New Stage of the Capitalist System ---- We can say that the capitalist system on
a planetary scale has entered a new stage. We are in its beginnings, but a newstage at last. New stage that clearly begins with the COVID pandemic and thedifferent measures imposed by the States to control the populations more than thedisease: the massive lockdowns and the militarization of social life, therepressive measures to impose the lockdown. States experimented with variousmeasures to control or lead their populations as they pleased, while imposingdraconian measures in economic and social terms. There was talk of great "aid"and state investment, but these were mainly directed at multinational companies.It was a reactivation of capital that was promoted by the different governments,but they never paid enough attention and social containment due to theconsequences of the pandemic and the great economic brake that it caused.However, this stage was already in the making. It has been more than ten years,perhaps twenty, that a shift to the right has been taking place at a politicallevel, but also at an ideological level, with regard to the general thinking ofsociety and how the world and solutions are perceived to adopt This undoubtedlyhas repercussions on the support received by far-right regimes in Europe, whichhave come to power by winning elections. But also in the growth of support forpossible authoritarian solutions around the globe.Added to this is the war in Ukraine, which openly opens the inter-imperialist bidbetween the powers for world domination, a stage of greater aggressiveness andconflicts and areas of tension are being prepared in different parts of the planet.In this way, in this new stage a certain authoritarian advance and a certaindecline in liberal forms of government are combined, together with anintensification of packages of neoliberal measures in the framework of thepandemic, just when many politicians and economists predicted a kind of return tothe "welfare state" and to a much stronger role of the state in the economy asowner and investor. What is happening, and this is the trend that has been takingplace for a few decades now -at least since the end of the "Cold War"-, is thatin order to apply a pure and simple neoliberal model, governments and forms ofauthoritarian state are needed. . Of course, in all this you cannot make abstractgeneralizations, you have to analyze each specific case. But we maintain that weare facing a new stage of the capitalist system,A world in dispute between imperialist powersRight now we are facing an increase in threatening actions between the differentworld powers and even some regional ones. Several sources of tension aredeveloping in the present: the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the hostilitiesthat are unleashed there, Belarus joining in support of Russia, but Ukraine hasthe support of the US and NATO; the China Sea and the Pacific and the situationin the Middle East with new elements, for example, the war potential of Iran.In the specific case of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the distributionof Europe is at stake: NATO and the European Union (EU) seeking their expansionand growth towards the former Soviet republics and Russia seeking to regaininfluence in its former Soviet space, rebuilding part of the historical Russianempire and the former USSR in a new context. Russia sees itself as a world power,although it has several weak points.It is a moment of tension reminiscent of the "Cold War", but in which the disputeis nothing less, since Russia has supported the independence of the Donetsk andLugansk republics in 2014, which were part of the Ukrainian territory. Thedispute is over the external borders of Russia, where Ukraine plays a centralrole, since it is the articulation between Russia and Europe. Russia intends tokeep Ukraine under its influence, while the sectors that currently dominate inUkraine are favorable to the European Union (EU) and the US. The militaryalliance led by the US and which makes up a large part of the EU - that is, NATO- has been expanding its borders since the end of the "Cold War". Westerncapitalism not only advanced in Eastern Europe economically, politically andideologically, but also militarily. Today, NATO has bases and missiles aimed atRussia throughout Eastern Europe and, in fact, several training sessions for itstroops have been carried out in countries bordering Russia for a few years now.Technically, Russia today is surrounded by the US and NATO, but it also moves itschips: the war in Donbass to keep control of the republics of Donetsk andLugansk, added to the annexation of Crimea, have been defensive measures, controland blockade of strategic points for the defense of your territory that you havetaken.For all these reasons, investment in weapons of all kinds has increased and inthe case of Russia, their display is part of state policy. In these weeks, thereare also daily news of the shipment of weapons by the US and some Europeancountries to Ukraine, but contradictory news also circulates: there are talks fora ceasefire, but hostilities continue openly, the hesitant and changing attitudeof several European countries, especially Germany, among other aspects.Another aspect of the war has been the realignment with NATO of historicallyneutral states like Finland or Sweden. We could certainly consider them fullyintegrated into the Western bloc, but it is true that the trigger for their entryinto NATO was the Ukrainian invasion. By the way, their request to join theAtlantic treaty has been blocked for the moment by Turkey, which demands thatthese states stop supporting, even as a refuge, the PKK and the Kurdishrevolutionary movement. We can see here the complex balances that make up theinternational reality.Sanctions against Russia, in addition to trying to damage the economy of thatcountry, have a boomerang effect: they fall on Europe. The possible cut in thesupply of Russian natural gas to Europe could have unpredictable economic andsocial consequences. We have already seen the rise in prices, especially of rawmaterials in world markets since the beginning of the war. Russia has afundamental ally: China, to which it can sell the products