Available to view on You Tube web-site in 4 parts is a video of Socialist Party member Steve Trott's talk on the 1945-51 Labour Government .
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLxbKgB0rvo
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wEl8KEPBIs
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkFrmcDVYh8
Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVwlXRFRohI
Good watching , comrades .
The Glasgow & Edinburgh Branches Blog. Towards a better understanding of the world, in order to change it.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
ARE YOU OPPOSED TO WAR?
Either oppose capitalism in all its forms
Or settle down to a life of protests…
I know this is not November the 11th, however
For war protesters who protest at this war or that war
Read a socialist’s poem
THE MUTED MOCKERY OF POPPY (COCK) DAY
The ribbons arrayed the honours displayed
The medals jingling on parade
Echo of battles long ago
But they’re picking sides for another go.
The martial air, the vacant stare
The oft-repeated pointless prayer
“Peace oh’ Lord on earth below”
Yet they’re picking sides for another go.
The clasped hands, the pious stance
The hackneyed phrase “Somewhere in France”
The eyes downcast as bugles blow
Still they’re picking sides for another go.
Symbol of death the cross-shaped wreath
The sword is restless in the sheath
As children pluck where poppies grow
They’re picking sides for another go.
Have not the slain but died in vain?
The hoardings point, “Prepare again”
The former friend a future foe?
They’re picking sides for another go.
I hear Mars laugh at the cenotaph
Says he, as statesmen blow the gaff
“Let the Unknown Warriors flame still glow”
For they’re picking sides for another go.
A socialist plan the world would span
Then man would live in peace with man
Then wealth to all would freely flow
And want and war we would never know.
(J. Boyle 1971)
I know this is not November the 11th, however
For war protesters who protest at this war or that war
Read a socialist’s poem
THE MUTED MOCKERY OF POPPY (COCK) DAY
The ribbons arrayed the honours displayed
The medals jingling on parade
Echo of battles long ago
But they’re picking sides for another go.
The martial air, the vacant stare
The oft-repeated pointless prayer
“Peace oh’ Lord on earth below”
Yet they’re picking sides for another go.
The clasped hands, the pious stance
The hackneyed phrase “Somewhere in France”
The eyes downcast as bugles blow
Still they’re picking sides for another go.
Symbol of death the cross-shaped wreath
The sword is restless in the sheath
As children pluck where poppies grow
They’re picking sides for another go.
Have not the slain but died in vain?
The hoardings point, “Prepare again”
The former friend a future foe?
They’re picking sides for another go.
I hear Mars laugh at the cenotaph
Says he, as statesmen blow the gaff
“Let the Unknown Warriors flame still glow”
For they’re picking sides for another go.
A socialist plan the world would span
Then man would live in peace with man
Then wealth to all would freely flow
And want and war we would never know.
(J. Boyle 1971)
Saturday, February 10, 2007
PROTESTS WITHOUT END
One year on since the invasion of Iraq by US and British led forces, people across the World have joined together to protest against the war policies of Bush and Blair.
Most believe the sickness of war can be sorted out within the usual channels offered - either a UN force moves in or the troops come home. The former will only compound the problem. The latter can only leave the region further unstable, with warlords and-the varying shades of the region's religions vying for political power.
As on previous demonstrations, placards and banners will carry a myriad of messages, some demanding, "Bush Must Go" and "Bring the Troops Home", with others screaming in assorted bright colours "No War for Oil" and "End the Occupation. "
We need to address the root of the problem - the capitalist system itself and vicious competition for profits - and how the problems capitalism creates can only be solved when we abolish the capitalist system itself.
While it is important that workers oppose war, we need to recognize in whose interests wars are waged. It's hard to think of a single war that did not have its roots in the need of small elite to make profits. All wars, even small-scale conflicts tend to be fought over resources, foreign markets and areas of influence, trade routes or the strategic points.
To end war - and the need to demonstrate- capitalism has to be ended. It needs to be replaced by a global system where the resources of the Earth are common to everyone. Competition and conflict between elites over resources must give way to cooperation for the benefit of all the world's inhabitants.
If you lend your support to a political party or organization that fails to oppose the real nature of capitalist society, how our world is organized for production and how power is distributed, then you are, in effect, supporting a system that breeds wars.
The Socialist Party asks: Do you want to protest endlessly against each new war as it arises? Or work for a new world of common ownership, democratic control, peace and human welfare.
Most believe the sickness of war can be sorted out within the usual channels offered - either a UN force moves in or the troops come home. The former will only compound the problem. The latter can only leave the region further unstable, with warlords and-the varying shades of the region's religions vying for political power.
As on previous demonstrations, placards and banners will carry a myriad of messages, some demanding, "Bush Must Go" and "Bring the Troops Home", with others screaming in assorted bright colours "No War for Oil" and "End the Occupation. "
We need to address the root of the problem - the capitalist system itself and vicious competition for profits - and how the problems capitalism creates can only be solved when we abolish the capitalist system itself.
