Who is the Kommunistische Organisation (KO)?
1. Our goal
The goal of the Kommunistische Organisation (KO) is to contribute to building a strong communist party in Germany. We ourselves are still far from being such a party today. By this we mean an organization that
- develops clarity on the central questions of the movement,
- is linked to the central struggles of the working class in Germany,
- consists of a collective of comrades who can lead these struggles with clarity and experience and who dedicate a large part of their lives to this cause.
Such an organization does not currently exist in Germany and cannot be founded overnight. We must build this party with patience in the context of the struggles of our time—in cooperation, but also in sharp discussion with other forces that pursue the same goal.
Today, we face many of the same challenges and weaknesses as the rest of the communist movement in Germany and around the world. In many places, communists are fragmented and largely isolated from the working class. These circumstances are probably the most obvious manifestations of the crisis of the communist movement, from which we are of course not excluded.
International Struggles against Imperialism
At the same time, the economic, political, and ideological hegemony of the self-proclaimed West is in a historic crisis. This supremacy was built on the backs of over 400 years of colonization, capitalist exploitation, and imperialist oppression. The imperialist countries, led by the US, want to maintain their rule, but this stands in contradiction with the oppressed countries‘ struggle for national self-determination and liberation. The crisis of their rule is evident, among other things, in the economic rise of China, the forced withdrawal of Western troops from former colonies in Africa, the intensified struggle for liberation in West Asia, and the partial defeats in the war against Russia. Thus, countries such as Russia, China, and Iran are to be eliminated as independent political entities. To this end, they are being threatened militarily, blackmailed economically, and destabilized politically. At the same time, the countries of the Global South are increasingly supporting and cooperating with each other.
NATO is pushing ahead with armament and war preparations in order to enforce its global dominance militarily. The “Zeitenwende” announced in Germany in 2022 and supported by all parties includes a program to comprehensively secure the existing order and thus also to prepare for war: armament, militarization, and the dismantling of social welfare and democracy are being enforced with increasingly authoritarian means.
Anti-imperialist forces around the world are trying to use the current crisis to free themselves from centuries of oppression under colonialism and imperialism. These attempts are visible in many places around the world, with all their contradictions. The current dynamic international class struggle situation harbors enormous dangers, but at the same time offers great opportunities.
Fragmentation of the communist movement
In order to take advantage of this situation, we need to understand it better. How socialism can be successfully achieved is a matter of debate. There is a lack of analysis of the (inter)national, social, and political situation, as well as a lack of strategy and tactics based on this analysis—in other words, a lack of concrete determination of our current tasks and objectives.
There are many contentious issues and ambiguities among communists in this area, which we want to address and help clarify. This situation is one of the main reasons for the fragmentation, inactivity, and isolation from the working class. We want to overcome this by addressing the pressing political issues of our time and the communist movement. This is what we understand by the clarification process, and this is why KO was founded in 2018.
Today’s lack of clarity is closely linked to the lack of comrades who understand the struggles of the working class and can successfully lead them. It is not only a matter of developing the right theory and practice, but also of forming a group of individuals who continuously test and develop it together. We refer to the collective training of these comrades as cadre development.
We take these steps by participating in the most important struggles of our time—we learn to organize, establish contacts, and sharpen our analysis through exchange with others and by evaluating our experiences. Active engagement in current struggles, such as against war and social deprivation, and the lessons learned from them are central to both the clarification process and cadre development.
2. What is the clarification process?
When we speak of the clarification process, we are ultimately talking about developing a revolutionary strategy and tactics for the working class in Germany. We want to identify the main lines of class struggle both internationally and in Germany. Our goal is to understand the situation and consciousness of the German working class, to understand the causes of socialism’s defeats to date, and to uncover current trends in imperialism. On this basis, we want to derive concrete guidelines for struggle and action.
The difficulty of this task is evident, for example, in the current discussions about the role of Russia and China in the world, the relationship between German and US imperialism, and the question of an approaching fascism or a third world war. Approaches such as “the main enemy is in our own country,” “capitalism is behind fascism,” or the proclamation of socialism as the next stage of the struggle offer a certain orientation, but they are not yet concrete answers to the complex questions we must grapple with intensively.
The NATO war against Russia, for example, has made it clear to us that our previously too general understanding of imperialism and the historical debates of our movement, for example on the national question, is not sufficient to provide political orientation in the face of sharp developments in the class struggle. Many organizations and groups, even beyond the spectrum of the communist movement, were caught up in the dynamics of these political events. This was also the case with the KO, where a dispute broke out that ultimately led to the split of the organization. A dubious reference to general doctrines was countered by a concrete examination of both the historical debate of the labor movement and the contradictory developments and conditions in Ukraine and Russia. Without reference to concrete historical material, that is, to the reality of class struggle, communist programs and solutions cannot develop revolutionary potential. There is a danger devolving into a verbally radical commentator on the sidelines, and there is a risk of overestimating one’s own abilities, and also for moving towards sectarianism, and dogmatism.
