Re: spiral of capitalism and socialism

On Thu, 28 Dec 2000, Richard K. Moore wrote:

> 
> 12/28/2000, Richard N Hutchinson wrote:
>     > 1) democratic socialist revolutions in the semiperiphery,
>          combined with
>     2) the incipient emergence of a world state, formed by the
>        capitalists, and
>     3) the development of a strong social democratic EC at the
>        center of that new world state,
>       
> 
> Dear Richard,
> 
> We have (2) already.  The suppression of (1) has been an
> ongoing capitalist project for many decades.  The prevention
> of (3) is the purpose of the Maastricht Treaty, the
> expansion of the EU to the east, and other measures. 
> Unfortunately, the regime is savvy to this strategy and has
> been actively countering it for some time.
> 
> We need to look deeper for a strategy, or at least we need
> to add essential new flesh to the above skeleton.
> 
> rkm
> 
> 
> 
RKM-

Of course what Boswell & Chase-Dunn have outlined (and someone correct me
if I have inaccurately summarized them) is very schematic and requires all
the particulars that come with on-the-ground praxis.

But its great strength is that it indicates a concrete goal, and is based
on a thorough historical and structural analysis.

As for the particulars, I don't think we have yet arrived at the incipient
capitalist world state (2) -- popular resistance, but more importantly
intra-capitalist rivalry has impeded its establishment to date, despite
impressive progress.  And as for (1) and (3), just because the ruling
elites are aware of the threats and actively working to defeat them
doesn't mean they'll succeed.

My problems with your "Guidebook" material are, in short,

A) it doesn't add anything in terms of strategy -- of course all the
groups need to come together as best they can and network and strategize,

and

B) it isn't solidly based on historical materialist analysis, as is "The
Spiral of Capitalism and Socialism," but more superficially on the latest
headlines.

Of course to the extent that it informs and/or inspires people to
progressive action, then right on.

RH