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State,Governmentandthe
WorkingClass
By:DonCurrie
ChairCanadiansforPeaceandSocialism
EditorFocusonSocialism
August18,2008
www.FocusOnSocialism.ca
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TheGlobalEconomicCrisisofCapitalismHereandNow!
Theeconomic
crisis
gripping
the
USA
has
now
spread
to
all
capitalist
countries
from
the
fully
developedtotheleasteconomicallydeveloped. Aconvergenceofrecentcrisisphenomena
superimposedon thegeneralcrisisof imperialism is resulting inglobaleconomicdisorder,
instabilityanderuptionofmilitaryconfrontations. Noneofthisvolatilityisrespondinginthe
samemanneraspreviousimperialisteconomicupheavaltocontrolmechanismsimposedby
NATO, the IMF, and the WTO, the EU or decisions taken at recent G8 meetings. The
geniusesofhighfinancecannotevenagreeonacontrolstrategyexceptone;toprotect
theprofitsystembywhatevermeansnecessaryattheexpenseofworkingpeople.
Thecurrentcrisis isatanearlystageof itsdevelopmentandhasneitherreachedatrough
nor does it show any sign of recovery. The crisis phenomena are similar for all leading
capitaliststates,differingonlyinthedegreeofseverity.Neoliberalpoliciesadoptedinpast
decades,andnowfullymaturing,arecausinghavocintheglobaleconomy,explainingsome
of the current instability and chaos. Othersmore recent attest to the anarchic state of
capitalisminthemodernera.Themajorphenomenaincludebutarenotlimitedto:
1. EscalatingcostsofUSNATOimperialistandproxywarsofaggressionandoccupationthatburdenstateswithuncontrolledandrisingarmsexpendituresontopofmassive
arms budgets allocated to maintain weapons systems, foreign military bases and
largestanding
armies.
2. Highmonopolyenergypricesresulting influctuatingandunpredictablecoststokeyeconomic sectors namely manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and utilities,
thelatterbothprivateandpublic.
3. A world wide failure of the capitalist credit system resulting in bank failures andinvestorlossesarisingfromthemortgagedebtcrisisintheUSA.
4. Emergencyinterventionsbyallleadingcapitaliststatestopropupthevalueofpaperassets
of
banks
and
near
banks
in
an
effort
to
recover
losses
of
investors
and
speculatorclassesthroughtheforcedsaleofmillionsofrepossessedworkershomes
atdepressedprices.
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5. Government fiscal and monetary policy dictated by finance capital and parasiticinvestorclassesthatreduce taxesoncorporate,usuryandspeculative income,and
increasestaxes
on
wage
earners
and
small
property
owners.
6. Government approval, support and legislation permitting the plunder by financecapitalofworkersprivateandpublicpensionfundsthattransferthemtocorporate
cofferstofinancecorporatetakeoversandtopropupsaggingstockmarketsthereby
endangeringretirementincomesofmillionsworkingfamilies.
7. Government privatization of state capitalist functions resulting in a loss of publicoversight and control of health, education, welfare, food, infrastructure,
transportationandvitalresearchanddevelopmentprogramsbenefitingthepeople.
8. Government sale of state assets and property to enrich private investors andspeculators artificially inflating the value of corporate real estate and increasing
rentalandpurchasingcosttosmallbusinessandpricerisesofresidentialpropertyfor
workers.
9. Profiteeringbycorporate investors,stocktradersandmarketerscapitalizingonthedemand for industrial agricultural products for energy inflating worldwide food
prices,causinghungerandstarvationamongthepoor.
10.Shiftingthecostsoftheeconomiccrisisfromcorporateprofitstoemployedworkersby implementing wage freezes, roll backs andwage increases below the rate of
inflation, intensification of labour and off loading rising costs of social programs;
health,education,childcareandpensions, from the state towageearnersandby
increasedtaxesonincome.
11. A drop in purchasing power in the hands of working people accompanied withgrowingunemploymentinkeysectorsoftheeconomyespeciallymanufacturingand
permanentunderemploymentintheremainder.
TheFaultLinesofImperialismStressedClassStruggleIntensifies
All of these intersecting economic and political crisis factors severely impact working
people. Theyoccur in themidstofanacceleratingcannibalisticprocessof financecapital
monopoly mergers, consolidations, takeovers and the wholesale sell off of state assets
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resulting inwork force rationalization, the exportof jobs to lowerwagemarkets, the
ruinationofmediumandsmallcompaniesanddisruptionanddestructionofhomemarkets.
The crisis exposes the advanced stage to which the merger of the state and monopoly
capitalhasprogressedandhowitsinstrumentsandfunctionsarenowdedicatedexclusively
totheinterestsoffinancecapital.Thisoccurswiththefullsupportandcollusionofelected
officialswithoutregardto its impactonsocietyasawhole.Thechasmbetweentheruling
elitesandthemassesofworkingpeoplehasneverbeensowideandunbridgeableas it is
today.
Thesecrisisphenomenahavestressedthefault linesofthe imperialisteconomicsystemto
themaximum.Reliefcanonlycomeasa resultofaradical readjustmentofeconomicand
politicalpower
relationships
in
all
countries
affected.
Respite
from
the
deepening
crisis
will
comeattheexpenseofeitherthevitalinterestsoftheworkingmassesorthatoftheruling
capitalistclasses.Thestatusquoisnotanoption.Thatistheobjectiverealityatthemoment.
The outcome is being decided by bitter class struggles that are breaking out on all
continentsandinallexploitativecountries.
Politically, financecapital isturning torightwingcorporatestylegovernance inall leading
capitalist states as the preferred option of class rule and systematically ousting liberal
democratic regimeswherepossible.The intercapitaliststruggles,agitateallupperclasses
witha
direct
stake
in
the
system,
and
politically
alienate
the
lower
middle
classes.
It
places
severeeconomicpressureandhardshiponworkerswhoincreasinglyarevictims,ratherthan
beneficiariesofpoliticalchange.
The slogan, for real changehas ahollow ring since it is advancedby allpartiesofbig
businessandaddressedtoitsbasesupportandnotworkingpeople.
Thisprocess has been unfolding for some time andwill continue inmore acute political
forms political, military and economic crisis for the foreseeable future. This intensifying
processposestheneedforacompletereappraisalbythe left,and inthefirstplacebythe
Communists,as
to
where
the
political
process
is
leading,
what
special
responsibilities
revolutionaryMarxistLeninistforceshaveatthisjunctureandthetacticsrequiredtomount
counterattacksasthefaultlinesinimperialismareexposedandstressed.
Letsfirstconsidersomeobviousfactors.
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CapitalistsAreNotUnitedUSImperialismsStrugglefor
Dominance
Thepresentcrisis isaffectingall classes including the capitalist classes.Capitalistsare far
fromunitedonwhichstrategytoadopttosavetheirsystemfromtheeffectsofthecurrent
global economic andpolitical instability.Power relationshipsoccurringwithin and among
the leading imperialiststatesandtherestofthecapitalistworldarechangingandwillnot
returntotheordertheyoccupiedpriortothepresentcrisis.
Doesthatmeanthattheworldwidesystemofcapitalismisabouttocollapse?Noitdoesnt.
Neithercan itbe saiddefinitively that itwont.What can,and shouldbe said, is that this
extreme
instability
will
create
and
expose
points
of
weakness
in
the
system
to
be
exploited.
Theadvanced forcesof the leftand theorganizedworkingclassaremoreurgentlycalled
upontostudythoseweaknessesandfaultlines,considerhowtomountoffensivestruggles
andadvancenewtactics,alliancesandorganizationalstructuresintheirownvitalinterests.
Thesepointsshouldformthebasisandfocusofdiscussionwithinthejournals,meetingsand
campaignsoftheCanadianleft.
Thecurrentcrisisisresultinginrealignmentsofimperialistpower,theoutcomeofastruggle
nowunderwayamongthe largestglobalmonopoliesformaximumprofit. Thisprocessof
realignmentmanifests itself inwars for controlof natural resourcebases, destructionof
homeand
foreign
markets
and
increased
domination
of
global
stock
markets
over
national
economies. Weakened competitors are destroyed, market share is reapportioned and
medium and smallbusinesses are eliminated.We read about it everyday in the capitalist
press.
