When you get involved in leftist politics, all to often you are confronted with the horrors of Capitalism. Even before that, for many of us, exposure to these horrors has forced us into disillusionment, distain, anger at the world around us. We talk frequently as the enlightened - not to sound too big in ourselves. Pointing out the barbarism, the contradictions and so forth. However what of the alternative?
For so many, an alternative is never seen. For many, an alternative seems too far away to grasp. So the purpose of this addition to this blog is to talk about Socialism - the only viable, though by no means permanent, alternative to Capitalism.
I'm not going to talk about Social Democratic policy, or a Reformist road to achieve Socialism. I'm going to be talking about what I consider the only viable method to achieve Socialism - The emancipation of the working class - and thereby, all of humanity.
The Capitalist system, in all its contradictions, all its horrors, creates its own grave, and grave digger. The Working Class. Where there may have been many classes before, Capitalism concentrated all persons into two Classes - Those that exploit - The Capitalist Class, and those that are exploited - The Working class. The Capitalist class rely almost entirely on the Working Class to use their capital. As through this relation, through this mode of production, exchange value is created. Never the less, the Capitalist Class must always try to maximise profit, to increase unendingly its own Capital. One of the most fundamental ways of doing this, is to pay its working class less for its commodity - Labour power/time.
If you use your imagination, and a little intellectualism, we can easily see the conflicting interests, objectively, between both classes. And it is this objective factor that creates what is called Class Struggle.
Socialism, to be created in its entirety, requires maturity of this struggle. It requires the working class, and the capitalist class, to be at war with each other. It sounds pretty dire, I know.
By War, I do not mean open warfare where the classes form armies and go head to head. I mean the working class attacking the fundamental core of the Capitalist system through their maturing struggle. Challenging the economic strength of the Capitalist - by withholding their Labour Power. Challenging the political strength of the Capitalist, by assembling in defiance of their will, and Challenging the ideology which justifies the Capitalist Class's existence, by destroying the prejudices and contradictory ideas in the heat of struggle - in the objective push toward a unified, coherent working class movement.
Though this mature struggle, a working class revolution can form. And with appropriate leadership - as there was in the 1917 Russian Revolution, and in the leadership of the Paris Commune of the 19th century, the working class can progress to the point of complete dissatisfaction with the Capitalist society formerly controlling them. They denounce the ideology, no longer recognise their society, and create the foundations for society anew.
But what is Socialist Society? What does the alternative look like? In the simplest terms, Democratic. There is but one fundamental, concrete factor we can all be sure of when it comes to what a Socialist Society looks like, true democracy. Where every person has a say, where elected representatives are no more powerful than the workers around them, and are held accountable for every move they make. Where workers democratically organise themselves, and produce for the needs of their fellow human beings, instead of for exploitative personal gain. This is the transitional product of working class movements coming to fruition under circumstances honed and tempered to their emancipation.
From this, it is clear we can see, that what Lenin, Trotsky, Marx and Engels, Luxemburg, etc fought and died for was not the Totalitarian dictatorships of Maoist China, or Stalinist Russia.
From this we see Socialism is not a government above the rest. Rather that it is united, free and equal, working class power. Where the majority rule, and the formerly ruling class minority become no more powerful than the people they once forced into subservience.
Beyond this, we cannot say what Socialist Society will look like. To speculate above and beyond democratic decision would be to remove ourselves from that ideal of true democracy, that democracy of the dictatorship of the proletariat.
The point is that this is an alternative, that is achievable. It may be vague, and we may only have one sure thing to count on - provided our cards play out right, and we make it, but it already becomes better than the society of the Capitalist. And what's better, is that we would decide how it is run, what it entails. We would decide based on what we needed and wanted. What was just, and right by all humanity.
The Socialist alternative is democracy. Freedom. Equality.
We work for all, we feed all.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Even the Socialist can be Socially Ideological...
Time and time again, despite all the talk about fixing the world, I have conversed with other socialists and found their positions on one particular group of people sub-par, or at worst, disgusting. To think that with all the talk about despotism, and the poor of the world that they can so easily think so little of the same people they set out to inevitably save.
