Socialist Democracy (Australia)

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Socialist Democracy is the network of Trotskyist activists in Australia who are in sympathy with the reunified Fourth International.

Most have been members of the Socialist Workers Party. After the SWP's National Committee split that party from the International after its 1985 World Congress[1], supporters of the International found themselves outside the SWP. They formed Socialist Democracy, which was recognised as a sympathising section by the International's 1991 World Congress[2]. It published an analysis of Australia's two major Trotskyist groups: the former SWP, now called the Democratic Socialist Perspective (DSP) [3], and the International Socialist Organisation (ISO) [4].

Reflecting the International's encouragement for regroupment, Socialist Democracy supported the Socialist Alliance [5].

The group's initial experience of the Alliance was positive [6]. It became the principal collective activity of group members. However, the success of the Alliance strained relations between the DSP and the ISO came to a head in 2002. The DSP dissolved into the Alliance, a move which Socialist Democracy had warned would lead to a terminal crisis in the Alliance [7].

In December 2005, the rapid decline of the Alliance led the group to three conclusions. A statement to subscribers announced that:

1. leading activists in the group had resigned from the Socialist Alliance [8] citing undemocratic practices by the DSP.
2. the group decided to wind down as a formal section of the International in Australia, and suspended its newsletter and website.
3. its members continue to support the Fourth International, to promote International Viewpoint, and to work actively in campaigns.