One group of the populace who wouldn't get past the doorman at Aspinalls have recently had news from the government that must cheer them up no end.
"The minimum wage will increase by 17p an hour to £5.52, the government announced today. The rate will come into force in October and will mean an increase in pay for more than one million workers, of which two-thirds are low-paid women. Separate rates for young employees will continue, but hourly pay for 18 to 21-year-olds will rise 15p to £4.60, while 16 and 17-year-olds will receive 10p more per hour at £3.40." (Guardian, 7 March)
No chance of Rolls Royces or Boeing747s from that windfall we imagine. R.D.
The Glasgow & Edinburgh Branches Blog. Towards a better understanding of the world, in order to change it.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
WHEN HARRY MET TONY, INSTALMENT 2
The first instalment introduced the rival would be Lenins, Harry Selby and Tony Cliff, and their epic struggle in Glasgow in the early 1960s.
What was this struggle all about?
It was over a bunch of youngsters who were part of Labour’s Govan and Gorbals Young Socialists who included Gus (now Lord) McDonald.
Harry got to work on them and they were soon ardent Trots. Paul Foot, who was working as a journalist in Glasgow, had teamed-up with the Govan and Gorbals bunch. However, he met Cliff in London and was so impressed that he invited him to come to Glasgow and meet the rest of the gang. V.V.
The big showdown tomorrow.
What was this struggle all about?
It was over a bunch of youngsters who were part of Labour’s Govan and Gorbals Young Socialists who included Gus (now Lord) McDonald.
Harry got to work on them and they were soon ardent Trots. Paul Foot, who was working as a journalist in Glasgow, had teamed-up with the Govan and Gorbals bunch. However, he met Cliff in London and was so impressed that he invited him to come to Glasgow and meet the rest of the gang. V.V.
The big showdown tomorrow.
A QUICK FIX SOLUTION?
Newspapers and television are alarmed by what they portray as a growing crime wave and are anxious to put forward solutions to the problem.
These range from the "hang 'em, flog 'em" brigade to the " hug a hoodie" squad.
Sir Alan Sugar, the millionaire has entered the lists with his answer.
"People with guns are beyond saving," he tells Q Magazine. "Flatten an island off Scotland, build some huts and leave 'em there." (Times, 6 March)
We can assume "people with guns" refers to a few poor, ill-educated youths living in ghettoes: or does the great man mean the British Army? They have a lot more guns than the gangs of South London! R.D.
These range from the "hang 'em, flog 'em" brigade to the " hug a hoodie" squad.
Sir Alan Sugar, the millionaire has entered the lists with his answer.
"People with guns are beyond saving," he tells Q Magazine. "Flatten an island off Scotland, build some huts and leave 'em there." (Times, 6 March)
We can assume "people with guns" refers to a few poor, ill-educated youths living in ghettoes: or does the great man mean the British Army? They have a lot more guns than the gangs of South London! R.D.
Monday, March 12, 2007
WHEN HARRY MET TONY
This is a tale of a struggle that took place in Glasgow in the early sixties between two would-be Lenins.
They were Tony Cliff, ex-Trotskyist and leading light of the “International Socialists” which later became the SWP. His opponent was Harry Selby who was attached to one of the four rival Forth Internationals – I forget which one but the joke at the time was that there were more Forth Internationals than there had been Internationals!
Harry didn’t have his own party but he and his tiny group controlled the Govan Labour Party.
Intrigued, enraged? Well there is more to come so don’t miss the next instalment tomorrow. V.V.
They were Tony Cliff, ex-Trotskyist and leading light of the “International Socialists” which later became the SWP. His opponent was Harry Selby who was attached to one of the four rival Forth Internationals – I forget which one but the joke at the time was that there were more Forth Internationals than there had been Internationals!
Harry didn’t have his own party but he and his tiny group controlled the Govan Labour Party.
Intrigued, enraged? Well there is more to come so don’t miss the next instalment tomorrow. V.V.
