FdCA positions and theoretical documents

The Federation of Anarchist Communists (FdCA) was founded on the principle of the theoretical and strategic unity of its members, a principle which it still hold to and will continue to do so. This principle means that the FdCA is based on its positions, which are shared by its federated membership.

The principle of the theoretical unity of members adopted by the FdCA shows a direct link with the 1926 "Organizational Platform of the General Union of Anarchists" (and with the ideas of Bakunin), where the principle is set out and theorized alongside the principle of tactical unity. Both in the past and today, this typical feature of Anarchist Communist organizations was and is interpreted by the FdCA as an invitation to develop a series of theoretical positions which can enable the Anarchist Communist political organization to achieve unity, on the one hand, and therefore - on the basis of that unity - enable the organization to act within the concrete historical, political, economic and social context. For this reason, it was felt that the FdCA needed to adapt to some extent the principle of theoretical and tactical unity as set out in the "Platform". While its political and organizational value is recognized, it is necessary to avoid the risk that the consequentiality between theoretical unity and tactical unity can lead to paralysis. In the "Platform", the relationship between the two seems to imply some sort of overlapping between the organization's theory (its political existence) and the organization's tactics (its workplan). If the Tactics are to be rigorously linked to the Theory and follow from the Theory but at the same time allow a workplan to be developed, then the Tactics can only be homogeneous, tending towards unity.

The organization's tactics are its workplan and are based on analysis of the current situation and the forseeable developments of that situation, on forthcoming political events, on subjective capabilities (in other words, on the strength of the organization and the possibilies of creating alliances). It is therefore possible that more than one tactic can be presented within the organization, tactics that only time and testing can verify as being valid and successful. Tactical unity can and therefore (if possible) must arise as a result of debate within the organization, of the careful evaluation of the results offered by the various choices, because the organization will allow experimentation of various approaches as long as they do not damage the political unity of the organization. This tendency towards tactical unity within the organization produces a climate of debate and a desire for homogeneity among members. In this way it becomes easier to have shared positions both in our analysis and in our mid-term and long-term prospects. This is how the organization's Theory remains dynamic while, at the same time, guiding our Tactics.

Between Theory and Tactics there is therefore a dimension of reflection and development as theoretical and tactical unity must be seen as part of a process of consistency and consequentiality. This dimension, which articulates a theoretical concept into a tactical choice and verifies that these tactical choices are not in contradiction with the content of the Theory, is represented by a series of positions contained in the organization's Basic Strategy and Political Strategy. In this way we can make the most of our internal debate and analysis to the benefit of the organization's unity, and thereby avoid that fatal error that many anarchist communist organizations have made over the decades of putting the choices made for Tactics on the same scale as Theory, with disastrous consequences on the very unity that was frequently proclaimed on everything. Consequences so disastrous that they led either to Leninism or a retreat into anarcho-synthesism. Unity is not some sort of holy sacrament to be worshipped or violated. Unity is a principle and unity is a tendency, and as such much exist in order to better inform our reflections on theory and basic strategy and the whole of the Federation's political work.

The FdCA has therefore developed a system of positions which are set out in a number of original Theoretical Documents representing the unity of the Federation and its policies. They also represent the unity of our members, who are federated into a single political organization and who are therefore individually and collectively responsible for the political life and the political decisions of the FdCA.

Our Theoretical Documents are divided into Theory, Basic Strategy, Political Strategy, and General Tactics.

The documents of Theory represent the unique, united and characteristic identity of the Federation. They set out the Federation's revolutionary role and its political function as a historical memory and active minority, a role which has been indicated by the experience of the revolutionary proletariat throughout the history of the class struggle.

Our Theory is currently made up of two documents: "Theory of the Anarchist Communists" and "Anarchist Communists: A Question Of Class". No division is allowed on Theory.

Our Basic Strategy is made up of various documents setting out the long-term strategic role of our class enemies, the strategic role of the proletariat's mass organizations, the strategic role of the political organization, and the tasks of both of these organizations during the transition to communism. No division is allowed on these documents, though they can be modified or updated by means of a process of internal debate. Basic Strategy is consistent with Theory.

Our Political Strategy is made up of a series of documents that set out in the short-term the social, political and economic context of the national and international class struggle, the strategic role of the mass organization and of the labour, social and political movements of the moment, and the strategic role of the political organization. These documents do not require unity, but homogeneity. They are the subject of constant internal debate and the positions contained in them are continuously updated. Political Strategy is consistent with Basic Strategy and is in effect a further articulation of it. The "Minimum Programme of the Anarchist Communists" is at present the basis for our Political Strategy.

Our General Tactics are represented by a series of documents which set out in the short term the social, political and economic context of the class struggle at international and national levels, the immediate role of the mass organization and the current labour, social and political movements, and the immediate role of the political organization. Homogeneity, not unity, is required on General Tactics. There is constant internal debate on Tactics and continuous updating of our positions. General Tactics are consistent with Political Strategy and represent its practical application. Our most recent documents of General Tactics are those approved during the FdCA's 6th National Congress in June 2004.

This system of Theoretical Documents was conceived so that the FdCA would always be in a position to understand the nature and the value of its role as a political organization, its strategic reflection, its analyses and the lessons to be learnt from the class struggle both in the past and the present. It is therefore a consistent, articulate system within the organization which promotes debate, avoids theoretical rigidity (often due more to a certain anarchist tradition than to any lucid, materialist analysis), and allows the Federation to act in a way which is consistent with its Theoretical foundation.

The organization's Theoretical Documents are published in full in the Italian-language section of our website. Several of these documents are also available in English and more will gradually become available once they have been translated.