The inabilityofUS imperialismwith itsvastmilitaryandeconomicpowertounilaterallyre
order theworld in its own strategic interests, as it planned to do when President Bush
enunciatedtheNewAmericanCentury,isunderreviewbytheAmericanestablishment.The
Bush Doctrine is a fiasco and the November election is about replacing a failed and
discreditedUS
policy
while
retaining
its
principal
strategic
goals.
USimperialismismarshallingallofitseconomicandmilitarypowertoretainitsdominance
withinthesystemasitattemptstorideoutthecurrentcrisisbyemployinganyandallmeans
necessary including fomentingnewwarsofaggression.Regardlessof theoutcomeof the
USNovember2008Presidentialelectionstheaforementionedrealitymaybealteredbutnot
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changed in its fundamentals.Not a singleUSPresidentialhopeful,with the exceptionof
Kucinich,repudiatedunequivocallythemilitaryplanningnowunderwayatthehighestlevels
ofUS
power
for
a
combined
US
Israeli
attack
on
Iran
and
a
possible
expansion
of
the
war
into parts of Pakistan. Hillary Clinton actually called for Iran to be obliterated. That fact
shouldbeasober reminder thatUS imperialismoperatesaccording toobjective lawsand
notthesubjectiveutterancesofitsambitiouspoliticalaspirants.
MillionsMaketheDifference TheTheoryoftheDecisivenessof
MassMovementsandAlliancesinContemporaryStruggles
Thetheoryofmassmovementsdeterminingtheoutcomeofmajorconfrontationswithbig
capitalis
objectively
based
and
critical
to
an
understanding
of
how
the
working
class
advances tohigher levelsofstruggle.Theexperiencegainedbymillionsengaged inmass
struggle,often inacontradictoryandspontaneousway,usuallyasa response towarand
economichardship is theprocesspresentlyunderway togreateror lesserdegrees in the
USA. The struggle for peace and economic reform is being waged through mass
participationinelectoralstrugglesnotarevolutionaryriseofworkingclassstruggle.
Movements that drawmillions into a great and historical electoral struggle, as presently
unfolding intheUSA,willdeterminewhichsectionof imperialpowerhassway inthenext
immediateperiod,
are
significant.
Communists
and
all
left
progressives
enter
into
these
strugglesinafulsomeanunconditionalmannerandwithoutattemptingtoopportunistically
imposean ideologicalagendaon themovementsas thehyperleftoftendoes. Noone,
including social reformists have a monopoly of political virtue over such developments.
Leadershipisearnednotproclaimed.
Theworkingclassisnotindifferentaboutwhichrepresentativesofthecapitalistclassarein
power.Withnomassrevolutionarypartiesoflabourtoadvancetheirinterestsitcouldnot,
at thishistorical juncture,beotherwise.The repudiationof theBushvariantof imperialist
policy
and
along
with
it
the
current
US
Republican
administration
would
not
be
insignificant
foroneoverriding reason; itwouldbethe resultof thecoming togetherofmillionsofUS
voters opposed to right wing extremism,war and economic chaos. Itwould strengthen
similartrendsinCanadaandMexico.
ThedefeatoftheBushRepublicanshasinternationalimplications;itwouldmarkatangible
rise in thepoliticalconsciousnessofmillionsofUSvoters,mostlynotablyworkers. Itwill
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representabreakfromtheinsularviewofUSexceptionalismandentitlement,aworldview
imposedonthembycorporatemediahacks.Itwouldmarkapoliticalshift,difficultforBarak
Obamato
ignore.
The victoryof suchan electoralmovementwouldbemorepolitically significant than the
actualremovalfrompoweroftheBushadministration. Attheforefrontofthedemocratic
alliance formingaround thecandidacyofObamaaredemands forpublicMedicare,ashift
fromwarexpenditurestopeoplesneedsandsomeformofretreatfromthewarinIraq.The
electionwouldbetheendofoneprocessofstruggle,anelectoralstruggle,openinganother
thestruggleforpeaceandbasicsocialreform.
WhatcanalterthepowerrelationshipsinCanada,theUSAandMexicoistheinvolvementof
millionsin
progressive
politics.
Mass
movements
led
by
labour,
including
electoral
alliances
of a leftcentre type, can forestallwar and affect the developmentofproductive forces.
Compelling finance capital to reduce arms spending and institute state capitalist reforms
throughlabourledmasspoliticalstruggleswillresultinrealgainsandaqualitativechangein
working class thinking about its own organizations and how they should participate in
politics.
Organized struggles of the New Deal era in the USA, and the reforms instituted by the
LiberalsfollowingthedefeatofIronHeelBennettinthelate1930s,resultedinpensionsand
unemploymentinsurance.
In
the
post
war
WW2
era
they
finally
won
public
health
care.
The
constitutionalreforms,inparticulartheCanadianCharterofRightsandFreedoms,andsome
oftheforeignpolicydoctrinesofpeacefulcoexistenceespousedbyLiberalPrimeMinister
Pierre Elliot Trudeau are other examples of bourgeois democratic reforms that have
benefitedtheworkingpeople.
ThereAreReformsandthenThereAreReforms
ImpermissibleamongMarxists, is theadoptionofanaboveclassornonclassviewof the
strugglefor
reforms.
The
aforementioned
reforms
were
ameliorative
reforms
reluctantly
concededbytherulingclassconfrontedwithadisaffectedelectorate. Theyweredesigned
toprotectthecapitalistsystemwhilesimultaneouslyretainingcapitalismsfundamentalgrip
onpower. It isalsoa fact, thatsomeof theworstcrimesof imperialismwerecommitted
evenastherulingclassesoftheleadingcapitaliststateswerereluctantlyforcedtoconcede
certainsocialanddemocraticreformstotheirownpeople.
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Imperialistswereabletocarryoutsuchcrimesabroadbyamasterfuluseofthepsychology
ofmassfearathome,borrowedfromtheNazis,ofexternalthreatsmenacingwestern
values.These
were
all
euphemisms
for
an
exaggerated
and
undifferentiated
position
of
privilege,allegedlyenjoyedbyallworkingpeople, in thewesternworld.Suchaviewwas
nevertrueandisnottruetoday.
The impoverishment of the majority of the global masses that must labour to live is
catastrophicand severe,andcannotbeequated to the struggle tomaintain standardsof
livingprevailing inadvancedcapitaliststates.Atthesametimesweepingdefinitionsofthe
Southversus theNorth,of therichwestversus the impoverisheddevelopingstates,of
environmentalprotectionversusindustrialdevelopment,ifnotcarefullydefinedfromaclass
standpoint, can be interpreted carelessly as an alignment of the working classes and
exploitedoftheadvancedcapitalistcountries inalliancewiththeir rulingclassagainst the
oppressedmassesoftheworld.Suchaworldviewdoesnotaccordeitherwiththetenetsof
Marxismnorwiththeunfoldingrealityinwesterncapitaliststates.
Nodoubtthe imperialist ideologuesthatpreachwemustarmtotheteethtoprotectour
wayof lifeagainst thepooroftheworldwillfindsupportersamongthe topechelonsof
societyincludingwhatLenintermedthearistocracyoflabour.
Internationalistsrejectanycallsfromanyquarterthatalignworkerswith theiroppressors
andstand
for
the
unity
of
all
working
people,
citing
the
objectively
true
slogan
of
the
CommunistManifesto,WorkersoftheWorldUnite.
To return to thematterof reforms; there isadifferencebetween concessions the ruling
classispreparedtomakewhenconfrontedbyadramaticlossofsupportamongthemasses
andconcessionswrestedfrom therulingclassesbymovementsthatarise independentof
thecapitalistparties.The latterareanadvanceoverotherreformsbecausetheyresult ina
dramaticrise inpartisanpoliticalclassconsciousnessthatopenlyquestionsexistingpower
relationships.Thedevelopmentofsuchstrugglescanberapid,arisingfromwar,economic,
political,constitutionalordemocraticcrisis,quicklytransitioningtohigherpoliticalstruggles
thatbegintodelineateclasslines.
