### Section I
Name— Objectives — Program
1. The Fourth International (World
Party of the Socialist Revolution) is composed of militants who accept and apply its principles and program. Organized in separate national sections, they are united in a single worldwide organization governed by the rules and practices of democratic centralism.
2. The aim of the Fourth International is to help educate and organize the proletariat and its allies in order to abolish capitalism, with its oppression, poverty, insecurity, and bloodshed. It seeks to establish a World Socialist Republic of Workers and Peasants Councils, governed by proletarian democracy. Working-class rule of this kind will make possible the construction of socialism, the first stage toward the coming classless society of enduring peace, material abundance, social equality, the brotherhood of man, and boundless progress under a worldwide scientifically planned economy.
3. The Fourth International seeks to incorporate in its program the progressive social experiences of humanity, maintaining the continuity of the ideological heritage of the revolutionary Marxist movement. It offers to the vanguard of the international working class the indispensable lessons to be drawn from the October 1917 Revolution in Russia, the subsequent struggle against Stalinist de generation, and the new revolutionary developments following World War II. The Fourth International stands on the programmatic documents of the first four congresses of the Third International; the International Left Opposition; the Movement for the Fourth International; the Transitional Program adopted at its Founding Congress in 1938, The Death Agony of Capitalism and the Tasks of the Fourth International; and the key documents of the world Trotskyist movement since then. 4. The national sections constitute the basic organizational units of the Fourth International. The aim of every national section is to become a mass revolutionary Marxist party capable of guiding the class struggle within the country to a successful conclusion in a socialist victory. To achieve this, the main task of a national section is to build a leadership that measures up to the historic need and to conquer mass influence. This is the means through which the Fourth International aspires to achieve its great emancipating goal, since an international organization does not replace or substitute for a national leadership in heading a revolution. Thus the healthy development of its national sections is of primary concern to the International as a whole.
### Section II
The World Congress
5. The highest authority of the Fourth International is the World Congress. Climaxing a democratic process of discussion and election of delegates among the national sections, the World Congress de termines the political line of the International as a whole on all programmatic issues. In questions involving the national sections, the World Congress serves as the final body of appeal and decision.
6. A World Congress must be held at least every three years upon call by the International Executive Committee. The call must be issued at least six months in advance of holding the congress, the intervening time constituting the preparatory discussion period. A special World Congress can be convoked at any time by the International Executive Committee or by one third of the national sections. 7. Representation of national sections at the World Congress is determined in accordance with the numerical strength of the sections. The International Executive Committee works out a formula on this each time it convokes a congress, bearing in mind the practical difficulties such as the size of the gathering, as well as the need to assure democratic representation to both the smaller sections and those facing special problems such as repression. The International Executive Committee has the power to recommend that dele gates of minority tendencies in national sections, who would not otherwise be represented at a World Congress, be seated with voice. It can also invite groupings that are not affiliated to the Fourth International to send observers to a World Congress. In both cases, however, it is up to the delegates at a World Congress to decide whether to approve such recommendations or invitations. The Inter national Executive Committee is responsible for the practical work of providing a suitable meeting place for the World Congress as well as housing delegates, enlisting translators, secretaries, etc. 8. National delegations, immediately after a World Congress, are required to report back to their national executive committee, or to a congress of their national section, in order to assure the fullest possible consideration of adopted documents, their early publication, and the rapid and effective undertaking of tasks decided on at the World Congress. In case of differences between a section and the World Congress, it is the duty of the section to loyally carry out the decisions made by the majority at the World Congress, no matter how serious the differences were or what the position of its delegation was. It retains the right to appeal decisions it disagrees with to the next regular or special World Congress.
### Section III
International Executive Committee
9. The International Executive Committee, elected by the World Congress, constitutes the highest body of the Fourth International between world congresses. It is charged with the responsibility of applying the decisions of the World Congress and is held accountable to the next World Congress for its stewardship. It exercises disciplinary powers over its own members.
