 
We Communists believe that communism is the very best replacement for
a capitalist system that has served its purpose, but no longer meets the needs and
requirements of the great majority of our people.
We believe
that communism USA will be built according to the traditions, history, culture and
conditions of the United States. Thus, it will be different from any other communist
society in the world. It will be uniquely American.
What will be the goals of
our communist society?
A life free of exploitation,
insecurity, poverty; an end to unemployment, hunger and homelessness.
An end to racism, national
oppression, anti-Semitism, all forms of discrimination, prejudice and bigotry. An end to
the unequal status of women.
Renewal and extension of democracy;
an end to the rule of corporate America and private ownership of the wealth of our nation.
Creation of a truly humane and rationally planned society that will stimulate the fullest
flowering of the human personality, creativity and talent.
The advocates and ideologues of
capitalism hold that such goals are utopian; that human beings are inherently selfish and
evil. Others argue that these goals can be fully realized under capitalism.
We are confident, however, that such
goals can be realized, but only through a socialist society.
Why communism?
Since its inception capitalism has
been fatally flawed. Its inherent laws - to maximize profit on the backs of the working
class - give rise to the class struggle.
History is a continuous story of
people rising up against those who exploit and oppress them, to demand what's theirs. Our
own country's historic beginning was revolutionary. The ideals of justice and equality
have inspired peoples for centuries.
Up until the time of Karl Marx,
those that advocated socialism were "utopians", that is, motivated by ideals
only. It was Marx and his longtime friend and collaborator, Frederick Engels, who
uncovered the inner laws of capitalism, where profit comes from and how societies develop.
They transformed wishful thinking for socialism into communism with a scientific,
materialist basis.
Communists say that capitalism won't
be around forever. Just like previous societies weren't around forever either. Slavery
gave rise to feudalism and feudalism to capitalism. So, too, capitalism gives rise to
communism.
The Foundations of communism
Political power would be in the
hands of working people. Communism starts with nationalization of the main means of
production - the plants, factories, agri-business farms and everything necessary to
produce what society needs. The large monopoly corporations and banks come
under State ownership, that is, under the collective ownership of the entire working
class and people, who have the leading role in building communism.
Communism also means State
ownership of the energy industry and all the natural resources. It eliminates forever the
power of the capitalist class to exploit and oppress the majority.
A communist government draws up
plans covering the entire economy. They are drawn up with maximum participation of the
people, from the shop level on up. Such plans are achieved because they harmonize the
interests of all, because there are no conflicts arising from exploitation of workers and
no dog-eat-dog competition.
Production increases much faster
than under capitalism, with a planned economy, advancement of science and technology, and
the protection and preservation of our environment and natural resources.
A communist government is based
on all-around democracy, starting with economic democracy. The more people participate in
running their own economy, the more firmly people's power is established, the more
successful a communist America will be.
Trade unions in a communist USA
will insure a fair balance between what workers produce and what they receive. They will
have decisive power to enforce safety and health provisions, prevent speedup, and
guarantee good transportation, working conditions and plant facilities.
Public services - schools,
hospitals, utilities, transit, parks, roads - are crumbling under capitalism. And now
corporations are "privatizing" government-run, State owned institutions for
private profit. Under communism public services and housing will be vastly improved
and expanded. They will be broadened in their scope beyond anything dreamed of under
capitalism. The U.S. will become a vast construction site. Homes, schools, hospitals,
places of recreation will be built to end shortages, replace substandard infrastructures
and public facilities.
Jobs and Education for All
Full employment will be quickly
achieved as production is expanded to satisfy the needs of people. Automation at the
service of the working people will lead to both reduced hours of work and higher living
standards, with no layoffs. There will be no danger of over-production since production
will be planned and people's incomes will increase in line with the rising output of
consumer goods and services.
Poverty will be ended quickly with
the recovery of the vast resources now wasted in war production, corporate profits and the
extravagent lifestyles of the filthy rich.
All education will be tuition-free.
Every person will have access to unlimited medical and health care without charge. These
rights will be realized as rapidly as facilities can be built and the personnel trained.
With capitalism gone, crime will
also begin to disappear, for it is the vicious profit system that corrupts people and
breeds crime.