Thatwas the case in theWinnipegGeneralStrike 1919and thataroseagain in theOnTo
OttawaTrek in 1935.Somestrikes inCanadasuchas theMiners strikes inNovaScotia,of
1922 25, the Saskatchewan Souris Valley Coal Miners strike in summerfall 1931 and the
CrowsNestPasscoalminersstrugglesencompassinga longperiodfromthe1930stothe
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mid1950sareotherexamples.TheCommonFrontStrikeof thepublicsectorandprivate
sectorunions inQuebec in theperiod 197072 that intersectedwith the impositionof the
WarMeasures
Act
during
the
October
Crisis
of
1970
is
another
example.
All
of
these
strugglesarousedthealarmbellsatthehighestlevelsofcorporatepower,causedthemto
employ the suppressive power of the state against the people, because they began to
articulaterevolutionaryideasofworkingclasspower.
Anadvanceinworkingclassinternationalistconsciousnessoccurredduringthemobilization
ofvolunteers indefenceofRepublicanSpainandagainduring theperiodofWW2and its
immediateaftermath,whentherewaswidespreadpopularsupportfortheSovietUnionand
awarenessofthethreatofNazismtodemocracy.ThedecisiveroleoftheSovietUnioninthe
defeat ofHitler raised socialism to unprecedented heightsofprestige andbegan towin
wide adherence in Europe and acceptance in North America for the ideas of peaceful
coexistenceand itspromiseofa longperiodofpostwarpeace.ChurchillsFultonMissouri
coldwarspeechin1946wasnoaccident.Itwasadeliberate,panicresponsebyimperialism
againstadramaticlossofcontrolovermassideology.
A rise in class revolutionary consciousness is qualitatively different from bourgeois
democraticreforms.Revolutionaryconsciousnessisthecomingtogetherofbotheconomic
andpoliticalawarenessandorganizationarisingfromaparticularsetofclassrelationships
thathavereachedapointwhereitisimpossibletocontinueintheoldway.
ItIsImpossibletoContinueintheOldWay
Canadian labour politics has reached the pointwhere it has become impossible to bring
aboutan improvement intheconditionsoftheworkingclasswithoutengaging inpolitical
struggles. Withoutpoliticalstrugglesthemainissuesstandinginthewayoftheprogressive
advanceofthecountryasawholecannotberesolved.Inotherworldslabourmustleadthe
wholecountryorlosethestruggleforitsownvitalinterests.
Anactive
and
organized
campaign
for
an
anti
monopoly
economic
program
which
openly
challengesthepowerbaseoftherulingclasswillresult inaqualitativeadvance inworking
classpolitics. Anantimonopolyeconomicprogrammust:
Openlychallengethemilitarizationoftheeconomy,
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Demand Canadian withdrawal from imperialist military alliances such as NATO,NORADandNORTHCOM,
Demandthepermanentbanofnuclearweaponsandnewweaponssystemsinspace, Callfortheshuttingdownofforeignmilitarybasesandareturntothefundamental
principlesoftheUNCharter,
Demand thatkeysectorsof theeconomybenationalized, in the firstplaceenergyandmineralresources,transportationandcommunications,
Demand a halt to privatization and make all social programs that benefit peoplepermanentandunassailable,
Callforthenationalizationthebanksanddemandcontrolsbeplacedonthetyrannyoffinancecapitaloveralleconomicdevelopment.
Such demands, supported by millions, will inevitably confront the furious and violent
oppositionoftherulingelites,compellingallclassestoconsiderthequestionsofpowerand
posetheneedforsocialism.
Even the conceptof antimonopoly struggle canbe a somewhatorderly viewofpolitical
development. If it isembraced inadoctrinairefashion itwillnotcorrespondtotheway in
which crisis phenomena actually appear in the global system of capitalism. That is what
Marxists,Socialists
and
Communists
must
be
prepared
to
respond
to.
It
would
not
be
dialecticaltothinkotherwise.
TheGlobalEconomy AnUnfoldingContradiction
The thesis that the global economy is homogenized, undifferentiated and that individual
countries are incapable of resisting or breaking out of the orbit of imperialism is
unsupportable by the facts. Even US imperialism does not view the world that way.
Imperialism isengagedinattemptingtosaveitssystemand itsprivilegedpositionwithin it
byexploiting
the
weakest
states
to
protect
the
strongest.
US imperialism is offloading the crisis it is mainly responsible for creating, onto others,
wherevertheopportunityarises,andusingcrassappealstoorganized labourtokeepour
jobs while destroying theirs. The gross irresponsibility of the Harper Government is to
spread the illusionamongCanadians that theUSrulingclasshasabenignviewofCanada
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anditspeople.PrimeMinsterHarperspreadstheillusionthattheUStakesadifferentview
ofCanadainrelationtoothernations.HeinsinuatesthattheUSexcludesCanadafromthe
predatoryactions
and
aims
of
its
investor
classes
and
power
elites.
That
is
far
from
the
reality of USCanadian relations which always have been, and remain, contradictory and
conflicted.
Industries both private and state capitalist, in states such as Canada, that are heavily
dependentonprimary resource extraction and energy exports as theprincipalmeansof
economicdevelopmentareparticularlyvulnerabletoforeigntakeoverandthedestruction
of their core manufacturing and industrial industries. Canada is no exception. What is
criminalisagovernmentthatnotonlyletsithappenbutactivelypromotesitasadesirable
policy.
SincetheonsetoftheeconomicdownturnUSfinancecapitalhasaccelerateditstakeoverof
Canadianenterprisesinallsectorsoftheeconomy.ThisacceleratedannexationofCanadian
industry is resulting in permanent job loss and acceleration. It is a rapid and brazen
repatriation of high paying Canadian jobs to low wage areas in the USA. US finance
capitalists, with the support of a small insider group of Canadian collaborators, have
achieved greater dominance in the determination of overall Canadian economic
development since theHarper Conservatives haveoccupiedpower. That iswhyHarpers
approval rating with George Bush is high and dismal among Canadians. Canada is more
vulnerableto
the
affects
of
the
global
economic
crisis
now
underway
in
the
USA
since
the
Harperadministrationhastakenthereinsofpower.HistalkaboutCanadiansovereignty is
themostcontemptibleformofpoliticaldeception.
TheWorldSystemofCapitalismisEvolving AMomentof
WeaknessforUSImperialism
Allofthesefactorstakentogethermeanthatnothingasitwaspriortothecurrentcrisiscan
remain
the
same.
Power
relationships
are
being
altered
and
not
to
the
advantage
of
US
imperialism. Thecapitalistglobalsystemisvulnerabletodemandsbytheworkingmasses.
The general crisis of imperialism is deepening and the imperative for socialism is more
apparent. The current interdependence of China and US imperialism, enabling US
imperialism to wage war and pacify its populace with cheap consumer goods, is being
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alteredbythecurrenteconomiccrisis.Thatrelationshipisnotpermanentandbeginningto
fray.
USimperialismsinabilitytodecisivelyandquicklyconcludeitswarsofaggressioninIraqand
Afghanistanandseizeallregionaloilandmineralresources,oustitscompetitorsandextend
itsdominancefrom IraqtotheCaspian inonefellswoophasresulted inacostlystrategic
miscalculation.ThemostrecentexampleisthedefeatofGeorgia,aformerSovietRepublic
and now a US puppet regime, by the Russian army, after being goaded by the Bush
administration intoacostlyadventurecostingthe lives1,400people inSouthOssetia.The
warinstigatedatthetimeoftheOlympicsandtimedtocomplicatetheObamapresidential
campaign,mayalsobeadangerouscoverforaUSattackonIran.