10. The International Executive Committee is composed of thirty-one members and seven alternates, elected by name to serve until the next World Congress. A national section can propose replacement of a member representing it; however, this must be ratified by a majority of the International Executive Committee. At plenary meetings, alternates replace absent members in the order of their election, exercising voice and vote. Any alternate can attend sessions of the International Executive Committee with voice but not vote.
11. Sessions of the International Executive Committee must be held at least every six months upon call by the United Secretariat.
The International
Executive
Committee can be convoked at any time by majority decision of the United Secretariat or upon the request of one-third of its own members.
12. It is the duty of the International Executive Committee to keep up with world events, applying the political line decided on at the World Congress, and publishing such documents as it deems necessary. It follows the political and organizational life of the national sections and helps them to correctly apply the decisions of the World Congress by providing timely information and suggestions.
Decisions of the International Executive Committee as to the interpretation of a political line decided on at a World Congress, or its practical implementation, are binding on all the sections. They can appeal decisions they disagree with to the World Congress, but in the meantime they must abide by them.
13. Only a World Congress has the power to recognize, expel, or drop a section from the rolls. In a country where no official section exists, the International Executive Committee has the right to open negotiations with a group that has evolved to the point of adopting the pro gram of the Fourth International and can establish a fraternal working relationship with it prior to recognition as a section. In a country where a national section has been marked by inactivity, failure to maintain its obligations to the International, gross incompetence in responding to political opportunities or in meeting dangers, or flagrant indiscipline with regard to the political or organizational decisions of a World Congress or the pro gram of the Fourth International, the In-national
Executive Committee must compile a record together with recommendations, for consideration and action by the next World Congress.
14. The International Executive Committee cooperates with the national sections in helping to raise the theoretical, political, and organizational level of their internal life. However, intervention of this kind, carried on by such activities as tours and visits by members of the International leadership, is qualified by the resources of the Fourth International in personnel and finances. This qualification operates with equal force in instances where differences have developed between a national section and the International Executive Committee. Nevertheless, the International has the right to send a representative to present its views. Such representatives are responsible to the United Secretariat and the International Executive Committee.
The national leadership should do its utmost to cooperate closely, giving representatives of the International Executive Committee voice (but only consultative vote) in all leading bodies, enabling them to discuss freely with the membership, and permitting them to present motions if they wish.
15. Where supposed violations of democratic centralism in national sections are brought to the attention of the International Executive Committee, whether these violations involve a leadership accused of depriving a minority of its democratic rights or a minority accused of irresponsibly violating the discipline of the section, the International Executive Committee may bring its moral influence to bear to help rectify the situation, if evidence exists that errors or abuses have actually occurred. Rather than exercise disciplinary measures of its own in instances of differences with a national leadership, the International Executive Committee should seek to rely on persuasion and recommendations. In no case has it the power to alter the majority rule of a regularly elected leadership of a national section. 16. The International Executive Committee is empowered to organize such commissions, subsecretariats, technical bureaus, or other supplementary bodies as it requires. These are entirely subordinate to the International Executive Committee and can be dissolved whenever it considers it advisable. The danger of fostering a dual center and breaking down the practice of democratic centralism should be borne in mind in considering the advisability of forming commissions or subsecretariats in parts of the world other than the International center. 17. The International Executive Committee is empowered to establish commissions entrusted with coordinating the activities of several or more sections in certain fields (for example, a youth commission, trade-union commission, women's commission) or for a complex task such as fostering the growth of the move ment in countries where a section has not yet been established. The tasks of the commissions will be determined in each case by the International Executive Committee in collaboration with the sections involved, but in general will be limited to gathering information, compiling documents, undertaking research, coordinating work, and maintaining links.
### Section IV
The United Secretariat
18. The daily political, organizational, and administrative work, as well as regular communication with the sections, is assured by the United Secretariat. The United Secretariat is elected by the International Executive Committee, which has the power to determine the size of the United Secretariat, its composition, and place of residence.
