO
the( #'i%ne$ these'0es )ith the e6e+!ti0e +oittees #n$ ener%eti+#''(
s!&&orte$ the str!%%'e #%#inst +#&it#'ist #!to+r#+(/ :es&ite the f#+t th#t neither
the in$!stri#'ists nor the tr#$e5!nion *!re#!+r#+( )ere )i''in% to re+o%niGe the
Co!n+i's #n$ +oittees1 the( ne0erthe'ess o*t#ine$ soe not#*'e s!++esses:
the( thre) o!t the +#&it#'istsL #%ents #n$ s&iesO the( for%e$ 'in.s )ith the oR+e
)or.ers #n$ te+hni+i#ns to %et ho'$ of fn#n+i#' #n$ in$!stri#' infor#tion/ In the
#N#irs of the f#+tor(1 the( +on+entr#te$ $is+i&'in#r( &o)er in their o)n h#n$s
#n$ sho)e$ the $is!nite$ #n$ fr#%ente$ #sses )h#t $ire+t +ontro' *( )or.ers
in in$!str( e#ns/
The #+ti0it( of the Co!n+i's #n$ Intern#' Coissions )#s $eonstr#te$ ost
+'e#r'( $!rin% stri.es/ Stri.es 'ost their i&!'si0e1 fort!ito!s +h#r#+ter #n$
*e+#e #n e6&ression of the +ons+io!s #+ti0it( of the re0o'!tion#r( #sses/ The
te+hni+#' or%#niG#tion #n$ +#&#+it( for #+tion of the Co!n+i's #n$ Intern#'
Coissions )#s &erfe+te$ to s!+h # $e%ree th#t it )#s &ossi*'e )ithin f0e
in!tes to %et 1Q1@@@ )or.ers s+#ttere$ thro!%ho!t A< $e&#rtents #t FIAT to
$o)n too's/ On B :e+e*er 1313 the F#+tor( Co!n+i's &ro0i$e$ t#n%i*'e
e0i$en+e of their +#&#+it( to 'e#$ #ss o0eents on # %r#n$ s+#'e/ A+tin% on
or$ers fro the So+i#'ist se+tion1 )hi+h he'$ +ontro' o0er the )ho'e of the #ss
o0eent in its h#n$s1 #n$ )itho!t #n( &re&#r#tion )h#tsoe0er1 the F#+tor(
Co!n+i's )ere #*'e to o*i'iGe 1<@1@@@ )or.ers1 +#''e$ o!t f#+tor( *( f#+tor(1 in
the +o!rse of D!st one ho!r/ This #re$ &ro'et#ri#t )#s '#!n+he$ 'i.e #n
#0#'#n+he into the +it( +entre #n$ soon +'e#re$ the streets #n$ s7!#res of #'' the
n#tion#'ist #n$ i'it#rist riN5r#N/
T1$ S4&5((2$ "("'.04 41$ C%5.7'20
At the he#$ of the o0eent to for F#+tor( Co!n+i's )ere the +o!nists
*e'on%in% to the So+i#'ist se+tion #n$ the tr#$e5!nion or%#niG#tions/ An#r+hists
too. &#rt #s )e''1 see.in% to +o!nter&ose their &o&o!s rhetori+ to the +'e#r #n$
1<
&re+ise '#n%!#%e of the M#r6ist +o!nists/ Ho)e0er1 the o0eent
en+o!ntere$ $eterine$ resist#n+e fro the tr#$e5!nion oR+i#'s #n$ fro the
'e#$ershi& of the So+i#'ist P#rt( #n$ Avanti0/ These &eo&'e *#se$ their &o'ei+#'
#ssertions on the $iNeren+e *et)een the +on+e&t of # F#+tor( Co!n+i' #n$ #
So0iet/ Their +on+'!sions )ere of # &!re'( theoreti+#'1 #*str#+t #n$ *!re#!+r#ti+
+h#r#+ter/ Behin$ their hi%h5Ho)n &hr#ses )#s +on+e#'e$ their $esire to &re0ent
the #sses fro &#rti+i&#tin% $ire+t'( in the re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'eO their $esire
to #int#in the !nionsL ho'$ o0er the #sses/ The e*ers of the P#rt(
'e#$ershi& re&e#te$'( ref!se$ to t#.e the initi#ti0e in '#!n+hin% re0o'!tion#r(
#+ti0it(1 &rior to the $r#)in%5!& of # +o5or$in#te$ &'#n of #+tion 5 *!t the( ne0er
#$e the s'i%htest eNort to &re&#re #n$ e'#*or#te this &'#n/
So the o0eent $i$ not s!++ee$ in est#*'ishin% itse'f o!tsi$e T!rin1 for the
)ho'e #+hiner( of the tr#$e !nions )#s set in otion to &re0ent the )or.in%
#sses in other &#rts of It#'( fro fo''o)in% the T!rin 'e#$/ The T!rin o0eent
)#s $eri$e$1 Deere$ #t1 ins!'te$ #n$ +riti+iGe$ in e0er( &ossi*'e #nner/ The
*itter +riti+iss of the !nion or%#niG#tions #n$ the So+i#'ist P#rt( 'e#$ershi&
&ro0i$e$ the +#&it#'ists )ith fresh en+o!r#%eent #n$ %#0e the # free rein in
their str!%%'e #%#inst the T!rin &ro'et#ri#t #n$ the F#+tor( Co!n+i's/ The eetin%
of in$!stri#'ists th#t )#s he'$ in Mi'#n in M#r+h 13<@ $re) !& # &'#n of #tt#+./
B!t the M%!#r$i#ns of the )or.in% +'#ssM1 its e+onoi+ #n$ &o'iti+#' or%#niG#tions1
i%nore$ these #+ti0ities/ A*#n$one$ on #'' si$es1 the T!rin &ro'et#ri#t )#s for+e$
to +onfront the n#tionLs +#&it#'ists #n$ the &o)er of the St#te entire'( on its o)n1
)ith its o)n reso!r+es/ T!rin )#s in0#$e$ *( #n #r( of &o'i+eO #ro!n$ the +it(1
+#nnon #n$ #+hine5%!ns )ere &'#+e$ #t str#te%i+ &oints/ An$ )hen #'' this
i'it#r( #&&#r#t!s )#s re#$(1 the +#&it#'ists set #*o!t &ro0o.in% the &ro'et#ri#t/
It is tr!e th#t in f#+e of these e6tree'( #$0erse *#tt'e +on$itions1 the &ro'et#ri#t
hesit#te$ in t#.in% !& the +h#''en%e/ B!t )hen it )#s seen th#t # +'#sh )#s
ine0it#*'e1 the )or.in% +'#ss +#e o!t *o'$'( fro its reser0e &ositions1
$eterine$ to +#rr( the str!%%'e thro!%h to # 0i+torio!s +on+'!sion/
N"4'%."2 S%7'"2'04 C%5.7'2 '. M'2".
The et#')or.ers str!+. for # )ho'e onth #n$ the other +#te%ories of )or.ers
for ten $#(s/ In$!str( )#s #t # st#n$sti'' #'' o0er the &ro0in+e #n$
+o!ni+#tions &#r#'(se$/ B!t the T!rin &ro'et#ri#t )#s iso'#te$ fro the rest of
It#'(/ The +entr#' or%#ns $i$ nothin% to #ssist it: the( $i$ not e0en &!*'ish #
sin%'e #nifesto to e6&'#in the i&ort#n+e of the T!rin )or.ersL str!%%'e to the
It#'i#n &eo&'e/ Avanti0 ref!se$ to &!*'ish the #nifesto of the P#rt(Ls T!rin
se+tion/ The T!rin +or#$es h#$ the '#*e's M#n#r+histM #n$ M#$0ent!ristM h!r'e$
#t the fro #'' si$es/ At th#t tie the P#rt(Ls N#tion#' Co!n+i' )#s $!e to *e
he'$ in T!rinO ho)e0er1 its 0en!e )#s tr#nsferre$ to Mi'#n1 for # +it( Min the %ri&
of # %ener#' stri.eM )#s not tho!%ht to *e # s!it#*'e the#tre for so+i#'ist
$is+!ssion/
On this o++#sion1 the *#n.r!&t+( of the en )ho )ere s!&&ose$ to *e 'e#$in%
the P#rt( )#s $is&'#(e$ to its f!'' e6tent/ Whi'e in the +it( of T!rin the )or.ers
)ere +o!r#%eo!s'( $efen$in% the F#+tor( Co!n+i's 5 the frst or%#niG#tions to *e
1B
*#se$ on )or.ersL $eo+r#+( #n$ e*o$(in% &ro'et#ri#n &o)er 5 in Mi'#n the
'e#$ers )ere +h#ttin% #*o!t theoreti+#' &roDe+ts #n$ etho$s for +re#tin%
Co!n+i's #s # for of &o'iti+#' &o)er to *e )on *( the &ro'et#ri#t/ There )ere
$is+!ssions on ho) to s(ste#tiGe +on7!ests not (et )on1 )hi'e the T!rin
&ro'et#ri#t )#s #*#n$one$ to its f#te #n$ the *o!r%eoisie %i0en the o&&ort!nit(
of $estro(in% )h#te0er &o)er the )or.ers h#$ #'re#$( )on/ The It#'i#n
&ro'et#ri#n #sses $eonstr#te$ their so'i$#rit( )ith the T!rin +or#$es in
0#rio!s )#(s: the r#i')#(en of Pis#1 >i0orno #n$ F'oren+e ref!se$ to tr#ns&ort
troo&s *o!n$ for T!rin1 #n$ the $o+.)or.ers #n$ s#i'ors of >i0orno #n$ 2eno#
s#*ot#%e$ tr#ns&ort of #teri#'s thro!%h the &orts/ In #n( +ities1 the
&ro'et#ri#t +#e o!t on stri.e in $ef#n+e of their !nionLs or$ers/
The T!rin #n$ Pie$ont %ener#' stri.e +'#she$ he#$5on )ith the s#*ot#%e #n$
resist#n+e of the tr#$e5!nion or%#niG#tions #n$ e0en the P#rt( itse'f/
Ne0erthe'ess1 it h#$ %re#t e$!+#tion#' si%nif+#n+e1 in th#t it $eonstr#te$ th#t #
!nion *et)een )or.ers #n$ &e#s#nts is &ossi*'e in &r#+ti+e/ Moreo0er1 it
hi%h'i%hte$ the !r%ent nee$ to +o*#t the )ho'e *!re#!+r#ti+ e+h#nis of the
tr#$e5!nion or%#ns1 )hi+h for the ost so'i$ *!')#r. for the o&&ort!nist
#+ti0ities of the &#r'i#ent#rists #n$ reforists )ho #i to stiHe e0er(
re0o'!tion#r( initi#ti0e on the &#rt of the )or.in% #sses/
1A
BUILD SOVIETS!
b E('#'% @$.."&') La Squilla) 28
41
F$b&5"& 192=;
No 'on%er $oes #n(one in o!r r#n.s +h#''en%e the i$e# of so0iets1 on &rin+i&'e/
E0er(one sees to #%ree )ith the re0o'!tion#r( ne+essit( of the $i+t#torshi& of
the &ro'et#ri#t #n$ the or%#nis#tion of so0iets1 its &r#+ti+#' e6&ression///
B!t )h#t e6#+t'( #re so0iets? In )h#t sense $o the( $iNer fro the e6istin%
or%#ns of )or.in%5+'#ss str!%%'e? Wh#t )i'' *e their &#rti+!'#r f!n+tion1 *efore
#n$ #fter the 0i+tor( of the &ro'et#ri#t? Wh#t is the $iNeren+e1 in s!*st#n+e1
*et)een the tho!%ht of the ri%ht5)in% so+i#'ists 8the so+i#' $eo+r#ts9 #n$ th#t
of !s +o!nists?
