ABOLISH POLICE & ARMY TOO - Weekly Worker
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A paper of Marxist polemic and Marxist unity
LRC’s AGM: delusional Jeremy n Letters and debate
Socialist Campaign Group splits
Corbyn excuses his role in n
n Apartheid report: Moshé Machover
witch-hunt of Labour left n ‘Anti-Postone’ pamphlet review
No 1382 February 10 2022 Towards a mass Communist Party £1/€1.10
ABOLISH
POLICE &
ARMY TOO
2 February 10 2022 1382 worker
weekly
LETTERS
Since an international working 2007 - in an article he is now trying New technology creates a moral rise in the rate of profit it induces.
Letters may have been class solution to the crisis is nothing to take back - “to be a ‘tribune of depreciation of existing fixed capital, Marx noted that the fall in the
shortened because of
space. Some names
more than a Marxist pipedream, the the oppressed’ means to oppose which leads to a rising rate of profit, rate of profit described in his law
may have been changed struggle will continue to unfold along oppression: it does not mean to do as well as a massive release of is very small and only detectable
national lines, leaving Marxists no what the oppressed call on us to do. capital. It reduces the value of raw over long periods of time, and is not
choice but to side with the nation The oppressed as much as anyone materials, with the same effect, but, therefore a credible cause of crises. It
BDS hurts that is more aggrieved. Nationalism else are divided by political choices” as economies enter new periods of depends on the quantity of materials
Last week’s letter by Tony Greenstein of the oppressed is all socialists can (‘Boycotts and working class prosperity, the higher productivity processed increasing at a faster pace
on the boycott, divestment and hope for. principle’ Weekly Worker October 11 causes the demand for materials to than the corresponding fall in the
sanctions movement marks a But Greenstein is wrong. 2007). expand faster than existing supply unit value of materials, as a result of
new low in the ongoing debate Working class militancy is indeed Quite right. can match, leading to sharply rising rising productivity. But changes in
(February 3). at an ebb. But socialists know this Daniel Lazare material prices (eg, post-1999), until the nature of production means this is
Six weeks earlier, Moshé can’t continue, because capitalism email such time that investment in new no longer the case, and the shift from
Machover acknowledged in the is every bit as unstable as it was in sources of supply reduces those prices manufacturing to service industry,
Weekly Worker that the BDS the 1930s, if not more so. Hence, Rate of profit once more (2014). Sharply rising which does not process materials,
campaign “cannot possibly” have a the Marxist outlook is clear: even Michael Roberts has got overexcited material prices and physical shortages makes it redundant as an explanation
significant economic impact on Israel if the international proletariat is in relation to data on the rate of cause disruptions to the circuit of of changes over time.
and therefore has had “no effect, not responding now, it must do so profit collated by him and his co- capital, which can lead to crises. In Arthur Bough
positive or negative, on the adherence shortly, because deepening capitalist thinkers. He objects to the fact that periods of intensive accumulation, email
of the Hebrew working class to decay will leave it with no choice but most Marxists disagree with his where new technologies are still
Zionist colonizing chauvinism” to fulfil its historical mission. If it catastrophist insistence that crises are replacing existing technologies, Lopsided
(‘Israel’s singularity’, December doesn’t, then we all know what will caused by Marx’s law of the tendency gross output grows faster than net I have just read ‘Remembering and
16). Mike Macnair subsequently happen next: a worldwide nationalist for the rate of profit to fall (‘A world output, manifest in rising profits forgetting’ by James Harvey (Weekly
offered the view that BDS is largely upsurge that will intensify the crisis of declining profit’, January 27). relative to output, which is the real Worker February 3).
“symbolic” and that, in any case, “it all the more. However, the data which he claims basis of falling interest rates during I agree with a fair amount of the
is preferable from the point of view Needless to say, vast political shows such a fall in the global rate such periods (eg, post-1985). Falling analysis, but it is seriously lopsided.
of working class interests not to have problems must be overcome before of profit, over a long period, does interest rates lead to rising asset The battle between revolution and
a Götterdämmerung of the Israeli the working class can respond not change anything in respect of prices, which leads to speculation in reform was led by my organisation in
state” (‘No change of line’, January effectively - most notably the this disagreement in relation to its these assets. It is the basis of bubbles Ireland - then People’s Democracy,
20) - meaning, as I understand it, that lingering legacy of Stalinism, which significance. and subsequent financial crises, such now Socialist Democracy - and
it will do the international proletariat has served to equate socialism with Roberts fails to recognise that as that of 2008. supported in Britain by the
no good if Israeli society goes economic and political stagnation in Marx’s definition of the law of the Roberts accepts the Ricardian International Marxist Group. We are
down in flames and takes the Israeli the eyes of all too many workers. But tendency for the rate of profit to argument that investment is a function still opposing the political settlement
working class with it. this does not make the struggle for fall is significantly different to that of the rate of profit, so that, if the rate of today, but James seems unaware of
Whatever their errors, both internationalism any less pressing. of his predecessors, Adam Smith, profit falls, then investment will also this.
comrades at least agree that In fact, it makes it more so, as the David Ricardo and Thomas Malthus, subsequently fall. Marx makes clear Lopsided historical interpretation
punishing Israeli workers is not the breakdown intensifies. whose explanations did indeed result that is not true. In times of expanding leads to a lopsided current
goal. But now we have Greenstein But Greenstein is not just wrong in crises. For them, it was important, markets, each capital seeks to obtain interpretation. Bernadette McAliskey
saying the opposite. It “is perfectly on an international level - he is precisely because it led to these its share and invests accordingly. In may have been able to finish her
correct to say that the Israeli working wrong on a local level too. Just as catastrophic conclusions, which times of squeezed profits and tighter speech in 1972, but Sinn Féin
class is no ally” of anti-Zionists, nationalism can only lead to an Marx himself rejected. For Marx, markets, each capital is driven even retained overall control, treated
he writes. “… Of course, BDS will intensification of the global crisis, the law is important, because it is the more by competition to produce genuine protestors with contempt
affect Israeli workers, but socialists it can only lead to an intensification basis of the average annual rate of at its maximum possible limit to and defined the commemoration in
ally themselves with the workers of of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis profit, and prices of production, and obtain benefits from the division of terms of constitutional nationalism
the oppressed nation, even against by causing battle lines to harden. so explains the allocation of capital labour and economies of scale and and peace with British rule.