19. In the intervals between sessions of the International Executive Committee, the United Secretariat acts in its name and with its powers except that it cannot organize subsecretariats or commissions. Its decisions are binding on the sections. Appeal can be made to the International Executive Committee, but pending consideration of the appeal decisions must be carried out. 20. Members of the International Executive Committee who are not members of the United Secretariat can attend its sessions with voice.
21. The International Executive Committee can replace members of the United Secretariat by majority vote.
22. The United Secretariat must hold meetings at least once a month.
23. Copies of all resolutions and essential extracts from the minutes of the United Secretariat are to be sent as rapidly as possible to all members of the International Executive Committee and leaderships of sections.
24. The United Secretariat is empowered to organize the necessary administrative and technical apparatus to carry on its work efficiently. In this the sections must help to the best of their ability, particularly by providing personnel.
### Section V
Publications
25. The United Secretariat is assigned the responsibility of editing and publishing an official organ in the name of the International Executive Committee. The official organ will publish the main programmatic documents and resolutions of the world congresses, the International Executive Committee, and the United Secretariat. National sections are duty bound to translate this material where necessary and see that it is published and circulated in their own countries.
26. The United Secretariat is assigned the responsibility of also regularly publishing an Internal Bulletin. In discussion periods preceding world congresses, the Internal Bulletin must appear with the greatest possible frequency in order to make all the contributions and main discussion articles available to the membership in time to assure that each tendency or different political position is presented at least once.
### Section VI
Finances— Dues
27. The United Secretariat designates one of its members as treasurer. It is the treasurer's duty to keep the United Secretariat informed on the status of finances, making a detailed financial report on a quarterly basis. The treasurer may lay out money for routine expenses but must ob- Intercontinental Press tain advance approval from the United Secretariat for anything that is not routine. At an appropriate date, the International Executive Committee will designate a special accounting commission to audit the accounts kept by the treasurer before he presents his report to the World Congress. 28. The activities of the leading bodies of the Fourth International are financed through dues paid by the national sections in proportion to the number of their members. The dues also help subsidize the publications, which are only partially sustained through sales and subscriptions. In principle, international dues should be set at one-sixth of the regular national dues. This should be supplemented by voluntary contributions. Dues and voluntary contributions constitute the sole source of income for the International; the national sections should therefore make these obligations of primary importance. A section that falls three months in arrears in its international dues is to be notified that its good standing is becoming endangered. Sections that have not paid their dues for six months or more are-except for reasons clearly beyond their control — in bad standing. A section in bad standing automatically loses its right to be seated at a World Congress.
### Section VII
Structure- Membership- National Sections
29. The internal structure of the Fourth International, on the local, national, and world scale, is determined by the principles and practices of democratic centralism. Representing the maximum possible democracy in internal discussion in elaborating a political line and the firmest discipline in applying that line after it has been decided on, it includes the following rules: a. All leading bodies must be elected by the rank and file, or by delegates elected by the rank and file, at regular meetings, conferences, or congresses provided for by statute. The leading bodies must report back regularly to the elective bodies to whom they are responsible. b. Members of the national executive committees of national sections have voice but only consultative vote as fraternal delegates at national congresses unless they are regularly elected delegates. In order to maintain rank-and-file control, national executive committee members should make it a norm not to run as regular delegates to national congresses unless this is precluded in some cases by the financial weakness of the section. c. Voting on documents or political positions proceeds by open show of hands or roll call. Voting on the composition or order of leading bodies is by secret ballot. d. The mandating of delegates is prohibited; in other words, no matter what the position of an elective body is, its delegates must be free to vote according to their own conscience and convictions as shaped by the discussion at a congress or convention. e. No one on a leading body has the right to threaten to resign or to utilize any other form of organizational ultimatum in seeking to sway a decision. A leader can propose his resignation but it is up to the elective body to accept or to refuse it. f. Decisions of higher bodies are strictly binding on lower ones. The decisions must be carried out loyally and immediately. In the event of an appeal, no delay is thereby justified in carrying out directives. g. Decisions are reached by majority vote. Minorities are duty bound to carry out majority decisions. Minorities, however, have the incontestable right to constitute themselves into tendencies or factions on the basis of a stated platform and to enjoy democratic rights such as:
To present their views to the membership of their national section during the preparatory discussion period before national congresses.