It is this th#t )e !st !n+e#sin%'( re&e#t #on%st the #sses1 if )e $esire th#t
the( sho!'$ no 'on%er f#'' !n$er the $#n%ero!s s&e'' of +o''#*or#tionist
reforis///: the so0iet is # !olitial or%#n1 it is the !olitial e6&ression of the
&ro'et#ri#t/ So it sho!'$ not *e +onf!se$ )ith1 or +onsi$ere$ # s!*stit!te1
$!&'i+#tion or $is'o(#' +o&etitor of the tr#$e !nions #n$ the e6istin% e+onoi+
or%#nis#tions/
Nor sho!'$ it *e +onf!se$ the )ith the ne) or%#ns of str!%%'e1 or%#nis#tion #n$
+o!nist e+onoi+ #$0#n+eent1 for inst#n+e the F#+tor( Coittees/ E0er(
so+i#'ist .no)s th#t the frst ste& to)#r$s +o!nis is #r.e$ *( the +on7!est
of !olitial !ower *( the &ro'et#ri#t1 )hi+h )i'' then e6er+ise its $i+t#torshi& *(
e#ns of the so0iets/ B!t #t this &oint )i'' *e%in the other re0o'!tion1 the 'on%er
#n$ ore $iR+!'t one/ Then )i'' *e%in the )or. of e+onoi+ tr#nsfor#tion #n$
+o!nist re+onstr!+tion1 )hi+h !st *rin% the entire #ss of the )or.ers S #''
those )ho 'i0e oN their #n!#' or inte''e+t!#' '#*o!r1 )or. !sef!' for so+iet( S to
the +on7!est of !ower/
For this se+on$ t#s.1 in #$$ition to those e#ns #'re#$( in e6isten+e1 F#+tor(
Coittees )i'' *e +re#te$1 $estine$ not to #n#%e &ro$!+tion in the s(n$i+#'ist
sense1 *!t r#ther to e6er+ise )or.ers" +ontro' &rior to so+i#'is#tion1 #n$ then
t#.in% &#rt in #n#%eent to%ether )ith re&resent#ti0es of the interests of the
+o''e+ti0it(1 #')#(s &rioritise$ o0er #n( se+tion#' interests/
For this )or. of re+onstr!+tion1 #'' )or.in%5+'#ss *o$ies )i'' *rin% to%ether their
for+es1 *( e#ns of Peo&'e"s E+onoi+ Co!n+i's $e$i+t#te$ to the 7!estion of
&ro$!+tion1 $istri*!tion #n$ e6+h#n%eO 'o 'on%er he'$ *#+. *( the (o.e of
+#&it#'ist %'!tton(1 *!t the hi%her +o''e+ti0e interest/ S!+h # fr!itf!' )or. of
re+onstr!+tion1 'e#$in% to +o!nist #$0#n+e1 +#nnot *e #+hie0e$ e6+e&t )ith
the s(ste of the $i+t#torshi& of the &ro'et#ri#t1 #n$ on'( )hen the &ro'et#ri#t
h#s seiGe$ &o'iti+#' &o)er #n$ e6er+ises it itse'f *( e#ns of the so0iets1 #n$ not
0i# #n( thir$ &#rt(/
1;
The so0iet1 therefore1 this *#si+ +e'' of the *o$( )hi+h )i'' 'e#$ to the +on7!est
#n$ $efen+e of &o'iti+#' &o)er in the h#n$s of the &ro'et#ri#t1 re&resents o!r frst
$ee$ of re0o'!tion#r( #+ti0it( in the +o!nist sense/
B!t )h#t t#s.s #re in+!*ent on the so0iets &rior to the &ro'et#ri#n re0o'!tion?
The( !st *rin% to 'ife #n$ or%#nise %re#t #sses of &eo&'e1 f''in% the )ith
+on0i+tion of the &ossi*i'it( of *rin%in% #*o!t +o!nis/ The( !st &!'' the
r!% fro !n$er #'' the reforist #n$ so+i#'5$eo+r#ti+ eNorts )hi+h see. to $o
nothin% *!t $e'#( or i&e$e the tri!&h of the &ro'et#ri#n re0o'!tion/
The( )i'' s!&&ort #n$ %i0e initi#ti0e to so+i#'is#tions #n$ the +re#tion of #'' the
ne) or%#ns of +o!nist #$0#n+e/The( )i'' e#n)hi'e e6er+ise #'' the frin%es of
#!thorit( 8in 'o+#' +o!n+i's et+/9 the( +#n %et ho'$ of1 th!s tr#inin% the &ro'et#ri#n
#sses1 #)#.enin% ne) re0o'!tion#r( ener%ies in $efen+e of s!+h %#ins1
ren$erin% ore #+!te the irre+on+i'i#*'e +ontr#$i+tion1 #n$ e0er5+'oser the +'#sh1
*et)een the *o!r%eois st#te #n$ the ne) re0o'!tion#r( or%#n of the &ro'et#ri#t/
The +o!nist for!'#tion1 #s f#r #s &o'iti+s %oes1 +#n *e s!e$5!& #s
fo''o)s: A'' &o)er to the so0iets/ Th!s it is !r%ent to +re#te these or%#ns1 )hi+h
the &ro'et#ri#n re0o'!tion )i'' %i0e &o)er to/ The t#s.s of the so0iets +#nnot *e
entire'( f!'f''e$ *( the P#rt(/ For the hi%her str!%%'es of the &ro'et#ri#t1 it is no
'on%er s!R+ient for the )or.in% #sses to e+ho the P#rt("s 0oi+e/
R#ther1 it is ne+ess#r( th#t the &ro'et#ri#t +ohere itse'f: #s )e'' #s stron% !s+'es
it nee$s # ner0o!s s(ste 'in.in% e0er( one of the +e''s to the 0#rio!s %'#n$s
#n$ these to the *r#in/
It is ne+ess#r( th#t the )ho'e &ro'et#ri#t sho!'$ *e+oe # 'i0in% or%#nis: one
)hi+h thin.s1 $esires1 #+ts/ A'' its ener%ies !st *e !se$1 *!t not on'( th#t: the(
!st #'so *e 'in.e$ to%ether1 +oor$in#te$1 $is+i&'ine$/
The P#rt( )i'' *e the *r#in )hi+h t#.es in )h#t the senses te'' it1 #n$ %!i$es the
o0eent/ B!t the so0iet re&resents the ner0o!s s(ste #n$ the !s+'es of the
&ro'et#ri#t/ An$ for the &ro'et#ri#n re0o'!tion )e )i'' nee$ *r#ins1 # +o!r#%eo!s
he#rt #n$ &o)erf!' !s+'es/
1Q
SEIZE POWER OR SEIZE THE FACTORY?
b A!"#$% B%&#'(") Il Soviet) 22 F$b&5"& 192=) V%2;III) N%;,;
The )or.in%5+'#ss $ist!r*#n+es of the &#st fe) $#(s in >i%!ri#
A
h#0e seen (et
#nother e6#&'e of # &henoenon th#t for soe tie no) h#s *een re&e#te$
)ith soe fre7!en+(1 #n$ th#t $eser0es to *e e6#ine$ #s # s(&to of # ne)
'e0e' of +ons+io!sness #on% the )or.in% #sses/
Inste#$ of #*#n$onin% their Do*s1 the )or.ers h#0e so to s&e#. t#.en o0er their
&'#nts #n$ so!%ht to o&er#te the for their o)n *eneft1 or ore &re+ise'(
)itho!t the to& #n#%ers *ein% &resent in the &'#nt/ A*o0e #''1 this in$i+#tes th#t
the )or.ers #re f!''( #)#re th#t the stri.e is not #')#(s the *est )e#&on to !se1
es&e+i#''( !n$er +ert#in +ir+!st#n+es/
The e+onoi+ stri.e1 thro!%h the ie$i#te h#r it inHi+ts on the )or.er
hise'f1 $eri0es its !ti'it( #s # $efensi0e )e#&on for the )or.er fro the h#r
the )or.5sto&&#%e inHi+ts on the in$!stri#'ist *( +!ttin% *#+. the o!t&!t )hi+h
*e'on%s to hi/
This is the st#te of #N#irs !n$er nor#' +on$itions in the +#&it#'ist e+ono(1
)hen +o&etition #n$ &ri+e5+!ttin% for+e # +ontin!#' in+re#se in &ro$!+tion itse'f/
To$#( the &rofteers of in$!str(1 in &#rti+!'#r the en%ineerin% in$!str(1 #re
eer%in% fro #n e6+e&tion#' &erio$ in )hi+h the( )ere #*'e to ##ss enoro!s
&rofts for # ini! of eNort/ :!rin% the )#r the St#te s!&&'ie$ the )ith r#)
#teri#'s #n$ +o#' #n$1 #t the s#e tie1 #+te$ #s so'e #n$ re'i#*'e &!r+h#ser/
F!rtherore1 thro!%h its i'it#riG#tion of f#+tories1 the St#te itse'f !n$ertoo. to
i&ose # ri%oro!s $is+i&'ine on the )or.in% #sses/ Wh#t ore f#0o!r#*'e
+on$itions +o!'$ there *e for # f#t &roft? B!t no) these &eo&'e #re no 'on%er
$is&ose$ to $e#' )ith #'' the $iR+!'ties #risin% fro short#%es of +o#' #n$ r#)
#teri#'s1 fro the inst#*i'it( of the #r.et #n$ the fr#+tio!sness of the )or.in%
#sses/ In &#rti+!'#r1 the( #re not $is&ose$ to &!t !& )ith o$est &rofts )hi+h
#re ro!%h'( the s#e or &erh#&s # *it *e'o) their &re5W#r 'e0e'/
This is )h( the( #re not )orrie$ *( stri.es/ In$ee$ the( &ositi0e'( )e'+oe
the1 )hi'e o!thin% # fe) &rotests #*o!t the #*s!r$ +'#is #n$ ins#ti#*i'it( of
the )or.ers/ The )or.ers h#0e !n$erstoo$ this1 #n$ thro!%h their #+tion of t#.in%
o0er the f#+tor( #n$ +#rr(in% on )or.in% inste#$ of stri.in%1 the( #re #.in% it
+'e#r th#t it is not th#t the( h#0e no )ish to )or.1 *!t th#t the( h#0e no )ish to
)or. the )#( the *osses te'' the to/ The( no 'on%er )#nt to *e e6&'oite$ #n$
)or. for the *eneft of the *ossesO the( )#nt to )or. for their o)n *eneft1 i/e/ in
the interests of the )or.5for+e #'one/
This ne) +ons+io!sness th#t is eer%in% ore +'e#r'( e0er( $#( sho!'$ *e he'$
in the hi%hest re%#r$O ho)e0er1 )e )o!'$ not )#nt it to *e 'e$ #str#( *( 0#in
i''!sions/
A
Re%ion of north5)estern It#'(1 +#&it#' 2eno# 5 :B
14
It is r!o!re$ th#t f#+tor( +o!n+i's1 )here the( )ere in e6isten+e1 f!n+tione$
*( t#.in% o0er the #n#%eent of the )or.sho&s #n$ +#rr(in% on the )or./ We
)o!'$ not 'i.e the )or.in% #sses to %et ho'$ of the i$e# th#t #'' the( nee$ $o to
t#.e o0er the f#+tories #n$ %et ri$ or the +#&it#'ists is set !& +o!n+i's/ This )o!'$
in$ee$ *e # $#n%ero!s i''!sion/ The f#+tor( )i'' *e +on7!ere$ *( the )or.in%
+'#ss S #n$ not on'( *( the )or.for+e e&'o(e$ in it1 )hi+h )o!'$ *e too )e#.