To Each According to Their Work
Some ask whether guaranteeing basic
necessities, free education, low-cost housing and health care will encourage people to
avoid working, or doing their best. The principle of communism is: From each
according to his/her ability, to each according to his/her work.
communism provides incentives
for working better, producing more and higher quality goods, acquiring advanced skills. It
does NOT equalize wages. Wages vary according to occupation and efficiency, although
everyone is guaranteed a liveable wage.
Under capitalism, improvements in
skill, organization and technology are rightly feared by the worker, since they threaten
jobs. Under communism, they offer the chance to make the job more interesting and
rewarding, as well as to improve living standards.
Communism provides moral
incentives because the fruits of labor benefit all. No person robs others of the profits
from their labor; when social goals are adopted by the majority, people will want to work
for these goals. Work will seem less a burden, more and more a creative activity, where
everyone is his/her neighbor's helper instead of rival.
It is true that the
communists will nationalize all large-scale production, property and real estate.
But communism does not abolish ALL privately-owned business. It does not require
nationalization of those small businesses owned by people who work for themselves and do
not hire others to make a profit. Personal property - private homes, automobiles, etc., -
will remain just that, personal property.
In highly mechanized U.S.
agriculture there will still be a place for the family farmer. But the farm family will be
relieved of the pressure of agribusiness monopolies.
There will be rapid abolition of
racism and national oppression. Communism will bring complete equality for all
racially and nationally oppressed. There will be no compromise with racism, for there will
no longer exist a capitalist class which profits from it. Racism, national oppression,
anti-Semitism, sexism, anti-immigrant discrimination and all forms of prejudice and
bigotry will be banned by law, with strict measures of enforcement. Affirmative action
will be expanded immediately to undo and make up for hundreds of years of the ravages of
racism. Full equality will be one of the main priorities of the new society.
War propaganda will be outlawed.
The only privileged sectors will be
the children and seniors, who have earned the right to a healthy, happy, secure
retirement.
The children will reap all the
benefits of communist child care, free nurseries and schools with the very best
facilities and teachers. Children will have wonderful recreational and sports facilities.
They will have the option to choose whatever career they wish, and the free education and
training to achieve it.
Communism provides the economic
foundation for effective democracy for the masses of people. To carry through the
socialist economic and social transformation requires political rule by the working class
- a government of, by and for the working people.
communism USA
Communism USA will benefit from the
experiences, the mistakes and succesess of the countries who built and are building a
communist or socialist society. But mainly it will reflect the distinctive features of
U.S. development and environment.
Unique historical advantages, like
the unequalled natural resources, fertile soil and perfect weather, coupled with the
contributions of generations of working people, enabled U.S. capitalism to achieve higher
productive levels and living standards than capitalism in other countries. So, too, the
development of communism here will have some distinct advantages.
We have a highly developed industrial
society with a highly trained and educated work force.
Free from foreign intervention,
socialism will not have to divert human and economic resources to defend itself.
Communism USA will avoid the
terrible problems of extreme poverty, illiteracy, civil wars, wars of intervention and
world wars.
Communism USA will extend
democracy to its fullest, taking as its starting point the democratic traditions and
institutions of the American people.
Path to communism
We say that it may be possible in
the U.S. to bring communism or socialism through peaceful means. Perhaps through
the ballot box. One thing is clear, there won't be communism in the U.S. until the
majority of the American people want it.
I like to say that when workers
enter the corporate board rooms to take over and the ruling class says: O.K. you're right,
we made a mess of things and now you should run it all. Well then there won't be any
trouble. But if the ruling class says: Forget it! And call out the army and the police and
the national guard, then that is how revolutions become violent. It starts with the ruling
class. Workers and their allies have to defend themselves and to fight for what is
rightfully theirs.
We believe and advocate that a
socialist or communist society in our country will guarantee all the liberties
defined in the Bill of Rights but never fully realized. These include the right of people
to express themselves fully and freely through organizations of their choice and competing
candidates who respect and are guided by the concept of building a communist society.
Indeed, the freedoms in the Bill of
Rights will take on far greater meaning for the great majority, who will now own the
meeting halls, press, radio and TV, and will be able to exercise that freedom effectively.
That's why we call ours "Bill
of Rights communism, USA".