workers in the oppressor group.” The more Palestinians continue to to different spheres of the economy. so undercut its competitors. The John McAnulty
So Greenstein recognises that wage their struggle along national He did not see it as relevant to the minimum efficient size of capital Socialist Democracy
BDS will hurt Israeli workers, but lines - to the cheers of ‘friends’ like accumulation of capital in total. is then driven up and also capitals
doesn’t care, because the Israeli Greenstein - the more they will be Marx’s law is founded on changes are driven into taking over their Big lie
proletariat is part and parcel of an locked into the same losing position in the technical/organic composition competitors to achieve greater size. A new documentary film will
oppressor nation. It “identifies with they have occupied for the last of capital, whereas the theories of Gross output rises faster than net expose the “conspiracy of smears”
its own bourgeoisie”, it accedes to century. If martyrdom is what they Smith, Ricardo and Malthus rest on output, resulting in rising interest to destroy former Labour leader
the ongoing existence of a “unique … want, then martyrdom is what they changes in the value composition of rates and falling asset prices. Jeremy Corbyn. The film, Labour:
settler-colonial state” and therefore will get, as long as they remain on capital, and primarily a rise in wages In failing to distinguish between a the big lie, documents an orchestrated
it must go down in defeat, so that the same track. that squeezes profits. The two are fall in the rate of profit resulting from attack on Corbyn and his supporters,
Palestine can be free. Greenstein There is a way out. Since military opposites: Marx’s theory depends a change in the value composition - involving forces from across the
freely admits what others hesitate to or economic pressure on the Jewish upon rising productivity resulting as against the long-term tendency political spectrum. A conspiracy
say out loud: that politics in Israel- state as a whole causes Israelis to from technological change, which for the rate of profit to fall as a result of smears was used to bring down
Palestine is a zero-sum game and bind together all the more tightly, the causes wages to fall and profits to of increases in the technical/organic Jeremy Corbyn and this film will
that one group can advance only at solution is to attack Zionism from rise. composition of capital - Roberts fails give chapter and verse on how it
the expense of the other. within by driving a wedge between Marx’s explanation of a crisis to distinguish how the former can was done. The film is also relevant
This is as unMarxist a formulation the proletariat and bourgeoisie. This of overproduction of capital does cause the rate of profit to fall in some to the current leadership crisis in the
as one can imagine. To understand means relentless class struggle - not rest upon conditions such as those periods, with consequent crises, Conservative Party.
how Greenstein arrived at such a just within the Jewish state, but on described by Smith, in particular, in whilst it rises in others, as a change Boris Johnson tried to get himself
reactionary position, it’s helpful to both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian which, as a result of an expansion in the value composition in the out of trouble by trying to smear
revisit another piece he published divide. To accomplish this, several of capital at a faster pace than the opposite direction occurs, due to the Keir Starmer with the Jimmy Savile
(‘Self-declared heretic replies’. things are necessary: social working day, it is not possible effects of rising social productivity scandal. Ironic, really, since Starmer
January 6). He doesn’t repudiate the n The struggle must be joint: ie, to expand absolute surplus value and a change in the technical/organic himself has used fake allegations
principle of the working class as the waged under a common leadership and, as the demand for labour pushes composition of capital. of anti-Semitism to purge hundreds
motor force of history in that earlier and integrated to the greatest degree up wages, relative surplus value Roberts accepts the basis of of members of his own party. But
article, at least not completely. But he possible. is also reduced (eg, the 1970s). It Say’s Law, as amended by Keynes it just illustrates the way smearing
comes awfully close by dismissing n Workers must go out of their way is in response to such crises that (equating saving/profit with net has become the weapon of choice in
whatever role the proletariat may to allay ethno-religious fears in both capital introduces technological investment) that supply creates its politics today.
have to play in the current epoch. To camps and recognise the legitimacy improvements that replace labour, own demand. Roberts says that all False smears, using social media
wit: of either side’s national aspirations - so causing wages to fall and profits demand comes from either wages or and the press have had a deeply
n “To imagine that we are in a expressed in a democratic manner, of to rise (eg, the mid-80s). Those profits (ie, just v + s, not c + v + s, as corrosive effect on political life in
revolutionary or pre-revolutionary course. conditions, required for the law of the Marx describes), which is based on Britain and date back to the Tory-
situation is to engage in the politics n They must recognise the centrality tendency for the rate of profit to fall Smith’s absurd dogma that the value LibDem coalition government.
of fantasy and wishful thinking ...” in a larger Middle East of an Israeli- are then a consequence of crises, not of total output resolves entirely into Our research has revealed that the
n “There is no possibility of forming Palestinian proletariat composed a cause of them, as Roberts contends. revenues. That means that he omits smearing really began with small
a mass revolutionary Communist not just of Arabs and Jews, but of This also explains the cyclical the value of constant capital from numbers of alt-right activists, who
Party today. We are not in 1917 or at Russians, Thai and Filipino guest nature of crises. Having introduced the calculation of total output, as he were attacking middle-of-the-road
the end of World War I … We have workers, and so on. new labour-saving technologies, does GDP and national income data, members of the Tory Party. But the
seen over 35 years of industrial quiet After all, the Middle East is not capital goes through a period in which means his calculation of the smearing came into its own when
with a recomposition of the working just a prison-house of nations à la which it rolls out more of this rate of profit is necessarily wrong. Jeremy Corbyn became Labour
class and the halving of trade union tsarist Russia, but a veritable torture same technology (eg, the late 90s), Roberts’ calculation of the rate of leader.
membership …” chamber due to the barbaric treatment having replaced all of the previous profit is essentially a measurement of The feature-length documentary
n “When class-consciousness was of Yazidis, Alawites, Shi’ites, etc. As technology - intensive accumulation changes in the rate of surplus value, is being produced by the independent
at a peak, they [ie, workers] fought a minority in both Israel-Palestine gives way to extensive accumulation. not the rate of profit modified by the film maker, Platform Films, which
economic but not political battles, and the region as a whole, Jews The rise in productivity inevitably inclusion of the fixed capital stock, made the award-winning People’s
leaving the latter to a reformist Labour have a right to have their concerns slows and, as output expands, more but valued on the basis of historic flag TV history of the Labour Party
Party. Why should an atomised and addressed no more and no less than and more labour must be employed, prices, not current reproduction costs. for Channel Four. The producer
deunionised working class fare any other minorities. until the conditions exist again where Because the technological revolution, is inviting anyone with stories of
better today or tomorrow?” Finally, there is Greenstein’s labour is in relative short supply, required as the basis of the law of smears or who wishes to donate
The international working class statement that “members of the wages rise, profits are squeezed, the tendency for the rate of profit to financially to get in touch with them
is irrelevant - today, tomorrow, oppressor group have no right to and so capital is overproduced fall, itself brings about a huge moral at platformfilms.co.uk/contact.
