School of Historical and Philosophical Studies - Theses
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ItemJames Connolly and the Irish Left (1916-1940)( [1987])James Connolly (1868-1916) is a major figure not only in Irish history but also on the broader canvas of international socialism. A man of many parts - militant labour organiser, socialist leader, military commander, newspaper editor, writer, political theorist - his life's work was dedicated to socialist revolution and as such provides a fascinating example, one might even say 'model', of a revolutionary life. The thesis examines Connolly's political theory and practice as it developed over the quarter-century of his active commitment to the 'cause' of socialist revolution and reconstruction, and then proceeds to an exploration of the extent to which Connolly's political legacy provided the Irish Left, during the years 1916-40, with an effective practical and theoretical instrument of revolutionary socialism. The thesis comprises two main sections and a short interlinking chapter. Part One is an interpretation of Connolly's political thought and practice and consists of seven chapters under the heading - 'The Women's Movement', 'Religion', 'Syndicalism' , 'Socialism and Nationalism', 'The Revolutionary Party', 'Violence' and 'Revolution'. The second section uses the same seven subject headings to analyse the Irish Left's understanding of and reaction to Connolly's political legacy. Connolly had little opportunity to indulge in abstract political theorising. The questions which concerned him related to the immediate problems and demands of effective labour organisation and revolutionary strategy, pressing problems which he encountered during his daily activities as a labour leader and dedicated revolutionary. Thus, although socialist fundamentals remained sacrosanct, Connolly was always willing to learn from experience and to grasp new opportunities whenever they arose. This of course meant that his political positions altered over time, and that his thoughts and writings on issues such as party organisation underwent considerable change over the years. The first section of the thesis charts and analyses those changes. A political figure of Connolly's stature was bound to exert some influence on the Irish Left in the years after his execution and the Part Three of the thesis is devoted to an exploration and assessment of the nature and extent of this impact. The general conclusion of the thesis is that while Connolly provided great inspiration to the Irish Left, his political analyses and revolutionary schemas were, in the main, inadequately understood and thus misinterpreted and misapplied. Connolly's political legacy was essentially one of opportunistic revolutionary adventurism. His legacy had revolutionary potential but it was not one which provided a systematic guide, in terms of either theoretical clarity or organisational structure, to the Irish Left.