Communism is our vision for
America's future. It is a vision we are winning more and more people to because it is
logical - really a great - replacement for capitalism. And because it is the next
inevitable step up the ladder of human civilization.
|
|
CONSTITUTION OF THE
COMMUNIST PARTY
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Amended July 8, 2001
27th National Convention
Milwaukee, WI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREAMBLE
(DEFERRED TO SUB-COMMITTEE FOR DRAFTING)
ARTICLE I - Name
SECTION 1. The name of this organization shall be the Communist Party of the United
States of America.
ARTICLE II - Principles of Organization
SECTION 1. The system of organization of the Communist Party is based upon the principle
of democratic centralism, which means that decisions and policies are made through
democratic procedures, and that once a final decision is made, all members are obligated
to carry it out. Democratic centralism combines the maximum involvement of the membership
in determining policy and in the democratic election of leading committees with
responsible direction from one national center coordinating the activity of the entire
Party along commonly agreed-upon lines of policy.
Unity is the strongest weapon working people have in the struggle to advance their
interests. By making a commitment to unite around a program of action, members strengthen
the Party and help unify the working class and peoples’ movements.
Collectivity is the basic style of work of the Party. Through group discussion and action,
we seek to develop and apply the best possible plans to advance the interests of working
people.
SECTION 2. Each Party body is subordinate to the next higher body, with central authority
vested in the National Convention, the highest body of the Party, which not only has the
authority to act on all aspects of Party policy and activity, but elects the national
leadership to carry through its will and decisions between conventions.
SECTION 3. After a thorough discussion in any club, committee or convention, decisions are
arrived at by majority vote. All members, including those who disagree, are duty bound to
explain, fight for and carry out such decisions, as long as they do not conflict with
national policies and decisions.
Decisions of leading committees on major questions shall be reported to all other Party
bodies. Any member, club or committee, disagreeing with a decision, has the right to
appeal the decision to the next higher body and request that the decision be reopened.
While the appeal is pending, the decision must nevertheless be carried out by all members
of the Party.
All appeals of decisions made to the next leading committee shall be heard by the
respective body with 90 days or at the next regular meeting of the committee. Appeals may
be made to successive leading committees up to and including the National Convention,
provided that the appeals are made at least 30 days before the National Convention.
Decisions of the National Convention are final. Once a final decision is made, no member,
club, committee or leader has the right to violate the decision or to combine with others
to conduct an organized struggle against the decision.
SECTION 4. Policies and decisions established by leading committees are open to review
during the pre-convention discussion period set forth in Article V, Section 4, below.
Members may express their views through the channels established for that purpose. All
previous policies and decisions remain in full force until or unless they are changed by
majority vote of the responsible committee or Convention.
SECTION 5. The principle of democratic centralism includes the obligation of all members
and leaders to fulfill the decisions arrived at by the majority. Both leaders and members
are bound by a common discipline.
Discipline is voluntarily assumed by members upon joining the Party and based on
conviction, understanding and devotion to the cause to which the Party dedicates its
efforts.
SECTION 6. The election of officers and leading committees at all levels shall be carried
out with the fullest participation of the members of the elected Party bodies.
Elections shall be on the basis of a critical review and evaluation of the work of the
elected body and of the individuals proposed for office. In elections to all Party
committees, conventions and conferences steps shall be taken to maximize the
representation of industrial workers, specially oppressed peoples and women.
Officers and leading committees are responsible both to the bodies which elected them and
to the higher leading committees. All officers and members of leading committees may be
released or removed from office by majority vote of the committees to which they are
responsible.
SECTION 7. The Party as a whole, and each of its bodies including every club, shall plan
and work for the mass circulation and use of our press and literature.
ARTICLE III – Membership
SECTION 1. Any person living in the United States, 18 years of age or over, regardless of
race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, or religious belief, who
subscribes to the principles and purposes of the Communist Party shall be eligible for
membership. The age requirement for admission to membership may be waived in individual
cases by a majority vote of the State or District Committee, when, in its judgment,
special circumstances warrant.
SECTION 2. An application for membership may be received by any Party member, club, State
(or District), or National body. The member or Party body receiving it shall promptly
refer the application to the club (if known) and the State or District Committee where the
applicant resides. The club and State or District leadership shall promptly confer about
the application, and shall assign one or more members to meet or communicate with the
applicant as soon as possible. Unless the club or State or District leadership have
information indicating that the application was false, or that admitting the applicant
would be harmful to the Party organization and its goals, the applicant shall be promptly
notified that he/she has been admitted to Party membership, and he/she and shall be
referred to a Party club where possible. In unorganized territory, in the absence of a
club, the new member shall be referred to the next leading committee having jurisdiction.