AN EXPENSIVE TOASTIE
"When an image of the Virgin Mary appeared on one of their pizza pans on Ash Wednesday the dinner ladies at Pugh Elementary School in Houston knew that it had to be more than just the cheese and pepperoni talking.
This had to be a message from God. ... Within hours the apparition had become the talk of Houston and the focus for pilgrims. ... This is not the first time that the Virgin Mary's face has appeared in unlikely places. Previous examples of simulacra - religious images appearing on inanimate objects - include a grilled cheese sandwich bearing the outline of the Madonna, which fetched $28,000 (£14,250) on the internet for its Florida owner in 2004. In 2005 hundreds of visitors left flowers, candles and rosaries in a Chicago underpass after salt residue created a stain resembling the Virgin Mary. " (Times, 26 February).
Oh, ye of little faith - to think that the last sannie that you munched without checking for simulacra might have been worth £14,250. Just your luck! R.D.
This had to be a message from God. ... Within hours the apparition had become the talk of Houston and the focus for pilgrims. ... This is not the first time that the Virgin Mary's face has appeared in unlikely places. Previous examples of simulacra - religious images appearing on inanimate objects - include a grilled cheese sandwich bearing the outline of the Madonna, which fetched $28,000 (£14,250) on the internet for its Florida owner in 2004. In 2005 hundreds of visitors left flowers, candles and rosaries in a Chicago underpass after salt residue created a stain resembling the Virgin Mary. " (Times, 26 February).
Oh, ye of little faith - to think that the last sannie that you munched without checking for simulacra might have been worth £14,250. Just your luck! R.D.
Friday, March 09, 2007
WHEN HARRY MET TONY
The Glasgow Left in the sixties, Right! Up to the moment.
Harry Selby and Tony Cliff. The rivalry between them,
the views of Victor Vanni,
member of the
Glasgow branch of the Socialist Party.
First instalment this Monday 12th march,
Not to be missed.
Read it here.
Harry Selby and Tony Cliff. The rivalry between them,
the views of Victor Vanni,
member of the
Glasgow branch of the Socialist Party.
First instalment this Monday 12th march,
Not to be missed.
Read it here.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
The New Landed Gentry
This Land is Your Land as the song goes - But only if you have the odd million or two spare .
For the first time in Scotland , plots of development land for single houses have been sold for £1million. Property experts estimate that the buyers will spend at least another £1million building a house on it .
It's , of course , Location , Location , Location - Two people have already paid more than £1million each for their separate plots of land in the 850-acre Gleneagles Hotel and golf resort , three other properties are currently under offer and wealthy people from all over the world are said to be lining up to make offers for the nine remaining plots, which are on sale from £850,000 and vary in size from 0.55 to 0.86 of an acre.
When completed, the 14 properties and land within the private gated development, to be known as The Queen's Crescent, will be worth in excess of £30million . Buyers of the plots also receive two years' free golf membership for two at Gleneagles, which would cost a total of £7800 and a free two-year membership for four people to the hotel's health spa which costs £4000.
"Uniquely for a development of this type, we will be providing a concierge who will live in the gate lodge " George Graham, development director at Gleneagles said , whose job-description no doubt will include tipping his hat to these new lairds as they pass by .
Last year it was estimated that the average cost of an acre of building land to developers in Edinburgh was around £6million and in Glasgow, around £4million.
A one-acre site can usually hold up to 60 homes of various sizes and with some penthouse suites in the centre of Edinburgh selling for up to £1.5million there are still big profits to be made.
And now you know why your kids can't get a foot-hold on the bottom rung of the property ladder .
For the first time in Scotland , plots of development land for single houses have been sold for £1million. Property experts estimate that the buyers will spend at least another £1million building a house on it .
It's , of course , Location , Location , Location - Two people have already paid more than £1million each for their separate plots of land in the 850-acre Gleneagles Hotel and golf resort , three other properties are currently under offer and wealthy people from all over the world are said to be lining up to make offers for the nine remaining plots, which are on sale from £850,000 and vary in size from 0.55 to 0.86 of an acre.
