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[ The logic of these revolts is not socialist or even anti-capitalist. But it will eventually lead in that direction. Neoliberalism and imperialism are going to be fundamental barriers to this revolutionary process but won't emerge as such until the people have managed to take on and defeat their local strong man and elites. The decks have to first be cleared for this to emerge as a really socialist struggle. We need a certain amount of faith in the people and the working class if we are going to be able to understand and have solidarity with this movement. Imperialism is going to have a hell of a time crushing this, though if Gadhaffi had managed to slaughter the revolution in Benghazi I imagine it could have been rather demoralizing and put a serious damper on things. The fact that imperialism didn't let this happen, but instead has decided to pose as its savior, at least for the moment (even as it turns a blind eye in Bahrain, Yemen and elsewhere), should tell us something about the way imperialism operates and views its interests in the region. -dave ] Its the Popular Sovereignty, Stupid Posted on 03/23/2011 by Juan The logic of the Arab spring is about popular sovereignty. The people power being displayed in the streets, on twitter and Facebook, is intended to sweep away impediments to the expression of the will of the people, mainly presidents for life. The Arab crowds are investing their hopes in a new era of parliamentarism, in elections and constitutions, in term limits and referendums, in the rule of law and the principle that governmental authority must derive from the people. It is not that they are John Stuart Mill liberals. The crowds have a communitarian aspect, and demands jobs and for free formation of labor unions and the right to bargain collectively form a key part of the protest movements. But such labor organizing is also seen by movement participants and part of the expression of the popular will. That the movements have been so powerfully informed by this Rousseauan impulse helps explain their key demands and why they keep spreading. The progression is that they begin with a demand that the strong man step down. If they get that, they want a dissolution of old corrupt ruling parties and elites. They want parliamentary elections. They want term limits for the president and reduction of presidential powers. They want new constitutions, newly hammered out, and subject to national referendums. They want an end to corruption and croneyism. They aim for future governments to be rooted in the national will. cont... http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/its-the-popular-sovereignty-stupid.html ________________________________________________ Send list submissions to: Marxism@greenhouse.economics.utah.edu Set your options at: http://greenhouse.economics.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