It shall be the responsibility of the club, if any, or the next leading body jurisdiction,
to assist the new member in becoming involved in Party education, mass work and other
activities.
If an applicant is not admitted to membership, the club and State or District leadership
shall notify the club having jurisdiction (if any), the State or District Committee, and
National Committee of the reasons why the applicant was not admitted.
SECTION 3. A Party member shall study and accept the Party Constitution and the Party
Program as determined by the Convention, belong to a Party club where possible, be willing
to carry out its decisions and pay dues. Membership in the Communist Party is a voluntary
act of the individual.
SECTION 4. Party members three months in arrears in payment of dues cease to be members in
good standing, and shall be so informed by their club (or district) leadership. Members
who are six months in arrears shall be dropped from Party membership after effort has been
made by the club (or district) leadership, through personal interviews to bring such
members into good standing. They may, however, apply for readmission within six months,
and upon approval of the club (or district) be permitted to pay back dues and regain their
former standing.
SECTION 5. A member in good standing changing his or her place of residence from one state
(or district) to another, shall request the state (or district) of origin to transfer his
or her membership to the new state (or district). The request for transfer normally should
be made before the member changes his or her place of residence, but in any event, not
more than thirty (30) days after moving to the new state (or district). The transfer may
be submitted by the state (or district) of origin through the National Committee office to
the new state (or district), or it may be submitted simultaneously to the new state (or
district) and National Committee.
The National Committee office and the states (or districts) involved shall process the
transfer request as quickly as possible, and the new state (or district) shall promptly
assist the member in getting situated in the new state (or district).
ARTICLE IV – Club and State (District) Organization
SECTION 1. The basic unit of the Communist Party shall be the club. The two basic forms of
the Party club shall be based on: (1) place of work or industry, with shop clubs being the
goal; and (2) place of residence, with the neighborhood clubs being the goal.
Each club shall have officers and an executive committee which shall be elected at the
time of the annual club conference. Elections shall be by secret ballot if such method is
requested by any member of the club.
The purpose of the annual club conference shall be to project the plan of work for the
coming year based on: (1) policy as established by the national and state (or district)
conventions, and further refined and developed by the National Committee and state (or
district) committee; and (2) a thorough and critical examination of the club’s work
in the previous year.
All clubs should have officers who fulfill the following functions, where possible:
chairperson, financial secretary, educational director, labor secretary, press director,
literature director, and a secretary who records all decisions. Two or more functions may
be performed by one person. Additional officers and committees may be elected by the club.
Officers and committees are responsible to the club, and shall report on their work to the
club from time to time. Financial reports shall be submitted to the club annually.
Additional financial reports must be submitted when requested by a majority vote.
SECTION 2. State and district organizations may be established by the National Committee,
and may cover one state, part of one state, or more than one state. They shall be known as
the “----- State Committee, Communist Party USA”, the “----- District,
Communist Party USA”, or the “Communist Party of -------, CPUSA”. Where
there is more than one district in a state, the National Committee may establish such
forms as are necessary to deal with questions of statewide importance.
The state (or district) organization shall comprise all clubs in one state (or district).
The State (District) Committee shall have the power and duty to establish whatever
subdivisions best fulfill the needs of Party work, such as state, county, city or section
organizations.
The highest body of the state (or district) organization is the State (or District)
Convention, which shall meet at least once every four years during the pre-convention
discussion period prior to the National Convention. Each club in the state (or district)
shall elect delegates to the convention in such number as the State (or District)
Committee may determine, provided that the number of delegates to which each club is
entitled shall be in proportion to its membership. Where there are members not attached to
clubs due to geography, the State (or District) Committee may make special provisions for
their representation at the State (or District) Convention. Class and national composition
shall be considered in the election of delegates to the State (or District) Convention. To
be eligible for election as a delegate, a member shall have been in good standing for at
least six (6) months.
Members of the State (or District) Committee shall be elected in such manner and number as
the State (or District) Convention may determine. All elections to the State (or District)
Committee shall be by democratic process, including secret ballot.
To be eligible for election as a state or district officer or member of the State or
District Committee, a member shall have been in good standing for at least one year
preceding the date of the election.