Resistancefrom
countries
and
political
forces
opposed
to
US
war
for
oil
strategy
in
the
regionextending from theCaucuses toCentralAsiaand theMiddleEast is stiffeningand
spreading.Whatwasplannedasashockandawevictoryhas turned intoadebilitating
and costly quagmire for the US military and a millstone on the US economy. The Bush
AdministrationwiththehelpofnewlabourTonyBlairdragooneditsNATOalliesintothe
socalled Coalitionof theWilling and in theprocessdestabilized international capitalist
relations, weakened the cohesion of NATO relations and aggravated global capitalist
economicrelationships. Thishascreatingirreparablestressesamongparticipants.
Forthe
people
of
the
Middle
East
and
Central
Asia
the
illegal
aggression
of
the
Bush
Administration into their countries is a crime against peace and a violation of national
sovereignty thathasbroughtdeathandmisery tomillions. Thepopular resistanceof the
IraqiandAfghanpeople to the imperialist intrusion into theircountries isunderstandable
and justified.Theresistancemaynotasyethavesucceeded inoustingtheUSmilitaryand
theeconomicpowerof thecorporationsprofiteering from thewar,but itdoes represent
theirretrievablelossofUSimperialismspoliticalinfluencerepresenting,indramaticterms,
theirreversiblehistoricdeclineofitsdominanceintheentireregion.
The fact that both Presidential candidates enunciate changes in policy but not in US
strategicgoals,originallyproclaimedby theBushadministration,means that thereareno
circlesamongtherulingUSelitesthathavedrawnthenecessaryhistoricalconclusionsfor
therequisiteretreatoftheempire.ItmeansthatallfactionsofUSpowerwillcontinuetheir
questfordominanceandthenegativeeconomicaffectsoftheUSNATOwarsofaggression
inIraqandAfghanistanwillcontinue longaftertheNovemberelections.Thesepolicieswill
continue toundermineanddestabilize theUSAandallwestern economies,andwith the
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utmost certainty, that it will continue to worsen the current economic problems facing
Canadians.
Thesefactsrevealafundamentaltruth.ThecrisisintheUSAisnotcausedbyBush,Cheney,
Rice or Gates or any other corrupt group of servants of imperialist power. The Bush
administration isaproductofasystem, the resultandoperationof theobjective lawsof
capitalisminitsfinalstageofdevelopment imperialism.Capitalistpoliticianswilladmitthat
apolicyisflawedandmustbealtered,butnotasingleonewilladmitthatthesystemitselfis
brokenandcannotberepaired. Capitalismishistoricallyspentandmustbereplaced.Thisis
whatworkingclass leadersarecalledupontodo lead thestruggle toreplacecapitalism
withsocialism.
TheNatureoftheCrisisandtheProspectofRevolution
Revolution,likecyclicalcapitalistcrises,isanobjectiverealityofthedevelopmentofsociety
and itsproductive forces in relation to theprivateownershipandaccumulationofcapital.
Revolutionwillnotdisappearbecauseithasbeendemonizedbyfinancecapitalanddefined
byacademiaassomeaberrationofhumandevelopment.Pleadingwithcapitalismtoreform
itselfwillnothaltthebuildupofrevolutionaryforcesor limitrevolutionarymovementsto
demandsofreforms.WhatMarxandEngelsdescribedintheirdayandLenininhis,wasnot
theform
that
revolution
might
take,
but
its
underlying
causes
and
its
inevitability.
Why
is
revolutioninevitable?
What all capitalist societies and the globalprofit system confront is the seismicbuild up
betweena rapidgrowthof theproductive forces in theeraof thescientificand technical
revolutionandtheantiquatedrelationsofproductionthatattempttocompressandcontain
it.Summedup,thecontradictionthatunderliesourmodernworldandwhichhastakenon
globalproportionsisthecontradictionbetweensocialproductionandprivateownershipof
themeansofproductionandappropriationoftheresultofthatproductiverelationship.
Everyleft
theorist
acknowledges
and
describes,
sometimes
brilliantly
and
in
the
greatest
detail, thegrowingdisparity inglobalwealthandpovertybut few reflecton its inevitable
outcome,therevolutionaryconvulsionsitcreates.
Leftsocialdemocracyisstuckinaperpetualcircleofdescriptiveanalysisofthehorrorsof
imperialismandanoutpouringofameliorativefixestoalleviateitsworstfeatures,butfew
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accept imperialisms certain demise and that socialism, its inevitable, necessary and
historicalreplacement,resultsfromrevolution.
What crisisphenomenawill come together to create conditions fora rapid revolutionary
advance is not completelypredictable.But not to study them from theperspective of a
revolutionaryviewofhistoricaldevelopmentisnotreality.
Todaytheworldsystemofcapitalism is inastageofvolatility.That iswhy it is imperative
thatthesocialistalternativetocapitalismneverbesetasideforthefuture,assomethingof
awistfulnotionnot forour time. Itcanvery rapidlybecome theurgentnecessityaround
whichmillionswouldbepreparedtounite iftheeconomicconditionsoftheworkingclass
made itclearthatsocialismwas thewayout.Socialism is thewayoutand it is incumbent
uponall
who
claim
to
want
genuine
change
to
say
so.
Such is theviewof theCommunistPartiesofGreece,PortugalandCyprusandnow India
whereactivemasspartiesoftheleft,includingmassCommunistParties,havewonsupport
of importantsectionsofworkingandexploitedclasses.VenezuelaandBoliviahave joined
Socialist Cuba where revolutionary class forces have assumed power and proclaim their
intentiontoinstitutesocialistsolutionstothedevelopmentoftheireconomies.
Thesocialiststatesandthose intransitiontosocialismandallofthenonalignedcountries
impacted
by
the
current
global
crisis
of
capitalism
are
in
a
better
position
to
preserve
peace
andmitigate the ruinous effectsof the current crisisof capitalismonworkingmassesof
theircountries.That iswhatsocialismofferstheworkingclassand itsallies,peaceandthe
opportunitytobuildtheeconomyintheirowninterests.
WhathasallofthattodowithCanada?Dotheseeventsoffertheopportunitytoposethe
socialistalternative?Theydo!
How it is to be done requires some careful thinking. Where does it start? It starts with
recognizingthatthesystemisbothinageneralcrisisandisatthebeginningofaneruption
ofa
new
cyclical
crisis
of
unknown
depth
and
duration.
CanadianPartiesofBigBusinessCowerandWait
Theeconomiccrisisofthesystemcreatesamomentofindecisionforthecapitalistparties.
Political paralysis is gripping the Conservative minority government and the Liberal
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Opposition as their leaders wait timorously for the outcome of the US elections in
NovemberandanewPresidenttoestablishtheframeworkofCanadianUSrelationsforthe
nextfour
years.
ThetotalbankruptcyofCanadiancapitalistpoliticsisnowfullyexposed.Thefactthatnota
singlepartyleaderhasthecouragetostepforwardbeforetheUSNovemberelectionsand
enunciate an independentprogram thatplaces the interestsofCanadianworkingpeople
first lays bare this reality. The fear in Canadian ruling circles to confront the new US
president and Government with a program of economic and political development, that
befitsafullysovereignstateandplacestheinterestsofitsworkingpeopleatthetopofthe
political agenda, stands in stark contrast to socialist Cuba and Venezuela that have
embarkedonanindependentpathofdevelopmentwithoutseekingUSapproval.
PrimeMinisterHarperandhisgovernmentare incapableofconceivingofaworldwithout
USimperialistoversight.AllissuesimpactingthevitalinterestsofCanadianworkingpeople
aresubordinated toUSstrategicgoals.Canadianeconomicpolicyas farasPrimeMinister
Harperisconcerned;awaittheoutcomeofaUSPresidentialelection.
An independent economic program to protect Canadian workers from the made in USA
global economic crisis which is destroying Canadian jobs, depressing wages, slashing
purchasingpower,burdeningtaxpayerswithbankbailouts,payingforawarandoccupation
inAfghanistan,
shipping
Canadian
energy
resources
to
US
refineries
and
militarization
of
the
economycanonlybewonbyopenlyconfrontingCanadiancapitalpowerrelations.