#n$ non5+o!nist S on'( #fter the )or.in% +'#ss #s # )ho'e h#s seiGe$ &o'iti+#'
&o)er/ =n'ess it h#s $one so1 the Ro(#' 2!#r$s1 i'it#r( &o'i+e1 et+/ S in other
)or$s1 the e+h#nis of for+e #n$ o&&ression th#t the *o!r%eoisie h#s #t its
$is&os#'1 its &o'iti+#' &o)er #&&#r#t!s S )i'' see to it th#t #'' i''!sions #re
$is&e''e$/
It )o!'$ *e *etter if these en$'ess #n$ !se'ess #$0ent!res th#t #re $#i'(
e6h#!stin% the )or.in% #sses )ere #'' +h#nne''e$1 er%e$ #n$ or%#niGe$ into
one %re#t1 +o&rehensi0e !&s!r%e #ie$ $ire+t'( #t the he#rt of the ene(
*o!r%eoisie/
On'( # +o!nist &#rt( sho!'$ #n$ )o!'$ *e #*'e to +#rr( o!t s!+h #n
!n$ert#.in%/ At this tie1 s!+h # &#rt( sho!'$ #n$ )o!'$ h#0e no other t#s. th#n
th#t of $ire+tin% #'' its #+ti0it( to)#r$s #.in% the )or.in% #sses in+re#sin%'(
+ons+io!s of the nee$ for this %r#n$ &o'iti+#' #tt#+. S the on'( ore or 'ess $ire+t
ro!te to the t#.e5o0er of the f#+tor(1 )hi+h if #n( other ro!te is t#.en #( ne0er
f#'' into their h#n$s #t #''/
1C
TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WOR*ERS+ COUNCILS IN ITALY
b A!"#$% B%&#'(") Il Soviet) 7%22$74'%. %8 "&4'72$0 <".5"&-F$b&5"&
192=
We h#0e no) +o''e+te$ 7!ite # 'ot of #teri#' +on+erne$ )ith &ro&os#'s #n$
initi#ti0es for est#*'ishin% So0iets in It#'(1 #n$ )e reser0e to o!rse'0es the ri%ht
to e6&o!n$ the e'eents of the #r%!ent ste& *( ste&/ At this st#%e )e )ish to
#.e # fe) &re'iin#r( o*ser0#tions of # %ener#' n#t!re1 to )hi+h )e h#0e
#'re#$( referre$ in o!r ost re+ent iss!es/
The s(ste of &ro'et#ri#n re&resent#tion th#t h#s *een intro$!+e$ for the frst
tie e0er in R!ssi# h#s # t)ofo'$ +h#r#+ter: &o'iti+#' #n$ e+onoi+/ Its &o'iti+#'
ro'e is to str!%%'e #%#inst the *o!r%eoisie !nti' the '#tter h#s *een tot#''(
er#$i+#te$/ Its e+onoi+ ro'e is to +re#te the )ho'e no0e' e+h#nis of
+o!nist &ro$!+tion/ As the re0o'!tion !nfo'$s #n$ the &#r#siti+ +'#sses #re
%r#$!#''( e'iin#te$1 the &o'iti+#' f!n+tions *e+oe 'ess #n$ 'ess i&ort#nt in
+o&#rison )ith their e+onoi+ +o!nter&#rts: *!t in the frst inst#n+e1 and above
all when it is a question of stru))lin) a)ainst bour)eois !ower1 &o'iti+#' #+ti0it(
!st +oe frst/
The #!thenti+ instr!ent of the &ro'et#ri#tLs str!%%'e for 'i*er#tion1 #n$ #*o0e
#'' of its +on7!est of &o'iti+#' &o)er1 is the ommunist lass !arty/ =n$er the
*o!r%eois re%ie1 the +o!nist &#rt(1 the en%ine of the re0o'!tion1 nee$s
or%#ns in )hi+h it +#n o&er#teO these or%#ns #re the )or.ersL +o!n+i's/ To $e+'#re
th#t the( #re the &ro'et#ri#tLs or%#ns of 'i*er#tion1 )itho!t entionin% the ro'e of
the &#rt(1 #fter the f#shion of the &ro%r#e #$o&te$ #t the Con%ress of
Bo'o%n#1 sees ist#.en in o!r 0ie)/ To #int#in1 #'ter the f#shion of the
T!rin L'Ordine Nuovo +or#$es1 th#t e0en *efore the +o''#&se of the *o!r%eoisie
the )or.ersL +o!n+i's #re or%#ns1 not on'( of &o'iti+#' str!%%'e1 *!t of te+hni+o5
e+onoi+ tr#inin% in the +o!nist s(ste1 +#n on'( *e seen #s # ret!rn to
so+i#'ist %r#$!#'is/ This '#tter1 )hether it is +#''e$ reforis or s(n$i+#'is1 is
$efne$ *( the ist#.en *e'ief th#t the &ro'et#ri#t +#n #+hie0e e#n+i&#tion *(
#.in% #$0#n+es in e+onoi+ re'#tions )hi'e +#&it#'is sti'' ho'$s &o'iti+#' &o)er
thro!%h the St#te/
We sh#'' no) e6&#n$ on the +riti+is of the t)o +on+e&ts )e h#0e entione$/

The s(ste of &ro'et#ri#n re&resent#tion !st *e roote$ in the )ho'e of the
te+hni+#' &ro+ess of &ro$!+tion/ This is # &erfe+t'( 0#'i$ &rin+i&'e1 *!t it
+orres&on$s to the st#%e )hen the &ro'et#ri#t is or%#niGin% the ne) e+ono(
#'ter its seiG!re of &o)er/ A&&'( it )itho!t o$if+#tion to the *o!r%eois re%ie1
#n$ (o! #++o&'ish nothin% in re0o'!tion#r( ters/ E0en #t the st#%e )hi+h
R!ssi# h#s re#+he$1 So0iet5t(&e &o'iti+#' re&resent#tion T i/e/ the '#$$er th#t
13
+!'in#tes in the %o0ernent of the &eo&'eLs +oiss#rs T $oes not st#rt )ith
)or.5+re)s or f#+tor( sho&s1 *!t fro the 'o+#' #$inistr#ti0e So0iet1 e'e+te$
$ire+t'( *( the )or.ers 8%ro!&e$ if &ossi*'e in their res&e+ti0e )or.&'#+es9/ To *e
s&e+if+1 the Mos+o) So0iet is e'e+te$ *( the Mos+o) &ro'et#ri#t in the r#tio of
one $e'e%#te to e0er( 11@@@ )or.ers/ Bet)een the $e'e%#tes #n$ the e'e+tors
there is no intere$i#r( or%#n/ This frst 'e0e' then 'e#$s to hi%her 'e0e's1 to the
Con%ress of So0iets1 the e6e+!ti0e +oittee1 #n$ fn#''( the %o0ernent of
+oiss#rs/
The f#+tor( ounil &'#(s its &#rt in 7!ite # $iNerent net)or.1 th#t of
)or.ersL ontrol o0er &ro$!+tion/ Conse7!ent'( the f#+tor( +o!n+i'1 #$e !& of
one re&resent#ti0e for e0er( )or.sho&1 $oes not noin#te the f#+tor(Ls
re&resent#ti0e in the 'o+#' &o'iti+#'5#$inistr#ti0e So0iet: this re&resent#ti0e is
e'e+te$ $ire+t'( #n$ in$e&en$ent'(/ In R!ssi#1 the f#+tor( +o!n+i's #r+ the *#si+
!nit of #nother s(ste of re&resent#tion 8itse'f s!*or$in#te of +o!rse to the
&o'iti+#' net)or. of So0iets9: the s(ste of )or.ersL +ontro' #n$ the &eo&'eLs
e+ono(/ Contro' within the fatory h#s # re0o'!tion#r( #n$ e6&ro&ri#ti0e
si%nif+#n+e on'( #fter +entr#' &o)er h#s &#sse$ into the h#n$s of the &ro'et#ri#t/
Whi'e the f#+tor( is sti'' &rote+te$ *( the *o!r%eois St#te1 the f#+tor( +o!n+i'
+ontro's nothin%/ The fe) f!n+tions it f!'f's #re the res!'t of the tr#$ition#'
&r#+ti+e of: 1/ &#r'i#ent#r( reforisO </ tr#$e5!nion resist#n+e1 )hi+h $oes not
+e#se to *e # reforist )#( of #$0#n+in%/
To +on+'!$e: )e $o not o&&ose the settin% !& of intern#' f#+tor( +o!n+i's if the
)or.ers these'0es or their or%#niG#tions $e#n$ the/ B!t )e insist th#t the
+o!nist &#rt(Ls #+ti0it( !st *e *#se$ on #nother terr#in1 n#e'( the
str!%%'e for the +on7!est of &o'iti+#' &o)er/ This str!%%'e #( )e'' *e #$0#n+e$
fr!itf!''( *( the settin% !& of )or.ersL re&resent#ti0e *o$ies T *!t these !st *e
!r*#n or r!r#' )or.ersL +o!n+i's e'e+te$ $ire+t'( *( the Ln#es1 )#itin% to t#.e
the &'#+e of !ni+i&#' +o!n+i's #n$ 'o+#' or%#ns of St#te &o)er #t the oent
the *o!r%eois for+es +o''#&se/ H#0in% th!s #$0#n+e$ o!r thesis1 )e &roise to
%i0e it #&'e $o+!ent#tion #n$ f#+t!#' s!&&ort1 #n$ to &resent o!r )or. in #
re&ort to the ne6t eetin% of the +o!nist fr#+tion/
II
Prior to %ettin% $o)n to $is+!ssin% the &r#+ti+#' &ro*'es of settin% !&
)or.ersL1 &e#s#ntsL #n$ so'$iersL +o!n+i's in It#'(1 #n$ *e#rin% in in$ the %ener#'
+onsi$er#tions +ont#ine$ in the #rti+'e )e &!*'ishe$ in o!r '#st iss!e1 )e )ish to
e6#ine the &ro%r##ti+ %!i$e'ines or the So0iet s(ste #s the( #re
$e0e'o&e$ in the $o+!ents of the R!ssi#n re0o'!tion #n$ in the $e+'#r#tions of
&rin+i&'e iss!e$ *( soe or the It#'i#n #6i#'ist
;
+!rrents1 s!+h #s the
&ro%r#e #$o&te$ *( the Bo'o%n# Con%ress1 the otion &ro&ose$ *( >eone
#n$ other +or#$es to the s#e +on%ressO #n$ the )ritin%s of L'Ordine Nuovo on
the T!rin f#+tor( +o!n+i' o0eent/
;
>eft5)in% so+i#' $eo+r#ts 5 :B
<@
The Councils and the Bolshevik Programme
In the $o+!ents of the IIIr$ Intern#tion#' #n$ the R!ssi#n Co!nist P#rt(1 in
the #ster'( re&orts of those fori$#*'e e6&onents of $o+trine1 the 'e#$ers of the
R!ssi#n re0o'!tion#r( o0eent T >enin1 Uino0ie01 R#$e.1 B!.h#rin T there
re+!rs #t fre7!ent inter0#'s the i$e# th#t the R!ssi#n re0o'!tion $i$
not invent ne) #n$ !nforeseen str!+t!res1 *!t ere'( +onfre$ the &re$i+tions
of M#r6ist theor( +on+ernin% the re0o'!tion#r( &ro+ess/
The +ore of the i&osin% &henoenon of the R!ssi#n re0o'!tion is the
+on7!est of &o'iti+#' &o)er on the &#rt of the )or.in% #sses1 #n$ the
est#*'ishent of their $i+t#torshi&1 #s the res!'t of #n #!thenti+ +'#ss )#r/
The So0iets T #n$ it is )e'' to re+#'' th#t the )or$ soviet si&'( e#ns ounil1
#n$ +#n *e e&'o(e$ to $es+ri*e #n( sort of re&resent#ti0e *o$( T the So0iets1
#s f#r #s histor( is +on+erne$1 #re the s(ste of re&resent#tion e&'o(e$ *( the
&ro'et#ri#n +'#ss on+e it h#s t#.en &o)er/ The So0iets #re the or%#ns th#t t#.e
the &'#+e of &#r'i#ent #n$ the *o!r%eois #$inistr#ti0e #sse*'ies #n$
%r#$!#''( re&'#+e #'' the other r#if+#tions of the St#te/ To &!t it in the )or$s of
the ost re+ent +on%ress of the R!ssi#n +o!nists1 #s 7!ote$ *( Cor#$e
Uino0ie01 Mthe So0iets #re the St#te or%#niG#tions of the )or.ers #n$ &oor
&e#s#ntsO the( e6er+ise the $i+t#torshi& of the &ro'et#ri#t $!rin% the st#%e )hen
#'' &re0io!s fors of the St#te #re *ein% e6tin%!ishe$/
In the fn#' #n#'(sis1 this s(ste of St#te or%#niG#tions %i0es re&resent#tion to
#'' &ro$!+ers in their +#&#+it( #s e*ers of the )or.in% +'#ss1 #n$ not #s
e*ers of # &#rti+!'#r tr#$e or in$!stri#' se+tor/ A++or$in% to the '#test
