What 1980s Feminist Organizing Teaches Modern Movements

"Beyond the Fragments" Today

The debate surrounding "Beyond the Fragments" is a foundational and ongoing discussion within socialist feminism and the broader Women's Liberation Movement (WLM). Its continued relevance, highlighted by last year’s conference, prompts reflection on past strategies and engagement in broader debates, particularly for older generations of socialist feminists. A core theme of this debate is the relationship between the women's movement and the left, specifically whether the women's movement should maintain its autonomy or integrate with left organizations. This enduring tension and its strategic implications offer crucial lessons for contemporary movements like the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the Labour Party.

The Historical Core of "Beyond the Fragments"

The "Beyond the Fragments" debate became a major discussion point within the WLM, featuring prominently at the first Socialist Feminist Conference and subsequent National Women's Liberation Conferences. It was also central to publications such as Socialist Woman, which aimed to report on and further these discussions.

Central to the debate were two main perspectives on the women's movement's relationship with the broader left:

• Arguments for Autonomy: One viewpoint argued that relinquishing the women's movement's autonomy would disarm it and weaken its struggle for women's liberation. This perspective emphasized the need for women to organize independently to define their own political agenda and avoid co-option by male-dominated left organizations.

• Arguments for Integration: Conversely, another perspective suggested that the women's liberation movement needed to expand and strengthen, which was hindered if it remained separate from the left and confined itself to a "narrow concept of 'autonomy'." Proponents of integration believed that women's liberation was intrinsically linked to wider anti-capitalist struggles and could only be fully achieved through a transformed, united left. The debate included a call for groups resisting the necessity of uniting women's movements with other anti-capitalist currents to re-evaluate their positions, also extending to discussions about the left's role in adequately understanding and incorporating feminism into its theoretical framework and practical work.

This discussion was considered crucial for defining the strategic direction and future perspectives of the WLM, linking directly to broader internal debates among socialist feminists about their role and alternative approaches within the movement.

"Beyond the Fragments" itself was a book that sparked this crucial debate, articulating several key hypotheses:

• Autonomy and Integration for Liberation: The book argued that the women's movement's autonomy was vital in its struggle for liberation. Conversely, it also suggested that a "narrow concept of 'autonomy'" could hinder the movement's ability to expand and strengthen, advocating for the necessity of uniting women's movements with other anti-capitalist currents. The goal was to build "coalitions solid enough to confront the triumph of the right."

• Redefining "Liberation" Beyond Rights and Resources: The book articulated a vision of "liberation" that extended beyond mere rights or access to resources. It posited that true liberation involves a transformation not just of daily life circumstances, but of "being and relating" itself—fostering self-definition, expression, association, trust, and co-operation, as an alternative to individualism, selfishness, greed, and competition. This aligned with a "prefigurative politics" that demonstrated a belief in mutual aid and the sharing of talent and resources.

• Practicality and the "Politics of Knowledge": "Beyond the Fragments" was rooted in a "practical emphasis" and embodied a "politics of knowledge." It hypothesised that theoretical analysis and strategic direction should directly derive from and be informed by the concrete experiences of diverse popular struggles, such as those of feminists, community activists, and radical trade unionists. This contrasted with academic or abstract polemics, suggesting that genuine socialist politics should be continuously re-evaluated and derive its "main content" from the understandings gained through these real-world struggles.

• Addressing Fragmentation and Building Cohesion: The very title of the book suggests its central concern with overcoming the fragmentation observed within social movements. The hypothesis was that while a multiplicity of organisational forms and diverse sources of power are necessary, there must also be a "purposeful infrastructure to strengthen these flows of communication, cohesion and common political direction" to avoid "ideological confusion and political fragmentation."

• The Transformative Role of Feminism within the Left: The book implicitly put forward the hypothesis that the left, including parties like the Labour Party, needed a fundamental internal transformation to genuinely incorporate feminism, rather than merely adding women's demands to existing "male-dominated" frameworks. This transformation was considered crucial for defining the strategic direction and future perspectives of the Women's Liberation Movement.

In essence, "Beyond the Fragments" hypothesized that sustainable, revolutionary change requires a shift away from rigid, top-down structures towards a more fluid, conversational, and experience-based network of autonomous yet allied movements, with feminism playing a transformative role in shaping both the goals and the methods of social struggle.