TheEnergySectorStrengthorWeakness?
US dominance both as the principal importer and owner of Canadian energy resources
revealsthevulnerabilityoftheCanadianpeopletothepolicyofresourceselloutpromoted
bytheHarperConservatives. Insteadofasourceofstrength inthepresentcrisisasPrime
MinisterHarpervaingloriouslyassertsprivateforeigncontrolofCanadianenergyresources
anda
single
US
market
for
the
product
is
Canadas
greatest
economic
weakness.
TheenormousprofitsgeneratedfromtheTarSandsthatHarperboastsmakesCanadathe
newenergysuperpowerarebeinggleanedfromthelabouroftheenergysectorworkersof
Alberta, Northern BC and now Saskatchewan. These workers construct the plant and
refineries, installandmaintain thegathering systemsandpipelines thatextract,produce,
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andtransportbothrawandsemiprocessedoilandgastotheUSmarket.Theirlabouristhe
principalsourceofnewcapitalflowingintothehandsofprivateinvestors.Whathappensto
thiscapital?
CapitalFormationfromtheEnergySector
Capitalaccumulations from theexploitationof theTarSandsarenotused toeither lower
costs of energy to Canadian consumers, industry and agriculture or to help halt the
precipitousdeclineofeasternCanadianmanufacturing.NewcapitalfromtheTarSandsgo
directly into the pockets of the private energy sector to reinvest in exploration and
productionandincreasinglytoengageinforeigninvestmentplaysinSouthAmerica,Central
Asiaand
the
USA.
ItisalsoincreasinglybeingusedastheprinciplestrategicsourceformeetingUSmilitaryfuel
requirements. LargeincreasesinupgradingandrefiningcapacitiesinIllinois,Oklahomaand
Mississippiarebeingconstructedwhileupgradingandrefiningcapacitiesarebeingcurtailed
in Canada. RoyalDutch Shell (RDC formally Shell Canada) announced in June that it is
haltingitsplannedSarniaOntarioexpansionandwithitthousandsofCanadianconstruction,
operationandmaintenance jobs ina region indesperateneedof jobs. RDCsaid thevery
nextdayaftertheSarniaannouncementthat itwillstopanyfurtherplannedexpansionof
PhaseII
through
Phase
IV
of
its
Ft.
Saskatchewan
Alberta
upgrader.
Shifting
the
upgrading
capacitiestoOklahomaand intononunion jurisdictionswherewagesare lowerandsafety
regulationsarevoluntarybythecontractorsandowners.
Intheirinsatiablegreed,theenergyinvestorsareplottingtoreplaceCanadianenergysector
workerswith importedforeign labourunderthetermsofthenew immigrationrulesofBill
C50.TogetherwiththeHarperGovernmentsamendmentstotheImmigrationandRefugee
Protection Act (IRPA), it will clear the way for a flood of low wage foreign temporary
workers intotheenergysectortobeusedascheap labourtofurtherweakenthebuilding
tradesunionsworkingintheconstructionofTarSandsmegaprojects.
BillC50 ispartof the setofagreements struckunder the SPPandTILMA inan effort to
depresswages,breakunionsandruinstablecommunities.TheAlbertaenergygiantsCNRL
andSuncorhaveconstructedbarracklikecampsatFortMcMurraywhichhousetheinfluxof
largenumbersofforeignworkersdirectlycompetingwithCanadianworkers inthefieldof
skilledtrades,technologyandengineering.
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This is what Prime Minister Harper means when he speaks of Canada as an energy
superpower.Removingtherhetoricweareleftwiththepoweroftheenergydevelopersto
shapegovernment
policy
to
provide
cheap
labour,
keep
corporate
taxes
low,
remove
all
export barriers and defy the rising public outcry against rising prices and the obvious
environmental damage being created by irresponsible and uncontrolled private
development.Asothershavesaid,thePrimeMinisterisnothingmorethananenergysuper
marketer,sellingoutthefutureoftheresourceandtheenergyneedsofthewholecountry
forafastbuck.
ProductionCapitalOut,Usury,SpeculativeCapitalIn!
Furtherexacerbating
the
current
economic
crisis
is
the
conflict
among
some
sections
of
the
capitalistclassesthatderivetheirprofitsfromexploitingworkersengagedintheproduction
of industrial and manufactured commodities. The Canadian Manufacturers Association
supportedbytheLiberalsconfrontFinanceMinisterFlahertysedictthateconomicplanners
mustacceptas theirfirstdutyto theirclass,theBankofCanadaandFederalGovernment
policyofbailingoutthebankingsector,shoringupusurycapitalandshoringupthelossesof
large investorspeculators.Theproductivesectorgetswhat is left.Themeetingsbetween
OntarioandQuebecpremierswereareactiontothatpolicyandthemostrecentmeetingof
theprovincialpremiersinQuebecCityrevealedthatsplitbetweenresourcesectorprovinces
andmanufacturing
based
provinces
is
real
and
growing.
The
fiery
denunciations
by
Premier
DannyWilliamsofNewfoundlandLabradorofPrimeMinisterStephenHarper isarevealing
symptomofthesplitswithintherulingelites
TwoServantsFightingtoServetheSameMaster
Tosaythere isnodifferencebetweentheLiberalsandConservatives isthesameassaying
thereisnodifferencebetweentheUSRepublicansandDemocrats,theBritishToriesandthe
BritishLabour,theSarcozyRepublicanstheFrenchSocialists,andonandon.Suchtautology
getsus
nowhere.
Thereisbroadagreementontheleftthatthedivisionsamongcapitalistpartiesarequarrels
among servants vying for the rewards flowing from serving the same master, finance
capital.What isnotoftenconsidered isthatthesequarrelsarerealandcanbecomebitter
andsometimes,asishappeninginTurkeyandPakistan,quitebloody.
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In Canada these realities of capitalist politics stem from the confrontation between the
dominanceofnewcapitalarising fromenergyproduction,and theoldcapital invested in
manufacturing,the
parasitical
weight
of
banks,
usury
and
speculative
capital
versus
the
needsof theproductive sector of the economy for cheap investment capital. Itpartially
explains the splits in the capitalists parties, the divisions between eastern and western
regional capitalist interests, between the federal government and the provinces, all
attesting to disunity among competing capitalist interests engaged in the most vile and
acquisitivepursuitofselfinterestattheexpenseofCanadaanditspeople.
Similarlyonan international scale,competitionbothwithinandamong imperialist trading
blocs, principally the EU and NAFTA and, its most recent iteration, the Security and
ProsperityPartnership (SPP), are sharpenedby the currentglobal crisis further inflaming
interimperialist rivalries. Within theEU itself, thereare stressesanddisunity. These are
exemplifiedbytherecentdefeatoftheEUReformConstitutionbythevotersofIreland.This
disunityhas created a serious crisisofpolitical and economic development for European
financecapitalanditsplanstotransformacapitalistEuropeintoacontenderwiththeUSA
forworldimperialistdominationandcontrol.
ThedreamsoftheambitiouscorruptrulingelitesofUkraine,dismemberedYugoslaviaand
Kosovo,GeorgiaandformerEuropeansocialiststatesadmittedtoNATO,thatacornucopia
of riches andwealthwould reward theirbetrayalof socialism and thepeople confronta
bitterreality.
These
states,
confront
the
hard
nosed
demands
of
the
dominant
European
capitaliststates,Germany,France,ItalyandtheUK. Thesupplicantsmustfirstgiveuptheir
sovereignty, theirmarketsand their resourcesandallof thegainsmadeunder socialism,
beforetheywillbeletinthedoor.
InthecaseofPolandandCzechoslovakia,andUkrainewhereasmallelitebeggingtheUSA
forapositionofprivilegewithinNATOandattheimperialisttable,permittheUSAtostation
forwardadvancednuclearweapons installationson their territory thusmenacingRussian
security,expose theirowncountriesand itspeople tocertaindestruction in theeventof
nuclearwar.
