Posted by EDITORS on September 14, 2008 at 14:04:55:
In Reply to: Re: Creeping Cooperativism posted by Scott Wallace on September 13, 2008 at 18:09:49:
Thanks Scott for the reply and please realize my comments were only part of a larger, hopefully continuing dialogue...I understand what you responded to, & we both do agree to that fundamental....that without clarity of goal & purpose &
analysis of the real cause & ultimate structure that prevents us solving problems (capitalism).
So, yes, I do see that if we remain unengaged and aloof from the day by day issues, we do risk losing any credibility, except as arm-chair intellectuals. If we do attempt to become problem-solvers- or become seen as attempting test ourselves in the real world--
it is far better than doing nothing & giving up all
'engagement' to the reformers, or to the violent nihilist, the other side of the reform coin.
The SLP blocked so many opportunities in their ranks,lets not get into that! I think we'd agree, first hand! And your experiences in Brazil might translate perfectly to the US...which I'd like you to comment on briefly..(do you think they do?). So, I have no crystal-ball insight to go on. I think my focus might be different tho. It is, as I see it, to do with wanting energy to be placed into building a political party...but, like building cooperativist ventures, the elements to work on are VERY big & multi-layered. (Reenactment of the Equal Time Amendment, greater ballot access, greater visibility on-line & with like-minded authors, speakers & democratic socialist groups across the US...the list is so large I'm sure you can envision where I am going with them). So, I believe our goal is the same, and while our strategies might differe, that is not necessarily bad...and if I say I don't 'believe' cooperativist ventures will 'work to compete Capitalism out of existence"...I know also that the agitational/educa- tional//motivational practice & exposure it brings is certainly better than the 'opposite'...doing nothing, or leading people into the despair of trusting a reform of capitalism and the profit-system. So, lets talk further. There's enough 'work' to be done by each of us.
What we need is to bring together the truly like-minded to build a unified movement, which involves keeping open the channels of communication, and being clear about what we see as essential to that movement. If we look at all the thousands of websites, books, magazines and groups who at least seem to agree capitalism is a FAILURE, something at some point (economic disaster? sadly, it might take that, altho I hope not)will I believe pull us out of the darkness & invisibility phase history has us in right now. There is so much 'potential strength', but it is divided & inchoate. But we've got to exchange views if we are to come together & work with total focus on real change. We're not there yet, no great 'coming together' is here yet...but I do believe THAT struggle--- to join & form a class-conscious, democratic socialist movement with a well-defined political party seeking office on every level of society--- represents an even more urgent & fundamental than whether we now "agree" on "the best strategy" to change people's thinking about the benefits of cooperation over competition..( AS IMPORTANT AS THAT IS, thru cooper-ativist ventures, internet dialogue, one on one discussions, political engagements with the Greens orothers or some other ways unknown).
Let me 'begin again'...If we agree on the fundamental & first priority-need-- to develop the best "class-conscious, democratic socialist movement strategy"-- that to me is the main thing I care about. Agreeing on this "first step" is to me "prior to particular strategies", and a way we can get past 'dickering about details"....too much an obstacle amongst the countless 'leftist' groups out there but who keep themselves 'private domains"....self-centered fifedoms".....sorry, been there, done that, over that.
So, lets continue, Scott? I apologize if I sounded as if I disrespected your ideas & experiences...I meant my comments only as part of a larger dialogue that I hope can go forward. Please explain more fully about your cooperative endeavors...and lets continue being in touch & possibly connecting any & all groups we can in this 'movement project' by reaching out. Editor