and beyond. We can’t look to it for dictate to the oppressed how they relative to the labour supply. A new depreciation of the fixed capital stock, To see a trailer for the film go to
answers, because its role is nil. The must conduct their struggle”. This technological revolution is required calculating the rate of profit on the youtu.be/s3Vb8APbUGM.
implications in terms of the Israeli- is not just nonsense, but pernicious (it takes time for the necessary new basis of historic prices systematically Norman Thomas
Palestinian conflict are obvious. nonsense. As Macnair put it back in technology to be introduced. and massively understates the actual email
BCM Box 928, London WC1N 3XX l 07379 532160 l www.weeklyworker.co.uk l editor@weeklyworker.co.uk
weekl16
worker 1382 February 10 2022 3
TORIES
Challenge the cost of living crisis
ACTION
Saturday February 12: Nationwide protests. Inflation has reached
7.5% (RPI). Wages are not keeping up. The triple lock for pensions
has been broken and Universal Credit cut. Price-capped energy
bills face a massive hike from April, when the increase to National
Insurance also takes effect. Protest to defend living standards.
Bangor, 12 noon: The Clock Tower, High Street, Bangor LL57.
Birmingham, 12 noon: Waterstones, High Street, Birmingham B4.
Brighton, 1pm: The Level, Brighton BN1.
Bristol, 1pm: College Green, Bristol, BS1.
Eastbourne, 1pm: Bankers Corner, Terminus Road, Eastbourne BN21.
Glasgow, 1pm: George Square, Glasgow G1.
Lancaster, 1pm: Market Square, Lancaster LA1.
Liverpool, 12 noon: Bombed Out Church, Leece Street, Liverpool L1.
London, 1pm: Parliament Square, Westminster, London SW1.
Manchester, 1pm: Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester M1.
Newcastle, 1pm: Greys Monument, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1.
Nottingham, 1pm: Old Market Square, Nottingham, NG1.
Southampton, 1pm: Guildhall, Southampton SO14.
Organised by The Peoples Assembly: thepeoplesassembly.org.uk.
Boycott Puma day of action
Saturday February 12: Nationwide protests to demand Puma ends
Party snaps are one thing, the economy another sponsorship of the Israel Football Association. The IFA operates in
Destroyed by economygate?
illegal Israeli settlements on land stolen from Palestinian people.
Birmingham 1pm: JD Sports, The Bullring, Birmingham B5.
Brighton 12 noon: Clock Tower, North Street, Brighton BN1.
Bristol, 2pm: Sports Direct, 13-15 Broadmead, Bristol BS1.
After the “longest wage squeeze in 200 years”, workers in Britain Cardiff, 12 noon: Queens Street, Cardiff CF10.
Coventry, 11am: JD Sports, The Precinct, Coventry CV1.
face an unprecedented fall in living standards. Michael Roberts Edinburgh, 11am: Princes Street/Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2.
Kingston, 12noon: Sports Direct, Fife Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1.
rejects the Bank of England’s call to “moderate” wage rises Leicester, 10am: Sports Direct, Gallowtree Gate, Leicester LE1.
Liverpool, 12 noon: Bottom of Church Street, Liverpool L1.
P
rime minister Boris Johnson energy prices are a key factor Workers have not caused this Llantrisant (RCT), 12 noon: Talbot Green Retail Park, CF72.
is currently in danger of beyond the bank’s control, with price inflation - an important fact London, 12 noon: Puma Store, Carnaby Street, London W1.
losing his job because of the even bigger increases than during when mainstream economists Luton, 1pm: St George’s Square, Luton LU1.
blatant flouting, by him and his the oil price shock 50 years ago. He (particularly Keynesians) argue Northampton, 11am: Sports Direct, Abington Street, Northampton NN1.
staff, of the Covid restriction rules said: that inflation is caused by ‘tight’ Norwich, 2.30pm: Carrow Road/Geoffrey Watling Way, Norwich NR1.
imposed by his own government labour markets and ‘wage- Plymouth, 11am: Sports Direct, New George Street Plymouth PL1.
on the rest of the British people. I think this represents the cost push’. Second, there is no Wolverhampton, 11am: Queen Square, Wolverhampton WV1.
But rather than ‘partygate’, it is the steepest rise in energy costs for evidence that rising wages lead to Organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign:
rocky road ahead for the economy households as a share of income price rises - indeed, there is much www.palestinecampaign.org/events/boycottpuma-day-of-action-2.
and its impact on living standards in a year than we have seen more evidence (as I have shown
for the many which is much more ever, including the 1970s. in previous posts)3 that wage rises Yemen is bleeding - stop the arms sales
likely to destroy the fortunes generally lead to falling profit Saturday February 12, 12 noon: Protest outside Downing Street,
of this rightwing Conservative Energy bills to British households share. And that is what really London SW1. The recent wave of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes
government at the next election, are capped in the UK by a worries the government and the against Yemen killed over 100 civilians, including the targeted
probably in 2024. regulation authority, as in many BoE - the profitability of British bombing of a detention centre. Demand an end to British support
What a mess the UK economy countries. However, because of capital, which is already weak and arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition.
is in. At its February 3 monetary the rise in global energy prices, the enough. Organised by Stop the War Coalition:
policy meeting, the Bank of authority is raising the cap by 50% And this low profitability leads www.stopwar.org.uk/events/protest-for-yemen-stop-arms-sales.
England forecast that the year- from April. to very poor productive investment Introduction to radical anthropology
on-year rate of inflation in prices The government has panicked and productivity growth. Tuesday February 15, 6.30pm: Series of talks on social and
would reach 7.25% this spring. and is introducing a price rebate or The government boasts that the biological anthropology. This talk is online only, via Zoom:
This is after forecasting just 4% at discount to reduce the bill. But this British economy is recovering fast ‘The grammar of world mythology, part 3: The wives of the sun and
its previous meeting. Indeed, the is no handout. Instead, it is only from the disastrous pandemic slump. moon’. Speaker: Chris Knight.
BoE’s forecasts have been wildly a loan to reduce energy bills and But this is nonsense. Inflation rates Organised by Radical Anthropology Group:
short of reality for the past year. will be clawed back in higher bills may eventually subside in the UK radicalanthropologygroup.org/evening-talks.
If inflation hits 7.25% in “when energy prices are lower”. and the major economies - mainly
April, that would be the highest The government wants to maintain because economic growth will Abolish the monarchy
Consumer Price Index figure since the profits of the privatised energy slow fast. But Britain is in the Thursday February 17, 6pm: Online education talk via Zoom.
