state and the constitutional framework, and questions over continued private ownership of the means of production which will become more central as the revolutionary movement gathers strength.
We have already seen the expropriation of a number of enterprises, run under comanagement or workers' management.
The left has to develop its organisations and its support for the mass struggles, seeking to deepen the Bolivarian revolutionary process, raising the issue of a "revolution within the revolution".
Other discussions centre on the pros and cons of creating a single unified trade union federation, which is complicated by the existence of some who would want any such organisanon to be nea and subordinated to the govCICIl. Others want an independent, class struggle GAIN Michael Löwy ernment to play into the hands of the right.
"We also need to find ways to support Toe peasants' movendent wat is now occupying land demanding agrarian reform, despite the opposition from part of the state apparatus"
Venezuela is not a completed process, or a finished or perfect model: the point is to encourage the movement and develop the anti-capitalist challenge.
Within the Bolivarian movement we have to continue the struggle against those who recently claim adherence to Chavezism, but who want to limit the revolution to its present stage and not drive it torward.
"That's why from the LCR we have decided to support a current called Unify All Our Struggles", and see this as a way to encourage self-organisation and political autonomy with each movement." Piers Mostyn Phil Hearse from Socialist Resistance introduced the final plenary session by arguing that the continental struggle against neo-liberalism in Latin America, "has given an aritmetic content to the algebraic formula "another world is possible"; the only possible one, socialism". But this panorama of struggle has given rise to new debates about revolutionary strategy that the left has not been used to having for some time.
Rejecting a "one size fits all" strategy across the continent, he presented a series of questions -what are the nature of these societies and their relationship to imperialism? What is the nature of the ruling class? What alliance of popular forces might be mobilised to make a revolutionary breakthrough? What are the key steps needed to break with the capitalist state and imperialism?
The left has to find a way of integrating a range of issues -democracy, land reform, the destruction of the oligarchy, an end to economic robbery, meeting ine basics or lite tor une urban poor, liberation for indigenous people and women -into an overarching strategy to conquer power. The centre left forces (including the PT in Brazil, the PRD in Mexico) reject this perspective. This in turn poses the question of class independence and the need for a revolutionary party.
But, Phil argued, the current tremendous political polarisation, particularly in Venezuela, cannot continue forever. Either it will move forward to socialism or be defeated.
Amancay Colque from the Bolivia Solidarity Campaign, outlined the situation in Bolivia, from the 1985 miners strike to the present with the wave of struggles initiated by the successtul Cochabamba water privatisation fight in 2000.
As she put it, "then the wheel started to turn on our side". These fights confronted a right wing government supported not just by the USA, as she pointed out, but Lula's Brazil. Morales election in 2005 was a product of this process. His programme, renationalisation of gas and oil, though radical was only an expression of the most basic demands of the movement that put him there.
She spoke forcefully of the need for links with workers in Bolivia. A trade union delegation earlier this year had a tremendous impact. There is a lot to be gained on both sides from an exchange of experiences.
Jorge Martin from Hands Off Venezuela set out the united front character of HOV. It has 4 basic demands. Anyone supporting these is welcome, he explained. You don't have to be a Marxist or even a socialist, just a consistent democrat.
He challenged a central misconception among some critics of the Bolivarian revolution, that this cannot be a revolution because property relations remain unchanged. All revolutions are processes. This is just the beginning.
He described how in some respects the Chavez government is ahead of the movement with the example of the Minister of Labour criticising a meeting of 5,000 trade unionists for not taking over enough enterprises despite being given a long list by the ministry.
The main task for revolutionary Marxists is to participate in this revolution and push forward its most progressive aspects, not denonce it from the outside.
He highlighted the need to confront an anticipated campaign by imperialism and the oligarchy in the three months edding do to the Decemder elections.
Andrew Kennedy from Socialist Resistance drew together the themes of the day ocuss no on oe anent evolution. But he pointed out that we have found that issues like the position of women, the contradictory role of the family and the question of gay oppression can't be divorced from the other struggles - they are posed every day, for instance by the culture of "Machismo" violence in Mexico.
He called for Cuba's politics and history to be revisited as an Amancay Colque important issue on the left.
The need for solidarity and how to engage in it had been central to all the discussions. It shouldn't be a "hook" used to recruit to left wing groups or be seen as a sentimental deviation from "real struggle". Solidarity is essential to persuading people that socialism really is possible.
The significance of imperialism's difficulties in Iraq that mean it is unable to invade Venezuela was emphasised. One contributor pointed out that the massive issues raised by these struggles has the capacity to "break the log jam" on the left. And we were reminded of the need to focus on what imperialism is doing, not just the base.
Responding at the end, the speakers underlined the interlinked character of global events and the crucial role of the struggles in Bolivia and Venezuela at the core of this.
Amancay summed up the mood, praising Socialist Resistance for its non-sectarian stance, saying "it is beautiful to see all these people from different countries arguing on different lines".
And she announced a speaking tour by Cochobambas water struggle leader Oscar Oliveros in early July. Building this is an immediate and practical act of solidarity.