The State or District Committee shall elect such officers as it deems necessary. Officers
so elected shall be members of the State or District Committee by virtue of their offices,
and shall be responsible to the State or District Committee. The State or District
Committee may elect an executive committee and any other committees it deems necessary.
A vacancy among members of the State or District Committee may be filled until the next
Convention by secret ballot and majority vote of the members of the State or District
Committee.
Special State or District Conventions shall be called by a majority vote of the State or
District Committee or upon the written request of clubs representing one-third of the
membership.
The State or District Committee shall name a committee to administer the finances of the
organization, which shall be responsible to the State or District Committee. The State or
District Committee shall make a financial report to all regular State or District
Conventions.
The State or District Committee shall meet at least four times a year. In districts
covering large geographic areas, this requirement may be met up to three times per year
through teleconferencing. A request by one-third of the members of the State or District
Committee, or by one-third of the clubs, for a review of a state or district policy or
adoption of a new policy requires that such a discussion be held by the State or District
Committee.
ARTICLE V – National Organization
SECTION 1. The highest authority of the Party is the National Convention, which is
authorized to make political and organizational decisions binding upon the entire Party
and its membership.
Regular National Conventions shall be held every four years. A National Convention may be
postponed beyond the four-year limit due to extraordinary circumstances by a three-fourths
vote of the National Committee.
SECTION 2. The National Convention shall be composed of delegates elected by each State
and District Convention by democratic process, including secret ballot, and in such
number, in approximate proportion to the membership it represents, as the National
Committee may determine. To be eligible for election as a delegate, the member shall have
been in good standing for at least one year prior to the date of the Convention.
SECTION 3. Special National Conventions shall be called when there is an affirmative vote
of 40% of the members of the National Committee or a majority vote of all State and
District Committees. The office of the National Committee shall circulate any official
request from any State or District Committee for a special National Convention to all
other State and District Committees for their action. The time and place of special
conventions shall be fixed by the National Committee. The basis for representation shall
be determined in the same way as that for regular conventions.
SECTION 4. Prior to regular National Conventions, at least four months shall be provided
for a pre-convention discussion period in all Party clubs and leading committees on the
problems, reports, resolutions and other documents coming before the convention. During
this discussion all Party members and organizations have the right to express their views
and propose changes, including changes to the Party Program and amendments to the
Constitution, to adopt resolutions on all questions of policy and tactics and on the work
and composition of leading committees for consideration by the Convention. All policies
and decisions, however, remain in full force during the pre-convention discussion.
SECTION 5. Each National Convention shall determine the number of members of the National
Committee. Election of the National Committee by the National Convention shall be by
secret ballot.
In the election of the National Committee, in addition to individual merit, such factors
as class and social composition, wide geographic representation and political importance
of the state or district organizations shall be considered.
SECTION 6. Vacancies in the National Committee may be filled by majority vote of the
National Committee. Members may be released or removed by the affirmative vote of
two-thirds of the members of the National Committee.
SECTION 7. The National Committee shall elect from its own membership a National Board and
such officers as it decides upon. The National Committee shall establish such other
committees or commissions as it deems necessary.
All such officers, committees and commissions shall be responsible to the National
Committee.
SECTION 8. To be eligible for election as a national officer or member of the National
Committee, a member shall have been in good standing for at least the three years
preceding the election.
SECTION 9. Between National Conventions, the National Committee is responsible for the
enforcement of the Constitution and the execution of the general policies adopted by the
National Convention. The decisions of the National Convention shall be binding on all
Party organizations and members.
Between National Conventions, the National Committee is the highest authority of the
Party, representing the Party as a whole, and as such has the authority to make decisions
and take action necessary and incidental to the good and welfare of the entire Party, and
to act upon all problems and developments occurring between conventions. In the
fulfillment of its duties, and in the exercise of its responsibilities, the National
Committee shall guide and direct all of the political, organizational and educational work
of the Party and organize and supervise its various departments and committees. The
National Committee shall organize and direct all undertakings of importance to the entire
Party, and administer the national treasury. The National Committee shall submit a
financial report to each National Convention.
The National Committee and the State and District Committees shall encourage the widest
discussion by the membership on all questions of theory and general line of Party policy.