August 1991, just after the first monopolies, rather than bring them worst position relative to other Part of a weekly series on ‘Abolition’.
Iraq War oil shock. It has not risen under public control, and it is not G7 economies. The UK is second Speaker: Steve Freeman (LLA Republican Working Group).
to this level since Saddam Hussein putting public funds into providing from the bottom of the G7 league Organised by Labour Left Alliance:
invaded Kuwait in August 1990. energy to people at reasonable table, when comparing the overall www.facebook.com/events/436141718210359.
The BoE announced another cost. So much for targeted price recovery from Covid to the pre- State power, transitions, modes of production
hike in its policy rate with the controls as a solution to inflation, pandemic GDP level. And now Thursday February 17, 6pm: Online lecture. Examining issues
belated aim of getting inflation as advocated by some on the left.2 the BoE has reduced its economic of productive forces, class formation and state power in transitions
under control “before it gets even Price controls do not work. But forecast significantly, saying that from feudalism to capitalism, drawing on the work of Alexander
worse”. the authorities still expect wages UK economic growth would soon Chistozvonov. Speaker: John Foster. Registration free.
Of course, inflation rates are to be controlled. BoE governor “slow to subdued rates” of around Organised by Marx Memorial Library:
rising in all the major economies, Andrew Bailey said that, while it only 1% a year, lower than any www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk/event/347.
driven partly by increased consumer would be “painful” for workers other G7 economy.
demand, but mostly by supply- to accept that prices would rise Worse, the current growth rate is Military detention of Palestinian children
chain bottlenecks, particularly faster than their wages, some artificially boosted by £25 billion of Tuesday February 22, 6.30pm: Webinar and online film screening.
in fossil fuel, energy and food “moderation of wage rises” corporate tax incentives this year and Caging childhood: Palestinian children in Israel’s military detention
commodities. But the British was needed to prevent inflation next, but investment remains weak. system is a documentary about three Palestinian children in the
inflation rate is considerably higher becoming entrenched: In the third quarter of 2021, it was occupied West Bank and their experiences in the Israeli military
than even in the US or the euro still 4% below pre-pandemic levels - detention system. Speakers include Shaina Low (Defence for
zone and the hit to living standards In the sense of saying, we do again lower than any other economy Children International - Palestine) and Daniel Kebede (President,
of the average British household is need to see a moderation of in the G7. And the government National Education Union).
going to be much greater. The BoE wage rises, now that’s painful. I plans to raise corporation tax rates Organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign:
admits that real post-tax household don’t want to in any sense sugar from 19% to 25% in 2023. The IMF www.palestinecampaign.org/events/film-webinar-caging-childhood.
income will fall by 2% in 2022, that, it is painful. But we need to reckons the UK economy will slide SOS NHS
with a further fall in 2023. see that in order to get through to near stagnation in 2023, with Saturday February 26: Day of action with events nationwide.
This is a five times worse fall this problem more quickly. GDP only 0.5% larger than at the Emergency funds for the NHS must be secured now to avert disaster.
in income than in the financial start of the pandemic: the lowest in Oppose the health and care bill. Fight for a fully public NHS and an
crisis of 2008-09, and worse than So, with inflation rocketing, energy the G7. That’s not a great scenario end to privatisation.
Black Wednesday 1992, when and food prices spiralling, the Bank for another Conservative election Organised by SOS NHS: sosnhs.org/events.
the pound broke with tracking the of England tells British workers not victory in 2024 l
European Currency Unit (the pre- to ask for more wages. This advice Against Labour and union tops’ betrayal
euro currency “unit of account”). comes from a bank governor who Michael Roberts blogs at For a revolutionary programme in the pandemic!
Indeed, it will be the biggest fall in gets £575,538, including pension, a thenextrecession.wordpress.com Saturday February 26, 3pm: Public meeting, Room 538, Birkbeck,
disposable income on record - and year, more than 18 times higher than University of London, Malet Street, London WC1.
comes after a strangulation of real the median annual pay for full-time Notes Organised by Spartacist League/Britain:
1. www.tuc.org.uk/news/workers-still-
household incomes for nearly 30 employees in Britain of £31,285. suffering-longest-pay-squeeze-200-years- spartacist.org/events/slb/london
years in the UK - the longest wage The BoE claims that if workers says-tuc.
CPGB wills
squeeze in 200 years!1 ask for more wages, firms will 2. thenextrecession.wordpress.
com/2022/01/06/price-controls-do-they-work. Remember the CPGB and keep the struggle going. Put our party’s
Ben Broadbent, one of the be forced to raise prices and 3. thenextrecession.wordpress. name and address, together with the amount you wish to leave, in
BoE deputy governors, said that then there will be a ‘wage-price’ com/2021/06/27/inflation-interest-rates-and- your will. If you need further help, do not hesitate to contact us.
“extraordinary” rises in global spiral. There are two points here. debt.
4 February 10 2022 1382 worker
weekly
LRC
A rapidly sinking ship
Clive Dean, of Labour Party Marxists, reports on an organisation in sharp decline, politically at sea and
now lacking any strategic perspective
tailing existing protest movements?
Otherwise the LRC was no longer fit
for purpose - which is clearly already
the case.
At least 15 members joined in
the discussion, though many were
oblivious to the stark warnings from
comrade Bash, and some were totally
off beam. Predictably there were
voices calling for a new non-Marxist
broad left to bring together all the left
groups within Labour, united around
‘a dozen points we all agree on’.
Ironically such unprincipled unity can
only encourage further demoralisation
and disintegration - because it is bound
to fail. Others endorsed the suggestion
to divert efforts into supporting broad
movements outside the party - again
a route away from socialist politics.
Many gave examples of the crisis of
democracy within the party and how
it is damaging the prospects for left
candidates. But throughout there was
an undercurrent of despair, summed
up when Nick Wrack asked “What is
the LRC for?”
In reply to the discussion, comrade
Bash declared that this time the fight
within Labour was different, and the
party we know may not survive. On
supporting those standing against
Labour he recalled backing Ken
Livingstone and Dave Nellist in
earlier struggles, and would support
Corbyn should he be forced to stand
outside Labour. His blunt answer
to the question “What is the way
forward?” was that he didn’t know -
Jean-Louis André Théodore Géricault ‘The raft of the Medusa’ (1818-19) the struggle will provide the answers.