#nifesto of the Thir$ Intern#tion#'1 the So0iets re&resent M# ne) t(&e of #ss
or%#niG#tion1 one )hi+h e*r#+es the )or.in% +'#ss in its entiret(1 irres&e+ti0e of
in$i0i$!#' tr#$es or 'e0e's of &o'iti+#' #t!rit(M/ The *#si+ !nits of the So0iet
#$inistr#ti0e net)or. #re the !r*#n #n$ r!r#' +o!n+i'sO the net)or. +!'in#tes
in the %o0ernent of +oiss#rs/
An$ (et it is tr!e th#t $!rin% the &h#se of e+onoi+ tr#nsfor#tion1 other
or%#ns #re eer%in% &#r#''e' to this s(ste1 s!+h #s the s(ste of )or.ersL
+ontro' #n$ the &eo&'eLs e+ono(/ It is #'so tr!e1 #s )e h#0e stresse$ #n(
ties1 th#t this e+onoi+ s(ste )i'' %r#$!#''( #*sor* the &o'iti+#' s(ste1 on+e
the e6&ro&ri#tion of the *o!r%eoisie is +o&'ete$ #n$ there is no f!rther nee$ for
# +entr#' #!thorit(/ B!t the essenti#' &ro*'e $!rin% the re0o'!tion#r( &erio$1 #s
eer%es +'e#r'( fro #'' the R!ssi#n $o+!ents1 is th#t of .ee&in% the 0#rio!s
'o+#' #n$ se+tion#' $e#n$s #n$ interests s!*or$in#te to the %ener#' interest 8in
s&#+e #n$ tie9 of the re0o'!tion#r( o0eent/
Not !nti' the t)o sets of or%#ns #re er%e$ )i'' the net)or. of &ro$!+tion *e
thoro!%h'( +o!nist1 #n$ on'( then )i'' th#t &rin+i&'e 8)hi+h in o!r 0ie) is
*ein% %i0en e6#%%er#te$ i&ort#n+e9 of # &erfe+t #t+h *et)een the s(ste of
re&resent#tion #n$ the e+h#niss of the &ro$!+ti0e s(ste *e s!++essf!''(
re#'iGe$/ Prior to th#t st#%e1 )hi'e the *o!r%eoisie is sti'' resistin% #n$ #*o0e #''
)hi'e it sti'' ho'$s &o)er1 the &ro*'e is to #+hie0e # re&resent#ti0e s(ste
<1
)hi+h the %ener#' interest &re0#i's/ To$#(1 )hi'e the e+ono( is sti'' *#se$ on
in$i0i$!#'is #n$ +o&etition1 the on'( for in )hi+h this hi%her +o''e+ti0e
interest +#n *e #nifeste$ is # s(ste of !olitial re&resent#tion in )hi+h the
+o!nist &o'iti+#' &#rt( is #+ti0e/
We sh#'' +oe *#+. to this 7!estion1 #n$ $eonstr#te ho) the $esire to o0er5
+on+retiGe #n$ te+hni+#''( $eterine the So0iet s(ste1 es&e+i#''( )hen the
*o!r%eoisie is sti'' in &o)er1 &!ts the +#rt *efore the horse #n$ '#&ses into the o'$
errors of s(n$i+#'is #n$ reforis/ For the oent )e 7!ote these non5
#*i%!o!s )or$s of Uino0ie0: MThe +o!nist &#rt( !nifes th#t 0#n%!#r$ of the
&ro'et#ri#t )hi+h is str!%%'in%1 in +ons+io!s f#shion1 to &!t the +o!nist
&ro%r#e into eNe+t/ Jn &#rti+!'#r it is stri0in% to intro$!+e its &ro%r#e into
the St#te or%#niG#tions1 the So0iets1 #n$ to #+hie0e +o&'ete $oin#n+e )ithin
the/
To +on+'!$e1 the R!ssi#n So0iet Re&!*'i+ is 'e$ *( the So0iets1 )hi+h re&resent
ten i''ion )or.ers o!t of # tot#' &o&!'#tion of #*o!t ei%ht( i''ion/ B!t
essenti#''(1 #&&ointents to the e6e+!ti0e +oittees of the 'o+#' #n$ +entr#'
So0iets #re sett'e$ in the se+tions #n$ +on%resses of the %re#t Co!nist P#rt(
)hi+h h#s #ster( o0er the So0iets/ This +orres&on$s to the stirrin% $efen+e *(
R#$e. of the re0o'!tion#r( ro'e of inorities/ It )o!'$ *e #s )e'' not to +re#te #
#Dorit#ri#n5)or.erist fetishis )hi+h +o!'$ on'( *e to the #$0#nt#%e of
reforis #n$ the *o!r%eoisie/ The &#rt( is in the front 'ine of the re0o'!tion in
so f#r #s it is &otenti#''( +o&ose$ of en )ho thin. #n$ #+t 'i.e e*ers of the
f!t!re )or.in% h!#nit( in )hi+h #'' )i'' *e &ro$!+ers h#ronio!s'( inserte$ into
# #r0e''o!s e+h#nis of f!n+tions #n$ re&resent#tion/
The Bologna Programme and the Councils
It is to *e $e&'ore$ th#t in the P#rt(Ls +!rrent &ro%r#e there is no tr#+e of
the M#r6ist &ro&osition th#t the +'#ss &#rt( is the instr!ent of &ro'et#ri#n
e#n+i&#tionO there is D!st the #no$(ne +o$i+i': M$e+i$es 8Who $e+i$es? E0en
%r##r )#s s#+rif+e$ in the h#ste to $e+i$e T in f#0o!r of e'e+tions/9 to *#se
the or%#niG#tion of the It#'i#n So+i#'ist P#rt( on the #*o0e5entione$ &rin+i&'esM/
As re%#r$s the &#r#%r#&h )hi+h $enies the tr#nsfor#tion of #n( St#te or%#n
into #n or%#n of str!%%'e for the 'i*er#tion of the &ro'et#ri#t1 there #re +ert#in
&oints to *e #$e T *!t it )i'' h#0e to *e $one on #nother o++#sion1 #fter #n
in$is&ens#*'e &re0io!s +'#rif+#tion of ters/ B!t )e $issent sti'' ore stron%'(
fro the &ro%r#e )here it st#tes th#t the ne) &ro'et#ri#n or%#ns )i'' f!n+tion
initi#''(1 !n$er the *o!r%eois re%ie1 #s instr!ents of the 0io'ent str!%%'e for
'i*er#tion1 #n$ )i'' s!*se7!ent'( *e+oe or%#ns of so+i#' #n$ e+onoi+
tr#nsfor#tionO for #on% the or%#ns entione$ #re not on'( )or.ersL1 &e#s#ntsL
#n$ so'$iersL +o!n+i's1 *!t #'so ounils of the !ubli eonomy1 )hi+h #re
in+on+ei0#*'e !n$er # *o!r%eois re%ie/ E0en the )or.ersL &o'iti+#' +o!n+i's
sho!'$ *e seen &ri#ri'( #s 0ehi+'es for the +o!nistsL #+ti0it( of 'i*er#tin% the
&ro'et#ri#t/
<<
E0en 7!ite re+ent'( Cor#$e Serr#ti1 in H#%r#nt o&&osition to M#r6 #n$ >enin1
h#s !n$er0#'!e$ the ro'e of the +'#ss &#rt( in the re0o'!tion/ As >enin s#(s:
MTo%ether )ith the )or.in% #sses1 the M#r6ist1 +entr#'iGe$ &o'iti+#' &#rt(1 the
0#n%!#r$ of the &ro'et#ri#t1 )i'' 'e#$ the &eo&'e #'on% the ri%ht ro#$1 to)#r$s the
0i+torio!s $i+t#torshi& of the &ro'et#ri#t1 to)#r$s &ro'et#ri#n not *o!r%eois
$eo+r#+(1 to)#r$s So0iet &o)er #n$ the so+i#'ist or$er/M The P#rt(Ls +!rrent
&ro%r#e s#+.s of 'i*ert#ri#n s+r!&'es #n$ # '#+. of theoreti+#' &re&#r#tion/
The Councils and the Leone Motion
This otion )#s s!#riGe$ in fo!r &oints e6&o!n$e$ in the #!thorLs
e0o+#ti0e st('e/
The frst of these &oints fn$s ir#+!'o!s ins&ir#tion in the st#teent th#t the
+'#ss str!%%'e is the re#' en%ine of histor( #n$ th#t it h#s s#she$ so+i#'5n#tion#'
!nions/ B!t then the otion &ro+ee$s to e6#'t the So0iets #s the or%#ns of
re0o'!tion#r( s(nthesis1 )hi+h the( #re s!&&ose$ to *rin% #*o!t 0irt!#''( thro!%h
the 0er( e+h#nis of their *ein% +re#te$O it st#tes th#t on'( So0iets1 r#ther th#n
s+hoo's1 &#rties or +or&or#tions1 +#n *rin% the %re#t histori+#' initi#ti0es to #
tri!&h#nt +on+'!sion/
This i$e# of >eoneLs1 #n$ of the #n( +or#$es )ho si%ne$ his otion1 is 7!ite
$iNerent fro o!r o)n1 )hi+h )e h#0e $e$!+e$ fro M#r6is #n$ fro the
'essons of the R!ssi#n re0o'!tion/ Wh#t the( #re $oin% is o0er5e&h#siGin%
# form in &'#+e of # fore1 D!st #s the s(n$i+#'ists $i$ in the +#se of the tr#$e
!nions1 #ttri*!tin% to their ini#'ist &r#+ti+e the #%i+#' 0irt!e of *ein% #*'e to
tr#nsfor itse'f into the so+i#' re0o'!tion5 ?!st #s s(n$i+#'is )#s $eo'ishe$ in
the frst &'#+e *( the +riti+is of tr!e M#r6ists1 #n$ s!*se7!ent'( *( the
e6&erien+e of the s(n$i+#'ist o0eents )hi+h #'' o0er the )or'$ h#0e
+o''#*or#te$ )ith the *o!r%eois re%ie1 &ro0i$in% it )ith e'eents for its
&reser0#tion1 so >eoneLs i$e# +o''#&ses *efore the e6&erien+e of the +o!nter5
re0o'!tion#r(1 so+i#'5$eo+r#ti+ )or.ersL +o!n+i's1 )hi+h #re &re+ise'( those
)hi+h h#0e not *een &enetr#te$ s!++essf!''( *( the +o!nist &o'iti+#'
&ro%r#e/
On'( the &#rt( +#n e*o$( the $(n#i+ re0o'!tion#r( ener%ies of the +'#ss/ It
)o!'$ *e tri0i#' to o*De+t th#t so+i#'ist &#rties too h#0e +o&roise$1 sin+e )e
#re not e6#'tin% the 0irt!es of the &#rt( form1 *!t those of the $(n#i+ +ontent
)hi+h is to *e fo!n$ on'( in the ommunist &#rt(/ E0er( &#rt( $efnes itse'f on the
*#sis of its o)n &ro%r#e1 #n$ its f!n+tions +#nnot *e +o&#re$ )ith those of
other &#rties1 )here#s of ne+essit( #'' the tr#$e !nions #n$ e0en1 in # te+hni+#'
sense1 #'' the )or.ersL +o!n+i's h#0e f!n+tions in +oon )ith one #nother/ The
short+oin% of the so+i#'5reforist &#rties )#s not th#t the( )ere &#rties1 *!t
th#t the( )ere not +o!nist #n$ re0o'!tion#r( &#rties/ These &#rties 'e$ the
+o!nter5re0o'!tion1 )here#s the +o!nist &#rties1 in o&&osition to the1 'e$
#n$ no!rishe$ re0o'!tion#r( #+tion/ Th!s there #re no or%#ns )hi+h #re
re0o'!tion#r( *( 0irt!e of their forO there #re on'( so+i#' for+es th#t #re
re0o'!tion#r( on #++o!nt of their orient#tion/ These for+es tr#nsfor these'0es
into # &#rt( th#t %oes into *#tt'e )ith # &ro%r#e/
<B
The Councils and the initiative of L+O&#'.$ N5%9% in Turin
In o!r 0ie)1 the +or#$es #ro!n$ the ne)s&#&er L'Ordine Nuovo %o e0en
f!rther th#n this/ The( #re not e0en h#&&( )ith the )or$in% of the P#rt(Ls
&ro%r#e1 *e+#!se the( +'#i th#t the So0iets1 in+'!$in% those of # te+hni+#'5
e+onoi+ +h#r#+ter 8the f#+tor( +o!n+i's91 not on'( #re #'re#$( in e6isten+e #n$
f!n+tionin% #s or%#ns of the &ro'et#ri#n 'i*er#tion str!%%'e !n$er the *o!r%eois
re%ie1 *!t h#0e #'re#$( *e+oe or%#ns for the re+onstr!+tion of the +o!nist
e+ono(/
In f#+t the( &!*'ish in their ne)s&#&er the se+tion of the P#rt(Ls &ro%r#e
th#t )e 7!ote$ #*o0e1 'e#0in% o!t # fe) )or$s so #s to tr#nsfor its e#nin% in