The struggle for workers’ power is as much the struggle for the lumpen. Those of the lowest socio-economic level, not just the working poor, but the poor who have become despot and homeless, those that have become unable to access any means of subsistence. These are people who know, at the forefront of their minds, more consistently than the entirety of the working class, the destruction that Capitalism creates. Though, they may not call it Capitalism. They may call it big business, rich people, profiteers of the slums, bosses etc. Objectively, this point of view is no less than that of the Worker, the fundamental difference is that whilst Workers have a means of subsistence (though minor), the poorest of the poor have none. Their struggles are not minor struggles, minor defiance against bosses – their struggles are struggles for their lives. Their ability to exist, not even to live (as to live, you need to be able to enjoy your life – at least in this context), just to exist. Their entire lives are built up brooding over hostilities toward the rich and powerful. The ones who have the means to save them, however do not. And they know just as quickly as any other why: Corporate, ruling class self-interest is more important than the interests of the many. This is the status quo of thought amongst the poor.
So to clear something up, how do I know this? Well, I’m one of them. Or was. Not only was I one of them, I was one of them for more than half of my life. My friends are them. My friends’ friends are them. Their parents are them, and their parents’ parents were them. Junkies, thugs, petty criminals, homeless, and despot.
Amidst those I know now, those Socialists I’ve conversed with, become friends with, become loyal to – I have to say the majority can be considered relatively middle class. They have no objective material factors pushing them toward Socialist politics, rather, it seems almost much more subjective, as if it were a choice they made for moral reasons. I however was pushed toward these politics for objective reasons. Not because I thought it was a good idea, rather, because I know it is a necessary idea, first hand.
When I speak to them about the poor, I have received opinions that the poor are useless, can’t be relied on (to some extent is true when talking about Socialist politics), the overall face-value of the opinion is negative – that is, until those people have to speak with those poor, despot people – and discover once again just how horrible the poor life really is.
I find the most disgusting part of it, is the negative view of the poor by Socialists. These are people the Socialist is supposed to be speaking for (to some extent). To be saying “Look! These people live this way because Capitalism can’t give them a home, or food, or clean water! It pushes people to poverty! And once there, they rarely get out! Capitalism forces people to look for ideological escapes, such as drug and alcohol abuse! It leaves us with but two enjoyments – Sex and intoxication – and even then they attack those last remaining loves!”
However, when these things are said, once everyone goes back to their lives to continue the good fight, the poor become a thorn in their side somehow. The person they don’t want to associate with. The people they dislike – not because they are scumbags, but because they just don’t help.
Well this is me saying that the poor of the world are a stronger fighting force than we all think. I understand that the only collective that can lead a Revolution is the working class, and that it is the working class we need to convince as they hold economic and political power. However – if the poorest of the poor can see uprising, and can taste change, they fight for it harder, and longer than any other. The poor are the martyrs of struggle, the poor are the special operatives of struggle, far more astute, far more militant and far tougher in struggle than most workers.
So don’t discredit them so easily. Aim to convince those of the lowest level of the same politics you would a worker.
The struggle for workers’ power is as much the struggle for the lumpen. Those of the lowest socio-economic level, not just the working poor, but the poor who have become despot and homeless, those that have become unable to access any means of subsistence. These are people who know, at the forefront of their minds, more consistently than the entirety of the working class, the destruction that Capitalism creates. Though, they may not call it Capitalism. They may call it big business, rich people, profiteers of the slums, bosses etc. Objectively, this point of view is no less than that of the Worker, the fundamental difference is that whilst Workers have a means of subsistence (though minor), the poorest of the poor have none. Their struggles are not minor struggles, minor defiance against bosses – their struggles are struggles for their lives. Their ability to exist, not even to live (as to live, you need to be able to enjoy your life – at least in this context), just to exist. Their entire lives are built up brooding over hostilities toward the rich and powerful. The ones who have the means to save them, however do not. And they know just as quickly as any other why: Corporate, ruling class self-interest is more important than the interests of the many. This is the status quo of thought amongst the poor.
So to clear something up, how do I know this? Well, I’m one of them. Or was. Not only was I one of them, I was one of them for more than half of my life. My friends are them. My friends’ friends are them. Their parents are them, and their parents’ parents were them. Junkies, thugs, petty criminals, homeless, and despot.
Amidst those I know now, those Socialists I’ve conversed with, become friends with, become loyal to – I have to say the majority can be considered relatively middle class. They have no objective material factors pushing them toward Socialist politics, rather, it seems almost much more subjective, as if it were a choice they made for moral reasons. I however was pushed toward these politics for objective reasons. Not because I thought it was a good idea, rather, because I know it is a necessary idea, first hand.