TheRoadAheadIncreasedInstabilityoftheCapitalistSystem
Allof these factorsarebound tocreateextremepolitical instabilitywithineachcapitalist
country and the global capitalist system thatwill shape class relations for some time to
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come.Tosaytheglobalsystemofcapitalism is integratedwithoutexplainingthetenuous
andcontradictorynatureofthatintegrationrobstheworkingclassofanimportantweapon
inits
struggle
for
its
own
interests,
the
ability
to
take
advantage
of
inter
capitalist
and
inter
imperialistcontradictions.Worsethanthat, itperpetuatesthe illusionofthe invulnerability
andpermanenceofglobalcapitalismintheimperialiststageofitsdevelopment.
AnotherWorldintheMaking
The doctrines of a small group of imperialist states led by theUSA that rely onmilitary
power and political and economic threats, and proclaim their right to violate the
sovereigntyofpeoplesandnations toexactregimechange, to intervenemilitarilyand
unilaterallyin
international
affairs
is
being
challenged.
More peoples and countries, recognizing that imperialism cannot be reformed, reject its
tenetsandaretakingmatters intotheirownhands.Theyaredeclaringpeaceastheirright
andboldlyestablishingnewformsofgovernanceutilizingtheirownnaturalresourcesand
peacefulcreativelabourtoprovidefortheeconomicandsocialneedsoftheirpeople.
A group of states, the Peoples Republic of China, the Democratic Peoples Republic of
Korea,thePeoplesRepublicofVietNam,theRepublicofCuba,theBolivarianRepublicof
Venezuelaand theRepublicofBoliviahavechosen socialistmodelsofpolitical,economic
andsocialdevelopment.Thesemodelsarebasedon stateownershipof thecommanding
heightsof theeconomycombiningother innovative formsandmethodsofproduction to
overcomeproblemsofunderdevelopment.
The socialist states emphasize economic cooperation, the application of science and
technologytoincreaseproductivityandeaselabourtomeettherisingneedsofthepeople
fornecessities.Atthesametimethesocialiststatesaresystematicallyimprovingthehealth,
advancededucationandculturallifeofthepeopleandimplementingvigorousprogramsto
preserve the environment, conserve energy resources and avoid the worst aspects of
consumerism.
OtherstatessuchasEcuador,Chile,Paraguay,Nicaragua,ArgentinaandBrazil,Russiaand
India,SouthAfricaandByelorussia (Belarus)andmanyothers thatareconsidering joining
them,representnationsintransitionthatarenotfullyintheorbitofimperialismandoptfor
anonbelligerentstanceininternationalrelations.
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Thesestatesareweaklyintegratedintheglobaleconomicsystemofimperialismandoften
act independentlyof itwhen theirvitaleconomic interestsareat stake.Theyareactively
engagedin
building
new
non
belligerent
trading
blocs,
free
of
military
threats
and
imperial
ambition. Mutually beneficial economic relationships built at a regional level and that
objectivelychallengethedominanceandextremeaggressivenessofthe leading imperialist
statesledbytheUSAissomethingnewininternationaleconomicrelationssince1990.
Thenew trends in internationaldevelopmentattract theattentionof themajorityof the
peopleoftheworldandraisehighthehopesforpeaceandeconomicprogressfreeofwar
andoppression.
Thesetrendsalsoarousetheenmityandscornoftheolddiscredited imperialistcentresof
powerand
privilege
and
their
dominant
role
in
global
affairs.
These
trends
are
causing
old
imperialist powers to resort to threats, occupations, militarism and war, inflicting
unspeakable crimes against the people, as people attempt to emerge from poverty and
exploitation.
CanadasChoice OldImperialistConflictorTowardsaNewEraof
NonbelligerenceandCooperation?
These
developments
challenge
Canadians
to
consider
alternatives
to
the
dominant
subordinaterelationshipthatpresentlyexistsbetweenCanadaandtheUSA.Withadifferent
government,Canadacouldmoveclosertothesetrendsininternationalrelationsthatreject
war,aggressivenessandbelligerenceamongstates.
PrimeMinisterHarperdoestheoppositeandhasabandonedanypretenceofpromotinga
foreign policy of peace. USCanadian military and foreign policy collaboration has led
Canada into membership in the imperialist military alliances of NATO, NORAD and
NORTHCOM,adaptingand integratingCanadasmilitaryandforeignpolicy instepwithUS
imperialistglobalambitions.
Canada,theWorkingClassandtheFuture
Canadiancapitalism isnot immune to thecurrentglobalcrisis; in fact thedecisionsof the
Harper Government aggravate the general crisis and make itworse. All of the solutions
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offeredthusfarpromotedbytheminorityrightwinggovernmentaredesignedtodeepen
Canadian involvement in imperialistwar,divertpublicwealth tobailoutprivate investors,
andpromote
high
energy
prices
and
a
low
wage
policy
that
reduces
purchasing
power
of
consumersforallbuttheupperincomeelites.
Allof the solutionsofferedby geniusesof high finance aredesigned toprotect the
profitsof richest andmost powerful finance and resource capital formations. From the
GovernoroftheBankofCanadatotheFinanceMinister,tobankCEOsandthefullrangeof
corporate groups such as the Canadian Councilof Chief Executives (CCCE), the Canadian
ManufacturersAssociation(CMA),theCanadianAssociationofPetroleumProducers(CAPP)
and the stock exchanges S&P/TSX,while disagreeingonmethods, all agree that it is the
workingclassandthenoncorporatetaxpayersthatmustbearthebruntofthislatestfree
marketdrivenfiasco.
Capitalists in all countries, including Canada sensing the vulnerability of politically and
economicallyunorganizedworkingpeoplewill imposeharshconditions that include rising
monopoly prices,wage freeze, and severe consumer debt pressure. Thesemeasures all
resultinfallingpurchasingpowerinthehandsofworkers.Thisprocesswillcharacterizethe
classstrugglesolongasthecurrentcrisisworsens.
Thecrisishassharpenedallclassrelationshipsandwillcompelallthosewhomustlabourto
liveto
reconsider
their
previous
assumptions
about
the
capitalist
systems
ability
to
meet
theirneedsnowand in the future.The crisisposes thesequestionsmosturgently to the
working class.Workers confront abitter choice.Believe the theoriesof thosewho claim
capitalism can master the current crisis and manage its way out and wait for them to
attempt to do it, or do their own thinking and intervene in the political and economic
processtodefendtheirinterestsnow,andworkonaworkingclasssolutionforthefuture.
Howeachworkerandeachworkingclassorganizationanswersthatquestionwilldetermine
howrapidlytheworkingclassentersthestruggleforitsownvitalclassinterests.
The thesesofawide rangeofeconomicanalysts from theavowedlyproimperialist toan
array of neoMarxist academics and even some Communist theorists is, that the current
situation is simply another predictable and recurring cyclical event in evolving global
capitalist economy and that the economic gurus of Wall St., Fleet St. and Bay St., can
managetheirwayoutofthecrisis again.Thatblandassurance,inallofitsleftandright
variants ispropagatedeveryminuteofeverydayby the corruptmedia. It is suspect and
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shouldnotbetakenatfacevalue.Thecurrentcrisisneedsdeeperanalysisandthatcanonly
comefromafreshlook.
Whatdoallofthesetheorists invitetheworkingclasstobelieve?Theworkingclassofthe
leadingcapitaliststates,areinvitedtobelievethattherulingelitesoftheimperialistsystem
ofstateshavemastered the lawsofcapitalistdevelopmentand in timewilldeviseaplan,
andinfactarebusyimplementingsuchaplan.Theplanmostassuredly,willsavethestatus
andprivilegesofworkersand farmers in theadvancedcapitaliststatesat theexpenseof
workersandfarmersinunderdevelopedstates.Suchtheoriesareflawed.
ACapitalistCrisisStrikingattheEpicentreofImperialism
The current global crisis of capitalism is most severe at the epicentre of the imperialist
system theUnitedStatesofAmerica. Infact,itarisesfromthere.Unlikepreviouscrisesof
capitalismsuchastheAsiancrisis,theArgentinacrisis,thecollapseoftheRussianeconomy
following1990counterrevolutionaryoverthrowoftheSovietUnion,USAfinancecapital is
unable this time to turn a capitalist crisis of global proportions into an opportunity to
strengthenitsdominanceintheglobalimperialistsystemofstates.
