Constitutionalism and Revolution: Notes on Eurocommunism

Abstract

The following notes are intended to discuss some of the most important characteristics, tendencies and problems of Eurocommunism; and to do this by reference to three of the books which have been published on the subject recently-Santiago Carillo's Eurocommunism and the State, (Lawrence and Wishart, 1977); Fernando Claudin's Eurocommunism and Socialism, (New Left Books, 1978) and the discussion between Eric Hobsbawm and Giorgio Napolitano, published under the title The Italian Road to Socialism, (The Journeyman Press, 1977). None of them are weighty publications; but they do offer a useful view of the main lines of thought of Eurocommunism and, in Claudin's case, a qualified critique of its strategy. The focus is on Italy, Spain and France; but the discussion is relevant to all advanced capitalist countries. What is at issue is the elaboration of a strategy of socialist advance which, notwithstanding obvious differences, is broadly applicable to all such countries.