When I speak to them about the poor, I have received opinions that the poor are useless, can’t be relied on (to some extent is true when talking about Socialist politics), the overall face-value of the opinion is negative – that is, until those people have to speak with those poor, despot people – and discover once again just how horrible the poor life really is.
I find the most disgusting part of it, is the negative view of the poor by Socialists. These are people the Socialist is supposed to be speaking for (to some extent). To be saying “Look! These people live this way because Capitalism can’t give them a home, or food, or clean water! It pushes people to poverty! And once there, they rarely get out! Capitalism forces people to look for ideological escapes, such as drug and alcohol abuse! It leaves us with but two enjoyments – Sex and intoxication – and even then they attack those last remaining loves!”
However, when these things are said, once everyone goes back to their lives to continue the good fight, the poor become a thorn in their side somehow. The person they don’t want to associate with. The people they dislike – not because they are scumbags, but because they just don’t help.
Well this is me saying that the poor of the world are a stronger fighting force than we all think. I understand that the only collective that can lead a Revolution is the working class, and that it is the working class we need to convince as they hold economic and political power. However – if the poorest of the poor can see uprising, and can taste change, they fight for it harder, and longer than any other. The poor are the martyrs of struggle, the poor are the special operatives of struggle, far more astute, far more militant and far tougher in struggle than most workers.
So don’t discredit them so easily. Aim to convince those of the lowest level of the same politics you would a worker.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
An Analysis of the Capitalist Crisis - What of the working class?
In recent times, it has become (to some of us) all to clear that the Financial, and subsequently Capitalist crisis is going to have a grave impact on the working class. It will send millions into joblessness, force many more into further despotism. It will further concentrate capital, and centralise capital, already we see the slandering of socialism by U.S media, so that when this crisis is over, the blame can once again be pointed at Socialism. So that once again the Libertarian can avoid the pointed finger, and maintain their straw-men arguments with Mises theory. On the other hand it will also undermine libertarian ideology. It will change to some extent the balance of power in the global economy.
But what wont it do? First of all, it will not spark revolutionary movements for the most part, and if any are sparked, they will not have socialist leadership. And I think that this is something I particularly want to talk about. So I will leave the rest to our respective imaginations and focus on this point.
As much as I want it to happen, it wont. But why? You would think that after all of this rhetoric, of forces pushing workers to fight back, that they would, right? Well here’s the thing. It’s not actually that simple. Material factors, though pushing toward a fight, do not guarantee that a fight will be waged or even won.
Working class consciousness is probably one of the more important material factors. The state of much of the western world today is in a grand imbalance. It is so varied, it is impossible to map out even the most vague of statistic graphs to reflect it. There is equilibrium to some extent. Just as many workers align to the right as they do the left. And most, if not all workers still believe that either a revolution can’t work, or wont happen. Many workers share the ideology of the bourgeoisie, and many more are merely disillusioned and see no alternative, thereby merely shrug their shoulders and return to work.
Another important factor is that it is too late. There is no revolutionary leadership with credibility. Nor are there any even visible revolutionary parties in existence today. This crisis will only push workers deeper into the dungeon, and it’s pretty pitch black down there.
Workers are not mobilising as they should be in order to accelerate a movement toward revolutionary politics. Already there are 18 million homes vacant in the U.S, and many more in other advanced western blocs, billions on bailouts, and not a single demonstration of movement forming in opposition. There is a third world war going on, and there is barely a movement to combat that either.
Right now, objectively, the working class is not of form to take on the ruling class any time soon. It is still in the stages of immature struggle. This crisis will not propel the working class into mass action. This is a fact that is a little hard to bite into, for many of us. But now is not the time to be disillusioned.
What will happen, is that the working classes consciousness will be increased, if only marginally. There will be an activation of a working class vanguard, militant workers who will remember the lessons this crisis will teach them. And when socialist revolutionaries are present on the other end, offering an alternative to the ideas of Capitalism, those workers will be much easier to convince.
Just as in 1905, a revolution failed, the 2008 capitalist crisis will not breed a victory. However, that is not to say that in 2020, there will be no uprising. On the other end of this crisis we will have a battle hardened bunch, ready to fight, les they experience the same horror again in the future.
So I have written this up briefly to say, do not jump too far ahead of the working class. They are not ready yet. They will be, some time soon. But today is not the day. What we need to be doing now is building our organisations up. We need to be gaining credibility. Becoming larger, becoming stronger. We need to be practising our arguments and flooding the ears of the many with propaganda which opposes the voice of the few. And when the next crisis hits, there may be the possibility of a counter-attack.
