Socialist Party Australia - Australian report-back from international socialist meeting

Last month socialists from around the world (members of the International Executive Committee of the Committee for a Workers International) met in Belgium to discuss world events and building a socialist alternative to capitalism. Australia was represented by SP's National Treasurer Anthony Main (who is also a shop steward in the metals division of the AMWU). Here is his report back...

Report back from International Executive Committee meeting of the CWI. Anthony Main, Socialist Party (CWI Australia)

This report is only a brief overview of the main discussions that were held over the week long meeting. For more detailed reports and the conference documents which formed the basis for discussions visit the CWI website, click here

2004 marked the 30th anniversary of the Committee for a Workers International and in November its International Executive Committee (IEC) met in Belgium for its annual meeting. The Committee for a Workers International (CWI) is the international socialist organisation to which the Socialist Party is affiliated. The CWI is organised in over 40 countries and on every continent. We are a campaigning organisation that works to unite the working class and oppressed people against global capitalism and for a socialist world.

WORLD ECONOMY
The first part of the meeting focused on the world economy and in particular the developments in the US and China. It was noted that recent events in Iraq and the US presidential elections had only overshadowed the fact that the world economy is facing an impending crisis.

With the Euro zone and Japanese economies stagnant the dynamics of the world economy are primarily determined by the US and China. The US, the world’s richest and most powerful country is also the world’s biggest debtor. The ever rising levels of US debt, expressed in the ‘twin deficits’ (balance of payments deficit and federal budget deficit) are becoming unsustainable. The rise in both public and private debt has been made possible by low interest rates. The US federal deficit is also largely funded by foreign capital including large amounts of Chinese capital.

The Chinese economy works as a key auxiliary to the US with the US providing massive consumer demand and China providing a growing share of manufactured goods. Whilst at the same time the runaway investment and property bubble which have mostly driven China’s rapid growth rates have reached their limits.

The US is the main driving force of the world economy but because of their links a downturn in either the US or Chinese economies would mean a recession for the entire world. The recent rapid rises in the price of oil in which demand from China has been a big factor will also slow down world growth. Oil price rises in fact could be the trigger to world recession and are also importantly linked to events in Iraq.

World capitalism which is increasingly reliant on oil production is facing both dwindling reserves as well as chronic under investment in the industry. Despite immense profits the big oil companies have failed to invest enough in new development to ensure sufficient output to meet the needs of the world economy.

Not only were the US’s hopes for cheap oil supplies shattered by the resistance in Iraq but events in Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Russia, and Nigeria have all helped to ensure instability in the entire oil sector. However even without the surge in oil prices the world economy would still be facing the prospect of a crisis in the near future. While a recession will mean increased attacks on the working class with bosses and governments attempting to wind back living standards. It will also mean increased levels of politicisation amongst both workers and youth. The current economic conditions are paving the way for massive upheavals and big movements to develop.

WORLD RELATIONS
Linked to the discussion on the world economy was the discussion on current world relations. The two main points discussed in this session were the US presidential elections and the continuing occupation of Iraq. The re-election of Bush in November was a blow to millions of people around the world, especially those who came out in force and demonstrated against the war in Iraq. The Republicans now have majorities in both houses of congress and are already moving towards implementing a programme of cuts to the rich and attacks on the poor.

Whilst Bush’s victory is significant it would be incorrect to exaggerate what he is now capable of doing internationally. The quagmire that Bush faces in Iraq has severely limited what he can do else where. Any further adventures by Bush and his gang would surely stir up masses of resistance both in the US and abroad. While it is hard to rule anything out, it is more likely that Bush will pursue a policy of containment when it comes to Syria, Iran and North Korea.

Bush’s victory in the election was largely due the lack of an alternative provided by Kerry and the Democrats. In fact some people are arguing that Kerry had lost the election on the day that he voted for the war in Iraq. The differences between Bush and Kerry and in fact the Republican and Democratic parties were more of style rather than of substance. With the Democrats being openly pro capitalist they also offered no alternative policies to solve the many social problems that workers and poor face in the US.