Surely a declaration of strategic
A
t its height just 82 people “Ukrainian self-determination”. Tina Werkmann was first to his Peace and Justice Project will bankruptcy.
attended the zoom call for Nato expansionism and the Russian seize the opportunity and asked be inviting everyone on the left to
the AGM of the Labour question within Ukraine is brushed him to elaborate on the mistakes. contribute 500 words on this subject No contest
Representation Committee, held over. But no, the nearest we got Agreeing with his assessment that - not exactly a recipe for clarity. The unhealthy spirit of hopelessness
last Saturday February 5. Far less to a contentious vote was on the anti-Semitism in the Labour Party also affected other areas of the AGM.
than would attend the ‘normal’ proposal to open up the zoom chat had been overstated for political Unfit Nobody felt the need to question the
face-to-face meetings in London’s feature (lost 29:25). reasons, she asked if he agreed that Amazingly, the LRC executive’s treasurer’s report, despite an ominous
Conway Hall. But nowadays it is Time given over for questions calling for zero-tolerance of anti- political statement was exactly the loan for £5,000 which appeared to be
dangerous to even appear on the and debate featured in the Semitism was a mistake, and that same document that was due to be funding an ‘organiser’. The 18 officers
same computer screen as those who morning session, both following education was a better response. presented back in October, with a and the new executive committee
have been expelled … and spies Jeremy Corbyn (originally billed She also asked if it would have been small appendix added that covered the were all elected unopposed, though
from Labour’s Victoria Street HQ as a panel speaker) and around better to face down the right in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and nominations for some posts were
were undoubtedly recording and the LRC executive’s political Parliamentary Labour Party rather the Taliban take-over. Hence some of it only received on the day, and at least
readying new lists of those to be statement. These were by far than compromising, as the right was painfully out of date. For example, one post remains unfilled. Only five
‘investigated’. The AGM had been the most interesting, well, to be were part of a class war against the the pledges to build support for Cop26 of the candidates deigned to submit
postponed from October last year, honest, the least boring, parts of the Labour left. events in Glasgow. The slogan for the a personal statement, so perhaps it is
presumably in part out of fear of the proceedings, so I will concentrate Nick Wrack also thought it was AGM was ‘building the resistance’, just as well there were no votes. A
witch-hunters, but also due to the on the issues that came up. important to look at what went and this seems to be the ‘positive’ look at the attendance record for the
pandemic and toll that has taken in Jeremy Corbyn’s contribution wrong. For him the key issues were course for the LRC projected within retiring executive reveals that at least
terms of human resources. contained some unexpected the failure to mobilise the mass the statement. In fact, the LRC’s old one third of them had resigned part-
There was a full agenda, but, points - he began by expressing membership and the retreat from strategy of backing left MPs and way through their period in office.
thankfully, the non-appearance of his solidarity with those who have open selections. Looking forward, getting Labour into office as the road A new editorial board was elected
billed guests Apsana Begum MP been suspended and expelled he considered it vital for the left to to socialism has been completely for the LRC’s ‘monthly’ journal,
and Unison president Paul Holmes from the Labour Party. Does that be clear on the questions of “What exposed as utterly illusory. Indeed Labour Briefing. But there was no
allowed some space for questions include those witch-hunted under is socialism?” and “How do we get the LRC has no answer about how to comment on its non-appearance
and debate. Exactly what the LRC his watch? He asked the question, there?” Managing capitalism was fight the ongoing anti-Zionism equals since September, and no update on
leadership ‘normally’ seeks to avoid “Did we make mistakes while I was not the answer: the profit system anti-Semitism witch-hunt. Hence, in the email received in November,
by packing the agenda to the rafters. party leader”, and replied, “Yes, had to be abolished. the absence of anything approaching advising members: “We are pausing
Having said that, potential time plenty”. He defended his efforts to Other contributors steered a viable strategy the LRC leadership production while we re-organise and
was still taken up by the rally-style mobilise the 400,000 who joined clear of ‘mistakes’, though Alison clutches at “the trade unions, climate hopefully relaunch.” The talk is that
guest speakers - Neda Abu Zant the party during that period and his McGarry thought that a Corbyn change protests, Black Lives Matter, when the relaunch comes it won’t
from Palestine and John Lister attempts to transform the party into victory in 2019 would have faced a in solidarity with the Palestinian be printed anymore, but will be just
from SOS NHS. Then there were a campaigning organisation. coup, something the left was totally people, defending asylum seekers and another one of those worthy but
the constitutional amendments He lamely criticised the current ill-prepared to rebuff, she said. migrants, resisting violence against largely pointless online publications,
and policy motions to consider, party leadership for concentrating Some of Corbyn’s responses women or discrimination against that no one organises to support and
but these contained nothing at all on suspensions and expulsions were illuminating - apparently he disabled people, fighting Universal very few go to the bother of reading.
controversial, just tidying up the rather than organising against the is preparing a book about his time Credit and the cut in its uplift, parts of When it ‘normally’appears, Labour
rules, affiliating to the Palestine Tories. He mentioned the tension as leader, which will include self- the mutual aid movement and many Briefing proclaims that “The LRC is
Solidarity Campaign and updating over the Russia/Ukraine border, criticism. He told us that at his first more”. a democratic, socialist body working
policy on housing, local government but went no further than calling prime minister’s questions he was In moving the statement, Graham to transform the Labour Party into an
cuts and open selections. for peace (perhaps he was aware of aware that in the PLP seated behind Bash sounded the alarm for the organisation that reflects all sections
An emergency motion on the tensions within the LRC). He did, him he had the support of barely 15 LRC, which, along with the rest of of the working class.” A thoroughly
Russia/Ukraine tension would have though, alert us to the non-danger MPs. While his leadership was able the Labour left, had failed to stop dubious formulation. No, we should
been in order, given the imminent of Boris Johnson attempting a to garner strong support using social the witch-hunt. He rightly agued that seek to drive away, overthrow, the
threat of war and the LRC’s Falklands-style engagement to save media, dealing with the mainstream the Starmer purge was class war, labour and trade union bureaucracy,
affiliation to the pro-imperialist his failing premiership. media had been a big failing. As and that over 200,000 members had not reflect, let alone promote, their
cat’s paw, the Ukraine Solidarity if the mainstream media was ever already left the party. He urged those narrow sectional interests and self-
Campaign. It draws an equals sign Ask Jeremy going to come over to support a remaining not to give up and noted serving careers. But that is exactly
between “western imperialism” and Chairing, Matt Wrack asked for Corbyn-led government. Corbyn that alternative electoral ventures what the LRC has been all about,
“Russian imperialism” but gives questions for Jeremy - not something agreed that discussing ‘what usually failed miserably. He urged and look how it has ended. Failure,
the game away by championing I’ve encountered before! socialism means’ is important, and the LRC to rise to the “challenges” - complete and abject failure l
weekly
worker 1382 February 10 2022 5
LABOUR
Cosying up to Sir Keir
Derek James reports on the split in the Socialist Campaign Group and the prospects for the ‘insider’ strategy
A
nother day, another initiative careers of political opportunists.