But what wont it do? First of all, it will not spark revolutionary movements for the most part, and if any are sparked, they will not have socialist leadership. And I think that this is something I particularly want to talk about. So I will leave the rest to our respective imaginations and focus on this point.
As much as I want it to happen, it wont. But why? You would think that after all of this rhetoric, of forces pushing workers to fight back, that they would, right? Well here’s the thing. It’s not actually that simple. Material factors, though pushing toward a fight, do not guarantee that a fight will be waged or even won.
Working class consciousness is probably one of the more important material factors. The state of much of the western world today is in a grand imbalance. It is so varied, it is impossible to map out even the most vague of statistic graphs to reflect it. There is equilibrium to some extent. Just as many workers align to the right as they do the left. And most, if not all workers still believe that either a revolution can’t work, or wont happen. Many workers share the ideology of the bourgeoisie, and many more are merely disillusioned and see no alternative, thereby merely shrug their shoulders and return to work.
Another important factor is that it is too late. There is no revolutionary leadership with credibility. Nor are there any even visible revolutionary parties in existence today. This crisis will only push workers deeper into the dungeon, and it’s pretty pitch black down there.
Workers are not mobilising as they should be in order to accelerate a movement toward revolutionary politics. Already there are 18 million homes vacant in the U.S, and many more in other advanced western blocs, billions on bailouts, and not a single demonstration of movement forming in opposition. There is a third world war going on, and there is barely a movement to combat that either.
Right now, objectively, the working class is not of form to take on the ruling class any time soon. It is still in the stages of immature struggle. This crisis will not propel the working class into mass action. This is a fact that is a little hard to bite into, for many of us. But now is not the time to be disillusioned.
What will happen, is that the working classes consciousness will be increased, if only marginally. There will be an activation of a working class vanguard, militant workers who will remember the lessons this crisis will teach them. And when socialist revolutionaries are present on the other end, offering an alternative to the ideas of Capitalism, those workers will be much easier to convince.
Just as in 1905, a revolution failed, the 2008 capitalist crisis will not breed a victory. However, that is not to say that in 2020, there will be no uprising. On the other end of this crisis we will have a battle hardened bunch, ready to fight, les they experience the same horror again in the future.
So I have written this up briefly to say, do not jump too far ahead of the working class. They are not ready yet. They will be, some time soon. But today is not the day. What we need to be doing now is building our organisations up. We need to be gaining credibility. Becoming larger, becoming stronger. We need to be practising our arguments and flooding the ears of the many with propaganda which opposes the voice of the few. And when the next crisis hits, there may be the possibility of a counter-attack.
Reform and Reformism
To those who have spent time listening to different arguments between Socialists, the idea of Reform can seem like a fairly beat down topic. To many, those who are critical and revolutionary give off an air of anti-reform. However, more than often this is not the case. It is a misconception, of no fault to the person misconceiving. It is a product of non-clarification. And so this article will try to clarify, and ensure that no one gets an obscured message.
It is fundamental to understand what Reform is, first and foremost. Reform, or Amendment, is when a piece of legislation is changed or dissolved. One reform, for example, was when Women and Blacks won the right to vote. Another reform is the 8 hour day. These are reforms which we working class members fought for and won. Other reforms; Work Choices (in Australia), Goods and Services Tax, Carbon Trading Schemes and Anti-Terror laws (Such as the U.S Patriot Act), which are handed down by the State.
Already we can see a fundamental difference between reforms we have fought for, and reforms given to us through policy of the top-down parliamentarian. As we can see, there is always a string attached in the interests of the State. There is always a string attached in the interest of profits for big business, or there is a string attached which says, “This will not actually change anything. This is to save face, and we do not mind because the costs for this reform will be passed on to the workers/taxpayers.”
A good reform is one that is forced. Through demonstration, or workers’ strikes, the State and/or Bosses are backed into a corner, and must concede our demand. A bad reform is one where we are completely cut out of the loop, and it is spoon fed to us, whether it is dog-poo puree or not.
Most, if not all, Parliamentary parties have a concerntration of bad reform under their belts. The problem with Parliamentarians is that their interests are the same as those of the ones who maintain dominion. The ones who control the global economy. This is why we see a constant right leaning favor toward Big Business instead of the ‘little person.'