While it is important that workers oppose war, we need to recognize in whose interests wars are waged. It's hard to think of a single war that did not have its roots in the need of small elite to make profits. All wars, even small-scale conflicts tend to be fought over resources, foreign markets and areas of influence, trade routes or the strategic points.
To end war - and the need to demonstrate- capitalism has to be ended. It needs to be replaced by a global system where the resources of the Earth are common to everyone. Competition and conflict between elites over resources must give way to cooperation for the benefit of all the world's inhabitants.
If you lend your support to a political party or organization that fails to oppose the real nature of capitalist society, how our world is organized for production and how power is distributed, then you are, in effect, supporting a system that breeds wars.
The Socialist Party asks: Do you want to protest endlessly against each new war as it arises? Or work for a new world of common ownership, democratic control, peace and human welfare.
IF YOU ARE OPPOSED TO WAR
Either oppose capitalism in all its forms
Or settle down to a life of protests…
“The World for the Workers”
Either oppose capitalism in all its forms
Or settle down to a life of protests…
“The World for the Workers”
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Blair and the SSP are not so different.
The Scottish Socialist Party are lucky that there isn’t a political equivalent of the Trades Description Act or they could be prosecuted for fraudulently describing what they are trying to sell as “socialism”.
Historically, socialism was generally seen as a worldwide system of common ownership and democratic control in which the watchword would be “From each according to ability, to each according to need”. It would mean the end of the wages system along with money, buying and selling and the capital/labour relationship.
This has been watered down over the years until even Tony Blair calls himself a socialist. Compare what socialism originally meant with the SSP’s programme of reforms of the capitalist system. The difference between Blair and the SSP is only in the detail – both are all for patching-up capitalism but cannot agree on how this should be done. V.V.
Historically, socialism was generally seen as a worldwide system of common ownership and democratic control in which the watchword would be “From each according to ability, to each according to need”. It would mean the end of the wages system along with money, buying and selling and the capital/labour relationship.
This has been watered down over the years until even Tony Blair calls himself a socialist. Compare what socialism originally meant with the SSP’s programme of reforms of the capitalist system. The difference between Blair and the SSP is only in the detail – both are all for patching-up capitalism but cannot agree on how this should be done. V.V.
Scottish Malnutrition Numbers Increases Again
The BBC reports the number of malnutrition cases recorded by Scottish hospitals has risen for the fourth year in a row.
A total of 1,900 patients, almost all of them adults, were diagnosed with the condition last year, a fifth more than in 2002. NHS Lothian saw the sharpest rise, with more than 500 cases recorded in 2006.
Ministers admitted that some cases, where malnutrition was a secondary concern, would still be missed from the statistics.
A total of 1,900 patients, almost all of them adults, were diagnosed with the condition last year, a fifth more than in 2002. NHS Lothian saw the sharpest rise, with more than 500 cases recorded in 2006.
Ministers admitted that some cases, where malnutrition was a secondary concern, would still be missed from the statistics.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
MORE LEFTIST ILLUSIONS
The Scottish Socialist Party claims that if only Scotland was politically independent then this would lead to universal “social justice, environmental sustainability and an end to war”.
All over the world there are independent nations and yet we still have the very opposite of what the SSP thinks political independence will bring.
Many of these independent nations have had leftist governments, which all claimed they could solve capitalism’s problems but failed because the system’s problems are inseparable from it. The SSP simply hasn’t noticed that we live in a global economy over which they could have no control. Capitalism’s problems are global so their solution can only be global.
This means world socialism and not the narrow, nationalist proposals of the SSP. V.V.
All over the world there are independent nations and yet we still have the very opposite of what the SSP thinks political independence will bring.
Many of these independent nations have had leftist governments, which all claimed they could solve capitalism’s problems but failed because the system’s problems are inseparable from it. The SSP simply hasn’t noticed that we live in a global economy over which they could have no control. Capitalism’s problems are global so their solution can only be global.
This means world socialism and not the narrow, nationalist proposals of the SSP. V.V.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Don't mention the War!
The elections cause all types of vote seekers to promise you benefits by voting for them: a lot of the benefits are directed at people on the poverty line. Page 12 of the February Socialist Standard is worth your attention.
It’s not quite election time and a copy of the EK Labour News has been delivered informing constituents we live in a time of record levels of employment, [i.e. capitalists are benefiting from the efforts of more workers] low inflation, [i.e. capitalists are managing to keep their prices down, a great benefit when in competition with other capitalists] low mortgage rates and increasing investment in schools and hospitals. [i.e. great for builders selling houses, hospitals and schools]
Ten years ago it was all in reverse: what changed it all? The answer is Politics.
“Some people would have you believe it’s a dirty word but politics and politicians make a difference”.
We are assured New Labour has demonstrated that in creating a strong UK economy [i.e. capitalist economy] you can deliver on the principles of social justice and fairness.