#++or$#n+e )ith their o)n &oint of 0ie):
MThe( )i'' h#0e to *e o&&ose$ *( ne) &ro'et#ri#n or%#ns 8)or.ersL1 &e#s#ntsL #n$
so'$iersL +o!n+i's1 +o!n+i's of the &!*'i+ e+ono(1 et+/9 T /// or%#ns of so+i#' #n$
e+onoi+ tr#nsfor#tion #n$ for the re+onstr!+tion of the ne) +o!nist or$er/M
B!t this #rti+'e is #'re#$( # 'on% one1 so )e &ost&one to o!r ne6t iss!e the
e6&osition of o!r &rofo!n$ $issension fro this &rin+i&'eO in o!r 0ie)1 it r!ns the
ris. of en$in% !& #s # &!re'( reforist e6&erient in0o'0in% o$if+#tion of
+ert#in f!n+tions of the tr#$e !nions #n$ &erh#&s the &ro!'%#tion of #
*o!r%eois '#) on )or.ersL +o!n+i's/M
III
At the en$ of o!r se+on$ #rti+'e on the est#*'ishent of So0iets in It#'(1 )e
referre$ to the T!rin o0eent to est#*'ish f#+tor( +o!n+i's/ We $o not sh#re the
&oint of 0ie) )hi+h ins&ires the eNorts of the L'Ordine Nuovo +or#$es1 #n$
)hi'e #&&re+i#tin% their ten#+it( in #.in% the f!n$#ent#'s of +o!nis
*etter .no)n1 )e *e'ie0e th#t the( h#0e +oitte$ #Dor errors of &rin+i&'e #n$
t#+ti+s/
A++or$in% to the1 the essen+e of the +o!nist re0o'!tion 'ies in the settin%
!& of ne) or%#ns of &ro'et#ri#n re&resent#tion1 )hose f!n$#ent#' +h#r#+ter is
their stri+t #'i%nent )ith the &ro+ess of &ro$!+tionO e0ent!#''( these or%#ns #re
to +ontro' &ro$!+tion $ire+t'(/ We h#0e #'re#$( #$e the &oint th#t )e see this #s
o0er5e&h#sis on the i$e# of # for#' +oin+i$en+e *et)een the re&resent#ti0e
or%#ns of the )or.in% +'#ss #n$ the 0#rio!s #%%re%#tes of the te+hni+o5e+onoi+
s(ste of &ro$!+tion/ This +oin+i$en+e )i'' in f#+t *e #+hie0e$ #t # !+h ore
#$0#n+e$ st#%e of the +o!nist re0o'!tion1 )hen &ro$!+tion is so+i#'iGe$ #n$
#'' its 0#rio!s +onstit!ent #+ti0ities #re s!*or$in#te$ in h#ronio!s f#shion to the
%ener#' #n$ +o''e+ti0e interests/
Prior to this st#%e1 #n$ $!rin% the &erio$ of tr#nsition fro # +#&it#'ist to #
+o!nist e+ono(1 the %ro!&in%s of &ro$!+ers #re in # +onst#nt st#te of H!6
#n$ their in$i0i$!#' interests #( #t ties +'#sh )ith the %ener#' #n$ +o''e+ti0e
interests of the re0o'!tion#r( o0eent of the &ro'et#ri#t/ This o0eent )i''
fn$ its re#' instr!ent in # )or.in%5+'#ss re&resent#ti0e instit!tion in )hi+h e#+h
in$i0i$!#' &#rti+i&#tes in his +#&#+it( #s # e*er of the )or.in% +'#ss1 #n$ #s
<A
s!+h intereste$ in # r#$i+#' +h#n%e in so+i#' re'#tions1 r#ther th#n #s #
+o&onent of # &#rti+!'#r tr#$e1 f#+tor( or 'o+#' %ro!&/
So 'on% #s &o'iti+#' &o)er re#ins in the h#n$s of the +#&it#'ist +'#ss1 #
re&resent#ti0e or%#n e*o$(in% the %ener#' re0o'!tion#r( interests of the
&ro'et#ri#t +#n on'( *e fo!n$ in the!olitial #ren#/ It +#n on'( *e # +'#ss &#rt(
th#t h#s the &erson#' #$heren+e of the sort of &eo&'e )ho1 in or$er to $e$i+#te
these'0es to the +#!se of the re0o'!tion1 h#0e #n#%e$ to o0er+oe their
n#rro) se'fsh1 se+tion#' #n$ e0en soeties +'#ss interests 8the '#tter +#se
o*t#inin% )hen the &#rt( #$its $eserters fro the *o!r%eois +'#ss into its
r#n.s1 &ro0i$e$ the( #re s!&&orters of the +o!nist &ro%r#e9/
It is # serio!s error to *e'ie0e th#t *( i&ortin% the for#' str!+t!res )hi+h one
e6&e+ts to *e fore$ to #n#%e +o!nist &ro$!+tion into the &resent
&ro'et#ri#n en0ironent1 #on% the )#%e5e#rners of +#&it#'is1 one )i'' *rin%
into *ein% for+es )hi+h #re in these'0es #n$ thro!%h inner ne+essit(
re0o'!tion#r(/ This )#s the error of the s(n$i+#'ists1 #n$ this too is the error of the
o0er5Ge#'o!s s!&&orters of the f#+tor( +o!n+i's/
The #rti+'e &!*'ishe$ *( +or#$e C/ Ni++o'ini in .ommunismo +oes #t #n
o&&ort!ne oent/ He notes th#t in R!ssi#1 e0en #fter the &ro'et#ri#n seiG!re of
&o)er1 the f#+tor( +o!n+i's fre7!ent'( &'#+e$ o*st#+'es in the &#th of
re0o'!tion#r( e#s!resO to #n e0en %re#ter e6tent th#n the tr#$e !nions1 the(
+o!nter&ose$ the &ress!res of n#rro) interests to the !nfo'$in% of the
re0o'!tion#r( &ro+ess/ E0en )ithin the net)or. of the +o!nist e+ono(1 the
f#+tor( +o!n+i's #re not the &rin+i&#' $eterin#nts of the &ro$!+tion &ro+ess/ In
the or%#ns )hi+h f!'f' this f!n+tion 8Co!n+i's of the Peo&'eLs E+ono(91 the
f#+tor( +o!n+i's h#0e fe)er re&resent#ti0es th#n the tr#$e !nions or the
&ro'et#ri#n St#te #!thoritiesO it is this +entr#'iGe$ &o'iti+#' net)or. th#t is the
instr!ent #n$ the $oin#nt f#+tor in the re0o'!tion T !n$erstoo$ not on'( #s #
str!%%'e #%#inst the &o'iti+#' resist#n+e of the *o!r%eois +'#ss1 *!t #'so #s #
&ro+ess of so+i#'iGin% )e#'th/
At the D!n+t!re )e h#0e re#+he$ in It#'(1 0iG/ the D!n+t!re )here the &ro'et#ri#n
St#te is sti'' # &ro%r##ti+ #s&ir#tion1 the f!n$#ent#' &ro*'e is the +on7!est
of &o)er on the &#rt of the &ro'et#ri#t1 or *etter the +o!nist &ro'et#ri#t T i/e/
the )or.ers )ho #re or%#niGe$ into # +'#ss5*#se$ &o'iti+#' &#rt(1 )ho #re
$eterine$ to #.e the histori+#' for of re0o'!tion#r( &o)er1 the $i+t#torshi& of
the &ro'et#ri#t1 into # +on+rete re#'it(/

Cor#$e A/ T#s+# hise'f1 in L'Ordine Nuovo No/<<1 +'e#r'( e6&o!n$s his
$is#%reeent )ith the &ro%r#e of the #6i#'ist #Dorit( #$o&te$ #t the
Bo'o%n# Con%ress1 #n$ his e0en %re#ter $is#%reeent )ith !s #*stentionists1 in
the fo''o)in% &#ss#%e th#t $eser0es to *e re&ro$!+e$/
<;
MAnother &oint in the P#rt(Ls ne) &ro%r#e $eser0es to *e +onsi$ere$: the ne)
&ro'et#ri#n or%#ns 8)or.ersL1 &e#s#ntsL #n$ so'$iersL +o!n+i's1 +o!n+i's of the
&!*'i+ e+ono(1 et+/9 f!n+tionin% Initially 8!n$er the *o!r%eois re%ie9 #s
instr!ents of the 0io'ent str!%%'e for 'i*er#tion1 #re subsequently tr#nsfore$
into or%#ns of so+i#' #n$ e+onoi+ tr#nsfor#tion1 for re+onstr!+tion of the ne)
+o!nist or$er/ At #n e#r'ier session of the Coission1 )e h#$ stresse$ the
short+oin%s of s!+h # for!'#tion1 )hi+h entr!ste$ $iNerent f!n+tions to the
ne) or%#ns initially #n$ subsequently1 se&#r#te$ *( the seiG!re of &o)er on the
&#rt of the &ro'et#ri#t/ 2enn#ri h#$ &roise$ to #.e #n #'ter#tion1 #'on% the
'ines of L/// initi#''( !redominantly #s instr!ents///L1 *!t it is e0i$ent th#t he
e0ent!#''( #*#n$one$ this i$e#1 #n$ #s I )#s !n#*'e to #tten$ the '#st session of
the Coission1 I +o!'$ not #.e hi #$o&t it #%#in/ There is in this for!'#tion1
ho)e0er1 # 0erit#*'e &oint of $is#%reeent )hi+h1 )hi'e *rin%in% 2enn#ri1
Bo*#++i
Q
#n$ others +'oser to the #*stentionists1 &!ts # %re#ter $ist#n+e
*et)een the #n$ those )ho *e'ie0e th#t the ne) )or.ersL or%#ns +#nnot
f!n+tion #s Linstr!ents of the 0io'ent str!%%'e for 'i*er#tionL e6+e&t #n$ to the
$e%ree th#t the( *e+oe Lor%#ns of so+i#' #n$ e+onoi+ tr#nsfor#tionL at
one 8r#ther th#n s!*se7!ent'(9/ The &ro'et#ri#tLs 'i*er#tion is #+hie0e$ thro!%h
the #nifest#tion of its #*i'it( to +ontro' in #n #!tonoo!s #n$ ori%in#' f#shion
the so+i#' &ro+esses it +re#te$ *( #n$ for itse'f: 'i*er#tion +onsists in the +re#tion
of the sort of or%#ns )hi+h1 if the( #r+ #+ti0e #n$ #'ert1 *( 0irt!e of this f#+t #'one
&ro0o.e the so+i#' #n$ e+onoi+ tr#nsfor#tion )hi+h is their %o#'/ This is not #
7!estion of for1 *!t of s!*st#n+e/ In the &resent for!'#tion1 )e re&e#t1 the
+o&i'ers of the &ro%r#e h#0e en$e$ !& #$herin% to Bor$i%#Ls +on+e&tion1
)hi+h #tt#+hes ore i&ort#n+e to the +on7!est of &o)er th#n to the for#tion
of So0ietsO for the &resent &erio$1 Bor$i%# sees the So0iets #s h#0in% ore of #
L&o'iti+#'L f!n+tion1 in the stri+t sense of the )or$1 th#n #n or%#ni+ ro'e of
Le+onoi+ #n$ so+i#' tr#nsfor#tionL/ ?!st #s Bor$i%# #int#ins th#t the +o&'ete
So0iet )i'' +oe into *ein% on'( $!rin% the &erio$ of the $i+t#torshi& of the
&ro'et#ri#t1 so 2enn#ri1 Bo*#++i1 et+/1 #r%!e th#t on'( the +on7!est of &o)er
8)hi+h there*( #+7!ires # &o'iti+#' +h#r#+ter1 #n$ so *rin%s !s *#+. f!'' +ir+'e to
the L&!*'i+ &o)ersL th#t h#$ #'re#$( *een s!&erse$e$9 +#n &ro0i$e the So0iets
)ith their tr!e1 f!'' f!n+tions/ It is this )hi+h is in o!r o&inion the n!* of the
#r%!ent1 #n$ it !st 'e#$ !sL sooner or '#ter1 to # f!rther re0ision of the ne)'(
#$o&te$ &ro%r#e/M
A++or$in% to T#s+#1 then1 the )or.in% +'#ss +#n &roDe+t the st#%es of its
'i*er#tion1 e0en *efore it h#s )reste$ &o)er fro the *o!r%eoisie/ Moreo0er
T#s+# 'ets it *e !n$erstoo$ th#t this +on7!est +o!'$ o++!r e0en )itho!t 0io'en+e1
on+e the &ro'et#ri#t h#$ +o&'ete$ its )or. of te+hni+#' &re&#r#tion #n$ so+i#'
e$!+#tion: here )e h#0e the +on+rete re0o'!tion#r( etho$ of the L'Ordine
Nuovo +or#$es/ We )i'' not &ro+ee$ #t 'en%th to $eonstr#te *o) this i$e#
e0ent!#''( +oin+i$es )ith th#t of reforis #n$ *e+oes forei%n to the