When completed, the 14 properties and land within the private gated development, to be known as The Queen's Crescent, will be worth in excess of £30million . Buyers of the plots also receive two years' free golf membership for two at Gleneagles, which would cost a total of £7800 and a free two-year membership for four people to the hotel's health spa which costs £4000.
"Uniquely for a development of this type, we will be providing a concierge who will live in the gate lodge " George Graham, development director at Gleneagles said , whose job-description no doubt will include tipping his hat to these new lairds as they pass by .
Last year it was estimated that the average cost of an acre of building land to developers in Edinburgh was around £6million and in Glasgow, around £4million.
A one-acre site can usually hold up to 60 homes of various sizes and with some penthouse suites in the centre of Edinburgh selling for up to £1.5million there are still big profits to be made.
And now you know why your kids can't get a foot-hold on the bottom rung of the property ladder .
Monday, March 05, 2007
More of the same Michael Meacher
From the Independent :-
Q. Are you a socialist? What does that mean today?
A. Michael Meacher ex-Labour Party minister and presently a contender for the leadership :-
" Yes, I am. A socialist believes that while the market has its proper place, the fundamental principles underpinning society should be equity, social justice, equality of opportunity, and democratic accountability. Even where the market is a dominant force, socialists believe it should be regulated to ensure high environmental, social and labour standards."...
..." I own four flats. I have saved throughout my life, and put my savings into property. I don't think that is contrary to socialism."
In other words , landlord Meacher is actually an advocate of Capitalism - but "nice , friendly " Capitalism - as if there was such a thing .
Q. Are you a socialist? What does that mean today?
A. Michael Meacher ex-Labour Party minister and presently a contender for the leadership :-
" Yes, I am. A socialist believes that while the market has its proper place, the fundamental principles underpinning society should be equity, social justice, equality of opportunity, and democratic accountability. Even where the market is a dominant force, socialists believe it should be regulated to ensure high environmental, social and labour standards."...
..." I own four flats. I have saved throughout my life, and put my savings into property. I don't think that is contrary to socialism."
In other words , landlord Meacher is actually an advocate of Capitalism - but "nice , friendly " Capitalism - as if there was such a thing .
A Shocking Reward
The Herald reports that Philip Bowman, who has been chief executive of ScottishPower for 13 months, is in line to receive £4million in cash and shares when it is taken over by Iberdola .
Unlike us mere mortals Bowman's contract with ScottishPower included detailed provisions to protect his financial position in the event of a takeover. The Herald estimates Bowman is entitled to receive a year's salary of £700,000, a bonus of £1,050,000 and £300,000 in lieu of pension contributions. He owns shares worth £1.9million based on the Iberdrola offer.
Bowman previously received £17. 6 million when Allied Domecq was sold to Pernod Ricard .
The Observer newspaper reported that ScottishPower finance director Simon Lowth would also receive a year's salary (£460,000) and a bonus of the same amount if he left following the takeover by Iberdrola. Lowth has shares worth around £2.7million .
Not bad for some , eh , when many are struggling to pay heating and lighting bills ?
Unlike us mere mortals Bowman's contract with ScottishPower included detailed provisions to protect his financial position in the event of a takeover. The Herald estimates Bowman is entitled to receive a year's salary of £700,000, a bonus of £1,050,000 and £300,000 in lieu of pension contributions. He owns shares worth £1.9million based on the Iberdrola offer.
Bowman previously received £17. 6 million when Allied Domecq was sold to Pernod Ricard .
The Observer newspaper reported that ScottishPower finance director Simon Lowth would also receive a year's salary (£460,000) and a bonus of the same amount if he left following the takeover by Iberdrola. Lowth has shares worth around £2.7million .
Not bad for some , eh , when many are struggling to pay heating and lighting bills ?
Friday, March 02, 2007
Capitalism Makes you Depressed
Nearly a quarter of residents in some of Scotland's most deprived communities turned to their GP with depression in a year, according to a survey. These are among the first disturbing findings of a survey of more than 6000 people in Glasgow, the largest project of its kind in Europe.