on the Labour left. However, The politics of this new group,
this time rather than a new however, point to something more
‘rank and file’ initiative, it seems fundamental than just individual
that a group of 11 Campaign failings and venal parliamentary
Group MPs and one member of the ambitions. This tendency towards
Scottish parliament are forming compromise is inherent in the
a new parliamentary caucus. Labour left: it is an original sin
Reports on social media and blogs that flows from their focus on
like Labour List and Skwawkbox achieving ‘socialism’ through
are still somewhat sketchy, but the election of a left Labour
even at this early stage the main government, which in turn is
outlines of the project seem clear predicated on the necessity of
enough.1 unity with and political surrender
In what seems to be a carefully to the pro-capitalist Labour right.
planted leak, the group’s ‘strategy The whole history of the official
coordination document’ outlines Labour left is made up of these
the political and organisational types of compromise, which end
basis of the new group, and up ultimately as major betrayals
its relationship to the current and defeats for the working class.
Labour leadership. Whilst much In its timidity and complete
social media attention has been surrender to Starmer, the politics
on its funding by a levy on MPs, of this new group of MPs is
proposals for a full-time staff just the latest iteration of this
member/researcher and ideas for thoroughly discredited and putrid
more high-profile parliamentary tradition l
interventions modelled on the Socialist Campaign Group MPs: no-one wants to know Jeremy any more
US Democrats’ ‘Squad’, it is the Notes
broader political orientation of the similar pedigree on the soft left, attention is focused elsewhere on the main issue: unite behind the 1. labourlist.org/2022/02/revealed-new-left-
group-sparks-debate-over-divisions-among-
as yet unnamed group that is of the some members of this putative what, significantly, the new group leadership and focus on ‘getting left-mps: skwawkbox.org/2022/01/29/
greatest interest. caucus, including Kim Johnson defines as its “insider strategy”. rid of Johnson’. exclusive-new-left-socialist-campaign-group-
The putative group identifies and Dawn Butler, have their roots These “tactical approaches” It is possible that some left mps-form-new-separate-eco-group.
itself, of course, as being on in other types of activism in local aim to put “pressure on Keir activists might be persuaded 2. skwawkbox.org/2022/01/29/exclusive-
new-left-socialist-campaign-group-mps-
the left, but this is a ‘new left’, government, community groups Starmer off and on his front to go along with the politics of form-new-separate-eco-group.
you understand. It is distinctly and the trade unions. bench” by “working alongside this putative split from the SCG. 3. labourlist.org/2022/02/revealed-new-left-
different from the old left Starmer and trying to steer him In the wake of the defeat and group-sparks-debate-over-divisions-among-
represented by Corbyn and the Invertebrate rather than resist or remove him” disintegration of the Corbyn left-mps.
4. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/
socially reactionary elements of However, there is one trait that (emphasis in original).7 This movement, the failure of the brexit-bill-latest-clive-lewis-resigns-jeremy-
old-style Labourism, because it they all share to a greater or lesser strategy of surrender is couched official left to offer any sort corbyn-labour-party-three-line-whip-brexit-
is “pushing the Labour leadership extent - a refusal to publicly in the fashionable language of of lead has disorientated and bill-norwich-a7570416.html.
to do better on its economic oppose the attacks on Corbyn and “an alliance between GND (green demoralised many. So some might 5. ‘Careerism on the Mersey’ Weekly Worker
March 11 2021: weeklyworker.co.uk/
approach, and social and complete silence on the witch- new deal) and new/progressive clutch at these straws of bizarre worker/1338/careerism-on-the-mersey.
environmental justice issues”.2 We hunt. If the response by the SCG economics”, representing little parliamentary stunts and making 6. skwawkbox.org/2022/01/29/exclusive-
can surmise what this might mean in general to the onslaught of more than some warmed-over your peace with the leadership for new-left-socialist-campaign-group-mps-
by looking a little more closely at the Starmer leadership has been Keynesianism, elements of want of anything else. But if they form-new-separate-eco-group.
7. Ibid.
some of the names currently in the pathetically supine, then the modern monetary theory and do they will surely find themselves 8. Ibid.
frame. They are said to include record of this subset of individuals worthy green projects.8 Like simply acting as bit-part players, 9. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-
backbenchers Lloyd Russell- has been positively invertebrate. Labour’s 2019 election manifesto, mere voting fodder supporting the politics-60068222.
Moyle, Clive Lewis, Nadia Despite their protestations of this represents nothing more than
Whittome, Rachel Maskell, Dawn leftism, MPs like Nadia Whittome a modified, regulated capitalism,
Butler and Kim Johnson, along and Kim Johnson have joined albeit with a green-wash
with frontbenchers Sam Tarry and
Olivia Blake. Apparently other
MPs were asked to get involved,
in attacks on the left in their
CLPs or discreetly worked with
the party machine to undermine
makeover. However, given what
we have heard from the Labour
leadership about its pro-business
Fighting fund
such as Paula Barker, Beth Winter, any challenges to the Starmer credentials, it is likely that even
Nav Mishra and Rachel Hopkins,
but they declined for various
reasons.3 On the face of it this
leadership.5 This combination
of political characteristics and
individual careerism finds its
these timid, ‘progressive’ reforms
will get short shrift from the oh
so responsible shadow chancellor,
Had the Experience
motley collection of very soft-left
Labourites has little in common.
Although they largely represent
nadir in the approach of the new
caucus towards the leadership of
Keir Starmer. This goes beyond
Rachel Reeves.9
It does not take a political
genius to predict that this new
W ell done so far in February,
comrades. Last week we had
a technical problem, which meant
even being asked! (That’s what’s
known as proactive, comrades.)