that it does not sellto Europe from now on.China, the emerging power, has already displaced the US as the world's leadingeconomy for the second consecutive year. It has been deploying the "Silk Road",its commercial and investment network, both for its exports and imports of rawmaterials. In this framework, the commercial alliance with Russia is of vitalimportance and there are several multimillion-dollar commercial and investmentcontracts between the two powers.Thus, China has also brought Southeast Asia under its control, for the most part.There are already several countries in that region that leave the US sphere ofinfluence and place themselves under the protection of China, both economicallyand in the military field. China has expanded its economic space enormously andcontinues to concentrate a large part of the world's industrial production andcontinues to be the engine of consumption and the world economy. It is a largebuyer of raw materials and has the ability to set the international prices ofseveral of them, which is why several single-producer countries still maintain acertain level of foreign exchange income. It is also true that an economic crisisin China can have serious consequences for the world.The US also moves its pieces here and although under the government of DonaldTrump it withdrew from the "Pacific Alliance" leaving a wide space that Chinatook advantage of, it maintained equally good ties with emerging powers such asIndia and other countries in the region, even strengthening a military alliancewith several countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia and NewZealand. There is also concern here, since joint military exercises are beingcoordinated in Pacific waters, close to the Chinese coast.In turn, China intends, at least in its declarations, to retake control ofTaiwan. For its part, North Korea has been increasing missile tests, all of whichis increasing tension in that area.The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan has also had an impact on thisinter-imperialist dispute. The US withdraws -or at least withdraws its politicalcontrol over the country, since it leaves behind some troops- and China assumesits support for the Taliban regime, guaranteeing a strategic point on the SilkRoad. China here also gains space and increases its incidence.For those who believe that Russia and China are the "good guys" in this dispute,the case of Afghanistan is a good example. The Chinese regime led by the ChineseCommunist Party supports an extreme right-wing regime such as the Taliban,without much consideration. And it is not merely a matter of convenience forChina: this country is far from being a "socialist" country or one in "transit tosocialism" -whatever that may be-. It is a capitalist country of the first order,an imperialist power and with no political considerations of the left. Logicallyit is not the same as the US, its aspirations, its methods and its history aredifferent, but the long process of struggle of the Chinese people that led to thetriumph of the Revolution is already a dark memory of the past. What if thecriticism of Anarchism that the State is the producer and reproducer of thesocialclasses and inequalities and that in this way there is no revolution that leadsto socialism. The criticism and proposal developed by our current more than 170years ago is fully valid.But in the Central Asian region not everything is under control. The protests inKazakhstan against the rise in fuel prices that led to a true popular revolt, hadto be placated with the participation of the Russian military alliance in CentralAsia, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Here too, Russiapointed to foreign interference with supposedly trained and prepared armedgroups, but did not provide evidence or concrete data. The only imperialistintervention was that of Russia in fact.On the US side, we see a certain loss of incidence and space in some areas suchas Central Asia -with the loss of Afghanistan- and all the advance of Chinaalready mentioned in that region and in the Pacific, as well as its withdrawalfrom Iraq - which has not yet been fully specified-, speak clearly that the US islosing influence in areas of the world that are vital to its imperial project.The Middle East is no longer totally under the control of the US: Iran has agreat impact on Iraq (for this reason the assassination of Solemani two years agoby the US openly), Turkey has invaded the territory of Iraq and Syria (mainly thedevelopment zone of the project of the Kurdish people, especially in Rojava) andIsrael, which continues to attack the Palestinian people, but also Syria and Lebanon.The conflict in Yemen also has consequences for these changes in the region,since the government that emerged from the 2015 revolt and the popular movementthat supports it are at war against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,although this is not the cover of the big news media. Everything seems toindicate that in the Middle East the regional powers are going to have a greaterrole, the same as Russia. Israel is no longer just a US pawn; he has theirbacking, but he plays his own politics.All these war situations lead to immense refugee crises, both in the Middle Eastand in Europe, true humanitarian catastrophes. The population suffers from thewar and its destruction, and in the case of Yemen, hunger and child malnutritionhave increased. The drama of the displaced and "surplus populations" that thesystem constantly generates is growing.We may be seeing in the coming years a realignment of several Middle Easterncountries behind the economic power of China, a fact that would decisively changethe world's political dominance. The same may be happening in other areas of theplanet.One of these areas is Africa, where China has been operating quietly for yearsuntil the Trump administration decided to fight back. However, the progress infavor of China's position has been such that almost the entire African continentis already opting for the Asian giant. And behind China, other big players haveentered, such as Russia, India or Turkey. In fact, Russia, through its armsindustry, has even dared to displace France in some states throughlittle-disguised coups (Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso). In this way we can also seehow little he cared about irritating Europe in Moscow.The fact that the US is losing weight in various regions of the world has led itto turn its gaze towards Latin America, its "backyard", as it has alwaysconsidered this part of the world. It is its basic zone of influence and on whichit has cemented its post-World War II world dominance.China, in addition to the raw materials it buys in Latin America, has investedhere billions of dollars in infrastructure projects. Many of them, in the face ofpolitical changes on the continent, have been partially paralyzed, others arereactivated after the pandemic and the reaffirmation of certain regimes. It hasrecently signed a series of multimillion-dollar agreements by which Argentina isincluded in the "Silk Road" and becomes a key part of China's economic expansionand, for its part, Argentina sought to balance the balance due to North Americandominance. about his politics. However, the Argentine realignment behind the USand the vote against Russia in the UN speak clearly of US pressure throughdifferent mechanisms, including the International Monetary Fund.In this sense, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua are the countries that remainoutside the direct control of the US, although they suffer from a strong economicblockade and various international pressures. For these countries the strategicalliance with China, Russia and Iran is vital. The novel note is that the USmaintains diplomatic and commercial relations with Venezuela, since it needs oil.But the US maintains its strong interference in Latin America. It has a largenumber of addict governments and others that try to appear independent, but signwith the International Monetary Fund, as has happened with Argentina, whosegovernment tries to say that the payment of interest on the debt to the IMF willbe "without adjustment". In those countries where "progressive" governments havetriumphed, the US supports destabilization strategies, as in Peru or Honduras. Ofcourse, the Latin American right plays its own game and has new energy after a"progressive cycle" of 15 years.The fundamental thing is that in Latin America there were no structural changesthroughout this period, only some very partial changes that did not put the powerof the ruling classes or the North American empire at risk. But equally, both theUS, as well as the right and the Latin American ruling classes do not want tolose control of the governments, since in this way they directly guaranteecertain policies and interests. Progressivism, no matter how good anadministrator, does not come from the heart of the Latin American bourgeoisie andoligarchy. And in the current context, the Latin American right wing stronglyattacks several "progressive" postulates and they believe they see there acertain reissue of the "communist ghost" of the Cold War, even though this isvery far from reality.Certainly all this is happening because there is a strong crisis in the center:the United States. The storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021 was an eventthat went around the world and showed that American society is seriously divided.But it must be made clear that the real origin of all this discontent is due tothe consequences of neoliberalism in the lives of ordinary people. That makesthem targets of intense media propaganda from the reactionary media that has allthe possible support of politicians.Climate changeUndoubtedly, "climate change" and its effects are a topic of vital relevance inthe present and in the near future. The forecasts are alarming and life on theplanet is at risk, including human life. The capitalist system produces damage tonature without caring about it, the only interest for the large multinationals isthe maximization of their profits, without caring about the looting of resourcesand wealth from entire areas of the planet, as well as life. The fires producedin forest or jungle areas, as has occurred in the Amazon and its surroundings,are clear examples of depredation to cultivate raw materials required byinternational markets. And although climate change affects the entire planet, itseffects have a totally uneven incidence. In this sense, a large part of theAfrican continent is affected by global warming, despite the fact that it is onlyresponsible for 3% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide; further deepening thesituation of poverty and vulnerability of their peoples.We are reaching a limit situation: global warming produced by an extractivistproduction system that plunders resources and communities, is generating climaticphenomena that are too adverse and with unusual frequency, such as fires, floods,changes in temperatures and characteristics of the seasons; all phenomena thataffect life and its reproduction. Ending capitalism is a necessity and also anurgency to protect life. "Capitalism or life", or we could say in a slightly moreclassic and general formulation "Socialism or death", are the alternatives thatwe have before us today.Capitalism is not going to change its parameters of production and destruction.The "green" policies that are launched from the US and the EU are nothing morethan multi-million dollar investments to benefit large capitals, we can even saythat they are investments with already designated recipients. Investments andchanges in the use of energy and transport that do not solve the underlyingproblem, since it can reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, but other resourcesare used that also generate large-scale pollution, looting and subjugation ofentire populations, deepening the scheme of economic and political dependency.Capitalism is death and destruction, this ecocidal system cannot bring us thesolution to the ecological problem and life on the planet, because its essence isrobbery and looting. It is based on the death and starvation of millions so thata few live in luxury. Those same billionaires are not going to save the planet,but they are going to take advantage of this opportunity for their businesses.Therefore, at this stage, the struggles in defense of ecology and the environmentare of the first order and the