If we have any lingering doubts we must look inside the leaflet, because, as the proverb says, “A picture is worth a thousand words”
Inside the leaflet there are pictures of new schools, hospitals and housing developments but no contrasting pictures of Iraq, the devastation to housing, the weak economy and levels of unemployment, no reference to the lack of social justice and fairness, however, it could be the East Kilbride Labour Party is very disciplined and only obeying their leaders. The following article, Labour told: Don’t mention the war is an example of give us your vote and leave it all to us. Think only of what we tell you and we say things can only get better. [But for whom?] More promises in four or five years. No doubt!
It’s not quite election time and a copy of the EK Labour News has been delivered informing constituents we live in a time of record levels of employment, [i.e. capitalists are benefiting from the efforts of more workers] low inflation, [i.e. capitalists are managing to keep their prices down, a great benefit when in competition with other capitalists] low mortgage rates and increasing investment in schools and hospitals. [i.e. great for builders selling houses, hospitals and schools]
Ten years ago it was all in reverse: what changed it all? The answer is Politics.
“Some people would have you believe it’s a dirty word but politics and politicians make a difference”.
We are assured New Labour has demonstrated that in creating a strong UK economy [i.e. capitalist economy] you can deliver on the principles of social justice and fairness.
If we have any lingering doubts we must look inside the leaflet, because, as the proverb says, “A picture is worth a thousand words”
Inside the leaflet there are pictures of new schools, hospitals and housing developments but no contrasting pictures of Iraq, the devastation to housing, the weak economy and levels of unemployment, no reference to the lack of social justice and fairness, however, it could be the East Kilbride Labour Party is very disciplined and only obeying their leaders. The following article, Labour told: Don’t mention the war is an example of give us your vote and leave it all to us. Think only of what we tell you and we say things can only get better. [But for whom?] More promises in four or five years. No doubt!
Why I Fight
I often get asked, generally by people who know me, why I keep fighting to change the world.I will tell you what I tell them, because it is the right thing to do.
The world we live in kills, or allows to die, so many people unnecessarily. People who die for lack of food, in a world which can give each of 6 billion people on the planet an adequate supply of nutrition.
A world which has the capacity to give clean water and sanitation to all but does not.
A world which can give medicines and cures to so many people, but does not. Are you a relative of someone who has been denied medication for cancer, Alzheimer's, M.S. or a miriad of other diseases because of cost? well I fight for you. I argue the case where these medicines should be given.
I argue the case against spending so much money and using so many resources, (both material and mental) on killing people, when if, we used these resources to create the cures for the diseases that afflict us and put the minds of those especially capable of providing these cures, to these ends, rather than their antithesis, (taking lives),our lives could be enhanced beyond measure and our pain and grief at losing loved ones prematurely, ended, or at least eased. Knowing that the world we live in, had done its utmost to prevent the above.
But we do not live in that world. But that world is a possiblity. It is only a possiblity however, when the world and everything in and on it, is owned by us all collectively. When we all have a collective say in how this world is run, (real democracy) . Without recourse to leaders or minority interests, as is the case today.
You have the vote! Change the world.
I am trying to, what are you doing about it?
Yours Sincerely,
Steve Colborn
Written by a member of the Socialist Party from the N.E. of England to his local paper
Sunday, February 04, 2007
SPREADING THE WORD ???
On occasion, a newspaper article or letter prompts a response from me. Immediately prior to the 2005 G.8 Summit, "Metro" featured in its "60 Second Interview" one, Norrie MacQueen, Head of Politics at Dundee University - "a published expert on international peacekeeping" and "noted for his writings on African politics".This latter interest stemmed from his days as a radical student, when, "realising that revolution wasn't going to happen in the 'First World'", he perceived that,"Africa seemed to offer a blank sheet that a genuine socialist future could be written on".(!!)
Identifying, correctly, the G.8 as a "self-selecting elite", he nonetheless hoped that despite previous rhetoric,they would this time somehow arrange and honour an agreement of sorts, however flawed this might prove to be! His dearest wish for Africa was for an "international agency to be established to manage its resource relations and ensure fairer distribution of its wealth". He conceded, however, that multitudinous vested interests rendered this impossible!
Ever the cock-eyed optimist, I posted off a copy of our "Africa" booklet, the current "Socialist Standard" plus other assorted leaflets and duly received a courteous acknowledgement that he was looking forward to reading it all. In a frenzy of excitement therefore I awaited his profound responses------and awaited------and awaited------.
Clearly, the learned professor hadn't a clue what the word "socialism" meant, but if he did actually read our material, would rapidly have found out. Why then the failure to engage and why the advocation of strategies that, by his own admission, were doomed from the outset?