f!n$#ent#'s of re0o'!tion#r( M#r6isO #++or$in% to M#r6ist $o+trine1 the
re0o'!tion $oes not o++!r #s # res!'t of the e$!+#tion1 +!'t!re or te+hni+#'
Q
Ni+o'# Bo*#++i h#$ #n #rti+'e in PSI &#&er Avanti0 on <4
th
Fe*r!#r( 13<@ #$0o+#tin%
so0iets #s the e#ns of s&re#$in% the intern#tion#' re0o'!tion1 s&#r.in% # $e*#te #s to their
ro'e in # +o!nist so+iet( 5 :B
<Q
+#&#+it( of the &ro'et#ri#t1 *!t #s # res!'t of the inner +rises of the s(ste of
+#&it#'ist &ro$!+tion/
>i.e Enri+o >eone1 T#s+# #n$ his frien$s #tt#+h too !+h i&ort#n+e to the
#&&e#r#n+e in the R!ssi#n re0o'!tion of # ne) so+i#' re&resent#ti0e or%#n1
the Soviet1 #n$ en$o) it )ith #n inner for+e s!+h th#t its ere est#*'ishent
+onstit!tes # )ho''( no0e' histori+#' so'!tion to the &ro'et#ri#tLs str!%%'e #%#inst
+#&it#'is B!t the So0iets T ost s!++essf!''( $efne$ *( +or#$e Uino0ie0 #s
the St#te or%#niG#tions of the )or.in% +'#ss T #re nothin% other th#n or%#ns of
&ro'et#ri#n &o)er1 e6er+isin% the re0o'!tion#r( $i+t#torshi& of the )or.in% +'#ssO
it is this '#tter )hi+h is the '(n+h&in of the M#r6ist s(ste1 #n$ )hose frst
&ositi0e e6&erient )#s the P#ris Co!ne of 1C41/ The So0iets #re the for1
not the +#!se1 of the re0o'!tion/

In #$$ition to this $is#%reeent1 there is #nother &oint )hi+h se&#r#tes !s fro
the T!rin +or#$es/ The So0iets1 St#te or%#niG#tions of the 0i+torio!s &ro'et#ri#t1
#re not #t #'' the s#e #s the f#+tor( +o!n+i's1 nor $o these '#tter +onstit!te the
frst ste& or r!n% of the So0iet &o'iti+#' s(ste/ This +onf!sion is #'so &resent in
the $e+'#r#tion of &rin+i&'es #$o&te$ *( the frst #sse*'( of )or.sho& $e'e%#tes
fro the f#+tories of T!rin1 )hi+h *e%ins #s fo''o)s:
MThe f#+tor( $e'e%#tes #re the so'e #n$ #!thenti+ so+i#' 8e+onoi+ #n$ &o'iti+#'9
re&resent#ti0es of the &ro'et#ri#n +'#ss1 *( 0irt!e of their *ein% e'e+te$ *( #''
)or.ers #t their )or.5&'#+e on the *#sis of !ni0ers#' s!Nr#%e/ At the 0#rio!s
'e0e's of their +onstit!tion1 the $e'e%#tes e*o$( the !nion of #'' )or.ers #s
re#'iGe$ in or%#ns of &ro$!+tion 8)or.5+re)1 )or.sho&1 f#+tor(1 !nion of the
f#+tories in # %i0en in$!str(1 !nion of the &ro$!+ti0e enter&rises in # +it(1 !nion
of the or%#ns of &ro$!+tion in the e+h#ni+#' #n$ #%ri+!'t!r#' in$!str( of #
$istri+t1 # &ro0in+e1 # re%ion1 the n#tion1 the )or'$9 )hose #!thorit( #n$ so+i#'
'e#$ershi& #re in0este$ in the +o!n+i's #n$ +o!n+i' s(ste/M
This $e+'#r#tion is !n#++e&t#*'e1 sin+e &ro'et#ri#n &o)er is fore$ $ire+t'(
)ithin the !ni+i&#' So0iets of to)n #n$ +o!ntr(1 )itho!t &#ssin% 0i# f#+tor(
+o!n+i's #n$ +oittees1 #s )e h#0e re&e#te$ #n( tiesO this f#+t #'so
eer%es fro the '!+i$ e6&ositions of the R!ssi#n So0iet s(ste &!*'ishe$
*( L'Ordine Nuovo itse'f/ The f#+tor( +o!n+i's #re or%#ns )hose t#s. )i'' *e to
re&resent the interests of %ro!&s of )or.ers $!rin% the &erio$ of re0o'!tion#r(
tr#nsfor#tion of &ro$!+tion/ The( re&resent not on'( # &#rti+!'#r %ro!&Ls
$eterin#tion to #+hie0e 'i*er#tion thro!%h so+i#'iG#tion of the &ri0#te +#&it#'istLs
fr1 *!t #'so the %ro!&Ls +on+ern for the #nner in )hi+h its interests )i'' *e
t#.en into #++o!nt $!rin% the &ro+ess of so+i#'iG#tion itse'f1 # &ro+ess $is+i&'ine$
*( the or%#niGe$ )i'' of the )ho'e of the )or.in% +o''e+ti0it(/
<4
The )or.ersL interests h#0e !nti' no) *een re&resente$ *( the tr#$e !nions1
thro!%ho!t the &erio$ )hen the +#&it#'ist s(ste #&&e#re$ st#*'e #n$ there )#s
s+o&e on'( for &!ttin% !&)#r$ &ress!re on )#%es/ The !nions )i'' +ontin!e to
e6ist $!rin% the re0o'!tion#r( &erio$1 #n$ n#t!r#''( eno!%h there )i'' *e #
$e#r+#tion $is&!te )ith the f#+tor( +o!n+i's1 )hi+h on'( eer%e )hen the
#*o'ition of &ri0#te +#&it#'is is seen to *e iinent1 #s h#s h#&&ene$ in T!rin/
Ho)e0er1 it is not # #tter of %re#t re0o'!tion#r( oent to $e+i$e )hether non5
!nion e*ers sho!'$ &#rti+i&#te or no in the e'e+tions for $e'e%#tes/ If it is
'o%i+#' th#t the( sho!'$ in f#+t &#rti+i&#te1 %i0en the 0er( n#t!re of the f#+tor(
+o!n+i'1 it +ert#in'( $oes not #&&e#r 'o%i+#' to !s th#t there sho!'$ *e # in%'in%
of or%#ns #n$ f!n+tions *et)een +o!n+i's #n$ !nions1 #'on% the 'ines of the T!rin
&ro&os#'s T +o&e''in%1 for e6#&'e1 the T!rin se+tion of the Met#')or.ersL
Fe$er#tion to e'e+t its o)n e6e+!ti0e +o!n+i' fro the )or.sho& $e'e%#tesL
#sse*'(/
At #n( r#te1 the re'#tions *et)een +o!n+i's #n$ !nions #s re&resent#ti0es of
the s&e+i#' interests of &#rti+!'#r %ro!&s of )or.ers )i'' +ontin!e to *e 0er(
+o&'e6O the( )i'' *e sett'e$ #n$ h#roniGe$ on'( in # 0er( #$0#n+e$ st#%e of
the +o!nist e+ono(1 )hen the &ossi*i'it( of the interests of # %ro!& of
&ro$!+ers *ein% #t 0#ri#n+e )ith the %ener#' interest in the &ro%ress of
&ro$!+tion )i'' *e re$!+e$ to # ini!/

Wh#t is i&ort#nt to est#*'ish is th#t the +o!nist re0o'!tion )i'' *e 'e$ #n$
+on$!+te$ *( #n or%#n re&resentin% the )or.in% +'#ss !olitiallyO &rior to the
s#shin% of *o!r%eois &o)er1 this is # &o'iti+#' &#rt(/ S!*se7!ent'(1 it is the
s(ste of &o'iti+#' So0iets e'e+te$ $ire+t'( *( the #sses1 )ith the #i of
+hoosin% re&resent#ti0es )ho h#0e # %ener#' &o'iti+#' &ro%r#e #n$ #re not
ere'( the e6&onents of the n#rro) interests of # tr#$e or fr/
The R!ssi#n s(ste is so +ontri0e$ th#t # to)nLs !ni+i&#' So0iet is +o&ose$
of one $e'e%#te for e0er( %ro!& of &ro'et#ri#ns1 )ho 0ote for # sin%'e n#e on'(/
The $e'e%#tes1 ho)e0er1 #re &ro&ose$ to the e'e+tors *( the &o'iti+#' &#rt(O the
s#e &ro+ess is re&e#te$ for the se+on$ #n$ thir$ $e%rees of $e'e%#tion1 to the
hi%her or%#ns of the St#te s(ste/ Th!s it is #')#(s # sin%'e &o'iti+#' &#rt( T the
Co!nist P#rt( T )hi+h see.s #n$ o*t#ins fro the e'e+tors # #n$#te to
#$inister &o)er/ We #re +ert#in'( not s#(in% th#t the R!ssi#n s(ste sho!'$ *e
#$o&te$ in #n !n+riti+#' f#shion e'se)here1 *!t )e $o fee' th#t the &rin+i&'e
!n$er'(in% the re0o'!tion#r( s(ste of re&resent#tion T 0iG/ the s!*De+tion of
se'fsh #n$ se+tion#' interests to the +o''e+ti0e interest 5sho!'$ *e #$here$ to
e0en ore +'ose'( th#n in R!ssi#/
Wo!'$ it !sef!''( ser0e the +o!nistsL re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e if the net)or. of
# &o'iti+#' s(ste of re&resent#tion of the )or.in% +'#ss )ere instit!te$ no)? This
is the &ro*'e )e sh#'' e6#ine in the ne6t #rti+'e1 )hen )e $is+!ss the re'e0#nt
<C
&ro&os#'s e'#*or#te$ *( the P#rt( 'e#$ershi&/ We sh#'' re#in !nsh#.en in o!r
+on0i+tion th#t s!+h # re&resent#ti0e s(ste )o!'$ *e 7!ite $iNerent fro the
s(ste of f#+tor( +o!n+i's #n$ +oittees th#t h#s *e%!n to for in T!rin 8#n$
in$ee$ this is &#rti#''( re+o%niGe$ in the P#rt(Ls &ro&os#'s9/
IV
We *e'ie0e )e h#0e #'re#$( s#i$ eno!%h +on+ernin% the $iNeren+e *et)een
f#+tor( +o!n+i's #n$ &o'iti+o5#$inistr#ti0e +o!n+i's of )or.ers #n$ &e#s#nts/ The
f#+tor( +o!n+i' re&resents )or.ersL interests )hi+h e6ten$ no f#rther th#n the
n#rro) +ir+'e of #n in$!stri#' fr/ =n$er # +o!nist re%ie1 it is the *#si+ !nit
of the s(ste of M)or.ersL +ontro'M )hi+h h#s # +ert#in &#rt to &'#( in the s(ste
of MCo!n+i's of the E+ono(M1 # s(ste )hi+h )i'' e0ent!#''( t#.e o0er the
te+hni+#' #n$ e+onoi+ #n#%eent of &ro$!+tion/ B!t the f#+tor( +o!n+i' h#s
nothin% to $o )ith the s(ste of &o'iti+#' So0iets1 the $e&ositories of &ro'et#ri#n
&o)er/
=n$er the *o!r%eois re%ie1 therefore1 the f#+tor( +o!n+i'1 or for th#t #tter
the tr#$e !nion1 +#nnot *e 0ie)e$ #s #n or%#n for the +on7!est of &o'iti+#' &o)er/
If1 on the other h#n$1 one )ere to 0ie) the #s or%#ns for the e#n+i&#tion of
the &ro'et#ri#t 0i# # ro!te th#t $oes not in0o'0e the re0o'!tion#r( +on7!est of
&o)er1 one )o!'$ *e '#&sin% into the s(n$i+#'ist error: the +or#$es
#ro!n$ L'Ordine Nuovo #re h#r$'( +orre+t )hen the( #int#in1 #s the( h#0e $one
in &o'ei+ )ith 1uerra di .lasse1 th#t the f#+tor( +o!n+i' o0eent1 #s the(
theoriGe it1 is not in soe sense # s(n$i+#'ist o0eent/
M#r6is is +h#r#+teriGe$ *( its &re$i+tion th#t the &ro'et#ri#tLs Str!%%'e for
e#n+i&#tion )i'' *e $i0i$e$ into # n!*er of %re#t histori+#' &h#ses1 in )hi+h
&o'iti+#' #+ti0it( #n$ e+onoi+ #+ti0it( 0#r( enoro!s'( in i&ort#n+e: the
str!%%'e for &o)erO the e6er+ise of &o)er 8$i+t#torshi& of the &ro'et#ri#t9 in the
tr#nsfor#tion of the e+ono(O the so+iet( )itho!t +'#sses #n$ )itho!t # &o'iti+#'
St#te/ To i$entif(1 in the ro'e of the 'i*er#tion or%#ns of the &ro'et#ri#t1 the st#%es
of the &o'iti+#' &ro+ess )ith their e+onoi+ +o!nter&#rts is to '#&se into the &ett(5
