Well, 2008 has nearly ended. Capitalism is obviously sliding into crisis and the state (as expected) is leaping to its aid (as it always does). On our side, people are resisting (most obviously in Greece). Let us hope that 2009 will see more working class resistance to attempts to make us pay for their crisis and, hopefully, start to create the new world as part of that struggle.
I’ve posted a few old articles and one new one.
Well, 2008 has nearly ended. Capitalism is obviously sliding into crisis and the state (as expected) is leaping to its aid (as it always does). On our side, people are resisting (most obviously in Greece). Let us hope that 2009 will see more working class resistance to attempts to make us pay for their crisis and, hopefully, start to create the new world as part of that struggle.
I’ve posted a few old articles and one new one.
The new one is a lengthy review of Paul Krugman’s new book. As the review makes clear, it is good on the factual details on the results of neo-liberalism in America plus the importance of unions. Given that Krugman’s fame is on the rise, what with the (non-)Nobel prize, it is useful to critique his position. I should note that Krugman, like many Americans, use the term “middle class” to refer to working class people, particularly those near the middle of the income range. Annoying, but that is the terminology used…
And in case you are wondering, here is American 60’s folk singer Phil Ochs in action with Love me, I’m a Liberal:
The old ones are pretty old. From 1999, there is a series of letters refuting an individualist attack on communist-anarchism. Sadly, my opponent later rejected anarchism in favour of “anarcho”-capitalism (although given how he selectively quoted Proudhon, perhaps not too unsurprising). On the positive side, this debate got me writing for Freedom which (I hope) helped turn it into the much better paper it has become.
Then there is my analysis of claims that there was “anarchy in Iraq” when the looting took place after the fall of Saddam. I decided to post that after the AFAQ launch at Housmans as someone mentioned that anarchists had an unfortunate name! Yes, anarchy is used as an alternative to disorder and chaos. Yes, anarchic is used to describe surreal comedies (to show my age, The Young Ones for example). But what can we do? Still, it is useful to explain why the disorder in Iraq was to be expected from an anarchist perspective.
Last two are polemics against attacks on anarchists by the CPGB back in 2001. The first was in response to their attacks after the anti-globalisation demos in Sweden, contrasting a real revolutionary programme to their so-called “communist” one. The second was in response to account of Genoa, where I point out the factual, logical and historical problems of their account. And hats off to them, they printed it and I replied twice to comments on it (these are included). I’ll say this for the CPGB, their letters page policy is excellent. Shame the same cannot be said of their politics or grasp of history! Needless to say, being Leninists their grasp of anarchism is pretty much as bad as you would expect..
Another pieces of good news, namely successful union organising in America (Unions Come to Smithfield). This is of particular note as the workplace had lots of immigrants in it. I know, it is a business union but it is better than nothing!
This is a good report (via here) on the factory occupation in Chicago I’ve blogged about before. It shows the potential that can be unleashed when people act for themselves. It shows how people solve their own problems and, in the process, create the potential for a free society:
Talking of which, the occupation is only the start. It can develop into an alternative to capitalism. This is an excellent overview of self-management in Argentina. It shows that libertarian socialism can work, although I have to quibble about the commentator saying that expropriation has happened before, “think Russia, think Cuba”! When will leftists learn the facts of history and realise that the “socialist” state has always expropriated the workplaces from the workers! At least they stress it is from the bottom-up, by the workers themselves. A glimpse of a better world:
Some sad news, Carol Chomsky (Noam’s) wife has died. She was a noted linguist and educator herself. I’m sure our thoughts will be with Noam and his family and friends.
And here is Noam Chomsky educating Andrew Marr. Sound is not great, but it is nice to see Marr learning a few things…
And since it is nearly not 2008 anymore, here is Tom Tomorrow’s two part summary of the year (part 1 and part 2).
Given that we are in a festive period stolen from the pagans, let’s celebrate the winter solstice with the best Xmas film ever made…
Not to mention these wise words:
I once saw Terry Jones call himself an anarchist on TV-AM back in the 1980s, not sure how true that is but one of the Pythons obvious knows something about anarchosyndicalism:
All the best 2009!