If you want to sell or give out
a new generation of post-Corbyn the cowardice and compromise group is unlikely to get very far. It we couldn’t access our online bank Weekly Workers, let us know. If you
MPs - that is, people who were that is the hallmark of the ‘official clearly represents something of a account for a time and as a result I can cover the postage, even better. It’s
elected since 2015 - this group of left’ to complete capitulation. split to the right by some elements left a lot of our donation stalwarts a great way to start a conversation,
careerists and opportunists come Our bold ‘leftists’ can read as in the rather quiescent and actually out (I am assuming we can abolish by the way. One of our comrades
from different backgrounds and well as anyone and throughout quite moribund SCG. At all levels banks under communism?). gives his local shop, the owners of
political positions. their distinguished political of the party former leftists have So let me apologise to last week’s which are Turkish Kurds, a copy on
Thus Clive Lewis, who is careers have developed a very keen moved on from keeping their donors for not noting their standing a regular basis. Last week he pointed
likely to be the leading figure sense of the way the wind blows in heads down to now actively orders. They are DC (£6), MM (£11), out an article on Turkey’s economy
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Corbyn’s shadow cabinet and was what remains of the left amongst surprise us, given the experience (£12), TG (£25), MT (£15), YM “I know.”
a possible leadership candidate in party activists and snuggling up to we had throughout the witch-hunt (£10), DI (£10) and PG (£20). Then If you want to contribute by
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made something of a name for and “capture media attention”, of that approach. in euros, translated as £66. Finally - of course - and the account number
himself amongst Labour activists such as “calling Boris Johnson a Will anyone be convinced last, but definitely not least - we had is 00744310 (sort code 30‑99‑64).
by ‘campaigning’ for liberal liar, actions involving dresscodes, by this ‘insider strategy’? the usual PayPal donations from GB And, yes, we still accept cheques,
approaches to race, immigration knee in the chamber, etc”.6 There Starmer and his allies will not (£5), MH (£20) and GH (£20). which can be sent to our address
and asylum issues, and presenting is a fine heroic, historical tradition be impressed. Although they So far this month we have (see the bottom of p2).
the ‘Green New Deal’ as a radical of working class tribunes using already have enough useful idiots £741 in the kitty then. Great! So, to keep our great journalism
alternative economic strategy. He the platform that parliaments recruited from among former But the usual caveat: we need a going, do what you can. Otherwise,
is the very model of a modern, can provide to denounce the leftists who abandoned the cause, further £1,509 to get to our £2,250 as the poet warned, “We had
moderate, post-Corbyn ‘leftist’, ruling class and mobilise a mass a few more are always handy. monthly target and, since we didn’t the experience, but missed the
who can get a good write-up in The movement against capitalism. But However, for all the fine talk quite make it last month, please meaning” l
Guardian and space in Tribune, what even these MPs admit are of a new strategy, it will be the could we do our best in February? Judy Carosian
alongside an undeserved reputation puerile parliamentary stunts are leadership that is calling the shots: We’re still phoning subscribers Fill in a standing order form
as a leftwinger in Constituency certainly not that! all this new group will be doing is and asking them (very politely) if they (back page), donate via our
Labour Parties. Whilst others on While this publicity-seeking providing a mildly left cover for are able to increase their contributions, website, or send cheques,
the list, such as Nadia Whittome might catch the eye of the media Starmer, while trying to persuade and many are doing so - some without payable to Weekly Worker
and Lloyd Russell-Moyle, share a and get a few headlines, their real Labour activists to concentrate on
6 February 10 2022 1382 worker
weekly
ABOLISH
The police and standing army too
The SWP is bad, but the CPB is worse. Jack Conrad critiques the cowardly, tailist, opportunist left and
stands by what used to be the uncontroversial call to establish a popular militia
A
few years ago, and not only remains the unfailing weapon,
in the United States, millions the chief support and protection
joined Black Lives Matter of the bourgeoisie. No important
protests and demonstrations. Many, radical reforms in favour of
very many, unconsciously echoing the working masses can be
the classic Marxist programme, implemented through the police.
carried ‘Defund the police’ or That is objectively impossible.14
‘Abolish the police’ home-made
placards. Excellent. They were Background
being spontaneously communistic. It is often argued by opportunists -
There is every reason to be confident the more ‘sophisticated’ citing the
about the future. so-called ‘transitional method’ and
Naturally, president Donald the ‘existing consciousness of the
Trump branded BLM as treasonous. working class’ - that the demand to
Naturally, Nigel Farage compared abolish the police and the army, and
BLM to the Taliban. Naturally, Sir replace them with the armed people,
Keir Starmer took the knee, only is only applicable in a revolutionary
to stress his “strong support for the situation. No, obviously not - this
police”.1 Naturally, the opportunist is evidently a rotten excuse for
left desperately tailed what was abandoning what ought to be an
suddenly fashionable. elementary programmatic principle.
However, still reeling from the It should be stressed, therefore,
comrade Delta rape scandal, the that, when it comes to opposing
Socialist Workers Party found itself standing armies and demanding a
caught on the horns of a dilemma. people’s militia, Marxists stand as
On the one hand, there was the part of a long tradition.
determination to keep respectable The Florentine bourgeois
left Labourites gracing its Stand republic of the 15th and 16th
Up To Racism popular front centuries deserves particular
platforms: eg, Diane Abbott and mention. Having overthrown the
her Bell Ribeiro-Addy sidekick. Medici dynasty and experienced the
On the other hand, in front of BLM Masses of people spontaneously communistic failure, incompetence and betrayal
activists, the SWP was more than of the professional (mercenary)
keen to pose as very revolutionary. police in a blink of the eye. On the comes to the “taking of state power” arming of the whole people; order army, the republic adopted a system
“The police”, it declared, must be contrary, we suppose mobilisation, is replacing “key personnel”.8 Not in the state under such a power is of district militias. In the humanist
abolished “altogether”. Upon closer organisation and prolonged, often the smashing-apart of the existing maintained by the armed workers mind, the militias of ancient Rome
examination, though, this turns bitter, struggles. institutions and their replacement and peasants themselves, by the served as the ideal - an ideal spread
out to be under socialism, after the With Thomas we are dealing by alternatives. Facing a wave armed people themselves.12 throughout renaissance Europe via
overthrow of capitalism, in “an with a foreign-office socialist who of youthful rebellion, part-time the writings of Niccolò Machiavelli
alternative society”.2 So not very is undergoing a further degeneration general secretary Robert Griffiths And again and again throughout (The prince chapters 12, 13 and 14,
revolutionary at all. into becoming a home-office even banned members discussing 1917 till the October Revolution Discourses on Livy and The art of
Socialist Resistance, official reformist. His wretched perspective the question of the popular militia. itself. This is a key lesson Lenin war). Machiavelli, of course, himself
section of the so-called Fourth showed all the morbid symptoms: Towards that end the CPB issued draws from Karl Marx and Friedrich helped create the Florentine militia.
