self-reliance

Two decades ago,  "self-reliance" was "in"; today one doesn't
hear much of it. Was it just a fashion? Self-reliance, in the generic sense
of "relying on oneself" (individually or collectively), seems like a
perennial idea. So, why is it out of favour? I think it has
to do with the earlier interpretation of "self-reliance" as "autarky" or
"de-linking" (from the capitalist world system). The underlying utopia was
to build a better "city of man" **outside** the capitalist world system. But
"self-reliance" and "de-linking" are two different ideas. "Self-reliance"
can also be "self-reliance within the system" -- i.e., relying on one's
collective strength within the system. Labour unions have practiced this
kind of self-reliance for a long time. Anti-MAI groups do likewise.  Recent
 talk about "resistance" implies the same idea of self-reliance
within the system.

Self-reliance within the system is more subtle than "de-linking".
For example, a Third World country may pay lip service to neoliberlism in
order
to escape the wrath of the IMF, but may "do its own thing" in the sense of
**self-reliance within**  the world system. For example, Malaysia's exchange
rate controls. Or China, playing cat-and-mouse games with global
corporations. Russia appears to be developing a new sense of self-reliance
within the world-system (present global formation). Japan has subtle ways
of saying "yes" to American proposals which it cannot refuse. For
medium-sized
ex-Communist European countries, self-reliance within the world-system
means, at the present time, trying to become part of the rich boys' clubs
(OECD, NATO) -- it seems to be dictated by their material interests.

Another interesting example of "self-reliance within" comes from the
feminist movement. Apart from the Lesbian option (de-linking from male
chauvinists in bed), there is feminist self-reliance within the existing
system.
As a matter of fact, in countries like Canada, this strategy of women's
collective self-reliance-within-the-system has had noticeable legal,
political, social
and economic successes. (I am not saying "complete success".)

Some commentators may want to curse "self-reliance within the system"
 as "social-democratism". But let's face it, when you observe reality,
that's where the action is right now -- in the building of self-reliance of
underdog classes or underdog countries within the global formation.

gk