The shall provide organs to facilitate such discussions, provided that in the opinion of
the National Committee such discussions do not hinder or impede execution of Party policy
and decisions or weaken the unity of the Party in action.
The National Committee shall not make any major policy change until it has submitted the
proposed change in draft form to the Party organization for debate for specified periods
and for recommendations thereon. In an emergency, which must be affirmed by a two-thirds
vote of the National Committee, the National Committee may adopt another procedure for
making a major policy change, including a referendum vote of the entire membership or the
calling of special enlarged, delegated conferences on a national or regional basis.
In the discussion of such major policy changes, rules for pre-convention discussion shall
apply in regard to the proposed policy change only, except that the period of discussion
may be determined by the National Committee.
SECTION 10. The National Committee shall meet at least three times per year. The officers
or one-third of the members of the National Committee may call additional meetings.
SECTION 11. Summaries and reports of National Committee meetings shall be made available
to State and District Committees and shall appear in digest form in publications available
to the Party membership. Such reports may be published when the National Committee so
determines.
All departments and leading committees shall submit reports regularly to the National
Committee.
SECTION 12. The officers of the National Committee shall make known to the members of the
National Committee any request of any member of the National Committee for either a review
of a policy or the introduction of a new major policy question.
A request by one-third of the members of the National Committee for review of a policy or
for adoption of a new policy requires that such a discussion be held by the National
Committee.
ARTICLE VI – Rights and Duties of Members
SECTION 1. Every member of the Party who is in good standing has the right and duty to
participate in the making of its policies and in their execution, and to participate in
the elections of the Party bodies to which he or she belongs.
A member has the right, within the Party organization, to express openly and uphold his or
her opinion or differences on any question as long as the Party organization has not
adopted a decision. This may be accomplished in meetings of the Party organizations and in
authorized publications. After a decision, a Party member who disagrees has the right to
appeal successively to the next higher body, including the National Convention. At the
same time every member has the duty to carry out the majority decision.
Members may critically evaluate the work of all leading committees and individual leaders,
irrespective of the positions they hold, provided it is done in appropriate Party
meetings, conferences, conventions or other Party bodies. No one may interfere with this
right of critical evaluation. Any member may address a question or statement to a leading
committee at any level. Leading committees must respond as promptly as possible.
During pre-convention discussion members have the right and duty within Party
organizations and publications designated for the purpose, to discuss any and all Party
policies and tactics, and the right to critically evaluate the work and composition of all
leading committees.
SECTION 2. A member shall strive to attend all club meetings. Members shall continually
strive to improve their political knowledge and their understanding of Marxism-Leninism,
to take part in the discussion of Party policy, to initiate activities, to work of the
aims and policies of the Party, and to seek to win new members to its ranks. They shall
also read, circulate and help improve Party publications. All members shall circulate the
press and make work with the press central to their mass activity.
Each member shall critically evaluate the work of Party collectives and his/her own
activity, with the aim of improving the work of the Party, its bodies, and his or her own
activity. The National Committee and leadership at all levels shall take the initiative
and give the lead for the development of the fullest critical evaluation and
self-evaluation in regard to improving its work.
SECTION 3: It shall be the obligation of all Party members to struggle for the unity of
the working class, against all forms of national oppression, national chauvinism,
discrimination and segregation, against all racist ideologies and practices, such as white
chauvinism and anti-Semitism. It shall be the duty of all Party members to fight for the
full social, political and economic equality of the African-American, Mexican-American,
Puerto Rican, Native American Indians, Asian and Pacific Islanders, other oppressed
minorities, immigrants and the foreign born, and to promote the unity of all people as
essential to the advancement of their common interests.
It shall be the obligation of all Party members to struggle against all manifestations of
male supremacy and discrimination against women, and to fight for the full social,
political and economic equality for women.
It shall be the obligation of all Party members to struggle against homophobia and all
manifestations of discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people,
and to fight for their full social and civil rights.
SECTION 4. All leading committees shall seek a maximum of consultation with other
committees, Party clubs and the membership in policy formation, and especially with those
comrades directly involved. In the period between conventions, the various Party
organizations, from Section Committee to National Committee, may organize delegated
conferences to evaluate Party work in a given field or to develop a position on new issues
which may arise.
Other forms of consultation may include membership referendum.
