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This is a call for the Communist Party USA to revitalize its fraternal publishing arm, International Publishers (IP). Many comrades can attest their first exposure to Marxism was through IP books. Even in this internet age, books continue to play an important educational role, despite longstanding predictions of their demise: the intellectually curious browse at bookstores, politicized workers swap books, and universities offer courses with Marxist themes. IP is historic and vital and we not only have a responsibility to preserve it , we also should reconceptualize its organization, presentation, and distribution.
A cursory glance through the IP catalog reveals several main areas covered in its publications. First, IP is among the leading publishers of Marxist classics ranging from Marx and Engels to Lenin to Gramsci. I assume these titles are the mainstay of the press and I know they will remain in demand whatever the fluctuations of capitalism. Second, IP naturally carries fundamental monographs related to our Party’s history. As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, the value of these texts and the need for us to reacquaint ourselves with them are obvious. Lastly, IP produces a great number of profound and popular books in American history, particularly the African American experience, as well as in related fields like the “Third World” and race studies. If you search for “Angela Davis” or “W. E. B. Du Bois” on Amazon.com, for example, IP titles will be among the first listed.
It is especially in relation to this last group of books that I believe we have a unique opportunity to revitalize IP. As an academic, for instance, I know that there are innumerable courses taught throughout the United States in which IP texts are (and could be) adapted. To invoke some business terminology, IP’s “market advantage” is its “brand name” – IP is well-known amongst academics who teach in these fields and many faculty, like Party members, were exposed to Marxist history and theory through our fraternal press. In my opinion, IP’s disadvantage is that its titles are dated in terms of their presentation and promotion. To take just one example, for professors assigning Marx and Engels’ The Communist Manifesto – which is required reading in courses ranging from introduction to Marxism to modern European history to political theory – there are a vast number of editions some of which feature snazzy contemporary covers as well as introductions by prominent scholar-activists. My main proposal is that IP follow this trend – why not produce a new edition of the Manifesto along these lines?
I believe the significance of my call and the potential for IP and our Party is great – we could fulfill one of our essential duties, i.e., educating the public about Marxism, potentially recruit new members, and possibly generate much-needed revenue. In informal discussions with Party leaders, I have proposed we identify several titles in IP’s catalog which presently are good and in future likely big sellers for a revamping. IP could produce a series called “Marxist Classics” or “Studies in Black History,” for example, create a series logo, cover style, and book format, and invite leading scholar-activists associated with or sympathetic to our Party to write new introductions.
Next, I propose IP actively and advantageously markets these books through all the medium our Party already embraces for its newspaper, People’s World, and journal, Political Affairs. Certainly, the IP website deserves a similar upgrade especially if we wish to see it persist and grow. The IP website may often be the general public’s first (indirect) exposure to our Party’s history and ideas. A refurbished website could more dynamically feature IP titles, particularly new editions and series as I suggest above, and a far more advanced and user-friendly ordering process. Additionally, IP could effectively utilize email by allowing visitors to sign up for updates, specials, and dedicated lists (e.g., Marxist Classics, Studies in Black History, etc.). Finally, IP could strategically send out emails to announce new titles and editions, for instance, to professors who have adapted its books in the past.
I invite comrades who are not convinced by my arguments to investigate the state of publishing by other Marxist parties and presses, despite their differences with us. Perhaps the most vibrant and successful of these is Pathfinder Press affiliated with the Socialist Workers Party (SWP). A collective of SWP members edits and formats their new titles and editions, maintains the Pathfinder website, processes and ships book orders, and represents the press at rallies and conferences. Although presented in a sectarian manner and relatively expensive, their titles on Cuba and Africa, as well as works in Spanish, are especially well-received by scholars and the general public and are easily found at many bookstores. Another flourishing press is Haymarket Books, associated with the International Socialist Organization, which publishes classic and revisionist works on Marxism as well as more general radical studies. And the Australian publisher Ocean Press is noted for its books on Cuba, abundantly illustrated and strikingly formatted, especially its authorized titles produced jointly with the Che Guevara Studies Center, Havana. There are similar other presses – all small, Marxist-oriented, with limited resources and staff, yet more visible and thriving than IP – but the aforementioned is just a sampling.
IP’s history is illustrious and its significance to our Party’s work is clear. We owe a great debt to Comrade Betty Smith for IP’s survival in recent years, but I am not alone in thinking our Party has neglected IP and that we should prioritize its revival. IP is one of our most important resources for presenting the Communist Party’s history and ideas to the world, recruiting members, and educating ourselves. The IP catalog is extensive and intriguing and its significance is greater than ever. Let us appreciate what we possess and build upon it. I am ready to volunteer my services and I know many comrades are prepared to do the same. For a revitalized International Publishers!
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