To present their views to the membership of the International through the Internal Bulletin during the pre-Congress discussion period.
To be represented in the leading bodies with due consideration to their political and numerical importance. This does not mean that every minority, no matter how small, is entitled to representation on a leading body. Nor does it mean proportional representation for minorities. The Fourth International abides by majority rule and this includes the right of the majority to assure itself a working majority when sharp differences are involved. But it is also the duty of the majority to safeguard the rights of the minority and this means that a minority is not to be penalized for holding a minority position. h. Members facing disciplinary action are entitled to know in advance the accusations brought against them, to present their defense, and, except where it is geo graphically impossible, to confront their accusers. i. All members are entitled to complete, honest, and impartial information on the problems and activities of the International, especially on questions under debate among the leaders of the International and the national sections. j. Full and free international discussions must be held in the periods preceding world congresses, or congresses of national sections, and each time that historic events of exceptional importance require special discussions. A national section can make an exception to this only when it is working under conditions of severe repression (i.e., fascism, military dictatorship, or a sweeping witch-hunt). k. No one on full time shall receive remuneration above the equivalent of the wages of a skilled worker.
30. In each country there can be only one section of the Fourth International. The process of building a stable section, however, is fraught with difficulties. Experience has shown that small vying groups and tendencies will sometimes resist fusion in practice. On the other hand, a clear basis may not exist for choosing one group over another. In such situations further tests may be required to establish that a grouping is capable of meeting the international obligations of a section and gives promise of developing into a viable revolutionary Marxist leadership on a national scale.
To meet temporary requirements during such a transitional testing period, a World Congress may decide to recognize a formation as a "sympathizing group." Where more than one "sympathizing group" is given such recognition within a country, one of the tests of capacity to assume the rights and duties of a section will be the attitude displayed in practice in handling the problem of fusion of forces. "Sympathizing groups" are to be considered as candidates for the status of national section. Upon recommendation of the International Executive Committee, they may be granted voice but not vote at a World Congress. Where a section exists, the International will in no case recognize any other formation as a "sympathizing group," except with the approval of that section.
31. National sections exercise jurisdiction within their own countries. They apply the general political positions of the Fourth International, which they have helped to shape through the process of democratic centralism. They determine their own statutes in accordance with the rules and practices of democratic centralism and arrive at their own national political positions through the same procedure. However, the program and statutes of national sections must be in general conformity with the program and statutes of the Fourth International. National sections exercise disciplinary powers over their own members up to and including the penalty of expulsion; all disciplinary measures, however, are subject to appeal to the higher bodies of the International.
32. To help achieve the best possible international coordination, national sections must conduct relations of special importance with each other through the United Secretariat. In case of urgent necessity, such relations can be carried out directly on condition that the United Secretariat is rapidly informed of the details. National sections are encouraged to extend fraternal aid to each other and to strengthen fraternal bonds through visits and other forms of cooperation. In all this, bearing in mind the risk of setting up centrifugal tendencies, they should consciously strive in their fraternal work to strengthen the International center and its authority. 33. Everyone who accepts in words and deeds the program, the statutes, and the decisions of the International, and is an active and disciplined member in good standing in a national section, is a member of the International. The minimum criterion for the establishment of "good standing" is the payment of dues. This holds for the unemployed as well as those holding jobs in countries where abysmal wage levels exist. In these cases dues may amount to only a nominal sum but must nevertheless bepaid to maintain good standing. Sections must rigorously distinguish between members— a category determined on the combined basis of dues payment and disciplined activities— and sympathizers who cannot meet these minimum requirements for one reason or another. New members must normally go through a probationary period. No one can be a member of two sections simultaneously.
