"Class against Class" by Mike Squires, published by Manifesto Press, is a detailed historical account of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) during the tumultuous period of the late 1920s and early 1930s. The book focuses on the CPGB's adoption of the "Class against Class" strategy, which was influenced by the Communist International (Comintern) and marked a significant shift in the party's approach to class struggle and political alliances.
Squires explores the internal and external challenges faced by the CPGB as it sought to implement this radical strategy, which emphasised direct confrontation with the bourgeoisie and rejected collaboration with reformist labor movements. The strategy was a response to the perceived failures of social democracy and the rise of fascism, aiming to position the CPGB as the vanguard of revolutionary change in Britain.
The book delves into the ideological debates within the CPGB, the influence of Soviet leadership, and the practical difficulties of mobilising the working class in a period of economic depression and political instability. Squires provides a nuanced analysis of the party's successes and failures, highlighting the complexities of revolutionary politics in a predominantly capitalist society.
Through extensive research and primary sources, "Class against Class" offers a critical examination of the CPGB's efforts to navigate the shifting political landscape of the interwar years. It sheds light on the broader dynamics of the international communist movement and the specific challenges faced by British communists in their quest for a socialist revolution. The book is a valuable resource for understanding the history of the British left and the enduring tensions between revolutionary ideals and pragmatic politics.
Dr Squires is a retired London taxi driver and an NHS campaigner. He grew up in Battersea, South London and studied politics at Swansea University and completed his PhD from Leeds University.