With Kerry not opposing the continuing occupation of Iraq Bush’s strategy of attempting to make links between Iraq and the war on terror (regardless of evidence) left Kerry out on a limb desperately looking for a response. With an increased voter turnout of close to 60% including many Blacks, Latinos, workers and youth it was not enough to match the right wing Christian evangelicals who turned out in numbers to the call of Bush who trumpeted the message of so called ‘family values’. (i.e. code for attacking the rights of women and gay people)

The strengths and weaknesses of Nader’s election campaign were also discussed in depth. Nader received a lower vote than he did in 2000 but this was mostly due to the more polarised environment in the US. Also a massive smear campaign was waged by the Democrats to keep him off the ballot in many key states. It was agreed that despite the lower than expected vote the Nader campaign was a very significant step forward in offering an alternative to the existing two party system.

IRAQ
Despite Bush’s election victory he is still facing huge problems in Iraq. The US is almost stretched to its limits in Iraq both financially and in the numbers of troops on the ground. Already there have been over 1200 US soldiers killed and 8000 serious injuries. Also there have been over 100 000 Iraqi civilians killed according to ‘official’ records.

Bush still has no clear worked out plan to exit Iraq and with elections in Iraq being fast tracked (planned for January 30th ) it looks like at this stage that most of the Shia groups will take part. It is clear however that the Sunni minority are dissatisfied with this arrangement and it is likely that the Sunni’s will boycott the election. This would leave a Shia majority in power and with the Sunnis feeling left out further violence will follow, a civil war may even develop.

Internationally we have entered into a new situation a world of wars, occupations and terrorism linked to a growing opposition to capitalism and imperialism. The ideas of right wing political Islam is on the rise in many regions and will only be countered decisively with the re-emergence of the working class armed with the ideas of socialism and Marxism. This is the only way to break the grip that capitalism has on the world at the moment.

Individual sessions at the IEC were also held on situation in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and Germany.

BRAZIL
In Brazil the Lula led PT (Worker’s Party) government is continuing to embrace the policies of privatisation and economic rationalism. There has been opposition to this both inside and outside the PT. Lula has been ruthless towards the opposition he has faced from within the PT, in fact he expelled four parliamentarians for voting against him. There has also been an increase in struggle by workers and peasants against Lula’s policies and he faced a backlash in recent local elections where the PT lost many seats. The struggles both inside and outside the PT have led to the formation of a new left party in Brazil called PSOL (Party of Socialism and Liberty). PSOL was largely born out struggles of public sector workers and includes in its ranks the four parliamentarians that were expelled from the PT. Much of the discussion on Brazil focused on the CWI’s work in PSOL, perspectives for its future and how best to build it.

NIGERIA
The discussion on Nigeria took place against the back drop of an impending 5th general strike within one year. Despite 90% of Nigerians living on less than $1 a day it has not stopped the masses rising up against what is essentially a military government dressed up in civilian clothes. Nigeria is extremely rich in natural resources especially oil, in fact the backbone of the economy is based on oil. This being the case, ordinary Nigerians see no reason why they should pay exorbitant prices for fuel which they are forced to use everyday for heating, electricity as well as in cars etc.

The problems with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) were also discussed for as with many other trade union leaderships around the world the NLC agree with the ideas of neo-liberalism and are refusing to take the next step to over throw the government. The CWI, which has some representatives in the union leadership, almost alone is arguing against neo-liberalism, for the over throw of the government and for the changing of the system.

SRI LANKA
The key factor in Sri Lankan politics is still the national question. With a Sinhalese majority in the south and a Tamil minority in the north and north east tensions are still running high. The CWI supports the rights of the Tamils to self determination and stands against communalism and against capitalism. Our unique position on the national question has struck a cord with many workers and peasants and has been shown in the excellent results in the recent elections. Our party the USP (United Socialist Party) received the highest vote on the left and was one of the only parties to stand in both the Tamil north and Sinhalese areas. We are also the only party that puts out a newspaper in both languages. The CWI calls for peace talks to be restarted but on a class basis and linked to a socialist program as the only way forward for workers and poor in Sri Lanka.

VENEZUELA
The session on Venezuela discussed the state of the Chavez government after the recent victory in the referendum. Over 12,000,000 participated in the referendum an 80% voter turnout. It was viewed as a victory for workers and the poor through out Latin America and Chavez is still proving to be a thorn in the side of US imperialism. The CWI does however have some serious differences with Chavez and does not believe that his program will solve the many social problems facing the poor masses of Venezuela. Whilst Chavez has made some radical speeches, in actions he has not made any significant turns to the left since the referendum. The CWI believes that workers and poor need to be independently organised and armed with a truly socialist program as a means of moving forward out of the poverty that exists in Latin America. A victory for socialism in Venezuela would give confidence to the struggling millions in Latin America and throughout the world. The CWI pledged to continue to build its forces there.

