These are drafts of a new Programme and a new Constitution of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA. They are products of great changes that have taken place since the first programme and constitution written at the time of the founding of the Party in 1975.
First of all, the world has dramatically changed. Although one of the greatest accomplishments of the Party at the time of its founding was the analysis it made that the situation in the U.S. and the world was sharpening and that in the decade of the ’80s, the imperialist system was going to be deep in crisis and the rival blocs of imperialists heading into world war, today these truths are becoming much more sharp and immediate realities, felt by millions. And beyond that, the Party has begun to foresee the outlines of a real possibility of an opportunity for revolution in this country shaping up in the ’80s. This, more than anything, has both made necessary and has guided these new drafts.
Another great change has been the reversal of the revolution in China with the reactionary coup after the death of Mao Tsetung. This was a major setback, but it also put revolutionaries worldwide to the test–to go down the drain with the revisionists or to advance in another wave.
There have been many great changes in our understanding since 1975, required and propelled in large part by the development summarized above, and the difference between the programmes and constitutions written then and now reflects these changes. Much of the crusty reformism which has infected the revolutionary and communist movement–including the “Communist Party, USA”–has been cast aside, removing heavy layers of political fat which has weighed down the revolutionary movement in this country for many decades and has prevented serious preparation for revolution. All this has been accomplished only through sharp struggle–struggle in the revolutionary movement and struggle within our own ranks.
With these drafts, the Party is issuing a declaration of war, a call to action and a battle plan for destroying the old and creating the new. We are spreading these drafts widely and deeply so that many among the working class and others oppressed by this monster, imperialism, will seriously study them, take them up and help sharpen them. These documents are drafts, they are weapons in preparation. Study them, write us, meet with us to criticize and strengthen them–and unite with us to carry them out.
Central Committee
Revolutionary Communist Party, USA
March, 1980