[Marxism] in defence of Tariq Ali

["michael a. lebowitz" <mlebowit@xxxxxx>]

Tariq Ali has been criticised for the following statement in an interview:

DH: You've said that a defeat of Bush would be regarded globally as a
victory. What did you mean?

TA: As you know, I travel a great deal, and everywhere I go there is growing
anger and if one can be totally blunt real hatred of this administration
because of what it did in Iraq - the war it waged, the civilians it killed,
the mess it's made, and its inability to understand the scale of what it's
done. And from that point of view, if the American population were to vote
Bush out of office, the impact globally would be tremendous. People would
say this guy took his country to war, surrounded by neocons who developed
bogus arguments and lies, he lied to his people, he misused intelilgence
information, and the American people have voted him out. That in itself
could have a tremendous impact on world public opinion.... A defeat for a
warmonger regime in Washington would be seen as a step forward. I don't go
beyond that, but it would have an impact globally.

                If I were living in the States, I would not organise or
vote for Kerry--- for the same reasons that people on the list have
given--- although I'm certain that I would prefer to be living under and
organising against a Kerry government than a Bush one. Why? Because of all
the illusions (about the good capitalist,etc party) that would be retained
in the absence of the former and the greater possibility for revealing the
nature of the system.
         But, I wonder if this might not be a bit of a self-indulgent
perspective when I think about Tariq's statement. There's no question in my
mind that in Cuba (which I visit often) Bush's defeat would be regarded as
a victory. Similarly, in Venezuela (where I am) the end of a Bush
government would be welcomed. I suspect the same would have been true in El
Salvador recently among FMLN supporters (and in another time and setting in
Nicaragua). Conversely, the victory of Bush would be viewed as a big
defeat... and, indeed, as a mandate for new aggressive international
adventures. (Certainly, in Cuba they worry about the implications of a new
Bush mandate.) As I see the perspective of those outside the US (which is
what Tariq was addressing), the defeat of the Bush government would be seen
as providing a bit of space and a bit of hope. But, no illusions. Simply
the breathing space that comes when the rulers are disrupted a bit.
        in solidarity,
         michael
Michael A. Lebowitz
Professor Emeritus
Economics Department
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6

Currently based in Venezuela. Can be reached at
Residencias Anauco Suites
Departamento 601
Parque Central, Zona Postal 1010, Oficina 1
Caracas, Venezuela
(58-212) 573-4111
fax: (58-212) 573-7724
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