The Fifth World Congress since reunification of the Fourth International, World Party of Socialist Revolution, was held in Belgium the week of November 17-25. Delegates represented sections and sympathizing organizations in forty-eight countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and North and South America.
The discussions at the world congress were held in the context of the deepening of the international class struggle exemplified by the revolutions in Iran and Nicaragua. Of special note was the presence of delegates from the Iranian Socialist Workers Party. It was an expression of the geographical extension of the forces of the Fourth International since its last world congress in 1974, as well as its deepening roots in the worldwide revolutionary struggle.
The congress hailed the overthrow of the imperialist-backed regime of the butcher Somoza by the Nicaraguan people led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front, and pledged to help build the worldwide solidarity movement for aid to Nicaragua and defense of the revolution against imperialist aggression.
The world congress is the highest body of the Fourth International. Delegates were elected to the congress from each national section after extensive democratic debate and discussion, including an international written discussion, representing the various points of view in the international on the matters under consideration. The congress adopted by majority vote resolutions on the following points:
1. The world political situation and the main overall tasks of the Fourth International.
2. Building the Fourth International in capitalist Europe.
3. Latin America.
4. The international women's liberation movement.
5. The revolution in Nicaragua.
To prepare for the major class battles to come, the congress álso decided to make a radical turn, to place in industry a majority of the cadres won to the sections of the international in the previous period.
The adoption of the resolution "Socialist Revolution and the Struggle for Women's Liberation" marked the first time the Marxist movement has devel oped such a comprehensive programmatic document on this question.
Indicative votes were taken on resolutions on the conflicts in Indochina and on the relation between socialist democracy and the dictatorship of the proletariat. Discussion on these points will continue and a definitive decision will be taken on them at a later time.
The congress elected an International Executive Committee (IEC), which is the leadership of the international between world congresses. The IEC will meet once a year. Immediately following the congress, the IEC elected the United Secretariat, a smaller body that acts for the IEC between IEC meetings.