Re: Beyond Communism and Capitalism?

[boddhisatva <kbevans@xxxxxxxxx>]

                Mr. Proyect,



        As something of a syndicalist, I naturally question your views on the
importance of worker ownership of specific firms.  However, I'll let Mr.
Schwartz reply on that further.


        I will, though, challenge you to instruct me on what form the great
civil unrest will take in America.  After the general strike, we will demand
what?  Will a small number of vanguardists storm the capitol and take the
seats?  What then?  Won't elections proceed two years hence anyway?  What
laws will pass?  Once the wealth of the rich is up for grabs, who will dole
it out and how?


        And, most importantly, how will business be conducted?  Will the
government actually try to run the thousands of firms extant, or will they
fall into the hands of their employees?  If so, then what is the problem with
a more syndicalist approach?  If multinational capital reacts, can we not
tarrif them into oblivion?  If so, again, what is the problem with the
syndicalist approach.  Will there be an end to private investment?  Will the
government put up money for new ventures as loans, giveaways, or shares? or
will the government be the sponsor of all new business?


        I put these questions to you, and I put them to the Communists on the
list because I really don't think that an American general strike could even
specify its demands.  I mean, after a minimum wage of around 8$ an hour and
national health care, what would you ask for that people would support?


        France is a very different, and in my mind, less dialectically
developed country than the US.  The French model simply would not work here.
The US has the greatest degree of alienation between capital and the
proletariat.  Our markets are most efficient, making the typical capitalist
(especially in the last 10 years) a nearly pure speculator.  The working
class here is most ready to unite on a purely economic level (and look how
unready they are).  Economics has to drive civics,  That, to my mind, is the
Marxian model.




        peace


                boddhisatva





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