Across the study, 22% of those interviewed had seen their doctor about such mental health issues in the previous year.This rose to one-third and above in Shawbridge, Drumchapel and St Andrews Drive, on the south side.
Scotland-wide, the number of antidepressants prescribed trebling to 3.5m a year over the past 10 years .
Dr Michael Smith, consultant psychiatrist, said "It does look as if there is something about inner city deprived, urban environments that does actually make you ill."
Across the study, 22% of those interviewed had seen their doctor about such mental health issues in the previous year.This rose to one-third and above in Shawbridge, Drumchapel and St Andrews Drive, on the south side.
Scotland-wide, the number of antidepressants prescribed trebling to 3.5m a year over the past 10 years .
Dr Michael Smith, consultant psychiatrist, said "It does look as if there is something about inner city deprived, urban environments that does actually make you ill."
This along with data about the influence people feel they have over decisions which affect their community, suggests residents lack a sense of control over their lives.
Dr Carol Tannahill, director of the Glasgow Centre for Population Health said: "Our emerging understanding of how good health is created would suggest that the issue of having control and influence is very important."
Only confirms what the Socialist Party has been saying since its inception - Captalism is bad for you .
Thursday, March 01, 2007
INEQUALITY
The inequalities of modern capitalism are well summed up by the following news item.
"With annual economic growth averaging more than 8 per cent since 2003, India is already one of the biggest emerging markets for luxury goods like clothing, cars and cosmetics. Although about 250 million Indians earn less than a dollar a day, the country is now home to at least 27 dollar billionaires and an estimated 83,000 millionaires." (Times, 26 February)
Karl Marx once explained this process as the primitive accumulation of capital in a little known volume called Capital. Every worker should read it; it explains our position of wage slavery beautifully. R.D.
"With annual economic growth averaging more than 8 per cent since 2003, India is already one of the biggest emerging markets for luxury goods like clothing, cars and cosmetics. Although about 250 million Indians earn less than a dollar a day, the country is now home to at least 27 dollar billionaires and an estimated 83,000 millionaires." (Times, 26 February)
Karl Marx once explained this process as the primitive accumulation of capital in a little known volume called Capital. Every worker should read it; it explains our position of wage slavery beautifully. R.D.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
THE "MARXIST" CLUB
A few years ago I attended two meetings of the Glasgow Marxist Club. Its members were, university lecturers, graduates or students and nearly all were members of the SSP, SLP, etc. At one point a club member said that these meetings were important because they prepared members to better explain Marxism to workers.
This was really rich because that’s something their various parties NEVER do.
Listen to their speakers, read their newspapers and election manifestoes, there’s never a mention of Marxism. All you’ll hear or read are their multitude of proposals for tinkering with the capitalist system, and many of these proposals aren’t even aimed at getting gains for workers but only about preventing the loss of already existing gains. These people are Marxist in name only. V.V.
This was really rich because that’s something their various parties NEVER do.
Listen to their speakers, read their newspapers and election manifestoes, there’s never a mention of Marxism. All you’ll hear or read are their multitude of proposals for tinkering with the capitalist system, and many of these proposals aren’t even aimed at getting gains for workers but only about preventing the loss of already existing gains. These people are Marxist in name only. V.V.
GEORGE SQUARE CONFUSIONISTS
Four members of Glasgow branch attended the SCND Rally in George Square to distribute our leaflet Protest Without End explaining why the rally was yet another waste of time and effort.
There were many other leaflets being distributed and we have singled out three, one each from the SSP, SWP and Solidarity.
The SSP’s contained the usual demands all of which, if achieved, would still leave us living in capitalism. As usual, they described this reformist nonsense as “socialism”, a concept they know nothing about.
The SWP’s seemed to be claiming that the Anti War Movement ( AWM ) is responsible for some British troops being withdrawn from Iraq when the real reason is that the government has decided that their withdrawal is in the best interests of British capitalism. The AWM is simply ignored.