Is this guy simply one more of those dinosaurs we all encounter, impervious to reason, seemingly hard-wired to trudging the dreary old leftist/ reformist highway that (genuine) socialists for the past century have pointed out leads nowhere? Or, is he cute enough to know that the nice little career he has carved out for himself depends upon the perpetuation of the GREAT DEBATE? The last thing the GREAT DEBATE needs is the GREAT SOLUTION - which is of course the universal replacement of Capitalism with Socialism.It is an obscenity that human beings across this planet, including the highly-developed "First World", die annually in their millions for want of food, medication, sanitation, etc. etc. Production solely for need; not profit can end this at a stroke. And you don't have to be a sodding academic to work that out!
Andy Armitage.
Identifying, correctly, the G.8 as a "self-selecting elite", he nonetheless hoped that despite previous rhetoric,they would this time somehow arrange and honour an agreement of sorts, however flawed this might prove to be! His dearest wish for Africa was for an "international agency to be established to manage its resource relations and ensure fairer distribution of its wealth". He conceded, however, that multitudinous vested interests rendered this impossible!
Ever the cock-eyed optimist, I posted off a copy of our "Africa" booklet, the current "Socialist Standard" plus other assorted leaflets and duly received a courteous acknowledgement that he was looking forward to reading it all. In a frenzy of excitement therefore I awaited his profound responses------and awaited------and awaited------.
Clearly, the learned professor hadn't a clue what the word "socialism" meant, but if he did actually read our material, would rapidly have found out. Why then the failure to engage and why the advocation of strategies that, by his own admission, were doomed from the outset?
Is this guy simply one more of those dinosaurs we all encounter, impervious to reason, seemingly hard-wired to trudging the dreary old leftist/ reformist highway that (genuine) socialists for the past century have pointed out leads nowhere? Or, is he cute enough to know that the nice little career he has carved out for himself depends upon the perpetuation of the GREAT DEBATE? The last thing the GREAT DEBATE needs is the GREAT SOLUTION - which is of course the universal replacement of Capitalism with Socialism.It is an obscenity that human beings across this planet, including the highly-developed "First World", die annually in their millions for want of food, medication, sanitation, etc. etc. Production solely for need; not profit can end this at a stroke. And you don't have to be a sodding academic to work that out!
Andy Armitage.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
The Sick Society
The Independent has a report from The Samaritans about the mental well-being of the British population .
Money worries, long hours at work and family pressures are driving up stress levels across the country .
Half the population say they feel more stressed now than five years ago and more than 10 per cent say they have felt suicidal, twice the level in 2003.
One in five Britons felt their life was out of control .
70% of 16-to-24 year-olds saying they felt more stressed than five years ago. 16% had contemplated taking their own life.
And the Samaritans response to this - a Stress Down Day .
Sad that those who are sincere in doing some good can never see further than gesture politics and never try to deal with the root cause of why most people suffer from the stress of life - Capitalism .
Money worries, long hours at work and family pressures are driving up stress levels across the country .
Half the population say they feel more stressed now than five years ago and more than 10 per cent say they have felt suicidal, twice the level in 2003.
One in five Britons felt their life was out of control .
70% of 16-to-24 year-olds saying they felt more stressed than five years ago. 16% had contemplated taking their own life.
And the Samaritans response to this - a Stress Down Day .
Sad that those who are sincere in doing some good can never see further than gesture politics and never try to deal with the root cause of why most people suffer from the stress of life - Capitalism .
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Industrial War!
In this blog we have demonstrated that the capitalist class see planet Earth is their arena for total exploitation of the working class. Not only do they invite workers into the various countries they control in order that they compete with each other for jobs, they can in many cases also move their factories into other parts of the planet if the wage rates are lower there.
As a consequence socialist say we, (the working class providers of the world’s wealth, can extricate ourselves from the abundant problems caused by this system of production) must replace world capitalism by world socialism.
An article in the BBC news today carries an excellent example of some members of the Indian capitalist class’s thinking about replacing possible deficiencies that may arise should the supply of skilled labour in the computing market cause a global war for talent.
I pick and emphasize this part of the article, which shows the class thinking we should be made aware of.
"But industry analysts wonder whether the rising wage bill will eventually make Indian software companies uncompetitive in the world market. After all, lower labour costs are what gave them their initial advantage.
The Indian companies answer that it is their global production systems and their skills, not low wages, that give them comparative advantage.
But they are also hedging their bets.
All the Bangalore tigers have set up development centres in China, where they can employ software engineers for considerably less than they are currently paying their Indian staff".
Notice the use of the words in this article "global war" and "the battle for India's future in a globallized world is being waged" "global outsourcing industry".
As a consequence socialist say we, (the working class providers of the world’s wealth, can extricate ourselves from the abundant problems caused by this system of production) must replace world capitalism by world socialism.
An article in the BBC news today carries an excellent example of some members of the Indian capitalist class’s thinking about replacing possible deficiencies that may arise should the supply of skilled labour in the computing market cause a global war for talent.
I pick and emphasize this part of the article, which shows the class thinking we should be made aware of.