To understand why, you need to understand that the State was never a third party, neutral party. It was always their party. It cannot be our party because we did not create it. And more over, the existence of such a third party simply means; that there is irreconcilable class warfare that must be mediated. And we all know that if it served our interests, we certainly would not keep the enemy alive and kicking. Unfortunately for the enemy, it just so happens they require us. We however, do not require them. (Further reading on the State – The State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin, The Origins of the Family, Private Property and the State by Fredrick Engels.)
On to Reformism. Reformism is a particular political ideology that suggests that (particularly with Reformist/Democratic Socialists), those whose interests are apparently being served, need not participate. Reformism requires, rather, that those interested parties not participate. Reformist Parties are parties who do not see the need to mobilise a mass of people. They do not see the need to activate the class consciousness of the working class. Instead, due to their reluctance to (much of the time) even deal with the working class, they attempt to subdue it. For the working class to mobilise, the Reformist must lose ground. For the reformist attempts to represent the working class, whilst attempting to convince capital that it should be at the top. – Here we need to point out that it is impossible for any party to rise to the top, and maintain leadership of parliament if it does not serve the interests of Capital. We have seen the results of a haphazard ability to serve capital before, and it ends with sackings and military coups – So again, not a chance. Thereby, it is either predetermined by the party, or is inevitable that a reformist party will in the end serve capital. Alternatively, rather than serve capital, they may attempt to control it as Stalin and Mao did. Regardless, Reformist politics are incapable of bringing an end to Capitalism, as they have not the mettel to challenge the system. They do not point out its contradictions any more than they do praise them. They do not militantly oppose the system, and as such do not inspire workers to oppose the system either.
So now it is about the right time to explain the position of the Revolutionaries. There are some revolutionary parties which do jump to an absolute, resolute, non-reform stand-point. Many of these groups believe they can create a movement out of thin-air. Or that they can inspire workers without having any victories intermediately. Obviously, these people are full of shit.
A revolutionary socialist organisation, with the right politics, will understand that reform is an important piece to the puzzle of working class consciousness. These organisations and parties understand that it is imperative that reform be won. That workers are convinced to fight for them. As we can see in recent times, with no fighting force, with no opposition visable to the majority, many workers become disillusioned, or if they become militant, their efforts become scattered, disperse and are wasted. The momentum is not kept. This is largely the fault of Trade Unions not being willing to oppose business. This is also partially due to attacks on workers rights and unions since the 60s.
The goal of the Revolutionary is to refine that collective class consciousness through struggle. And one of the best ways to refine it is by agitating toward reform in favor of workers. We however, do not claim ‘vote!’ as the Trade Union leaders had during an anti-Howard’s Work Choices campaign in Australia leading up to the 2007 election. We say, “Fight!” I have not been to a demonstration where my organisation has not yelled at the top of our lungs and thusly agitated others to do so too, “How are we gonna get it?! Fight for it!”
Time and time again, we have seen that revolutionary organisations, with good politics have been able to agitate some of the most spectacular demonstrations in the past century. And we have seen that the only way to achieve good, quality reforms is through revolutionary political agitation.
It is only through this means, that revolution becomes possible. By agitating for a fight that can be won, baby steps, which then become strides. The problem with reformism is that its means become its ends. It is non-sustainable. It relies on the Capitalist political structure, it cuts out the strongest economic and political force which opposes the bourgeoisie by its own interests, and it does not have the means to fight against attacks on reforms won (as shown time and time again by labor governments across the world, by communist parties across the world, and by the democratic parties across the world.)
If this has clarified anything, I hope at the least it is my own stand point. I hope that this piece clarifies why I oppose the Communist governments of Venezuela, or Cuba. Of parties asking for our vote instead of asking for our raised fists. Democratic Socialists, Counter-revolutionaries who use revolutionary rhetoric, Centrists, Left-leaning right wing ‘workers’ parties.’ The lot of them be damned. I oppose them because they do not represent the majority. They do not represent international socialism. I oppose them because they would just as quickly defeat a working class uprising as the beougeoisie scumbags who oppress and exploit us already.
So let’s fight on, for reform, and for revolution! And while we’re at it, let’s destroy reformism in the process.
It is fundamental to understand what Reform is, first and foremost. Reform, or Amendment, is when a piece of legislation is changed or dissolved. One reform, for example, was when Women and Blacks won the right to vote. Another reform is the 8 hour day. These are reforms which we working class members fought for and won. Other reforms; Work Choices (in Australia), Goods and Services Tax, Carbon Trading Schemes and Anti-Terror laws (Such as the U.S Patriot Act), which are handed down by the State.