*o!r%eois +#ri+#t!re of M#r6is +#''e$ e+onois 8)hi+h in t!rn +#n *e
+'#ssife$ into reforis #n$ s(n$i+#'is9/ O0er5e&h#sis on the f#+tor( +o!n+i'
is D!st # res!rre+tion of this ho#r( o'$ error1 )hi+h !nites the &ett(5*o!r%eois
Pro!$hon )ith #'' those re0isionists )ho *e'ie0e the( h#0e tr#ns+en$e$ M#r6/
=n$er # *o!r%eois re%ie1 then1 the f#+tor( +o!n+i' re&resents the interests of
the )or.ers in # &#rti+!'#r enter&rise1 D!st #s it )i'' $o !n$er # +o!nist
re%ie/ It #rises )hen +ir+!st#n+es $e#n$ it1 thro!%h +h#n%es in the etho$s
of &ro'et#ri#n e+onoi+ or%#niG#tion/ B!t &erh#&s to #n e0en %re#ter e6tent th#n
the tr#$e !nion1 the +o!n+i' o&ens its H#n. to the $e0i#tions of reforis/
The o'$ ini#'ist ten$en+( th#t #r%!es in f#0o!r of +o&!'sor( #r*itr#tion
#n$ &roft5sh#rin% *( )or.ers 8i/e/ their &#rti+i&#tion in the #n#%eent #n$
#$inistr#tion of the f#+tor(9 +o!'$ )e'' fn$ in the f#+tor( +o!n+i' the *#sis for
the $r#ftin% of #n #nti5re0o'!tion#r( &ie+e of so+i#' 'e%is'#tion/ This is h#&&enin%
in 2er#n( #t the oent1 )here the In$e&en$ents #re o&&osin% not the
<3
&rin+i&'e1 *!t the #nner of the $r#ft 'e%is'#tion1 in st#r. +ontr#st to the
Co!nists )ho #int#in th#t the $eo+r#ti+ re%ie +#nnot %r#nt the
&ro'et#ri#t #n( for of +ontro' )h#tsoe0er o0er +#&it#'ist f!n+tions/ It sho!'$ th!s
*e +'e#r th#t it #.es no sense to s&e#. of )or.ersL ontrol !nti' &o'iti+#' &o)er
rests in the h#n$s of the &ro'et#ri#n St#te/ S!+h +ontro' +#n on'( *e e6er+ise$1 #s
# &re'!$e to the so+i#'iG#tion of frs #n$ their #$inistr#tion *( #&&ro&ri#te
or%#ns of the +o''e+ti0it(1 in the n#e of the &ro'et#ri#n St#te #n$ on the *#sis of
its &o)er/

Co!n+i's of )or.ers T in$!stri#' )or.ers1 &e#s#nts #n$1 on o++#sion1 so'$iers T
#re1 #s is +'e#r1 the &o'iti+#' or%#ns of the &ro'et#ri#t1 the fo!n$#tions of the
&ro'et#ri#n St#te/ The !r*#n #n$ r!r#' 'o+#' +o!n+i's t#.e the &'#+e of the
!ni+i&#' +o!n+i's !n$er the *o!r%eois re%ie/ The &ro0in+i#' #n$ re%ion#'
So0iets t#.e the &'#+e of the &resent &ro0in+i#' +o!n+i's1 )ith this $iNeren+e1 th#t
the &ro0in+i#' So0iets #re not e'e+te$ $ire+t'(1 *!t in$ire+t'( fro the 'o+#'
So0iets/ The St#te Con%ress of So0iets1 to%ether )ith the Centr#' E6e+!ti0e
Coittee1 t#.e the &'#+e of the *o!r%eois &#r'i#ent1 )ith the $iNeren+e #%#in
th#t the( #r+ not e'e+te$ $ire+t'(1 *!t *( thir$ or e0en fo!rth $e%ree s!Nr#%e/
There is no nee$ here to e&h#siGe the other $iNeren+es1 of )hi+h the ost
i&ort#nt is the e'e+torsL ri%ht of re+#'' of #n( $e'e%#te #t #n( tie/ If the
e+h#nis to +o&e )ith these re+#''s is to *e He6i*'e1 then the e'e+tions in the
frst &'#+e sho!'$ not *e *#se$ on 'ists of +#n$i$#tes1 *!t sho!'$ in0o'0e %i0in% #
sin%'e $e'e%#te to # %ro!&in% of e'e+tors )ho1 if &ossi*'e1 sho!'$ 'i0e #n$ )or.
to%ether/ B!t the f!n$#ent#' +h#r#+teristi+ of this )ho'e s(ste $oes not resi$e
in these te+hni+#'ities1 )hi+h h#0e nothin% #%i+#' #*o!t the1 *!t r#ther in the
&rin+i&'e )hi+h '#(s $o)n th#t the ri%ht to 0ote1 *oth #+ti0e'( #n$ &#ssi0e'(1 is
reser0e$ to the )or.ers #'one #n$ $enie$ to the *o!r%eois/
As f#r #s the for#tion of !ni+i&#' So0iets is +on+erne$1 t)o errors #re
+oon'( en+o!ntere$/ One is the i$e# th#t $e'e%#tes to the So0iets #re e'e+te$
*( f#+tor( +o!n+i's #n$ +oittees 8e6e+!ti0e +oissions of the +o!n+i's of
)or.sho& $e'e%#tes91 )here#s in f#+t1 #s )e #.e no #&o'o%( for re&e#tin%1 the
$e'e%#tes #re e'e+te$ $ire+t'( *( the #ss of e'e+tors/ This error is re&ro$!+e$ in
the Bo*#++i &ro&os#' for est#*'ishin% So0iets in It#'( 8P#r#/ Q9/
The other error +onsists in thin.in% th#t the So0iet is # *o$( +o&ose$ of
re&resent#ti0es si&'( noin#te$ *( the So+i#'ist P#rt(1 the tr#$e !nions #n$ the
f#+tor( +o!n+i's/ Cor#$e A*rosini1 for e6#&'e1 #.es this error in his
&ro&os#'s/ S!+h # s(ste i%ht &erh#&s *e !sef!' in or$er to for So0iets
7!i+.'( #n$ on # &ro0ision#' *#sis1 *!t it $oes not +orres&on$ to their $efniti0e
str!+t!re/ It is tr!e th#t in R!ssi# # s#'' &er+ent#%e of $e'e%#tes to the So0iet
#re #$$e$ to those e'e+te$ $ire+t'( *( the &ro'et#ri#n e'e+tors/ B!t in re#'it( the
Co!nist P#rt(1 or #n( other &#rt(1 o*t#ins its re&resent#tion *( st#n$in% trie$
B@
#n$ &ro0en e*ers of its or%#niG#tion #s +#n$i$#tes1 #n$ *( +#&#i%nin%
#ro!n$ its &ro%r#e *efore the e'e+tor#te/ In o!r 0ie)1 # So0iet +#n on'( *e
+#''e$ re0o'!tion#r( )hen # #Dorit( of its $e'e%#tes #re e*ers of the
Co!nist P#rt(/
A'' of this1 it sho!'$ *e !n$erstoo$1 refers to the &erio$ of the &ro'et#ri#n
$i+t#torshi&/ No) )e +oe to the 0e6e$ 7!estion: )h#t sho!'$ *e the ro'e #n$
+h#r#+teristi+s of the )or.ersL +o!n+i's )hi'e the &o)er of the *o!r%eoisie is sti''
int#+t?

In +entr#' E!ro&e #t the oent1 )or.ersL +o!n+i's +o5e6ist )ith the *o!r%eois5
$eo+r#ti+ St#te1 )hi+h is #'' the ore #nti5re0o'!tion#r( in th#t it is re&!*'i+#n
#n$ so+i#'5$eo+r#ti+/ Wh#t is the si%nif+#n+e of this &ro'et#ri#n re&resent#ti0e
s(ste1 if it is not the $e&ositor( #n$ fo!n$#tion of St#te &o)er? At the 0er(
'e#st1 $oes it #+t #s #n eNe+ti0e or%#n of str!%%'e for the re#'iG#tion of the
&ro'et#ri#n $i+t#torshi&?
These 7!estions #re #ns)ere$ *( the A!stri#n +or#$e Otto M#s+h' in #n
#rti+'e )e +#e #+ross in the 2ene0# Do!rn#'1 Nouvelle Internationale/ He st#tes
th#t in A!stri# the +o!n+i's h#0e *ro!%ht #*o!t their o)n &#r#'(sis #n$ h#0e
h#n$e$ o0er their &o)er to the n#tion#' *o!r%eois #sse*'(/ In 2er#n( on the
other h#n$1 #++or$in% to M#s+h'1 on+e the M#Dorit#ri#ns #n$ In$e&en$ents h#$
'eft the +o!n+i's1 these '#tter *e+#e tr!e fo+i of the str!%%'e for &ro'et#ri#n
e#n+i&#tion1 #n$ Nos.e
4
h#$ to s#sh the in or$er to #''o) so+i#'5$eo+r#+(
to %o0ern/ In A!stri#1 ho)e0er1 M#s+h' +on+'!$es1 the e6isten+e of +o!n+i's )ithin
the $eo+r#ti+ s(ste1 or r#ther the e6isten+e of $eo+r#+( In s!ite of the
ounils1 &ro0es th#t these )or.ersL +o!n+i's #re f#r fro &'#(in% the ro'e of )h#t
#re +#''e$ So0iets in R!ssi#/ An$ he e6&resses the $o!*t th#t &erh#&s #t the
oent of the re0o'!tion1 #'tern#ti0e1 tr!'( re0o'!tion#r( So0iets #( eer%e
#n$ *e+oe the $e&ositories of &ro'et#ri#n &o)er in &'#+e of these $oesti+#te$
0ersions/

The P#rt( &ro%r#e #$o&te$ #t Bo'o%n# $e+'#res th#t So0iets sho!'$ *e set
!& in It#'( #s or%#ns of re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e/ The o*De+t of the Bo*#++i
&ro&os#' is to +on+retiGe this #i/
Before %ettin% $o)n to $et#i's1 'et !s $is+!ss the %ener#' i$e#s )hi+h h#0e
ins&ire$ Cor#$e Bo*#++i/ First of #''1 #n$ 'et no one #++!se !s of *ein%
4
2er#n Minister of :efen+e 13135<@1 # So+i#' :eo+r#t )hose n#e )#s s(non(o!s )ith
the +r!shin% of the 2er#n re0o'!tion 5 :B
B1
&e$#nti+1 'et !s re7!est # for#' +'#rif+#tion/ In the &hr#se: Mon'( # n#tion#'
instit!tion th#t is *ro#$er th#n the So0iets +#n !sher the &resent &erio$ to)#r$s
the fn#' re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e #%#inst the *o!r%eois re%ie #n$ its $eo+r#ti+
#s.: &#r'i#ent#risM1 $oes it e#n th#t &#r'i#ent#ris is the
#foreentione$ broader institution1 or is it the demorati mas&2 We fe#r th#t
the frst inter&ret#tion !st *e the ri%ht one1 # fee'in% )hi+h is +onfre$ *( the
&#r#%r#&h on the So0ietsL &ro%r#e of #+tion1 )hi+h is # str#n%e i6t!re of the
f!n+tions of the '#tter )ith the P#rt(Ls &#r'i#ent#r( #+ti0it(/ If the +o!n+i's to *e
set !& #re to +#rr( o!t their #+ti0ities on this #*i%!o!s terr#in1 then it )o!'$
+ert#in'( *e *etter not to set the !& #t #''/
The i$e# th#t the So0iets sho!'$ h#0e the ro'e of )or.in% o!t !ro!osals for
soialist and revolutionary le)islation )hi+h so+i#'ist $e&!ties )i'' &'#+e *efore
the *o!r%eois St#te T here )e h#0e # &ro&os#' th#t #.es # fne &#ir )ith the
one on +o!n#'5e'e+tionist So0ietis )hi+h )#s so )e'' $eo'ishe$ *( o!r o)n
:/>/ For the oent )e sh#'' %o no f!rther th#n rein$ the +or#$es )ho &!t
for)#r$ s!+h &ro&os#'s of one of >eninLs +on+'!sions in the $e+'#r#tion #$o&te$
*( the Mos+o) Con%ress: MP!t # $ist#n+e *et)een (o!rse'0es #n$ those )ho
$e'!$e the &ro'et#ri#t *( &ro+'#iin% the &ossi*i'it( of their 0i+tories )ithin the
*o!r%eois fr#e)or.1 #n$ &ro&ose th#t the ne) &ro'et#ri#n or%#ns sho!'$
+o*ine )ith or +o''#*or#te )ith the instr!ents of *o!r%eois $oin#tion/M If the
forer #re the so+i#'5$eo+r#ts 8)ho #re sti'' e*ers of o!r P#rt(91 sho!'$ )e
not re+o%niGe the '#tter in the e'e+tionist #6i#'ists1 +on+erne$ #s the( #re )ith
D!stif(in% their &#r'i#ent#r( #n$ +o!n#' #+ti0it( *( onstro!s &se!$o5So0iet
&roDe+ts?
