Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf

YOUTH AGAINST FASCISM
that proposed "compulsory national service and training for all youth" were condemned
as reflections of "Nazism in Britain" that could only be countered by "ridding ourselves
of our fascist-minded Government." 95 Under a People's Government democracy would
be strengthened since "all youth, like scouts, are prepared to give service to the community,
but not to be compelled blindly to follow a policy alien to democracy." 96 In this
urgent situation, the YCL insisted that it must "become the best friends and assistants, not
only of the Communist Party, but of the whole Labour Movement." 97
Young communists emphasized the importance of active citizenship to defeat Chamberlain
by strengthening youth participation in democracy. Mick Bennett laid out the
YCL's position stating, "Democracy is in a crisis. All liberties won in our present democracy
are in danger from fascism. To grow stronger democracy must resist.... Training in
Citizenship is essential for defending democracy." 98 YCL rhetoric used statements like
"training in citizenship" and "strengthening of democracy" synonymously. 99 Other
Challenge articles stressed the importance of youth participation arguing "the work of
youth in this great democracy is tremendously important" and that the greatest input of
youth came "through the medium of citizenship." 100 Citizenship campaigns made the
British public recognize that "youth has the right to be heard and to decide issues of
policy" unlike the past where it had simply been acceptable for adult "leaders to commit
their members to National Service." 101 The YCL maintained that in order to show "the
advantages of democracy" the youth movement had "the duty to be active in all kinds of
ways" to promote the "principles of progress, peace and brotherhood." 102 Democracy was
no longer critiqued for its systematic shortcomings, but from the lack of active citizenship
and engagement in civic and political life.
The YCL believed the British Youth Parliament was a vital asset to strengthening
youth participation in politics. The Youth Parliament's engaged youth in active citizenship
and participation in British democracy:
The Youth Parliament will bring together the youth… on the background of the threat
everywhere to democracy and their ideals… to train young people for democratic citizenship....
It is intended that these discussions shall centre around considerations of the
whole question of the growth of the British constitution, the struggle of the people for
their democratic rights, the machinery of British democracy, and, most important, the responsibility
of young people to play their full part in the life of the community.... An important
object of the Youth Parliament will be to demonstrate exactly how the
democratic machine works in Britain.... Such an event must play a vital part in the fight
for the defence and extension of democracy. 103
Even though the Youth Parliament was made up of varying ideological and theological
perspectives, the YCL contested that "every free expression of opinion by youth… is a
blow against Chamberlain" and helped to strengthen democracy in Britain. 104 The YCL
asserted communication among the youth would spurn young people into greater political
action and strengthen the development of "democratic culture."
The YCL promoted democratic culture by highlighting Britain's democratic heritage.
This phenomenon was intrinsically distinct from the Leninist Generation that highlighted
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