1980s Feminist Organizing: Navigating Autonomy and Integration

The 1980s saw a continued engagement with the "Beyond the Fragments" ideas, reflecting an ongoing effort to bridge the gap between feminist autonomy and socialist politics. Articles in International, a journal of Marxism in the Labour Party, directly addressed "Beyond the Fragments?" and explored "Women's Oppression Today" and the relationship between "The Women's Movement and the Party."

Valerie Coultas’ 1980 article, "Beyond the Fragments?", noted the women's movement's significant impact on legislation (like abortion rights) and mass demonstrations. However, she also highlighted the persistent challenge for the Labour Left to genuinely integrate feminism, suggesting that the left often struggled to move beyond its "male-dominated" approaches or confined feminism to a "narrow concept of 'autonomy'." The piece explored the tension between revolutionary ideas and the practicalities of organizing, questioning whether a purely "student milieu" or "youth club" approach could lead to broader social change.

The broader debates in the 1980s illustrated the complexities of organizing for women's liberation within traditional left parties:

• Transforming the "Malestream" Left: A key critique was that left parties needed fundamental internal transformation, not just the "addition" of women's demands, to truly incorporate feminism. Some argued that the existing Labour Party structures were "sclerotic" and resistant to women's participation and leadership.

• The Struggle for Political Influence: Socialist feminists in the 1980s engaged in various strategies, including working within Labour Party structures, trade unions, and autonomous groups. The aim was to challenge and reshape the "male-dominated" nature of the Labour Party itself. For example, the Greater London Council's (GLC) Women's Committee was seen as a model for implementing socialist feminist approaches and fostering women's participation and democratic processes. This demonstrates a practical attempt to bridge the gap between feminist aspirations and institutional politics.

• Intersections of Oppression: While not using the modern term "intersectionality," 1980s feminist debates grappled with the relationship between gender oppression and other forms of exploitation, particularly class. The discussions acknowledged that both capitalist relations and patriarchal structures shaped women's experiences.

• The Danger of Fragmentation: The initial "fragmentation of the student movement" in the early 1970s served as a historical warning. The "Beyond the Fragments" debate itself was a response to perceived fragmentation within the WLM, seeking a path towards greater unity and strategic coherence.

Lessons for Modern Movements

The historical debates from the 1980s offer several insights for contemporary movements:

1. Genuine Integration Requires Transformation: Simply adopting feminist slogans or having a "women's wing" is insufficient. As the 1980s debates highlighted, genuine integration requires the fundamental transformation of a party's internal structures, culture, and theoretical framework to understand and incorporate feminism adequately. Modern left parties must critically examine and dismantle patriarchal norms within their own ranks, ensuring that women and other marginalized groups have real power and voice, rather than merely being co-opted.

2. Navigating Autonomy vs. Unity Remains Key: The tension between maintaining autonomous spaces for specific identity-based struggles (e.g., women, racial justice, LGBTQ+ liberation) and integrating them into a broader, class-based movement is ongoing. The 1980s debates suggest that both autonomy (to develop distinct analyses and priorities) and integration (to build mass power for systemic change) are necessary. Modern movements need to foster strong, autonomous caucuses or allied organizations that can push the broader movement while also working to integrate those struggles into a coherent, overarching strategy to avoid mere fragmentation.

3. Beyond Single-Issue Politics: The historical discussions emphasized that women's oppression is not isolated but is intertwined with class exploitation and other societal structures. Modern movements, including DSA and the Labour Party, must adopt an intersectional approach that recognizes and addresses the multiple, overlapping forms of oppression faced by their members and the wider population. This means developing comprehensive programs that tackle gender, race, class, and other inequalities simultaneously, rather than prioritizing one struggle over another.

4. Strategic Internal Debate is Vital: The "Beyond the Fragments" debate was crucial for the strategic direction of the WLM itself. Similarly, modern movements need robust, open, and comradely internal debates to clarify their strategic priorities, resolve theoretical ambiguities, and adapt their tactics to contemporary challenges. Suppressing these debates can lead to "ideological confusion and political fragmentation," as seen in some historical instances.

5. Learning from Engagement with State Power: The experiences of socialist feminists working with local government bodies, like the GLC, in the 1980s demonstrated that while engaging with state institutions can offer opportunities to advance progressive policies, it also presents challenges and potential limitations to radical transformation. Modern movements must strategically consider how and when to engage with electoral and state politics, always with a clear vision for systemic change that goes beyond mere reform.