We want to counteract these developments in the communist movement and deal intensively with the relevant issues. To this end, we have discussed and worked collectively in various forms, depending on the needs and issues at hand, for example in content-based working groups or in BolscheWiki.
The Communism study program (Studiengang Kommunismus) also serves this purpose and is intended to contribute to the clarification process and cadre development. The clarification process aims to promote a joint, solidarity-based discussion and examination of history, current developments, and our contentious issues—also in exchange with other people and actors. This is crucial for the unity of the communist movement, which is impossible without a clear examination of important contentious issues. As already mentioned, the clarification process is also closely linked to the struggles: In the debates and struggles we wage, we learn a lot about the correct analysis, strategy, and tactics.
3. The KO in the communist movement
The KO was founded in 2018 after a year-long preparatory process. It is composed of former members of the DKP and SDAJ, as well as other individuals from other political organizations and previously unorganized individuals. Since its founding, the KO has developed both in terms of personnel and content. We continue to regard the KO as an instrument for cadre development and for creating important scientific foundations for the communist party. Therefore, we work together with like-minded forces in the movement in Germany and internationally to jointly overcome the challenges facing the movement as a whole.
Our political current
We want to conduct the clarification process and the discussion of important issues together with all interested parties. We are open to discussing with other organizations and wrestling with the right arguments. Our goal is to engage with the movement in a self-critical manner, which also includes criticism of ourselves. Therefore, we envision an open, objective, and controversial process.
We consider ourselves part of a particular current within the communist movement that takes a positive view of real existing socialism in the Soviet Union, the GDR, and many other countries, and sees this struggle as our own—with all its problems, contradictions, and successes. Most of the parties of this current are gathered in Solidnet, which at the same time also reflects the division within this current. Within this current, there are very different points of view on the history of the movement, especially in the evaluation of the policies of the CPSU under Stalin. We reject anti-Stalinism because it is a powerful tool used by the class enemy to weaken the communist movement. Revisionism, which arose within the communist movement, is just as much a problem that we must address as the manifestations of dogmatism and rigidity. The anti-revisionist approach to the history of the communist and labor movement is important to us because it understands the defeat of socialism in 1989/90 not as an objective inevitability, but as an avoidable defeat of the progressive forces in the struggle for the right strategy and tactics.
Our affiliation with this current is therefore very important to us. At the same time, it is relative, as we can currently observe that many different positions and ideologies are represented within this movement, which are often closer to radical leftism or reformism.
Our relationship to the DKP
Since some of us were active in the DKP and SDAJ before we founded the KO, and we see important similarities in content with the DKP, we would like to briefly explain our relationship with the DKP: We strive for close and solidarity-based cooperation with the DKP. We share many ideological foundations, including a positive reference to real socialism and the priority of the struggle against NATO and German imperialism. We believe that the DKP, whose roots go back to the KPD, is an important force in the communist movement. Our goal is a constructive, supportive relationship with the DKP, characterized by criticism and self-criticism. We also hope for a more intensive exchange on the crisis of the movement and the need for a process of clarification.
At the same time, however, we are not part of the DKP. In order to conduct a systematic clarification process and a debate on the question of the characteristics of the Communist Party, we have founded our own organization, as this was and is not possible within the DKP. The creation of an active, disciplined collective was and is necessary to advance the clarification and development process. The possibility of conducting open discussions is another prerequisite for organizing the clarification process. Since our founding, we have gained a tremendous amount of important experience, as we have developed a form of organization that we have not found in other structures.
Struggle instead of proclamation
Our organization is constantly evolving, and that is precisely what sets us apart. Our organization is necessary in order to implement an initiative and learn from the process what is good and what needs to be improved. We continue to understand this process as a struggle to forge a fighting organization. Proclaiming one’s own organization as a party, as was done by the part of the KO that split off in 2023 and now calls itself the “KP” without significantly approaching the goals we have set, is not only unrealistic but also reduces the KO’s project to absurdity. The state of clarification, self-criticism, and struggle for the right forms is exhausting and uncomfortable—but necessary.
International Dimension
The clarification process should not be limited to Germany. In particular, discussion and contact with parties and organizations worldwide have repeatedly given important impetus to our political development in recent years. We are convinced that clarification and development for the class struggles in Germany can only be successful in close connection with the international anti-imperialist and communist movement.
The problems we face in this country reflect a global situation. Ultimately, the questions are the same, even if different strategies arise from the specific local situation. In addition to practical solidarity, internationalism also means examining and understanding the international context of class struggles in order to form a united front in the global class struggle. We maintain contact with various organizations and parties worldwide, and we are in regular exchange with some of them. Internationally, the focus is also on clarification and exchange on burning issues. We follow the debates on Solidnet, are in contact with the International Peoples Assembly, and participate in meetings of the Antifascist Forum and the World Anti-Imperialist Platform.