In fact the current crisis is weakening US dominance and exacerbating interimperialist
tensions. Regardless of how the current crisis is resolved, the USA will emerge from it
weaker than when it began. This is not the aftermath of WW2 when the US economy
emerged unscathed bywar on its territory and became the undisputed dominant global
imperialistpower.AtthattimeUSfinancecapitalistsembarkedonalongtrajectoryofprofit
makingbyinvestinginthereconstructionofwarravagedcapitalistEuropeandtherearming
ofGermanyinviolationofsolemnagreementswiththeSovietUnion.USimperialismcreated
andarmedNATOandbuiltup the firststrikestrategicnuclearcapabilityof theUSarmed
forces,allofwhichwasaimedatdestroying theonly threat toUS imperialistascendancy,
thesocialistsystemofstatesledbytheSovietUnion.
Thecapitalists
of
the
west
European
states,
ruined
by
Hitlers
war
of
aggression
learned
nothingfromthatexperience.InfactmanyofthemhadactivelycollaboratedwithHitlerand
expectedtobethebeneficiariesofafascistvictory.Thwarted,theyeagerlyembracedthe
USfinancecapitalistplanfortheanticommunistreconstructionofEurope.Anticommunism
hasalwayshaditsrewardsforitsmostardentexponentsandstilldoestothisday.
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ThelongpostwarperiodofunimpededUSexpansionismisoverandUSimperialismisnow
enteringtheperiodofitshistoricaldecline.Asanydyingorganism, itresortstoanyandall
meansto
prevent
the
inevitable.
In
its
moribund
state,
US
imperialism
resorts
to
militarism
asitsfirstoptioninassertingitsprimacyintheimperialistsystem.
LegionsofbourgeoistheoristsandneoMarxistsnevertireofassertingthatUSimperialism
transcendsthelawsofcapitalistdevelopmentandisexceptionalforitsabilitytomanageits
wayoutof crisisandovercome the fundamental lawofcapitalism, socialproductionand
privateappropriationofsurplusvalue.
ThetheoryofAmericanexceptionalism, inessenceatheoryofcapitulationto imperialism,
was firstpropoundedbyKautskyanddemolishedbyLenin. It isbasedon the theory that
imperialismhas
evolved
into
a
unified
system
that
has
eliminated
inter
imperialist
rivalry.
It
thereforelogicallycreatesanoverarchingsinglefinancecapitalistmonopolythatdirectsthe
whole system thereby removing the basis of interimperialist war and conflict. And
therefore as a unified system it can manage the fundamental law of capitalism the
contradictionbetweensocialproductionandprivateappropriation.
The theory received itsgreatestvindicationwith thecounterrevolutionaryundermining
of the Soviet Union. With the destruction of the Soviet Union and along with it, the
Europeansystemofsocialiststates,imperialisttheoristsandacademiaingeneralproclaimed
theend
of
history
and
engaged
in
a
great
search
for
the
next
theory
that
would
replace
Leninism.
For the imperialist realists running the show, the removal of the SovietUnion, themain
supportforthepeaceanddisarmamentmovements,oftheanticolonialmovement,forthe
nonalignedstates,fortheantiimperialistandsocialistmovements,fortheworkingmasses
and inparticular theworking class, the global landscapewas changed. Itopened up the
possibilityforUSimperialismtoexpandempire,stealmarketshare,plunderresources,and
exploitforeignlabour,withoutthecomplexityandburdenofhavingtoformallianceswith
anticommunist factions to achieve their goals. Following the removal of the socialist
roadblockthedreamsofGerman,British,French,Italianimperialiststoreestablishtheirlost
colonialpossessions,theirformerpresocialistdominanceinEuropesoaredtogiddyheights.
BecausethecurrentcrisisisweakeningtheUSeconomy,theabilityofUSfinancecapitalto
useitseconomicpowertocoerceothercapitaliststatesintoabsorbingthecostsofthecrisis
is lesseffectiveandmorecomplexandcontradictory.Fromasourceofstrengthforother
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imperialiststates,theUSeconomyisnowitsprincipalweakness.InfactfortheUStosurvive
thecurrentcrisisitmustaggressivelyandruthlesslyexportitseconomicproblemsfirstofall
toits
own
working
class
and
to
the
working
masses
of
other
capitalist
and
non
capitalist
states,butalsotoothercapitaliststatesandclasses.
Thecurrentcrisisas inallpreviouscrisis leadstothedestructionofsmallandmediumsize
businesses and in a ruthless andbitter struggle for dominance and survival among large
financecapitalistinterests.Thisprocessisleadingtogrowingworldwideresistancefromthe
victimsoftheglobalcrisis,inthefirstplacetheinternationalworkingclassandaweakening
ofthepoliticalcohesionoftheentireimperialistsystem.
There isvery little incurrentUScrisismanagementproposalsemanatingfrom itsprincipal
powercentres,
the
Whitehouse,
the
Pentagon,
the
State
Department,
and
the
Federal
Reserve that resonates positively in the capitals of the EU, Asia or South America. In
particular thedeliberatedevaluingof theUSdollar, thecapitalistworldsprincipalreserve
currency,hastheeffectofdevaluingUSdebtowedtoforeigninvestors,suchasChina,India,
JapanandseveralfrontrankMiddleEasternoilexportingstates.Foreign investment inUS
treasurybillsandUScapitalmarketsboughtwithUSdollars tenor twentyyearsagoare
worthmuchlesstoday.
TheUS isalsoengaged inattempting to repatriate someof itsoutsourced industrialand
manufacturingcapacity.
Corporations
have
driven
down
wages
in
the
USA
to
third
world
levelsmakingitattractivetobringsomeofthatproductionbacktotheUSA.Countriessuch
as Canada that became heavily dependent on branch plant economies such as auto
manufacturingarefeelingtheaffects. Theeffectsarealsobeginning toshow inCanadas
energysectoraswediscussedabove.
Thecloser the statesaffectedby thecrisisare to theepicentre, themore integratedand
dependent theyareon theUSmarket, themore integrated theyarewith theUS finance
capitalistsystem,inparticularitsbankingsector,itsarmsindustryandspecificallyitscostly
militarysystem,themoreinvolvedtheymustbeincostlywarsUSimperialismhasinstigated
in IraqandAfghanistan, themorevulnerable thesestatesare toageneralcollapseof the
globalsystem.
Capitalist economists and theorists have postulated the opposite. That view drives the
ideology and world view of Prime Minister Harper. He asserts that the closer the most
advanced capitalist economies are to theUSA, themore dependent they are on theUS
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dollar,themorerelianttheyareonUSfinancecapital,themoredependenttheyareonthe
USmilitarysystem for theirdefence, themorewilling theyhavebeen toparticipate inUS
warsof
aggressions,
the
more
strengthened
will
be
the
domestic
capitalist
economies
they
command,themoredependenttheyareontheUS market,themoresecuretheirprofitand
thereforethepeopleofCanada.
ThePathForward
Working classanalysts andpolitical leaders that fail to studymoredeeply these evolving
trendsandadjusttheirpoliciesaccordinglywillberelegatedto irrelevance.Financecapital
dominatescapitalismandcommandssucheconomicpowerthatitbuysgovernmentstodo
itswill.
All
governments
in
Canada
are
state
monopoly
governments.
State
monopoly
governmentsmanagetheeconomicpoliticalaffairsofthecountryintheinterestsoffinance
capitalandtheirpursuitofmaximumprofit.
The capitalist state isan instrumentof class rule thatutilizes themilitary, the courts, the
police and vast states apparatus to administer the affairs of the country, to coerce the
workingclassestosubordinatetheirclassintereststotheprofitgoalsofbigbusiness.