In conclusion, the "Beyond the Fragments" debate of the 1980s offers a rich historical blueprint for understanding the complexities of feminist organizing within broader left movements. Its lessons on the necessity of internal transformation, the dynamic interplay of autonomy and integration, the importance of addressing multiple oppressions, and the value of strategic internal debate remain acutely relevant for today's socialist and liberation movements.

Further Reading in International

The journal International has consistently engaged with the core themes and arguments presented in "Beyond the Fragments," particularly through articles that scrutinize traditional left structures, explore the role of feminism within the left, and propose alternative forms of political organizing.

Directly Engaging with "Beyond the Fragments"

• "Beyond the Fragments?" by Valerie Coultas (International, Vol 5, No 2, Spring 1980). This article is explicitly presented as the "first sustained reply" to the book, sparking a "fierce debate among feminists and socialists." It offers a socialist feminist critique of orthodox Leninism, arguing that Leninism and feminism are not inherently incompatible and that socialists should confront, rather than reject, political parties.

• "The Women's Movement and the Party" by Beatrix Campbell, Celia Pugh, Sheila Rowbotham, and Joan Smith (International, Vol. 5, No. 1, Autumn 1979). This article is a core component of the debate surrounding "Beyond the Fragments," discussing the intricate relationship between the women's movement and broader socialist strategies, as well as the tension between autonomy and integration within the left.

Feminism and the Left

• "What future for women under Labour" by Barbara Green (International, No. 6, September/October 1986). This article explores the strategic direction and future prospects for the Women's Liberation Movement within the context of the Labour Party, a central concern of "Beyond the Fragments."

• "Feminism and Marxism" by Anna Ware (International, Vol. 5, No. 1, Autumn 1979). This review discusses a book that directly addresses the intersection of feminism and Marxism, a key theoretical underpinning for "Beyond the Fragments."

• "Women's Liberation: Context and Potentialities" by Margaret Coulson (International, Vol. 1, No. 4, No date 1971). This earlier piece discusses the context and potential of the Women's Liberation Movement, providing foundational understanding for the later debates.

• "The Politics of Pornography" by Pat Masters & Jane Shallice (International, Vol. 6, No. 2, July 1981). This article addresses a specific feminist concern, highlighting practical issues and struggles faced by the movement.

• "Women, Committees and Democracy" by Sarah Roelofs (International, Vol. 7, No. 6, November-December 1982). This piece examines the role of women in local political structures and their democratic participation, connecting to the themes of decentralized organizing and inclusion.

Critiques of Traditional Left Structures and Alternative Organizing

• "Building a Marxist Movement in Britain" by Paul Lawson (International, No. 1, November/December 1985). This article critiques traditional left approaches like Social Democracy and Leninism, advocating for a new strategy for building a Marxist movement in Britain, which resonates with "Beyond the Fragments'" call for rethinking outdated political practices.

• "The Witch hunt and the 'cuddly' left" by Davy Jones (International, No. 2, January/February 1986). This piece delves into internal debates within the Labour Party, discussing the need for a strong, unified, and networked Marxist movement capable of confronting the triumph of the right, reflecting the book's concerns about fragmentation and building cohesion.

• "Self-management - dangers and possibilities" by Ernest Mandel (International, Vol. 2, No. 4, Winter/Spring 1975). This article explores the concept of workers' self-management, which aligns with "Beyond the Fragments'" emphasis on decentralized and autonomous forms of organization, as an alternative to top-down control.

• "The Enigma of Workers' Control" by Dave Bailey (International, Vol. 5, No. 1, Autumn 1979). This article directly addresses the concept of workers' control, a key element in envisioning more democratic and self-managed approaches to social transformation.

• "Lenin, Trotsky and the Party" by Norman Geras (International, Vol. 4, No. 2, Winter 1977). While providing a more traditional Marxist analysis, this article's discussion of party structure and its historical role relates to the book's critique of orthodox Leninism and vanguard party models.

Theories of Change and Social Movements

• "Marxism Today ideology" by Gunter Minnerup (International, No. 1, November/December 1985). This article discusses shifts in Marxist ideology, including a move away from 'authoritarian populism' towards more democratic and flexible forms, which can provide broader context for the theoretical arguments in "Beyond the Fragments."

• "A socialist alternative in Europe" by Ernest Mandel et al. (International, No. 6, September/October 1986). This piece offers perspectives on building a new, broad social movement and developing a socialist strategy in Europe, touching upon the need for diverse forms of political action beyond traditional parties.