"But industry analysts wonder whether the rising wage bill will eventually make Indian software companies uncompetitive in the world market. After all, lower labour costs are what gave them their initial advantage.
The Indian companies answer that it is their global production systems and their skills, not low wages, that give them comparative advantage.
But they are also hedging their bets.
All the Bangalore tigers have set up development centres in China, where they can employ software engineers for considerably less than they are currently paying their Indian staff".
Notice the use of the words in this article "global war" and "the battle for India's future in a globallized world is being waged" "global outsourcing industry".
Can you agree to revolutionary change? We can! why not you?
Workers must think globally, act globally
Workers must think globally, act globally
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Just a Reminder if you are in Edinburgh tonight, Glasgow tomorrow.
Well if you are in Edinburgh tonight or Glasgow tomorrow Tristan Millar is giving an interesting alternative talk to Bill Gates one.
About the speaker: Tristan Miller is a research scientist in the field of computer science and digital information
management. He has been an active developer of free software since 1999.
http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/Edinburgh/posters.html
Free Software
dot.communism..?
A socialist analysis of the Free Software and Open Source movements.
Tuesday 30 January 2007 at 20:00
Quakers Hall
Victoria Terrace (above Victoria Street) Edinburgh
--------------------------------------------------------------
Glasgow
Wednesday
31 January 2007
at 20:00
Maryhill Community Centre
304 Maryhill Road Glasgow
I hope some of you can make it through.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
When Profits disappoint.
In a previous posting it was pointed out that making a profit was a class thing, no profit no employment. That is why socialists want the working class to recognise that while we have a capitalist system, the profit motive will always create for them insecurity and crisis.
There is some interest in this recent report for me. I’ll comment in brackets
US manufacturer NCR has been criticised for cutting 650 jobs in Dundee, after its quarterly profits rose 16%.
[ I don’t think the criticism will be from the shareholders ]
The Amicus union said Dundee's "loyal" workforce helped NCR achieve a £88m net income towards the end of last year.
Amicus officer Gillian McKay said: "Amicus and the Dundee staff are vindicated in their view that NCR's only motivation in switching production to Hungary and closing its Scottish plant is to add to their already huge profits."
[ I agree with officer McKay, the profit motive is the reason although NCR shareholders probably think they are not huge enough ]
Dundee West Labour MP, Jim McGovern, said: "As we witness these large profits all I can do is express my disappointment that a company with this level of profitability is making 650 redundant."
[What level of profitability would remove this disappointment? I’m sure many of the 650 workers will be anxious for their futures no matter what the profits are for NCR]
His Scottish Parliament colleague, Kate Maclean, added: "This is going to leave a very bitter taste in the mouths of the people that are going to lose their jobs."
[I should hope the bitter taste is in the mouths of the people who are in employment as well. It’s possibly members of their family are among the redundant, it is a class thing after all]
An NCR spokesman said: "The competition we are facing in the ATM marketplace is affecting our profitability. That is why we need to restructure global operations."
[Well there you have it, the competition of the capitalist marketplace brings poverty to the working class when profitability is affected]
Socialists say organise for a change, organise for Socialism. Get rid of this class thing, don’t express your disappointment at the huge profits, get rid of the profit system, get rid of employment.
Central to the meaning of socialism is common ownership. This means the resources of the world being owned in common by the entire global population.
There is some interest in this recent report for me. I’ll comment in brackets
US manufacturer NCR has been criticised for cutting 650 jobs in Dundee, after its quarterly profits rose 16%.
[ I don’t think the criticism will be from the shareholders ]
The Amicus union said Dundee's "loyal" workforce helped NCR achieve a £88m net income towards the end of last year.
Amicus officer Gillian McKay said: "Amicus and the Dundee staff are vindicated in their view that NCR's only motivation in switching production to Hungary and closing its Scottish plant is to add to their already huge profits."
[ I agree with officer McKay, the profit motive is the reason although NCR shareholders probably think they are not huge enough ]
Dundee West Labour MP, Jim McGovern, said: "As we witness these large profits all I can do is express my disappointment that a company with this level of profitability is making 650 redundant."
[What level of profitability would remove this disappointment? I’m sure many of the 650 workers will be anxious for their futures no matter what the profits are for NCR]
His Scottish Parliament colleague, Kate Maclean, added: "This is going to leave a very bitter taste in the mouths of the people that are going to lose their jobs."
[I should hope the bitter taste is in the mouths of the people who are in employment as well. It’s possibly members of their family are among the redundant, it is a class thing after all]
An NCR spokesman said: "The competition we are facing in the ATM marketplace is affecting our profitability. That is why we need to restructure global operations."
[Well there you have it, the competition of the capitalist marketplace brings poverty to the working class when profitability is affected]
Socialists say organise for a change, organise for Socialism. Get rid of this class thing, don’t express your disappointment at the huge profits, get rid of the profit system, get rid of employment.
