Re: Is REFORM viable?

Dear Paul,

        It is not possible to "prove" anything about future prospects.  I
do not believe that Scandinavia or Cuba or Vietnam or China or Germany
have succeeded in extricating themselves from the capitalist world-economy
or even seriously want to extricate themselves.  As Wallerstein has long
maintained, all countries belong to and are beholden to that
world-economy, no matter what the ideology of their regimes.  In some
countries--such as Norway and Cuba--the gap between rich and poor is
narrower than in others, for quite different reasons, but authentic
democratic socialism has not been achieved by any country in any part of
the century now passing away.  

        Meanwhile, the dynamics of the world capitalist market place,
supported by a system of armed sovereign states committed to the
preservation of that market place, continue to rule the planet, bringing
in their wake environmental spoliation, resource depletion, massive social
and economic injustice, parodies of democracy, and the rape of the global
South by the global North.  These consequences are not coincidental:  they
flow more or less inevitably from the system of social relations of
production now ascendant throughout the world.  You cannot change
carnivorous animals into herbivores, and you cannot reform capitalism.
You can only mitigate some of its harshness, as the New Deal did, and in
so doing, helped to save American capitalism from itself.  But no amount
of such mitigation can, in my judgment, alter the fundamental nature of
the system, which is here to stay until and unless the working people of
the world, no matter what the color of their collars, come together to
replace it, lock, stock, and barrel.

        Is there time for such a process to unfold?  Maybe not.  Is there
an easier, quicker way?  You think so, I don't.  As for the goal in view
being a democratic socialist world commonwealth, of course you don't
agree.  Most liberals and radicals reject such a goal, if they even bother
to give it thought.  The time for consensus on this telos of progressive
action has not yet come.  I believe that in due course it will.  I cannot
prove it, but I see no other way to rescue the planet and redeem
humankind from six millennia of "exploitation of man by man."  Our
problems will not yield to segmental, local, or piecemeal solutions
because they are planet-wide problems of colossal magnitude.

        Warren


On Tue, 19 Dec 2000, Paul Riesz wrote:

> 
> Dear Warren:
> I should like to comment on the following parts of your message to me: 
> 
> "For various reasons, the Scandinavian countries and Cuba (it used to be
> Yugoslavia) may be seen for the moment as happy role models of what
> "reform" can accomplish.  BUT THESE COUNTRIES HAVE VERY UNIQUE HISTORIES
> AND THEIR EXAMPLES ARE NOT REPLICABLE WORLDWIDE", 
> 
> Where is the proof for this allegation? There are many other Capitalist
> countries, that have adopted similar policies in the past and maintain at
> least part of such reforms at present: e.g. Germany with its model of
> SOCIAL MARKET ECONOMY and workers participation in decision-making
> (MITBESTIMMUNG). Even Roosevelt's New Deal was a step in the right direction. 
> From the Socialist camp, Vietnam and China have also adopted market
> mechanisms to improve their economies, while retaining part of their Social
> Services.
> 
> "So what is the alternative I have in mind?  A socialist, liberal,
> democratic, egalitarian global commonwealth, as depicted in Book the Second
> of my SHORT HISTORY OF THE FUTURE". How do we get there?  Through a mix of
> multiple local initiatives and effective global collaboration among
> progressive elements pledged to this overarching goal.  Will it happen
> soon?  No.  Will more suffering and struggle intervene?  Probably much more".
> 
> Whether or not such a Society can be achieved is beside the point (if you
> are interested I am willing to argue against such an outcome); what
> matter's is that WE DO NOT HAVE THE TIME TO WAIT FOR IT. 
> 
> Here is my view of the world's situation during the 21st century:
> The carrying capacity of the planet is at the breaking point; oil and many
> other non-renewable resources shall soon be insufficient to cover the
> present needs of the world's population; even if the excessive consumption
> of the industrialized countries could somehow be reduced. Furthermore
> 2/3rds of that population are very anxious to improve their present,
> miserable lot.
> 
> To address such a plight we need institutions, that have the authority and
> credibility to take the actions needed SOON and have proved their
> efficiency. Both Norway's Prime Minister and Fidel Castro might have a
> chance of succeeding and have the guts to do it, while Clinton, Bush or
> Tony Blair would probably not even try. The Chinese leadership might also
> succeed, but their people have been conditioned for obedience to a degree
> unacceptable in most other societies.
> 
> Regards               Paul Riesz
> 
>