Already we can see a fundamental difference between reforms we have fought for, and reforms given to us through policy of the top-down parliamentarian. As we can see, there is always a string attached in the interests of the State. There is always a string attached in the interest of profits for big business, or there is a string attached which says, “This will not actually change anything. This is to save face, and we do not mind because the costs for this reform will be passed on to the workers/taxpayers.”
A good reform is one that is forced. Through demonstration, or workers’ strikes, the State and/or Bosses are backed into a corner, and must concede our demand. A bad reform is one where we are completely cut out of the loop, and it is spoon fed to us, whether it is dog-poo puree or not.
Most, if not all, Parliamentary parties have a concerntration of bad reform under their belts. The problem with Parliamentarians is that their interests are the same as those of the ones who maintain dominion. The ones who control the global economy. This is why we see a constant right leaning favor toward Big Business instead of the ‘little person.'
To understand why, you need to understand that the State was never a third party, neutral party. It was always their party. It cannot be our party because we did not create it. And more over, the existence of such a third party simply means; that there is irreconcilable class warfare that must be mediated. And we all know that if it served our interests, we certainly would not keep the enemy alive and kicking. Unfortunately for the enemy, it just so happens they require us. We however, do not require them. (Further reading on the State – The State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin, The Origins of the Family, Private Property and the State by Fredrick Engels.)
On to Reformism. Reformism is a particular political ideology that suggests that (particularly with Reformist/Democratic Socialists), those whose interests are apparently being served, need not participate. Reformism requires, rather, that those interested parties not participate. Reformist Parties are parties who do not see the need to mobilise a mass of people. They do not see the need to activate the class consciousness of the working class. Instead, due to their reluctance to (much of the time) even deal with the working class, they attempt to subdue it. For the working class to mobilise, the Reformist must lose ground. For the reformist attempts to represent the working class, whilst attempting to convince capital that it should be at the top. – Here we need to point out that it is impossible for any party to rise to the top, and maintain leadership of parliament if it does not serve the interests of Capital. We have seen the results of a haphazard ability to serve capital before, and it ends with sackings and military coups – So again, not a chance. Thereby, it is either predetermined by the party, or is inevitable that a reformist party will in the end serve capital. Alternatively, rather than serve capital, they may attempt to control it as Stalin and Mao did. Regardless, Reformist politics are incapable of bringing an end to Capitalism, as they have not the mettel to challenge the system. They do not point out its contradictions any more than they do praise them. They do not militantly oppose the system, and as such do not inspire workers to oppose the system either.
So now it is about the right time to explain the position of the Revolutionaries. There are some revolutionary parties which do jump to an absolute, resolute, non-reform stand-point. Many of these groups believe they can create a movement out of thin-air. Or that they can inspire workers without having any victories intermediately. Obviously, these people are full of shit.
A revolutionary socialist organisation, with the right politics, will understand that reform is an important piece to the puzzle of working class consciousness. These organisations and parties understand that it is imperative that reform be won. That workers are convinced to fight for them. As we can see in recent times, with no fighting force, with no opposition visable to the majority, many workers become disillusioned, or if they become militant, their efforts become scattered, disperse and are wasted. The momentum is not kept. This is largely the fault of Trade Unions not being willing to oppose business. This is also partially due to attacks on workers rights and unions since the 60s.
The goal of the Revolutionary is to refine that collective class consciousness through struggle. And one of the best ways to refine it is by agitating toward reform in favor of workers. We however, do not claim ‘vote!’ as the Trade Union leaders had during an anti-Howard’s Work Choices campaign in Australia leading up to the 2007 election. We say, “Fight!” I have not been to a demonstration where my organisation has not yelled at the top of our lungs and thusly agitated others to do so too, “How are we gonna get it?! Fight for it!”
Time and time again, we have seen that revolutionary organisations, with good politics have been able to agitate some of the most spectacular demonstrations in the past century. And we have seen that the only way to achieve good, quality reforms is through revolutionary political agitation.
It is only through this means, that revolution becomes possible. By agitating for a fight that can be won, baby steps, which then become strides. The problem with reformism is that its means become its ends. It is non-sustainable. It relies on the Capitalist political structure, it cuts out the strongest economic and political force which opposes the bourgeoisie by its own interests, and it does not have the means to fight against attacks on reforms won (as shown time and time again by labor governments across the world, by communist parties across the world, and by the democratic parties across the world.)
