Re: [Marxism] Re: Germany: Beginning of a rupture between unions and SPD

[Einde O'Callaghan <einde@xxxxxx>]

Lueko Willms wrote:
> .    Am  05.07.04
> schrieb  einde@xxxxxx (Einde O'Callaghan)
>     auf  /ALIST/MARXMAIL
>      in  40E9C678.6030106@xxxxxx
>   ueber  Re: [Marxism] Germany: Beginning of a rupture between unions and SPD

>snip>
>    The problem with this initiative is that they limit themselves
> explicitly as _electoral_ alternative.
>
>    But what can a socialist say in an electoral campaign in regard to
> the economic crisis and the social cutbacks?
>
>    "This can be solved really only by a mass struggle in the
> workplaces, schools and streets".
>
>    The main leaders of this "electoral alternative" are lower level
> trade union officials, but they do not wage a campaign for an
> effective trade union fight to defend wages, hours, health insurance,
> unemployment benefits etc. The only look at the elections, and this is
> a self-defeating outlook.
I think that like Johannes you're looking too much at the visible top of
teh initiative and have no sense of what is happening on the ground.

Judging from my mailbox there is a large constituency out there looking
for an alternative. If socialists don't engage with this large group,
consisting of disappointed traditional SPD supporters and some
disappointed PDS supporters, then we will leave the way open for the a
repeat of the failed SPD/PDS strategy (administering sick capitalism),
which in turn will open the way for the far right.

The "real" left may fail in its endeavours to win this party for a more
radical action programme involving mobilisation in the workplaces, in
the schools and on the streets. We certainly won't be able to do this if
we don't get involved ourselves.

>    A socialist would further explain, that the problems we face cannot
> be solved when we shy away from inroads in the rights of private
> property of the propertied classes, but the leaders of this "electoral
> alternative" don't say that.
Then it's the job of socialists to do so - but not from teh ivory tower
of revolutionary purity or from teh sidelines of abstentionism.

>    They dream of a social democratic policy of pacifying the relations
> between the classes when the class war is getting really hot.
But given the strategy of the German ruling class this option is no
longer available.

Einde O'Callaghan


_______________________________________________
Marxism mailing list
Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism