Big Flame : Building the Movements, New Politics

This book addresses the ideas and experiences of a smallBritish revolutionary socialist and feminist organisation in the 1970s and1980s.  Written by two ex-members, it sets out the organisation’seclectic influences: Italian Marxism, libertarianism,James-ianism, anarchism — and its complex relationship with Leninism andTrotskyism.

This book addresses the ideas and experiences of a small Britishrevolutionary socialist and feminist organisation in the 1970s and 1980s. Written by two ex-members, it sets out the organisation’s eclecticinfluences: Italian Marxism, libertarianism, James-ianism, anarchism — and itscomplex relationship with Leninism and Trotskyism. Big Flame lost momentum inthe early 1980s when many leftists joined the Labour Party. It includes acritical interpretation of Big Flame’s successes and failures. The analysis is interspersed with vignettes from 40 members reflectingon their days in the organisation. ‘Our book is aimed at those in the radicalmovements of every type who are seriously interested in political ideas andtheir relationship to political struggle. We are writing for an audience widerthan those in the academy. This book seeks to assist those who continue toexpose racist, patriarchal capitalism and to organise for a future where loveand equality will prevail. The book explains Big Flame’s unconventionalorganisational structure and it includes descriptions of its  interventionsin a wide variety of struggles."