4. What does KO do specifically?
Study program on the history of communism
As a central instrument, we have been organizing the study program on the history of communism (Studiengang zur Geschichte des Kommunismus) since February 2025. The aim is to understand the struggles and conflicts in the labor movement and the important insights and lessons drawn for the development of communist theory in their historical context. The KO is supported by many young comrades: while we are characterized by energy and a willingness to learn and develop, we also recognize a concrete lack of experience and knowledge about our history and current struggles.
The study program on communism is a conclusion drawn from the split, which showed us that we need to develop a common foundation in order to understand and respond to the burning political issues of today. Especially in view of the escalating situation, this intensive examination of the struggles of the labour movement is of great importance to us in order to better meet the challenges we face. The course is designed to last three years and deals collectively and intensively with the history of the communist and labor movements. We want to understand the defeats, achievements, divisions, and contradictions of our movement in their historical context. The course is organized locally in weekly reading group meetings and accompanied by centralized lectures. Participation and collaboration are also open to interested people outside the KO.
Learning to fight and organize in mass work
We also play an active role in political debates in Germany. Comrades who oppose the aggressive war policies of Germany and NATO have joined forces in the KO. We fight against the impoverishment of the broad masses of the population, against the dismantling of democratic rights, against the exploitation of other peoples, against racist incitement against migrants, and against many other crimes of our time. Through political work on individual issues beyond the KO, most of us have come to identify with communism as the political current of the workers‘ movement.
With the KO, we want to deepen our practical experience of political and social struggles, evaluate them together, and learn to take on an active, driving, and organizing role. We want to understand and learn about class struggles. We refer to this as mass work and carry it out as individuals independently of the KO. The activities we implement depend heavily on local conditions and the individual backgrounds of our comrades. Within various organizations (trade unions, neighborhood organizations, initiatives on specific political issues such as Palestine, peace, rent, etc.), we advocate principles that promote sustainable self-organization of the class: solidarity, activity, and independence. Broad working-class organizations, in which people unite for their interests and learn that they are capable of bringing about change when organized, are an indispensable part of the class struggle.
Communist agitation and propaganda
Apart from mass work, we as KO organize rallies, actions, and participate in demonstrations. In recent years, we have placed particular emphasis on condemning and exposing the role of German imperialism and NATO. Through these means, we have worked intensively for solidarity with Palestine, mobilized against Germany’s and NATO’s war policy toward Russia and China, campaigned against the associated dismantling of democratic rights, and brought solidarity with anti-imperialist struggles to the public’s attention. Our work also includes organizing a vibrant culture of remembrance for the history of the German labor movement, anti-fascism, and the GDR. Overall, we try to respond to gaps in the communist debate with our publications. These incorporate insights from our mass work, and we disseminate relevant analyses and assessments from the international debate.
Communism Congress
In 2022 and 2023, we organized the Communism Congress to address central and burning controversies within the communist movement. To this end, we invited various actors from Germany and internationally to exchange positions, discuss controversies, and deepen knowledge through lectures, panel discussions, and workshops. We intend to continue organizing the Communism Congress in the future.
Current Affairs
Our local groups regularly organize meetings where we discuss the latest events and current affairs. In these open discussions, we discuss current political issues and developments and try to classify them from a Marxist perspective. In addition, the local groups regularly offer discussion events on specific issues as well as reading circles, film screenings, and similar activities.
5. How is the KO organized?
We are a nationwide organization with individual local groups that organize their local work collectively. Every year, we organize nationwide membership congresses to determine important political and programmatic lines for the KO and to evaluate and plan our joint activities. Our organizational life is governed by a statute, which we use as a basis. The question of organizational principles has been a central concern for us from the very beginning.
Some of us have already gained different experiences in organizations and groups within the movement. In addition, we have studied historical debates on organizational forms that have arisen in the course of the history of the labor movement. The experiences of class struggle and the emergence of the imperialist state machinery have contributed significantly to the development of the principles of the “new type of party,” such as the orientation toward a cadre party, democratic centralism, collectivity, criticism and self-criticism, discipline, and activity. These principles are still important points of reference for us today, although we must also take into account the stage of development and the concrete conditions of the class struggle in order to apply them.
Specifically, we want to train ourselves in taking on binding responsibilities and developing leadership skills. We also want to gain experience in agitation and mass work, as well as acquire a sound knowledge of history. These skills are developed through collective work, which requires a high degree of long-term activity and voluntary discipline on the part of the members in order to be able to recognize and eliminate their own weaknesses and mistakes as a collective.
6. How can you get involved?
Are you interested in working with the KO or on specific projects? Anyone interested is invited to get to know us at events and open meetings. We also welcome written contributions to important political debates for our website. Information about the study program on the history of communism (Studiengang zur Geschichte des Kommunismus) and how to get involved in it can be found on the website of the study program. You can also join the KO as a supporter upon request to get to know us better and actively participate in our work. Feel free to send us an email with your request to info@kommunistische-organisation.de or contact our local groups directly.