Are the +or#$es in the f#+tion )hi+h )#s 0i+torio!s #t Bo'o%n# *'in$ to the
f#+t th#t these &eo&'e #re not e0en in 'ine )ith th#t for of +o!nist
e'e+tionis )hi+h #( 'e%iti#te'( *e o&&ose$ T on the *#sis of the #r%!ents
of >enin #n$ +ert#in 2er#n +o!nists T to o!r o)n irre$!+i*'e1 &rin+i&'e$
#*stentionis?
V
With this #rti+'e )e &ro&ose to +on+'!$e o!r e6&osition1 tho!%h )e #( res!e
the $is+!ssion in &o'ei+ )ith +or#$es )ho h#0e +oente$ on o!r &oint of
0ie) in other ne)s&#&ers/ The $is+!ssion h#s no) *een t#.en !& *( the )ho'e of
the so+i#'ist &ress/ The *est #rti+'es )e h#0e +oe #+ross #re those *( C/
Ni++o'ini in Avanti0 These #rti+'es )ere )ritten )ith %re#t +'#rit( #n$ in 'ine )ith
%en!ine M#r6ist &rin+i&'esO )e f!''( +on+!r )ith the/
The So0iets1 the +o!n+i's of )or.ers1 &e#s#nts 8#n$ so'$iers91 #re the for
#$o&te$ *( the re&resent#ti0e s(ste of the &ro'et#ri#t1 in Its e6er+ise of &o)er
#fter the s#shin% of the +#&it#'ist St#te/ Prior to the +on7!est of &o)er1 )hen
the *o!r%eoisie is sti'' &o'iti+#''( $oin#nt1 it +#n h#&&en th#t s&e+i#' histori+#'
+on$itions1 &ro*#*'( +orres&on$in% to serio!s +on0!'sions in the instit!tion#'
#rr#n%eents of the St#te #n$ so+iet(1 *rin% So0iets into e6isten+e T #n$ it +#n
*e 0er( #&&ro&ri#te for +o!nists to f#+i'it#te #n$ sti!'#te the *irth of these
ne) or%#ns of the &ro'et#ri#t/ We !st1 ho)e0er1 *e 7!ite +'e#r th#t their
B<
for#tion in this #nner +#nnot *e #n #rtif+i#' &ro+e$!re1 the ere #&&'i+#tion
of # re+i&e T #n$ th#t in #n( +#se the si&'e est#*'ishent of )or.ersL +o!n+i's1
#s the form of the &ro'et#ri#n re0o'!tion1 $oes not i&'( th#t the &ro*'e of the
re0o'!tion is reso'0e$1 nor th#t inf#''i*'e +on$itions h#0e *een '#i$ for its s!++ess/
The re0o'!tion #( not o++!r e0en )hen +o!n+i's e6ist 8)e sh#'' +ite e6#&'es91
if these #re not inf!se$ )ith the &o'iti+#' #n$ histori+#' +ons+io!sness of the
&ro'et#ri#t T # +ons+io!sness )hi+h is +on$ense$1 one i%ht #'ost s#(1 in the
+o!nist &o'iti+#' &#rt(/
The f!n$#ent#' &ro*'e of the re0o'!tion th!s 'ies in %#!%in% the &ro'et#ri#tLs
$eterin#tion to s#sh the *o!r%eois St#te #n$ t#.e &o)er into its o)n h#n$s/
S!+h # $eterin#tion on the &#rt of the *ro#$ #sses of the )or.in% +'#ss e6ists
#s # $ire+t res!'t of the e+onoi+ re'#tions of e6&'oit#tion *( +#&it#'O it is these
)hi+h &'#+e the &ro'et#ri#t in #n into'er#*'e sit!#tion #n$ $ri0e it to s#sh the
e6istin% so+i#' fors/ The t#s. of the +o!nists1 then1 is to $ire+t this 0io'ent
re#+tion on the &#rt of the #sses #n$ %i0e it %re#ter eR+ien+(/ The +o!nists
T #s the 3anifesto s#i$ 'on% #%o T h#0e # s!&erior .no)'e$%e of the +on$itions
of the +'#ss str!%%'e #n$ the &ro'et#ri#tLs e#n+i&#tion th#n the &ro'et#ri#t itse'f/
The +riti7!e the( #.e of histor( #n$ of the +onstit!tion of so+iet( &'#+es the in
# &osition to #.e f#ir'( #++!r#te &re$i+tions +on+ernin% the $e0e'o&ents of the
re0o'!tion#r( &ro+ess/ It is for this re#son th#t +o!nists for the +'#ssLs
&o'iti+#' &#rt(1 )hi+h sets itse'f the t#s. of !nif(in% the &ro'et#ri#n for+es #n$
or%#niGin% the &ro'et#ri#t into the $oin#nt +'#ss thro!%h the re0o'!tion#r(
+on7!est of &o)er/ When the re0o'!tion is iinent #n$ its &re5+on$itions h#0e
#t!re$ in the re#' )or'$1 # &o)erf!' +o!nist &#rt( !st e6ist #n$ its
+ons+io!sness of the e0ents )hi+h 'ie #he#$ !st *e &#rti+!'#r'( #+!te/
As re%#r$s the re0o'!tion#r( or%#ns )hi+h )i'' e6er+ise &ro'et#ri#n &o)er #n$
re&resent the fo!n$#tions of the re0o'!tion#r( St#te on the orro) of the
+o''#&se of the *o!r%eoisie1 their +ons+io!sness of their ro'e )i'' $e&en$ on the
e6tent to )hi+h the( #re 'e$ *( )or.ers )ho #re +ons+io!s of the nee$ for #
$i+t#torshi& of their o)n +'#ss T i/e/ +o!nist )or.ers/ Where0er this is not the
+#se1 these or%#ns )i'' +on+e$e the &o)er the( h#0e )on #n$ the +o!nter5
re0o'!tion )i'' tri!&h/ Th!s if #t #n( %i0en oent these or%#ns #re re7!ire$
#n$ +o!nists nee$ to +on+ern these'0es )ith settin% the !&1 it sho!'$ not
therefore *e tho!%ht th#t in the )e h#0e # e#ns of re#$i'( o!tH#n.in% the
*o!r%eoisie #n$ #'ost #!to#ti+#''( o0er+oin% its resist#n+e to the +e$in% of
&o)er/
C#n the So0iets1 the St#te or%#ns of the 0i+torio!s &ro'et#ri#t1 &'#( # ro'e #s
or%#ns of re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e for the &ro'et#ri#t )hi'e +#&it#'is sti'' +ontro's
the St#te? The #ns)er is (es T in the sense1 ho)e0er1 th#t #t #n( %i0en st#%e
the( #( +onstit!te the ri%ht terr#in for the re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e th#t the P#rt(
is )#%in%/ An$ #t th#t &#rti+!'#r st#%e1 the P#rt( h#s to f#shion s!+h # terr#in1
s!+h # %ro!&in% of for+es1 for itse'f/
To$#(1 in It#'(1 h#0e )e re#+he$ this st#%e of str!%%'e? We fee' th#t )e #re
0er( +'ose to it1 *!t th#t there is one ore st#%e to %o thro!%h/ The +o!nist
BB
&#rt(1 )hi+h h#s to )or. )ithin the So0iets1 $oes not (et e6ist/ We #re not s#(in%
th#t the So0iets )i'' )#it for it *efore the( eer%e/ It +o!'$ h#&&en th#t e0ents
o++!r $iNerent'(/ B!t then )e )i'' r!n this %r#0e ris.1 th#t the i#t!rit( of the
&#rt( )i'' #''o) these or%#ns to f#'' into the h#n$s of the reforists1 the
#++o&'i+es of the *o!r%eoisie1 the s#*ote!rs #n$ f#'sifers of the re0o'!tion/ An$
so )e fee' th#t the &ro*'e of for%in% # %en!ine +o!nist &#rt( in It#'( is !+h
ore !r%ent th#n the &ro*'e of +re#tin% So0iets/ To st!$( *oth &ro*'es1 #n$
est#*'ish the o&ti#' +on$itions in )hi+h to t#+.'e *oth )itho!t $e'#( T this too
is #++e&t#*'e1 *!t )itho!t settin% f6e$ #n$ s+he#ti+ $#tes for #n #'ost
oR+i#' inau)uration of So0iets in It#'(/
To #++o&'ish the for#tion of the %en!ine +o!nist &#rt( e#ns sortin% o!t
the +o!nists fro the reforists #n$ so+i#'5$eo+r#ts/ Soe +or#$es
*e'ie0e th#t the 0er( &ro&os#' to set !& So0iets )o!'$ #'so f#+i'it#te this sortin%
o!t &ro+ess/ We $o not #%ree T for the 0er( re#son th#t the So0iet1 in o!r 0ie)1 is
not in its essen+e # re0o'!tion#r( or%#n/ In #n( +#se1 if the rise of So0iets is to *e
the so!r+e of &o'iti+#' +'#rif+#tion1 )e f#i' to see ho) this #( he #++o&'ishe$
on the *#sis of #n !n$erst#n$in% T #s in the Bo*#++i &ro&os#' T *et)een
reforists1 #6i#'ists1 s(n$i+#'ists #n$ #n#r+histsP On the +ontr#r(1 the for%in%
of # so!n$ #n$ he#'th( re0o'!tion#r( o0eent in It#'( )i'' ne0er he
#++o&'ishe$ *( #$0#n+in% ne) or%#ns o$e''e$ on f!t!re fors1 'i.e f#+tor(
+o!n+i's or so0iets 5D!st #s it )#s #n i''!sion to *e'ie0e th#t the re0o'!tion#r(
s&irit +o!'$ *e s#'0#%e$ fro reforis *( i&ortin% it into the !nions1 seen #s
the n!+'e!s of the f!t!re so+iet(/
We )i'' not eNe+t the sortin%5o!t &ro+ess thro!%h # ne) re+i&e1 )hi+h )i''
fri%hten no one1 *!t *( #*#n$onin% on+e #n$ for #'' the o'$ Mre+i&esM1 the
&erni+io!s #n$ f#t#' etho$s of the &#st/ For )e''5.no)n re#sons1 )e fee' th#t if #
etho$ h#s to *e #*#n$one$1 #n$ e6&e''e$ #'on% )ith non5+o!nists fro o!r
r#n.s1 then it sho!'$ *e the e'e+tor#' etho$ T #n$ )e see no other ro!te to the
settin% !& of # +o!nist &#rt( th#t is )orth( to #R'i#te to Mos+o)/
>et !s )or. to)#r$s this %o#' T *e%innin%1 #s Ni++o'ini &!ts it so )e''1 )ith the
e'#*or#tion of # +ons+io!sness1 # &o'iti+#' +!'t!re1 in the leaders1 thro!%h # ore
serio!s st!$( of the &ro*'es of the re0o'!tion1 )ith fe)er $istr#+tions fro
s&!rio!s e'e+tor#'1 &#r'i#ent#r( #n$ ini#'ist #+ti0ities/
>et !s )or. to)#r$s this %o#'/ 'et !s iss!e ore &ro&#%#n$# +on+ernin% the
+on7!est of &o)er1 to *!i'$ #)#reness of )h#t the re0o'!tion )i'' *e1 )h#t its
or%#ns )i'' *e1 ho) the So0iets )i'' re#''( f!n+tion/ Then )e +#n s#( )e h#0e
$one tr!'( 0#'!#*'e )or. to)#r$s est#*'ishin% the +o!n+i's of the &ro'et#ri#t #n$
)innin% )ithin the the re0o'!tion#r( $i+t#torshi& th#t )i'' o&en !& the r#$i#nt
ro#$ to +o!nis/