Economic and Philosophic Science Review
The Economic and Philosophic Science Review (EPSR) is a British Marxist–Leninist newspaper that has been in circulation since 1979. It is published on a fortnightly basis and adheres to the A4 format. The publication is owned by EPSR Supporters, with Don Hoskins currently serving as its editor.
Founding and Early History
The EPSR was established by Royston Bull, a figure who had previously held a prominent position within the Workers Revolutionary Party (UK). Bull, who was also an industrial correspondent for The Scotsman newspaper, departed from the WRP in 1979. He subsequently formed a new group, the Workers Party, alongside a number of his supporters. This group underwent a series of ideological and organizational shifts. Initially, they formally repudiated Trotskyism, a significant departure from the WRP's ideological lineage. Following this, the group was renamed the International Leninist Workers Party. Further evolution led to its final iteration as the Economic and Philosophic Science Review. Royston Bull passed away on January 2, 2005, at the age of 69. Despite his death, the EPSR has continued to be published fortnightly by its dedicated supporters.
Political Alignment and Policies
The ILWP/EPSR's ideological stance is explicitly Marxist-Leninist. They have historically shown support for the Soviet Union model, though not without critique. A notable point of contention for the publication has been what they perceive as revisionism within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, which they attribute to the political missteps of Joseph Stalin.
Beyond their analysis of international communist movements, the EPSR has demonstrated strong support for Sinn Féin, and prior to its dissolution, for the Irish Republican Army. Their solidarity also extends to various Third World national liberation movements, reflecting a broader commitment to anti-colonial and internationalist struggles.
A more controversial aspect of the EPSR's policy, particularly as it evolved, concerns their stance on LGBT rights. During the 1970s, the broader far-left, influenced by the New Left, began to engage more actively with issues surrounding LGBTQ+ rights. By the 1990s, this had become a more mainstream position within left-wing publications. However, the EPSR explicitly rejected this trend in 1999, labeling it "anti-social." Their stated reasoning was that homosexuality possessed "obvious disadvantages for any species in evolutionary terms." This position drew criticism from figures like John Pearson, a member of the revisionist Communist Party of Great Britain (Provisional Central Committee), who, writing in their publication Weekly Worker, characterized the EPSR's stance as homophobia.
Relations to the Socialist Labour Party
In 1996, a significant political development occurred with the establishment of the Socialist Labour Party (UK) by Arthur Scargill, the then-leader of the National Union of Mineworkers (Great Britain). In response to this, the EPSR organization dissolved itself and integrated into the SLP. Within the SLP, they operated as a distinct faction, centered around their publication, the EPSR.
Royston Bull was elected vice-president of the SLP in 1998. However, his tenure in this position was short-lived, as he was almost immediately expelled, or 'voided,' from party membership. Arthur Scargill, who had initially supported Bull's candidacy, reportedly used the election to consolidate his own authority within the SLP. This event created a considerable schism within the party. One member, Brian Heron, publicly described Bull's election as "a disaster." While some of Bull's former supporters remained within the SLP, the majority chose to depart and reunite with Bull, organizing themselves under the banner of "EPSR supporters." This reconstituted group continued to operate independently, maintaining their distinct political identity.
Notes
- ^ Royston Bull, letter to the Weekly Worker, 28 January 1999. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
- ^ John Pearson, Letter to the Weekly Worker, 11 February 1999. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
External Links
- Economic and Philosophic Science Review official website