34. The number of delegates which a national section is entitled to have at a World Congress is determined by the International Executive Committee on the basis of payment of dues to the International. Thus if a national section lists 1,000 members on its books, but sends International dues to the center for only 400, its membership is to be listed as 400 and the other 600 are to be listed as sympathizers. 35. Members who belong to trade unions or other mass organizations, and in particular those holding official posts, must conduct themselves at all times under the strict political control of the designated bodies of the national section.
36. Members of national sections elected to bourgeois parliamentary bodies must conduct themselves at all times under the strict political control of the leading bodies of their national section.
37. Members of the International who take long trips outside their country, or who wish to change their permanent residence to another country, must first secure approval from the national leadership, which in turn must inform the United Secretariat. The United Secretariat will then help facilitate a fraternal reception by the national sections for comrades traveling abroad. Except by special decision of the United Secretariat, a member of a section living more than six months in another country where a section exists must transfer to that section. The section involved must, before accepting the transfer, ask for a report through the United Secretariat in order to verify that the comrade left his former country with the full knowledge and permission of the section. No section can refuse to accept the transfer of a member of the International when his former section has indicated that he left in good standing. 38. To keep the International center informed about their activities, the national sections must regularly send copies of the minutes of the sessions of their leading bodies plus such additional information as is needed to provide a clear picture. They must also send a sufficient number of copies of documents, internal bulletins, newspapers, magazines, and other publications. They must inform the United Secretariat in time of the holding of congresses, conferences, and meetings of national or central committees. Each section should designate a leading comrade to keep up correspondence with the International and to see to it that regular items are sent for the press of the International.
39. Without ever abandoning the advantages of legal existence before it is absolutely necessary, national sections that are threatened with repression must make preparations for reorganization well in advance of going underground.
### Section VIII
International Control Commission
40. The World Congress elects an International Control Commission of three members, each belonging to a different section, who have a reputation in the International for objectivity and political maturity. They cannot be replaced as members of the International Control Commission until the World Congress following their election unless a vacancy occurs. In this exceptional case, the International Executive Committee elects a replacement of similar qualifications. The International Control Commission elects one of its members to serve as secretary and to convoke the body when occasion arises.
41. The International Control Commission investigates cases involving violations of discipline or proletarian morality in the International. It undertakes inquiries either at the request of the International Executive Committee or on its own initiative. When it opens an investigation, it has the right to request documents and testimony from all comrades without exception. It has the right to determine what form the investigation shall take, whether by inquiry on the spot, through correspondence, or through the designation of comrades to take evidence on its behalf. 42. The International Control Commission reports its findings to the International Executive Committee and recommends what action should be taken. It is accountable to the World Congress following the one which elected it.
### Section IX
Disciplinary Measures
43. The public expression of major differences with the program of the Fourth International or the political line adopted by the majority at a World Congress, the violation of the statutes of the International or its national sections, actions incompatible with proletarian morality, or which place the organization or its members in danger, are subject to disciplinary measures by the leading national or international bodies. The accused must be presented with the charges in writing in advance and have the right to present their defense, and, except where geographically impossible, to confront their accusers in the body having jurisdiction in the case. 44. Disciplinary measures apply at once. Those under charges nevertheless have the right to appeal to the body immediately above the one that applies the disciplinary measures, on up through the structure from the local organization to the World Congress. When the United Secretariat is notified that an appeal is to be made from the decisions of a national section, it will acknowledge receipt of the appeal and also specify the procedure to be followed in carrying the appeal to the higher bodies of the International. The Inter national Executive Committee is empowered to determine whether it will hear personal argument or confine itself to documented material in considering an appeal. It can recommend the procedure to be followed by a World Congress, but the final decision on this is up to the World Congress itself. In cases involving proletarian morality the International Control Commission can intervene at any time if it considers the matter of sufficient importance.
### Section X
45. A two-thirds majority of the delegates at a World Congress is required to amend the statutes.