Everycitizenknows this tobe the realstateofaffairs inallcapitalistcountries from their
ownexperience.Whethertheeconomyisinanexpansionoracyclicalcrisisphase,allofthe
majordecisionsofgovernmentaretakenwithonepurpose, topreservetheprofitsystem
andtheinterestofthoseclassesthatarethemainbeneficiaries.
The deep economic roots causing the political turmoil afflicting all advanced capitalist
countries includingCanada isgraduallycompelling thenonsectarian left toenter intoa
moresoberanalysisofmoderncapitalistdevelopment.TheCommunistsareplayingcatch
up.Fortoolong,anonclassliberal,socialdemocraticanalysishasdominatedthetheoretical
discussionandkept itat the levelofacademiawhereneoMarxiststarsappropriate the
leadershipof thediscussion. Workersand farmers,workingclassyouthandstudentsare
leftscratching
their
heads
in
bewilderment
as
brilliant
descriptions
of
capitalism
and
globalism are elaborated but without advancing a single solution that breaks the
strangleholdoftheprofitsystemovertheeconomyandtheirlives.
How will we explain the differences between the Communist vision of Canada and the
Liberalsocialdemocratic vision? Communists argue that the need to abolish the profit
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system isrevealed,notprimarilybytheexposureof thehypocrisyofwhatcapitalismsays
aboutitself,somethingallsocialandliberaldemocratsareadeptatdoingandoftendovery
well,but
primarily
by
the
exposure
of
the
actual
source
of
the
causes
of
the
steady
decline
of
theeconomicconditionsoftheworkingpeople.
TheCommunistssaythesourceoftheworseningeconomicconditionsoftheworkingclass
isthesystemofcapitalismitselfandthatcapitalismisirreparableandmustbereplacedwith
socialism.Theliberalandsocialdemocratssaythesourceofthecausesofthedeteriorating
conditionsoflifeofworkingpeopleisamalfunctioningcapitalismandallthatisrequiredis
torepairthesystem.
Communistsassertthatitisimpossibletoseriouslyconsiderasolutiontothedilemmafaced
byhalf
of
all
Canadians
who
rely
on
wages
and
salaries
to
live,
and
who
are
only
two
pay
chequesawayfrompoverty,withoutconsideringhowtofundamentallychangethepolitical
andeconomicsystemthatexposeworkerstosucheconomicuncertainty.
Whiletheimmediacyofthepossibilityofreplacingcapitalismwithsocialismmaylegitimately
bediscussed,itisincumbentuponthosewhoadvocatedeferringthediscussionofsocialism
to some distant time, to explain how that deferral strengthens the immediate and
contemporary struggles of the people for peace, democracy and social and economic
progress.Toassertthatsocialismisnotontheagendaimpliesthatcapitalismisdurableand
hasovercome
its
internal
contradictions
and
periodic
crises
eliminating
the
possibility
of
revolutionarysituationstherebyobviatingtheneedforarevolutionaryparty.Toassertthat
socialismisnotontheagendacanalsobeaconvenientwaytoevadethetaskofdefending
theachievementsofprevioussocialistrevolutionsandthe internationalistdutytoorganize
solidarityandsupportforexistingsocialiststatesandcontemporarysocialistrevolutions.
Postponement of the discussion of the dialectical relationship between socialism and
immediate struggle for reform reduces the role of Communists to a choir for social
democracyandreformismandbecomes inpracticeanaccommodationwithneoliberalism
andanunintendedconcessiontoanticommunism.
Theanswer toanticommunism isconsistentpartisanship for thesum totalof thehistoric
experienceofthestruggleoftheworkingclassforsocialism.Communistsconcedenothing
to theanticommunist revisionofworkingclasshistory.Theworkingclasscreates itsown
history instruggleand itwilldecidewhat is relevantandwhat is tobe learned from that
history.Imperialistideologists,theoristsandapologistshavenothingtoteachMarxism.
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TheSourceofOpportunismToday
Thegreatest
threat
to
the
working
class
fight
back
against
the
present
unfolding
crisis
is
the
illusion it is simplyanothermechanisticcyclicalevent that shallselfcorrect, that thehigh
priestsoffinancecapitalwillsavethesystemandtheinterestsoftheworkingpeoplealong
with it.Such illusion istheformthatpoliticalopportunismtakestoday.Accompanyingthis
opportunisticassessmentisthecanardbandiedaboutbyacoterieofneoMarxistacademics
thattheworkingclassiscorruptedandincapableoffightingback. Theyimplythatbecause
ofitsintegrationinthecapitalistsystem,throughprivateownershipofpropertyandsavings
fromdeferredwagesintheformofRRSPandothersmallinvestments,workersareunable
tomountanoffensiveintheirownclassinterests.
Lefttheoristsspendtheirtimehandwringingandchurningouttreatisesexplainingwhat
thecurrentcrisis isnt.Theysolemnlydeclare it isnta recessionoradepressionora 1929
crashoraglobalcollapseofthecapitalisteconomy.LeninandMarxhavebeendisproven
whichseemstobetheobjectiveoftheirefforts.Sincethecurrentcrisisisntexactlytheway
Marxpredicted it inCapital inthe19thCenturyandLenindescribed it in Imperialism in20th
Century the neoMarxists and their wideeyed coterie of hyperleft followers, busy
themselvesinthe21stCenturycorrectingMarxandLeninandseekingamorecogentanalysis
thatwindsupwithanappealtoworkerstobecomerevolutionaryas though theywere
waitingaroundjusttobetold.
WorkersRemainWorkers
The economic ruinationofworkers, thosewell established and those carrying largedebt
loadshappensallofthetimeandishappeningnowandinaparticularlyacuteway.Workers
donthavesinecures.Ruination isclassbased.Workerswithbuiltupeconomiccushions in
theformofsavingsorpensionsoradditionalincomefrompettybourgeoisenterprisedoes
notchangetheirfundamentalpositionintherelationsofproduction.Thereisnodoubtthat
some
imagine
they
do,
having
accepted
the
spin
of
capitalist
apologists
that
everyone
is
the
authoroftheirownmisfortune.
What is primary is not what is believed or imagined but what exists objectively
independentlyofourindividualactions.Whatisprimaryisthefactthatworkersdonotown
themeansofproductionandmustselltheirlabourpowertolive.So longastheirprinciple
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incomeisfromsellinglabourpower,whenthereisnomarketfortheskillstheyhavetosell,
theeffectisinstantaneousandbleak.
MarxismLeninismstudiesclass relationshipsastheyexistobjectively,todiscoverthe laws
underlyingtheirdevelopmentandtobaseprograms,strategiesand tacticsonthatreality.
Theclassstruggleisaprocessandlikeallprocesses,isadevelopmentnotanevent.
Fromthemomentoftheonsetofaglobaleconomiccrisisofthesystemofcapitalismsuch
astheonethat isuponusnow,there isanascentperiod,aperiodofquantitativebuildup
beforestrugglesmatureandtakeaqualitativeleap.Forexample,the1929crashfolloweda
longperiodof relative full employment during thepostworldwarone recoverywhen a
stratum ofworkers had achieved a relatively high standard of living. The high priests of
financecapital
preached
a
world
of
prosperity
for
all
that
would
never
end.
Well
it
did.
Whenthedepressionhititusheredinalongperiodofeconomichardshipsfortheworking
classasawhole,bothemployedandunemployed,causingbothmassunemploymentanda
drasticdropinpurchasingpowerofthosewhocontinuedtobeemployed.
Theperiodbetweenthe1929crashandtheOntoOttawatrekandtheDominionDayRiotin
ReginaofJuly1st 1935encompassedsixyearsofbitterclassbattlesduringwhichtime the
working class and farmers realized from their own bitter experience that their only
alternative
was
organized
struggle.
Other
historical
examples
can
be
cited.
The
crisis
now
breakingoutisstillatanearlystageofitsdevelopment.
Now is the time todeepen theanalysis,drawonallof thehistorical lessonsof thepast,
apply thescienceofMarxismLeninism to theunderstandingof the realitiesof todayand
broadenanddeepenthediscussioninthemostpublicofways.
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