William Z. Foster: A Critical Examination on his Theories and Politics
Jun 6, 2022
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Nick Driedger discusses William Z. Foster's theories like 'militant minority' and 'boring from within' for union evolution and radicalization. Criticisms faced by Foster's ideas in the early IWW are explored, highlighting his strategies for pulling conservative unions to the left.
Foster promoted 'boring from within' to radicalize the AFL, facing criticism from the IWW.
IWW advocated for independent unionism to reach all workers outside mainstream labor movement.
Deep dives
Foster's Biography and Union Journey
Williamsy Foster, a working-class man from Philadelphia, embarked on his union journey after being involved in the Spokane's free speech fight in 1909 and joining the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Foster later fell in with the French CGT, an openly revolutionary union, and developed a different perspective on the mainstream labor movement. He believed that the IWW should be more militant and promote industrial unionism within the American Federation of Labor (AFL). However, his ideas were met with resistance, and he left the IWW. Foster's journey then took him to the Communist Party, where he became a convinced Bolshevik and rose to prominence as a leader. He organized major strikes for the party but faced setbacks with the anti-communist backlash post-World War II.
Foster's Advocacy of Boring from Within
Foster advocated for the concept of 'boring from within,' which involved infiltrating the AFL and reforming it from the inside. He believed that all forms of trade unionism were inherently revolutionary and viewed the AFL as a mass organization that could be transformed into a force for radical change. However, his argument was met with criticism from the IWW, who argued that the AFL was not a union but rather represented only a fraction of the workforce. They contended that the focus should be on organizing the vast majority of workers who were not part of mainstream unions.
The IWW's Critique and Alternative Approach
The IWW offered a different perspective, asserting that the best way to change the union world was to create a better example through independent unionism. They believed in organizing all workers, including women, immigrants, and black workers, and rejected the notion that existing unions were inherently revolutionary. They argued for building strong, independent unions that addressed the needs of workers outside of the mainstream labor movement. The IWW emphasized creating a united front of workers and engaging in slow, deliberate organizing to effect lasting change.
Contemporary Relevance and Debates
The debates and criticisms surrounding Foster's ideas still hold relevance today. Some argue that independent unions, like the recent victories of Amazonians United and the ALU, hold great potential for challenging the existing labor movement. Others contend that exclusive representation rights and the focus on mainstream labor structures limit the ability to organize workers outside of large corporations. The ongoing debates echo the historical tensions between the boring from within approach and the independent union strategy advocated by the IWW, prompting reflection on the most effective approaches for transformative unionism.
Nick Driedger joins the show to discuss the legacy and ideas of William Z. Foster, former president the Communist Party USA and trade unionist involved in the early IWW and AFL.
We adopt a critical lens discuss Foster's concepts of a "militant minority" and "boring from within" as a strategy for pulling conservative unions to the left. Driedger also explains the reaction and criticism leveled against Foster's ideas when he presented them to the IWW in 1911.
This and more on the latest episode of Laborwave Radio.
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