Central to the meaning of socialism is common ownership. This means the resources of the world being owned in common by the entire global population.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Social mobility
From The Scotsman :-Alan Milburn, the former Labour cabinet minister who grew up in a single-parent family on a council estate, yesterday said it would be harder today for someone from a similar background to get ahead in society than it was a generation ago. Mr Milburn, a close friend of Tony Blair, said that "shamefully", Britain has become a less socially mobile society in recent years, questioning whether today's deprived children will be able to break out of poverty in adulthood.
A London School of Economics report in 2005 showed declining social mobility in Britain, with more poor children becoming poor adults, and more rich children staying rich in later life.
The LSE team found that 31 per cent of boys born in 1958 in the lowest-earning group stayed there in adulthood. But that rose to 38 per cent of boys born in 1970.
Also according to the LSE data, 27 per cent of British boys born in 1970 ended up in the same earnings group as their parents.
Monday, January 22, 2007
How to Make Socialists: Lenin’s View
M.C.
How to Make Socialists: Lenin's View
Most of the Communists who say that the way to make Socialists is not to theorise, but to concentrate on "immediate demands" in the day to day struggle against the employers are quite unaware of Lenin's view on the subject. He set it out at some length in an article, "The Working Class as Champion of Democracy," written apparently about 1901 and recently republished in What is to be done (Martin, Lawrence, Ltd., 175 pages, 2s.).Wikipedia Commentary
In this article Lenin vigorously rejects the policy of concentrating on immediate demands. He
points out that any trade union secretary does this work admirably (he mentions Robert Knight, who was a Boiler Makers' official well-known in England). He contrasts Knight, the trade union secretary who "conducts the economic struggle against the employers and the Government" with Liebknecht, who "engaged more in the propaganda of brilliant and finished ideas." Lenin plumps for Liebknecht's method and rejects Knight's.
Lenin writes: —
"The economic struggle merely brings the workers 'up against' questions concerning the attitude of the Government towards the working class. Consequently, however much we may try to 'give the economic struggle itself a political character,' we shall never be able to develop the political consciousness of the workers ... by confining ourselves to the economic struggle, for the limits of this task are too narrow." — (Page 76.)
"The workers can acquire class political consciousness only from without, that is only outside of the economic struggle, outside of the sphere of the relations between workers and employers." — (Page 76.)
"Robert Knight engaged more in 'calling the masses to certain concrete actions,' while Liebknecht engaged more in 'the revolutionary explanation of the whole of modern society or various manifestations of it.'" — (Page 78.)
The whole article is well worth reading. It will be noticed that here, as on certain other questions, Lenin's view was nearer to the S.P.G.B.'s view than to that of the Communist Parties.
(Socialist Standard, February 1933).
Friday, January 19, 2007
Mental health and redundancy
In a previous blog and in another Socialist Courier discussed redundancies and the inhumanity of employers and their business plans when it comes to discarding workers .
The psychological effects upon workers made redundant has been well documented but new research reveals that even amongst those workers who escape dismissal , the continual fear and threat of redundancy increases the stress and anxieties .
Researchers found that men made redundant during downsizing were 64% more likely than those in completely unaffected workplaces to receive prescriptions for drugs such as antidepressants and sleeping pills. However, their former colleagues still working were not far behind, with men having a 50% increased chance of being prescribed the such same drugs.
The researchers said that it was clear that downsizing could increase the workload and reduce job security of those who stay in their jobs and may pose mental health risks among employees.
"The trouble is that employees don't tend to believe their employer when they're told there is no risk of further redundancies ..." Professor Cary Cooper, who carries out research into organisational psychology at the University of Lancaster .
A frightened worker is a docile worker !!
The psychological effects upon workers made redundant has been well documented but new research reveals that even amongst those workers who escape dismissal , the continual fear and threat of redundancy increases the stress and anxieties .
Researchers found that men made redundant during downsizing were 64% more likely than those in completely unaffected workplaces to receive prescriptions for drugs such as antidepressants and sleeping pills. However, their former colleagues still working were not far behind, with men having a 50% increased chance of being prescribed the such same drugs.
The researchers said that it was clear that downsizing could increase the workload and reduce job security of those who stay in their jobs and may pose mental health risks among employees.
"The trouble is that employees don't tend to believe their employer when they're told there is no risk of further redundancies ..." Professor Cary Cooper, who carries out research into organisational psychology at the University of Lancaster .
A frightened worker is a docile worker !!
Not such a taxing year for some
My , isn't the State generous to certain capitalists .
The Aberdeen -based oil and gas company Venture Productions have had a boom-time in 2006 with a 50% increase in output helped by bringing fields onstream and strengthened by acquisitions. It averaged a net production for 2006 of 44,706 barrels oil equivalent daily and conducted a £153m takeover of CH4 Energy .
"2006 was a record year for Venture and we have continued to make great progress in increasing both production and reserves," said chief executive, Mike Wagstaff.
In September it announced a profit of £97.7million in the six months ended June 30 .
