By Leander Jones
The economic crisis that began in 2008 and the austerity measures that followed in many countries have started to breed the first significant signs of discontent in the West for many years. Such episodes have exposed the extensive corruption and double standards rife within the circles of the political and financial elites, and have made people aware for the first time in a generation the extent to which our Western “democracies” are controlled and held to ransom by a powerful few. The more aware members of the public are also increasingly becoming concerned with other problems we face, principally the environmental crisis; while others, particularly immigrant communities, have learned that our wars are rarely fought for just causes. Tension is rising; people are becoming more and more frustrated with the way things are, as well as un-trusting of those who claim to represent us. Yet I see this anger beginning to turn to cynicism and a feeling of helplessness; people are sure that things aren't right but they are bewildered about what to do to change things.
The economic crisis that began in 2008 and the austerity measures that followed in many countries have started to breed the first significant signs of discontent in the West for many years. Such episodes have exposed the extensive corruption and double standards rife within the circles of the political and financial elites, and have made people aware for the first time in a generation the extent to which our Western “democracies” are controlled and held to ransom by a powerful few. The more aware members of the public are also increasingly becoming concerned with other problems we face, principally the environmental crisis; while others, particularly immigrant communities, have learned that our wars are rarely fought for just causes. Tension is rising; people are becoming more and more frustrated with the way things are, as well as un-trusting of those who claim to represent us. Yet I see this anger beginning to turn to cynicism and a feeling of helplessness; people are sure that things aren't right but they are bewildered about what to do to change things.
Some look to the past for answers. Yet it is clear to many that this is not the way forward. The old models are exactly that – old; and they are crippled and dying. I read an article this week about the “reforms” that are going on in Cuba; the plan is essentially to implement a neoliberal programme which involves laying off millions of public sector workers in a desperate attempt to get the economy moving after 50 years of stagnation. The official explanation during the whole Communist era for the dysfunctional economy has been the US trade embargo imposed on the island, which is undoubtedly part of the problem. Yet there has been a widespread recognition in recent years that the problem is much deeper – with even Fidel Castro admitting recently that the Cuban model had failed. This is symptomatic of a worldwide disillusionment with the traditional alternatives that are offered by the left-wing, and it has led many to resign themselves to what they see as the inevitability of neoliberal capitalism, while others have turned to more extreme and dangerous solutions – from religious fundamentalism to far-right racist extremism.
I think it is time the left stood up and admitted their addiction to out-of-date doctrines, and begun to seriously tackle their bad habits – from sectarianism, to utopianism, to dogmatism, to authoritarianism – in a coherent and systematic way, through a process of self-criticism and re-evaluation of their methods and even their fundamental principles. Without doing this we risk standing idly by, blinded by our now well-developed cataracts, while the world around us dives head first into catastrophe.
(This aims to be the beginning of an article series for the expression and discussion of new ideas. Contributions are welcome by everybody).
Part 1: Reform vs. Revolution - a false dichotomy: http://birminghamstudentbroadleft.blogspot.com/2011/06/plea-for-new-left-thinking-part-1.html
Part 2: Communicative Rationality and the new party structure:
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