proposals that we, as organized anarchists, canpropose and develop are relevant for this struggle, but also to gradually buildthe society that we prefigure, that we yearn for.We can use different denominations for that future society, but the truth is thatin that society project that Anarchism has formulated almost 200 years ago, lifein harmony with nature and care for the planet is included, since it depends onit. human life, and the production and distribution of goods must take intoaccount this element as a primary order. A world of solidarity, justice, withtrue participation of the people and development of self-management, is also anecological world.Social effects of this new stageIn addition to the effects produced by climate change, this new stage of thecapitalist system that is beginning has effects on the populations. The controland surveillance policies accentuated and practiced by the pandemic that attemptto control and direct populations on a large scale, in some way, are part of theattempts by the ruling classes and the States to increase political andideological domination over the popular classes. , but also to avoid socialexplosions or curb the discontent of the oppressed.All this comes from the hand of extreme right-wing governments, or with theirparticipation and in the framework of an open inter-imperialist struggle. Greatersocial control, increased repression, technification of neoliberal policies andlooting of populations and territories, are the characteristics of this stageimposed by the ruling classes.But precisely, this disproportionate increase in control and repression is due tothe fact that these policies and this shift, this economic, political andideological adjustment that the system carries out, is due to the fact that theyanticipate resistance. These policies of hunger, looting and death generatestruggles and resistance from below, among the oppressed classes.In this aspect we want to emphasize that the structural weaknesses of the systemhave already come to light. That is, the strong dependence of capitalism onresources that are running out (or that cannot be produced at the rate that themarket needs). This produces periodic shortages, bottlenecks or supply crisesthat hit the weakest economies making them unviable. Every bankruptcy of acountry (we are witnessing the one in Sri Lanka these days, or the one in Sudan afew years ago) is a great human disaster.Faced with the increase in hunger or "food insecurity" as they are now called,the increase in unemployment and the precariousness of work and life, in the faceof the growing increase in "shantytowns", favelas and neighborhoods on the urbanoutskirts, where the population survives, faced with the displacement of peasantsfrom the land, faced with these dispossessions, the people say enough! Variousstruggles arise everywhere, some specific and in other cases open popular revoltssuch as those in Chile, Colombia, Kazakhstan or in other parts of the world,which mobilize thousands or millions of people fed up with this way of lifeplagued by deficiencies.The neoliberal model, which the ruling classes are now trying to take to anextreme -although several international organizations have been pointing out fordecades that some of those profits should be distributed to avoid these revolts-,only generates people on the streets and on the roads. It is to be expected agreater number of revolts and massive mobilizations throughout the planet due tothis discontent and increase in oppression. This fierce fit is sure to have apopular response.And there the fundamental thing is at stake, and from today: organize the people.Organize that discontent and resistance, generate the conditions so that thestruggle of the peoples advances and gains are obtained and progress is made onsubstantive changes. It is essential to increase the levels of participation inpopular organizations: unions, neighborhood organizations, student centers,peasant organizations, indigenous or oppressed ethnic groups, environmentalgroups, feminist organizations, LGBT, and the entire wide range of organizationsand social sectors that can form a Front of Oppressed Classes to fight againstthe system.In that sense, our presence and participation as organized anarchists isessential. It is up to our political organizations to push and promote theseorganizational and fighting processes. That is why the Anarchist PoliticalOrganization is vital, to provide a perspective of struggle. We understand thatthe Political Organization does not replace or direct the struggle or the popularorganizations, we are not a vanguard, we are an engine that drives and provideselements so that the popular organizations can take the destiny of society intotheir own hands.That is why at this time it is also essential to strengthen Organized Anarchism.Increase organizational levels and social impact, prepare for the times to come,which will undoubtedly be tough, but also create new possibilities for theadvancement of peoples.Because there are no solutions from above, the ruling classes only propose moredeath and increase their millionaire fortunes, because capitalism is not defeatedat the polls but in a revolutionary way, because we believe in solidarity andself-management, we trust in the peoples and in their constructive capacities,they are times of fight and towns in the street.IN THE FACE OF THIS SYSTEM OF DEATH, ORGANIZED POPULAR STRUGGLE!THOSE WHO FIGHT ARE NOT DEAD!TO FORGE THE POPULAR PROTAGONISMUP THOSE WHO FIGHT!AWSM (Aetoeoa Workers Socialist Movement, (Nueva Zelanda))FAU (Uruguayan Anarchist Federation)FAS (Santiago Anarchist Federation, Chile)EMBAT (Libertarian Organization of Catalonia)FAR (Anarchist Federation of Rosario)OAC (Anarchist Organization of Córdoba)OAT (Anarchist Organization of Tucumán)OASC (Anarchist Organization of Santa Cruz)CAB (Brazilian Anarchist Coordination)Karala (Turkey)http://federacionanarquistauruguaya.uy/analisis-de-coyuntura-internacional/_________________________________________A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C EBy, For, and About AnarchistsSend news reports to A-infos-en mailing listA-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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