YET:-
Venture said it probably would not have to pay any tax on its 2006 profits after claiming 100% tax relief .
The Aberdeen -based oil and gas company Venture Productions have had a boom-time in 2006 with a 50% increase in output helped by bringing fields onstream and strengthened by acquisitions. It averaged a net production for 2006 of 44,706 barrels oil equivalent daily and conducted a £153m takeover of CH4 Energy .
"2006 was a record year for Venture and we have continued to make great progress in increasing both production and reserves," said chief executive, Mike Wagstaff.
In September it announced a profit of £97.7million in the six months ended June 30 .
YET:-
Venture said it probably would not have to pay any tax on its 2006 profits after claiming 100% tax relief .
Thursday, January 18, 2007
THE ROAD TO HELL- Revisited
Vic Vanni’s posting on this site has generated a lot of comment at the Socialist Standard MySpace blog
Vic doesn’t have a computer so he apologises for the delay of this response.
(Could Darren post this on his MySpace blog?)
Sorry, but I can’t reply to all of the responses to “ The Road to Hell” but there are some that I must comment on.
First, I want to make clear how much I admire Michael Moore. I’ve watched all his TV programmes, his movies and read some of his books. Many others criticise some of what capitalism does – we have John Pilger, Mark Thomas and others, but, like Michael Moore, they have nothing to put in its place, but Michael Moore is special.
He’s special because of his originality, humour and, above all, his courage. I would never have the nerve to beard the lions in their dens as he does, but it still isn’t enough.
I’ll begin with you, Hollywoodartchick.
I can agree with much of what you said but I’m a tad wary of “the coalition” you want to see built. The trouble with coalitions is that they are made-up of groups, which have different agendas and have only come together over some single issue or other. What is required is a united, worldwide movement determined to replace capitalism with the new society of common ownership and democratic control.
This movement would need to understand and desire socialism: Karl Kautsky was a master of Marxist theory but was, in his political activity, just another reformist, even so, he did explain this need beautifully
“Every conscious human action presupposes a will: the will to socialism is the first condition for its accomplishment”.
I wish I’d said that.
Phil, you think that consciousness doesn’t come in a flash but comes step by step.
You are right and I’m a case in point. I could never have made the leap from near political ignorance to any kind of understanding of Marx’s theories without being influenced by others along the way.
You see Michael Moore as a stepping-stone to a growing consciousness for many. I started in the British Labour Party and learned from some of the people I met there, but stepping-stones, if they are to be useful, should lead to somewhere worthwhile, but I would never have got there if I hadn’t stumbled across those who introduced me to socialist ideas. Getting that introduction is absolutely essential.
Next up is you, Carl. Michael Moore was your hero but is no longer because, despite his attacks on capitalists, he has supported politicians who are itching to run American capitalism. He is only following in footsteps of generations of “progressives” who usually justified supporting these politicians because they were “the lesser evil”. Of course, if elected, they would do whatever it takes to maintain and extend the interests of American capitalism. We only have to remember Kennedy, Carter and Clinton to see that.
Cindy, you’re kidding yourself if you think Michael Moore “knows very well how capitalism works”. If he does then he should at least know that profits can’t be “fair” or “reasonable” as he would like. They MUST be maximised, not out of greed, but because this is necessary for businesses to keep up with or get ahead of the competition.
Malcolm, your views are truly a gospel of despair. Their implication must be that capitalism will last forever because people have been brainwashed into accepting it. Capitalism can’t last forever, Malcolm, nor can anything else in the universe. It is just another stage in social development and, unless it destroys us all first, will eventually be replaced by the “full-blooded socialism” you mentioned. This, of course, would depend on what people like you and me do about it.
I’ve kept the best to the last.
Courtney, you have shown that you understand very clearly that humans are conditioned by circumstances, that it is the capitalist system (or any other property society) that makes we humans do the awful things we do to one another. I found your contribution most heartening. My thanks to you.
While I’m at it, my thanks once again to all who responded and if, as I suspect, I’ve stood on some toes then please visit us again. Finally, if any of you want to know more about us then log on to…. The Socialist Party
V.V.
Vic doesn’t have a computer so he apologises for the delay of this response.
(Could Darren post this on his MySpace blog?)
Sorry, but I can’t reply to all of the responses to “ The Road to Hell” but there are some that I must comment on.
First, I want to make clear how much I admire Michael Moore. I’ve watched all his TV programmes, his movies and read some of his books. Many others criticise some of what capitalism does – we have John Pilger, Mark Thomas and others, but, like Michael Moore, they have nothing to put in its place, but Michael Moore is special.
He’s special because of his originality, humour and, above all, his courage. I would never have the nerve to beard the lions in their dens as he does, but it still isn’t enough.
I’ll begin with you, Hollywoodartchick.
