No War but the Class War
No War But The Class War (NWBTCW) is a motto expressing opposition to capitalism used by anarchist and communist groups.[1] It is also the name for a number of anti-authoritarian, anti-capitalist groups.
Group names
The first NWBTCW group appeared in London during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. The group dissolved after the war stopped. It included some people who were formerly part of the London-based Class War.
The second NWBTCW group appeared in London during the 1999 Kosovo War. This too dissolved after the war stopped. This group also included ex-members of Class War.
The third NWBTCW group appeared in London following the start of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present) in October 2001. Efforts, particularly by the Communist Workers' Organisation, to turn this into a network of groups across the UK failed. A split in the group which was characterised as between theory and practice lead to the 'actionists' leaving to form the Disobedients, whose activities included an attempt to occupy Old Street Roundabout along with Critical Mass which was swamped by police much like all the other actions by this group. The 'theorist' section transmuted itself into the No War But The Class War Discussion Group, which eventually also dissolved.
As a slogan
As a slogan, "No War But The Class War" has been used by people not necessarily linked to any of the above groups. It is widely used by diverse Marxist groups as a means of underlining the priority of class struggle above other political aims – and as a general anti-militarist slogan.
See also
Notes
- ^ No war but the class war! Libertarian anti-militarism then and now Bourne, Randolph, Ricardo Flores Magon, Gustave Hervé, Anna Key, Louis Lecoin, Pierre Ruff and An Uncontrollable from the Iron Column. Kate Sharpley Library: 2003. 21 pages. Translated by Paul Sharkey.
External links
- No War But The Class War - archive of texts by the various London NWBTCW groups.
- The story of this group (in its various incarnations) - article by the third NWBTCW group, looking at the history and limitations of the group.
- No War But The Class War: remembering and reflecting 10 years after - Reflective analysis on the first NWBTCW group by a former member.