EUROPE
The discussion on Europe was very thorough as the CWI has its strongest base in this region. From the reports it was clear that this period marks the re-entry of the working class onto the political scene in Europe. Increased levels of strikes and protests have especially been seen in Germany, Netherlands, Italy, and the UK.

With the continuing stagnation of the European economy the ruling class have been forced to attack workers wages and conditions to maintain their profit levels. This has been especially pronounced in the manufacturing sector. Bosses have attempted to lengthen working hours, force redundancies and freeze wage levels at several major plants including Siemens, Daimler Chrysler and General Motors. This has unfortunately happened on occasions with the blessing of right wing trade union leaders.

The most positive and important development is that workers are beginning to show their willingness to fight back. The fact that we have seen the beginnings of workers defying their union leaders in the form of wildcat strikes is very significant and shows the working class are on the move with or without their current union leaders.

Governments in Germany and the Netherlands have also attempted to attack workers by the deconstruction of the welfare state, reducing pensions and unemployment benefits and the amount of people on them. This has also provoked mass protests of opposition. It is clear that the economic situation in Europe is only going to get worse; this will lead to further attacks on the working class and further battles.

Prior to 1989 the weight of US imperialism was largely countered by that of Stalinism in Europe. Since then however a vacuum has existed. Recently it has begun to be partially filled, not only by progressive movements like that of workers but at the same time by reactionary forces; some racists groups have also been gaining ground.

The far right and neo fascist groups are also building a base especially in Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany. Parties like the Vlaams Blok in Belgium are whipping up racist ideas playing on the inequalities of the capitalist system to gain support. Ex-Social Democratic parties like New Labour in Britain and the SPD in Germany have also been using the race card to divert attention away from the fact their polices are not solving the social inequalities that exist. The IEC agreed that a renewed campaign against racism will be needed in the near future.

The CWI will continue to intervene in all of the major class battles in Europe and will continue to argue that it is only workers and youth that are in a position to challenge both the bosses and the far right. The most effective way to challenge the bosses and their system is to organise ourselves in mass workers parties with a program that will take us towards socialism.

GERMANY
One place in Europe where a new left party has begun to develop is in Germany. One reason that this new formation has developed ahead of the rest of Europe is due to the higher level of attacks on the working class in Germany and therefore the higher level of consciousness that exists there. This is a very important development as it shows that layers of workers have drawn the conclusions that the social democratic party (SPD) is beyond repair. The ‘Electoral Alternative’ (WASG) is still in very early stages and is still a reformist formation. It is currently lacking the mass participation of rank and file workers, especially women and youth but hopefully this will change. Whilst it is not clear exactly in what direction this formation will develop the CWI will continue to participate in the WASG, both building the party and arguing for it to based around a socialist program.

BUILDING THE CWI
The final sessions of the IEC focused on building the forces of the CWI. These sessions were designed to both share experiences over the past year and too discuss how best to build in 2005. The discussion was kicked off by comrades from the Greek and Belgium sections who have both made massive gains in membership over the past year. This was a particularly inspiring session especially after hearing reports of the fantastic work that our comrades are doing in places like Nigeria, India, Pakistan and South Africa. These sections have next to no resources. Just as impressive was the in roads our comrades are making under difficult national circumstances in places like Israel, Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland.

On the electoral front our comrades in Belgium and Southern Ireland reported credible results in the European elections. Also whilst the Irish section doubled their amount of elected councillors the German section got their first three councillors elected this year. The CWI also maintained councillors in the UK and at the time of writing the Australian section also had its first councillor elected.

These comrades join fellow councillors in Sweden and the Netherlands as well as Joe Higgins a TD (MP) in the Irish parliament as public representatives of the CWI and working people. These comrades use their positions to raise the conciseness of the working class and to advance the ideas of socialism. The CWI is proud of its policy of workers representatives on workers wages.

If one theme ran through the entire conference it was that capitalism is the same everywhere it just takes on different forms. It is a constant exploitation of workers and poor people in order to line the pockets of the rich ruling class. In an era of global capitalism it was all the more clear that workers need to be linking up more on a regional and global basis in order to resist the attacks. The task of building a revolutionary socialist international is all the more urgent as the best means fighting against global capitalism and for a socialist world. The CWI has had a proud first 30 years and looks forward to playing a key role in the struggles of workers and youth in the coming period.