C. L. R. James and the Grenada Revolution: Lessons Learned and Future Possibilities

Many of the theoretical assumptions and tactical approaches of the Grenada revolution were rooted in the experiences of early twentieth century Russia. The internal debates within the Grenada Revolution largely ignored the pre-and post-Stalin theoretical debates within Communism, and showed little awareness of original Caribbean Marxist thought. This was reflected in the limited impact of the Caribbean’s foremost Marxist theoretician, C.L.R. James, on the revolutionary process in Grenada, despite the fact that James’ theoretical contributions addressed concerns which bore direct relevance to the later implosion of the Grenada Revolution, and to a post-Stalinist global Marxism. This chapter therefore seeks to apply the theoretical insights of C.L.R. James to understanding the lessons of the collapse of the Grenada Revolution and in pointing the way towards the possibilities of a future anti-systemic project in the Caribbean.