I can agree with much of what you said but I’m a tad wary of “the coalition” you want to see built. The trouble with coalitions is that they are made-up of groups, which have different agendas and have only come together over some single issue or other. What is required is a united, worldwide movement determined to replace capitalism with the new society of common ownership and democratic control.
This movement would need to understand and desire socialism: Karl Kautsky was a master of Marxist theory but was, in his political activity, just another reformist, even so, he did explain this need beautifully
“Every conscious human action presupposes a will: the will to socialism is the first condition for its accomplishment”.
I wish I’d said that.
Phil, you think that consciousness doesn’t come in a flash but comes step by step.
You are right and I’m a case in point. I could never have made the leap from near political ignorance to any kind of understanding of Marx’s theories without being influenced by others along the way.
You see Michael Moore as a stepping-stone to a growing consciousness for many. I started in the British Labour Party and learned from some of the people I met there, but stepping-stones, if they are to be useful, should lead to somewhere worthwhile, but I would never have got there if I hadn’t stumbled across those who introduced me to socialist ideas. Getting that introduction is absolutely essential.
Next up is you, Carl. Michael Moore was your hero but is no longer because, despite his attacks on capitalists, he has supported politicians who are itching to run American capitalism. He is only following in footsteps of generations of “progressives” who usually justified supporting these politicians because they were “the lesser evil”. Of course, if elected, they would do whatever it takes to maintain and extend the interests of American capitalism. We only have to remember Kennedy, Carter and Clinton to see that.
Cindy, you’re kidding yourself if you think Michael Moore “knows very well how capitalism works”. If he does then he should at least know that profits can’t be “fair” or “reasonable” as he would like. They MUST be maximised, not out of greed, but because this is necessary for businesses to keep up with or get ahead of the competition.
Malcolm, your views are truly a gospel of despair. Their implication must be that capitalism will last forever because people have been brainwashed into accepting it. Capitalism can’t last forever, Malcolm, nor can anything else in the universe. It is just another stage in social development and, unless it destroys us all first, will eventually be replaced by the “full-blooded socialism” you mentioned. This, of course, would depend on what people like you and me do about it.
I’ve kept the best to the last.
Courtney, you have shown that you understand very clearly that humans are conditioned by circumstances, that it is the capitalist system (or any other property society) that makes we humans do the awful things we do to one another. I found your contribution most heartening. My thanks to you.
While I’m at it, my thanks once again to all who responded and if, as I suspect, I’ve stood on some toes then please visit us again. Finally, if any of you want to know more about us then log on to…. The Socialist Party
V.V.
Iraq denies UN casualty report
Iraq has dismissed a United Nations report that put the number of killings across the country last year at 34,400, saying it did not correspond with reality.
Ali al-Dabbagh, spokesman for Prime Minister Nuri al-Malaki, said Thursday that the report, released Tuesday, "does not reflect the reality on the ground. It is based on individual stories."
The United Nations based its findings on data provided by the Iraqi health ministry, which collated figures from hospitals around the country as well as from the Baghdad morgue.
But Dabbagh said: "Unfortunately the report is not based on official sources."
When asked if the Iraqi government could provide its own casualty figures,The spokesman said:-
"We do not have casualty figures because we have been unable to gather them due to security reasons."
ERRRRRRRRMMMMMM , WHAT'S ZAT !!!
Ali al-Dabbagh, spokesman for Prime Minister Nuri al-Malaki, said Thursday that the report, released Tuesday, "does not reflect the reality on the ground. It is based on individual stories."
The United Nations based its findings on data provided by the Iraqi health ministry, which collated figures from hospitals around the country as well as from the Baghdad morgue.
But Dabbagh said: "Unfortunately the report is not based on official sources."
When asked if the Iraqi government could provide its own casualty figures,The spokesman said:-
"We do not have casualty figures because we have been unable to gather them due to security reasons."
ERRRRRRRRMMMMMM , WHAT'S ZAT !!!
A Bit of Light Relief
A joke Courtesy of Wee Matt
This little boy goes to his dad and asks, "What is politics?"
Dad says,"Well son, let me try to explain it this way. I'm the bread-winner of the family, so let's call me Capitalism. Your mom, she's the administrator of the money, so we'll call her the Government. We're here to take care of your needs, so we'll call you Human Needs. The nanny, we'll consider her the Working Class. And your baby brother, we'll call him the Future. Now, think about that and see if that makes sense."
So the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what Dad has said. Later that night he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him. He finds that the baby has severely soiled his diaper. So the little boy goes to his parents' room and finds his mother sound asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he goes to the nanny's room. Finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the nanny. He gives up and goes back to bed.
The next morning, the little boy says to his father, "Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics now."The father says, "Good, son, tell me in your own words what you think politics is about."
The little boy replies, "Well, while Capitalism is screwing the Working Class, the Government is sound asleep, Human Needs are being ignored and the Future is in deep shit."
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Paternalism is a common attitude among well-meaning social reformers. Stemming from the root pater, or father, paternalism implies a patria...