SECTION 5. All Party members who are eligible must belong to their respective labor
unions. If no union exists at a Party member’s place of employment, he or she shall
strive to organize, or help to organize, a labor union whenever possible.
SECTION 6. All Party members working in coalitions and mass organizations (such as labor
unions, farm, community, civil rights, fraternal, religious, etc.) shall promote and
strengthen the unity and leading role of the working class, and fight for the broadest
possible unity of the working class and its allies, in the course of fighting for their
needs.
SECTION 7. All members who are eligible shall register and vote in all public elections,
wherever possible.
SECTION 8. The Party shall give full aid in the acquisition of United States citizenship
to those of its members who, because of unjust and undemocratic laws and practices, are
deprived of this right.
ARTICLE VII – Disciplinary Procedures and Appeals
SECTION 1. Subject to the provisions of this Article, any member or officer of the Party
may be reprimanded, put on probation, suspended for a specified period, removed from
office, dropped or expelled from the Party for actions detrimental to the interests of the
Party and the working class, for factionalism, for making false statements in an
application for membership, for financial irregularities, or for advocacy or practice of
racial, national or religious discrimination, or discrimination on the basis of gender or
sexual orientation.
No action, including dropping, may be taken against a member without notifying him or her
of the action and the reason for it. Assistance should be given to help comrades to
overcome weaknesses and shortcomings, when possible.
SECTION 2. Subject to the provisions of this Article, any member shall be expelled from
the Party who is a strikebreaker, a provocateur, engaged in espionage, an informer, or who
advocates force and violence or terrorism, or who participates in the activities of any
group which acts to undermine or overthrow any democratic institutions through which the
majority of the American people can express their right to determine their destiny.
SECTION 3. Charges against individual members or committees may be made by any member or
Party committee to the club of which the accused is a member or to the appropriate higher
committee having jurisdiction.
All such charges shall be handled expeditiously by an elected trial committee of the club
or appropriate higher body. The trial committee shall hear charges, make recommendations
and then disband.
SECTION 4. All accused persons concerned in disciplinary cases, except publicly
self-admitted informers and provocateurs, must be notified of the charges against them,
shall have the right to appear, to bring witnesses, including non-members if agreed to by
the trial committee, and to testify. The burden of proof shall be on the accusers.
SECTION 5. After hearing the report of the trial committee, the club or leading committee
having jurisdiction shall have the right to decide by a two-thirds vote upon any
disciplinary measure, including expulsion. Disciplinary measures taken by leading
committees shall be reported to the club of each accused member. Higher bodies must be
informed of all disciplinary actions above a reprimand. There shall be an automatic review
of all expulsions by the next higher body.
SECTION 6. Any member or committee that has been subject to disciplinary action has the
right to appeal to the next higher body up to the National Convention, whose decision
shall be final. The National, State (or District) or other leading committee shall set a
hearing within 60 days from the date of receipt of the appeal and notify the appellant of
the hearing date. When, however, the appeal is to a State, District or National
Convention, the appeal shall be acted upon by the Convention following the filing of the
appeal, provided that such appeal is made at least 30 days prior to the convention.
ARTICLE VIII – Initiation Fees, Dues and Assessments
SECTION 1. Initiation fees and dues shall be paid according to rates fixed by the National
Convention. Between National Conventions, the National Committee may revise the rates of
initiation fees and dues by a two-thirds vote of the National Committee.
SECTION 2. The income from dues and initiation fees shall be apportioned among the various
subdivisions of the Party as determined by the National Convention, or by a two-thirds
vote of the National Committee between conventions.
SECTION 3. Special assessments may be levied by the National Convention or by a two-thirds
vote of the National Committee.
All local or state (or district) assessments are prohibited except by special permission
of the National Committee.
ARTICLE IX – Amendment
SECTION 1. This Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of any regular or special
National Convention, or by membership referendum initiated by the National Committee or
one-third of the state and district organizations. It may also be amended by three-fourths
vote of the National Committee and a majority vote of the majority of the State and
District Committees. This vote must be preceded by a minimum of a two-month discussion
period in the Party organization.
ARTICLE X – Authority
SECTION 1. The Communist Party is not responsible for any political document, policy,
book, article, or any other statement of political opinion except such as are issued by
authority of the National Conventions and the regularly constituted leadership of the
Party.
COMMUNIST PARTY USA
manifesti dei comunisti italiani
|
|
|