If this has clarified anything, I hope at the least it is my own stand point. I hope that this piece clarifies why I oppose the Communist governments of Venezuela, or Cuba. Of parties asking for our vote instead of asking for our raised fists. Democratic Socialists, Counter-revolutionaries who use revolutionary rhetoric, Centrists, Left-leaning right wing ‘workers’ parties.’ The lot of them be damned. I oppose them because they do not represent the majority. They do not represent international socialism. I oppose them because they would just as quickly defeat a working class uprising as the beougeoisie scumbags who oppress and exploit us already.
So let’s fight on, for reform, and for revolution! And while we’re at it, let’s destroy reformism in the process.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A call to action?
It seems in the world of 'post-modernity,' of pseudo-sociology, action can be constituted by its most literal meaning; To merely act. To be in motion. To bring paper to pen. To have a box ticked after entering a polling booth.
In talking about action, I wish to fundamentally discredit such meager motions as being truly actions to benefit human beings. I will not claim 'our society' as the society we live in exists not by our devices, but by the devices of the capitalist, of the bourgeoisie. And thereby, it most definitely is not our society.
Capitalism. The dominant mode of production. The globalised system of the relations between commodity, price, production and worker - exploitation, oppression and accumulation.
Through competitive market economics, the tragic play is on view for all of us. Capitalist versus capitalist, Capitalist bloc versus Capitalist bloc, Imperialist versus imperialist and Rulers versus their subordinates, the Working Class.
Libertarians, Conservatives, the Right and the ruling Centrists (or the parliamentary Left Wing), would each have us believe that Capitalism is evolved. That it is somehow the pinnacle of human development. That it saves lives, breeds happiness and shits roses. Then in the same breath, we will be forced to work hours unnecessarily, then we lose those jobs, then we lose our homes, then we are expected to hand over our pittance for the goods we created. They would have us believe they are necessary. We need them, without them, we will have nothing...
And yet, despite this all-too-often proved truth of Capitalism, it is claimed that all one has to do is merely to vote. Yes, vote. But do not vote because it will change anything. If voting could make real change, why do we still suffer needlessly? Any party that asks for your vote has but one, and only one interest; Running Capitalism.
Some parties such as the Democratic Socialists will claim that mere legislative change will solve the problem, that by reforming capitalism, they can subdue its nature.
Before I point out why that is bullshit, I'll just name some reformist parties that had a root in the working class before becoming a fledged reformist party.
- The Labor Party and Trades Unions of the United States (pre-lincoln) became the republican party.
- The Australian Labour Party which now continues the howard legacy (though they have amended it to their own interests.)
- The Mensheviks who were some of the first non-Bolsheviks to flock to the Stalinist Dictatorship.
- The German SPD, which had a hand in the slaughter of the revolutionaries and other disagreeable persons. (Rosa Luxemburg and her collaborators namely.)
- The Communist Party, world-wide since Stalin, which Sabotaged workers revolutions everywhere from China, to Australia, to Europe to Iran, to Italy and so forth.
And no, this is not due to bad leadership. It is in the nature of reformism to pander to Capitalism. Or in the case of the State-capitalist dictatorships of China and Russia, Italy, Cuba, Venezuela etc. to create their own ruling class.
Recognise, that reformism is not equipped to create fundamental change in society, as it does not fundamentally challenge it. Those parties above had either not recognised their failings, or had from the very beginning intended to seize their own interests.
So, do not vote for change, do not rely on the legislative process of the Bourgeoisie to change society for you. It will never happen that way. Every legislation in your favour today was won through hard struggles, by the Women's Lib movement, Black rights movements, the Australian Shearers, the Trade Unions, the Peace movement against vietnam, Student movements. Each one of them pushed in the direction of socialist politics, rather, it was because of socialist political influence that those groups were able to coherently fight the battles waged.
Vote to give yourself a fighting chance. To keep the worst one out.
So what then constitutes action for the better? A fundamental challenge to Capitalism. How? Challenge its mode of production, its political system, its ability to control the dominant ideas of society. Strikes, demonstrations, propaganda.
True action is to stand up, to raise a fist and to shout, "No more!" to gather arms, and block their advance. Even more-of-the-same-Obama digs his own grave with this truth. "Hold me accountable!" he says, "Luther wouldn't vote for me!" - Luther would have protested Obama for not representing the interests of black americans, just as no other does.
