The Benchmarks
By Steve McClure <http://www.thecitizen.org.uk/graphics/articles/pich1.jpg> Marx in the closing paragraphs of the Communist Manifesto posed a question, Socialism or Barbarism. As we watch with growing concern the developments in Lebanon, Gaza, Afghanistan and Iraq it seems that Barbarism and a decent into sectarian violence across the region is the choice made at the beginning of the 21st century. History is really in front of us, the seeds of European racism, colonialism and imperialism planted at the beginnings of Capitalist accumulation are bearing strange fruit as we enter another century. The collapse of the state socialist experiment in the USSR, the disenchantment of the world in the wake of modernization have moved some to even question the merits of the Enlightenment and industrial society as the ecological limits of an accumulation regime are approached. As pessimistic optimists, we find that history always advances on its dark side, times of crisis demand that we respond. As activists we are utopians guided by scientific socialism, as materialists, we attempt to understand our historical circumstances using the tools of dialectical and historical materialism. Attempting to understand events that might cascade out of anyone`s control is central to our task of meaningful intervention. Globally, we see narrow nationalism, religious obscurantism, and identity filling the void left by the crisis of socialism. Hizzbollah, and Hamas while reactionary in some ways still are mass and popular forms that reflect both the demise of a secular left and a human desire to resist repression. Resistance must be supported despite ideological or political differences. The set of events unfolding in West Asia cannot be reduced to bullet points or easy answers. The military situation is unclear, and facts change daily. We are not attempting a comprehensive analysis of the situation. We have neither the time or expertise to undertake such a project which others have done admirably well. Instead,we hope to summarize our own conversations as a contribution to the discourse among those who share our commitment to a democratic secular alternative to Capitalism and Imperialism, reflexively based on our own traditions and experience. Some observations we have made concerning the situation are that the regional wars cannot be viewed in isolation from each other, but rather as a complex linked inseparably to the role of Western powers- in particular the role of the US. At the center, the concrete manifestation and flash point of imperialism is the struggle for Palestine. What stands in sharp focus is the ideological framework of Orientalism which defines both Jew and Arab as Other, as Edward Said so clearly spelled out in his life work. To ignore the historical roots of Zionism as a response to Anti-Semitism in Europe, or to overlook the struggle for Palestinian self determination as a response to colonialism in its most virulent form would be one sided in either case. While Israel can be singled out for condemnation for its violations of international law in its systematic destruction of life and infrastructure in Gaza and Lebanon, it must be pointed out that the puppet is not the puppet master. Ultimately it is the imperial interests of the global super power that has made this intolerable situation continue for far too long. The Imperium extended chaos into Afghanistan and Iraq in its quest to stretch the "Long Twentieth Century"-the century of American dominance-into the near future and beyond. As we register the benchmarks of imperial decline and internal decay, the beast becomes more dangerous, dragging billions into an abyss of rampant neo liberalism;while exporting chaos abroad to maintain a brittle and violent peace at home. Bloated bodies floating in the wreckage of New Orleans are a metaphor for and a concrete example of a state that has failed miserably in the essential tasks of government, and a class in power which ruthlessly imposes its will. The current man made disaster in Lebanon like Iraq is yet another attempt to create a spatial fix so as to avert coming to terms with the consequences of cascading contradictions inherent in Patriarchal Capitalism. Some things are very clear. Specifically, we see a consensus emerging internationally at both the state and popular levels demanding an immediate cease fire in Lebanon which should be our demand. Ultimately it is the American people who bear the responsibility to demand enforcement of all UN agreements concerning a settlement to the question of Palestine, in particular UN security resolutions 242 and 338. Selective enforcement of agreements in accordance with US interests is not acceptable. The right of return for displaced Palestinians must be negotiated and all US troops must be a withdrawn from Iraq. To achieve those ends we have clear tasks before us. Within our movements we must encourage a principled discussion on the question of Palestine, in particular within the anti-war movement as is happening within some local anti-war groupings around the nation. We recognize that full solidarity with the Palestinian struggle is not a point of unity within UFPJ, however opportunist and sectarian posturing at this moment would not be productive when the largest front is vital to ending the US occupation of Iraq, in the light of the upcoming elections, which might be a referendum on misrule, and cannot be dismissed. We would suggest a caucus of anti-imperialist groupings within UFPJ or without might be a form to engage in the critical tasks necessary in this time of crisis, and provide a space for convergence with other anti-imperialist groupings and the wider anti-capitalist trends outside of formal structures. It is our responsibility as socialists to be of the vanguard in a movement of movements toward an emancipatory politics that understands the line of march and has the capacity to move millions into action so as to overcome the order of magnitude. Fragmentation and small group mentality are impediments to our historical challenge Filed under: General <http://stangoff.com/index.php?cat=1> , Imperialism <http://stangoff.com/index.php?cat=2> , Military <http://stangoff.com/index.php?cat=3> , Gender <http://stangoff.com/index.php?cat=4> , Race & Nation <http://stangoff.com/index.php?cat=5> , Ecology & Env Justice <http://stangoff.com/index.php?cat=6> , Energy War <http://stangoff.com/index.php?cat=7> , Repression & Resistance <http://stangoff.com/index.php?cat=9> , Class <http://stangoff.com/index.php?cat=13> By Stan at 8:11 pm, 7/26/06 _______________________________________________ Marxism-Thaxis mailing list [email protected] To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism-thaxis