International, likewise tried to sound “push back the scope and powers this strange, but all too revealing, Engels and their most famous Between 1498 and 1512 he served as
bold, even re-re-revolutionary, but of the police, to demilitarise it, decree: writings on the Paris Commune a senior official in the republic.
could not quite manage anything to decriminalise areas of life, to (1871, 1872 and 1875). Lenin’s English radicals, such as James
more than a faint - a very faint - improve mental-health and school it is essential that the party and its suggested revision of the RSDLP Harrington (Commonwealth of
subBLMism: “We need to move provision, etc, and to cut police members do not publish or post programme contains this splendid Oceana 1656), and John Trenchard
beyond reform,” declared Susan funding as a result”. What happens, anything that could be interpreted formulation: and Thomas Gordon (Cato’s letters
Pashkoff. After that, though, though, if capitalism refuses to as support for the possession of 1720-23), took up the militia ideal.
it was rapidly downhill all the become peace-loving, generous weapons in Britain or for armed The party of the proletariat cannot From England it travelled the
way: “Listening and hearing the and ever so nice? What happens if struggle at home or - except when rest content with a bourgeois Atlantic to America. Militia units
protestors’ demands is essential. capitalism extends and extends again explicitly endorsed by our party parliamentary democratic helped trigger the 1776 revolution.
We must support the campaign for police powers (against free speech, - abroad. Party members should republic, which throughout the Anti-Federalists - a very diverse
defunding the police and support against free association, against the make themselves aware of the world preserves and strives political grouping - feared that the
the movement that is arguing for right to protest)? home office list of proscribed to perpetuate the monarchist US presidency could easily evolve
a transition towards a more just Reformism inevitably leads terrorist organisations.9 instruments for the oppression of in the direction of a monarchy. There
society.”3 All fully in the spirit of the to complicity: “a low-paid police the masses: namely, the police, the were those - eg, Lewis Nicola - who
woolly liberal. in the same class structures will Bolshevism standing army and the privileged wanted George Washington crowned
Members of the Socialist Party in probably just be more corrupt”. Compare and contrast this horrible bureaucracy.13 king. To guard against such an
England and Wales marched on BLM So, presumably, an AWL MP modern-day collection of tailism, outcome, guarantees were demanded
demonstrations carrying Malcolm X would vote to increase the already posturing and cringing timidity with Nor, as we have seen, is Bolshevik against the “establishment of a
‘You can’t have capitalism without generous police salaries and Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks. opposition to the police confined standing army, the bane of liberty”
racism’ placards, which also featured pension provisions: constables get They actively encouraged workers, to the Russia of Nicholas II and (Eldridge Gerry, 1789).15 The camp
the re-re-revolutionary-sounding paid £26,199 after initial training, students and peasants to violently Alexander Kerensky’s provisional of plebeian and middling democracy
slogan: ‘Build a mass movement to rising to £41,130, while sergeants resist the police. Advice was given government. Lenin sets out the saw in the militia their best defence
smash racism’. Programmatically, get between £41,499 and £46,227 on street-fighting tactics and how to charge sheet: against another tyranny.
however, SPEW backs immigration (salaries designed to buy loyalty).6 obtain weapons. Ratified to popular acclaim
controls and is rooted in the mildest of The whole approach stinks of What about defunding? In 1908 In all bourgeois republics, even in 1791, the second amendment
mild-mannered re-re-reformism and reformism. Hence we read that the we find the 5th Conference of the the most democratic, the police to the US constitution is justly
the call for “police accountability”.4 AWL’s “general formula” is, first, Russian Social Democratic Labour (like the standing army) is the famous: “A well regulated militia
A pusillanimous formula doggedly the “struggle to impose democratic Party instructing its deputies in chief instrument of oppression being necessary to the security of
repeated by Socialist Appeal and checks on the police under the tsarist duma not to vote for of the masses, an instrument a free state, the right of the people
the more recent Socialist Alternative capitalism, and then, to replace it government budgets - specifically making for a possible restoration to keep and bear arms shall not be
breakaway.5 under a workers’ government by a not to vote for items in government of the monarchy. The police beat infringed.”16
Then we have Martin Thomas public-safety service, democratically budgets which “sanction expenditure up the ‘common people’ in the Marx and Engels considered
of the social-imperialist Alliance controlled by communities”.7 on instruments for the oppression police stations of New York, Machiavelli, English radicalism and
for Workers’ Liberty. He wrote in Evidently, the AWL’s perspective of the masses (the armed forces, Geneva and Paris; it favours the second amendment part of their
the spirit of the frightened liberal. of imposing “democratic checks” etc) … [the] point of departure the capitalists either because it heritage.17 Clause four of the Marx-
Warning against the demand for the on the police under capitalism leads should be the principle of our is bribed to do so (America and Engels Demands of the Communist
“abolition” of the police, Thomas not to ‘replacing’ the police, but programme that social democrats other countries), or because it Party in Germany (1848) is
says, “it would lead not to liberty, merely to the police in a different reject reforms involving tutelage enjoys wealthy ‘patronage’ and unequivocal:
but to selected ‘police’ functions guise or form (well, at least in the of the police and the bureaucracy ‘protection’ (Switzerland), or
being operated instead (and worse) imagination). Meanwhile, explicitly, over the working classes”.10 Hence, because of a combination of both Universal arming of the people.
by mafias or private security forces, the AWL actually opposes those who in April 1917 Lenin unequivocally (France). Separated as it is from In future armies shall at the
as they were against strikes and call for the abolition of the police calls for the “abolition of the the people, forming a professional same time be workers’ armies,
unions by the Pinkerton Agency in and those who advocate a popular police, [the standing] army and caste of men trained in the so that the armed forces will not
the late 19th-century USA.” militia … under capitalism. the bureaucracy”.11 He makes the practice of violence upon the only consume, as in the past, but
As if BLM, or anyone else for If the AWL exhibits stage-three exact same call a few days later in a poor, men who receive somewhat produce even more than it costs to
that matter, can vanish the police home-office reformism, the Morning Pravda article: higher pay and the privileges maintain them.18
like David Copperfield supposedly Star’s Communist Party of Britain that go with authority (to say
vanished the Statue of Liberty. must be classified as a terminal the replacement of the police and nothing of ‘gratuities’), the police The Marx-Engels team never
No, in politics - real politics, that case. The existing armed forces (the the army, which are institutions everywhere, in every republic, wavered. Read Can Europe disarm?
is - we are not dealing with some police included) are simply taken as divorced from the people and set however democratic, where the (1893). Here, in this pamphlet
magician who can do away with the a given. All that is required when it against the people, by the direct bourgeoisie is in power, always written by Friedrich Engels 10 years
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