Now is just as great a time to act as ever. Not by voting, but by going to your friends, neighbours, strangers and discussing the reasons why. Convince them to do the same, join a union, join a revolutionary socialist organisation. Becomne an activist and try to draw others in with you, with the right politics. Politics of empowerment, of liberation, of emancipation.
And when the time comes, raise a fist high, a red flag over your shoulder and march!
That is real action...
In talking about action, I wish to fundamentally discredit such meager motions as being truly actions to benefit human beings. I will not claim 'our society' as the society we live in exists not by our devices, but by the devices of the capitalist, of the bourgeoisie. And thereby, it most definitely is not our society.
Capitalism. The dominant mode of production. The globalised system of the relations between commodity, price, production and worker - exploitation, oppression and accumulation.
Through competitive market economics, the tragic play is on view for all of us. Capitalist versus capitalist, Capitalist bloc versus Capitalist bloc, Imperialist versus imperialist and Rulers versus their subordinates, the Working Class.
Libertarians, Conservatives, the Right and the ruling Centrists (or the parliamentary Left Wing), would each have us believe that Capitalism is evolved. That it is somehow the pinnacle of human development. That it saves lives, breeds happiness and shits roses. Then in the same breath, we will be forced to work hours unnecessarily, then we lose those jobs, then we lose our homes, then we are expected to hand over our pittance for the goods we created. They would have us believe they are necessary. We need them, without them, we will have nothing...
And yet, despite this all-too-often proved truth of Capitalism, it is claimed that all one has to do is merely to vote. Yes, vote. But do not vote because it will change anything. If voting could make real change, why do we still suffer needlessly? Any party that asks for your vote has but one, and only one interest; Running Capitalism.
Some parties such as the Democratic Socialists will claim that mere legislative change will solve the problem, that by reforming capitalism, they can subdue its nature.
Before I point out why that is bullshit, I'll just name some reformist parties that had a root in the working class before becoming a fledged reformist party.
- The Labor Party and Trades Unions of the United States (pre-lincoln) became the republican party.
- The Australian Labour Party which now continues the howard legacy (though they have amended it to their own interests.)
- The Mensheviks who were some of the first non-Bolsheviks to flock to the Stalinist Dictatorship.
- The German SPD, which had a hand in the slaughter of the revolutionaries and other disagreeable persons. (Rosa Luxemburg and her collaborators namely.)
- The Communist Party, world-wide since Stalin, which Sabotaged workers revolutions everywhere from China, to Australia, to Europe to Iran, to Italy and so forth.
And no, this is not due to bad leadership. It is in the nature of reformism to pander to Capitalism. Or in the case of the State-capitalist dictatorships of China and Russia, Italy, Cuba, Venezuela etc. to create their own ruling class.
Recognise, that reformism is not equipped to create fundamental change in society, as it does not fundamentally challenge it. Those parties above had either not recognised their failings, or had from the very beginning intended to seize their own interests.
So, do not vote for change, do not rely on the legislative process of the Bourgeoisie to change society for you. It will never happen that way. Every legislation in your favour today was won through hard struggles, by the Women's Lib movement, Black rights movements, the Australian Shearers, the Trade Unions, the Peace movement against vietnam, Student movements. Each one of them pushed in the direction of socialist politics, rather, it was because of socialist political influence that those groups were able to coherently fight the battles waged.
Vote to give yourself a fighting chance. To keep the worst one out.
So what then constitutes action for the better? A fundamental challenge to Capitalism. How? Challenge its mode of production, its political system, its ability to control the dominant ideas of society. Strikes, demonstrations, propaganda.
True action is to stand up, to raise a fist and to shout, "No more!" to gather arms, and block their advance. Even more-of-the-same-Obama digs his own grave with this truth. "Hold me accountable!" he says, "Luther wouldn't vote for me!" - Luther would have protested Obama for not representing the interests of black americans, just as no other does.
Now is just as great a time to act as ever. Not by voting, but by going to your friends, neighbours, strangers and discussing the reasons why. Convince them to do the same, join a union, join a revolutionary socialist organisation. Becomne an activist and try to draw others in with you, with the right politics. Politics of empowerment, of liberation, of emancipation.
And when the time comes, raise a fist high, a red flag over your shoulder and march!
That is real action...
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