In the next decade, it became one of the strongest sections of the Fourth International, which Trotsky organized after his expulsion from Russia to lead the "permanent revolution" which he left Stalin had betrayed.
The Party never developed a mass following, however. Today, Powers estimated, about 40 per cent of its 5,000 to 10,000 members also belong to trade unions.
As a Trotskyite party, the SWP calls for revolution all over the world, including at least political revolutions in Russia and China.
"Mao may sound more leftist, but what he does is actually pretty much like Russia," Powers said.
"Cuba's probably about the best," he continued, "but even there they've been arresting writers and supporting Communist Parties in Latin America."
Despite this revolutionary ideology, the SWP's 1972 program seems in some respects not terribly different from that of many left-wing Democrats'.
It calls for immediate withdrawal from Indochina, abolition of the draft, dismantling of military bases, an end to wage controls, a shorter work week without a cut in pay, socialization of medicine, public works, and a 100 per cent tax on incomes above $25,000 per year, as well as civil rights and power for minority groups.
"Some Democrats can support some of these demands; the program is directed to the mass of the American people," Powers said. "But if the program were implemented, it would have to mean a social revolution." As a Marxist-Leninist party, the SWP hopes to lead the revolution it is sure is coming.
Postwar American prosperity, Powers said, was based on America's "taking over the world." But as exploitation becomes more difficult, SWP members believe, prosperity will decline and the country will be radicalized.
"Earlier crises were resolved by world wars," Powers said. "But there won't be a Third World War, because that would destroy the world. There will have to be a revolution."
IN PREPARATION FOR THAT DAY, the SWP is trying to build a following through participation in antiwar and minority-rights demonstrations as well as electoral campaigns.
SWP members have been prominent in organizations like the Peace Action Coalition and especially the Student Mobilization Committee. Columnists Rowland Evans and Robert Novak, among others, have claimed that the SWP controlled SMC's large Washington demonstrations of 1970 and 1971.
"There was some vicious Red-baiting about the demonstrations," Powers said. "We did play a significant role in getting coalitions together, but obviously we didn't control anyone."
The antiwar movement, Powers said, has been the major source of SWP members.
"People are against the war, and the war is part of American foreign policy, and American foreign policy is imperialist, and imperialism is caused by capitalism, so they end up opposing capitalism," he explained.
Pulley, for example, was active in GIs United Against the War, eventually serving 60 days in the stockade, after his expulsion form high school for his participation in what officials called a riot after the assassination of Martin Luther King. Jenness is a 31-year old former teacher and secretary.
In 1968 the SWP was on the ballot in 19 states and received 60,000 votes.