[PEN-L:11432] opposing the "isms"

[James Devine <jdevine@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bill Lear writes: >The other "isms" [racism and sexism] are *also*
fundamentally unjust and prejudiced relationships, which are *orthogonal*
to the capitalist relationship (which is not to say that capitalists can't
exploit racial divisions, etc.). I don't think it makes much sense to say
that "class is the fundamental basis of and determinant of degree of
overall oppression". Nor do I see much point in ranking these things. We
should oppose sexism, because it is a perversion of a just and equitable
relationship between the sexes. We should oppose racism because it too is a
perversion of just and
equitable racial relations. Capitalism should be opposed, on entirely
separate (though similar) moral grounds, neither more nor less, because it
is a perversion of the just and equitable relationship between labor and
productive property.<

While I agree with the moral argument, I want to add another. Opposing
racism or sexism (hopefully both) also helps us undermine capitalism, by
counteracting the divide and conquer that capitalists use. Further, efforts
to undermine capitalist power by other means can undermine the ability of
capitalists to exploit preexisting divisions within the working class and
thus the extent of sexism & racism. (BTW, the idea that capitalism created
racism & sexism is crap. Rather, capitalism has changed the form of these
abominations.) So, tactically and strategically, the fight against
capitalism, racism, and sexism should be unified.

If there is any argument for "the primacy of class relations," it is
_dynamic_. Capitalism, the social system of which the current set of class
relations are a crucial component, is a fundamentally "revolutionary" mode
of production, as Marx & Engels pointed out (in the MANIFESTO). It tends to
shake up and undermine preexisting noncapitalist social institutions,
including racism, sexism, and capitalism itself. (Capitalism shakes itself
up: that's what "crisis theory" is about.)

On the other hand, sexism & racism (or, more accurately, patriarchy and
racial domination) are very conservative institutions. They lack the
aggressive competition to accumulate profits (and accumulation to compete)
that drives capitalism ahead, to knock down "Chinese Walls" in its path
(and destroy Nature, BTW). (It's the difference between M-C-M' (capitalism)
and C-M-C (racism, sexism).)

Contrary to the "Marxism of the 2nd International," the tendency does not
mean that capitalism automatically _abolishes_ sexism, racism, and
capitalism. Rather, it means that capitalism creates _opportunities_ for
those fighting these institutions. If those of us fighting these
institutions don't succeed in taking advantage of those opportunities,
racism, sexism, and capitalism are reestablished in new forms.



in pen-l solidarity,

Jim Devine   jdevine@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Econ. Dept., Loyola Marymount Univ.
7900 Loyola Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045-8410 USA
310/338-2948 (daytime, during workweek); FAX: 310/338-1950
"Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your own way
and let people talk.) -- K. Marx, paraphrasing Dante A.