Solidarity’s claimed that the war in Iraq if all down to Bush and Blair. Genuine socialists know that capitalism is responsible for ALL modern wars. The leaflet includes a “Please sign up for Solidarity” slip.
Anyone can join this “socialist” organisation and no questions asked. V.V.
There were many other leaflets being distributed and we have singled out three, one each from the SSP, SWP and Solidarity.
The SSP’s contained the usual demands all of which, if achieved, would still leave us living in capitalism. As usual, they described this reformist nonsense as “socialism”, a concept they know nothing about.
The SWP’s seemed to be claiming that the Anti War Movement ( AWM ) is responsible for some British troops being withdrawn from Iraq when the real reason is that the government has decided that their withdrawal is in the best interests of British capitalism. The AWM is simply ignored.
Solidarity’s claimed that the war in Iraq if all down to Bush and Blair. Genuine socialists know that capitalism is responsible for ALL modern wars. The leaflet includes a “Please sign up for Solidarity” slip.
Anyone can join this “socialist” organisation and no questions asked. V.V.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Scottish Poverty Report
A report was written by a host of academics from The Open University, Glasgow Caledonian University, the University of Paisley and the University of Strathclyde. Experts on health, childcare, economics, community development, education, law and social policy also helped compile the report. The most damning data used came from Holyrood own official statistics.
One-fifth of the Scottish population, 910,000 people, live in poverty.
One in four Scottish children, 240,000 boys and girls, live in poverty.
Nearly a quarter of all children living in poverty are in households where an adult is working full-time.
77,000 children officially recognised as living in poverty don't get a free school meal.
One in 10 of Scotland's rural population is officially poor.
30% of "poverty pay" - wages which leave the employee below the poverty line - come from the public sector: jobs which are paid for by the government.
60% of low-income families believe they will never have enough to live on.
However , instead of laying the blame on what causes poverty - capitalism - and demanding the real revolutionary change - its abolition , this report The Poverty Alliance by the Child Poverty Action Group, the Scottish Poverty Information Unit and the Scottish Drugs Forum repeats the usual bleating demand from time immemorial - an appeal to political parties to make things all better with parliamentary policies and reforms , a forlorn hope .
Thursday, February 22, 2007
DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES
Socialism and capitalism are probably the most misused and misunderstood terms in the English language. The newspapers and television are probably the guiltiest of this confusion but here is a recent example from someone who declares himself to be a socialist.
The SSP, and the breakaway Tommy Sheridan has formed, Solidarity, look as if they will be punished for their mutual antagonism, although he doesn't think so.
“They can fight over the 3 per cent of voters if they want”, he said of his former colleagues. “Solidarity will be chasing 53 per cent to join Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and the People's Republic of Cuba in a new international socialist alliance” (Observer, 18 February)
In Cuba and Venezuela they have capitalism not socialism, and in Cuba they have a ruthless dictatorship that imprisons all who would dare oppose them. Sheridan's dream of a socialist future is in fact a state capitalist nightmare. R.D.
The SSP, and the breakaway Tommy Sheridan has formed, Solidarity, look as if they will be punished for their mutual antagonism, although he doesn't think so.
“They can fight over the 3 per cent of voters if they want”, he said of his former colleagues. “Solidarity will be chasing 53 per cent to join Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and the People's Republic of Cuba in a new international socialist alliance” (Observer, 18 February)
In Cuba and Venezuela they have capitalism not socialism, and in Cuba they have a ruthless dictatorship that imprisons all who would dare oppose them. Sheridan's dream of a socialist future is in fact a state capitalist nightmare. R.D.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The Labour Party and the Atom Bomb
Another video to watch .
Socialist Party member Richard Headicar can be viewed giving a talk on the Labour Party and the Atom Bomb . Richard , a veteran of the CND protests who has also served jail time due to this activism brings to bear his great knowledge to describe the deceit shown by Attlee and the other Labour Party leaders when it came to the development of Britain's atomic bomb .
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Hope and Deception
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 .
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 .
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.
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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...
