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The Crisis of the Left in Contemporary South Africa |
by Dale T. McKinley
Harsh Realities
The ideological, political, organizational, and socioeconomic realities of contemporary South Africa do not paint a flattering picture for the left:* The neoliberal variant of capitalism is not only practically dominant but generally in a phase of ideological triumphalism, despite its recent setbacks;* The state has rapidly become the “public arm” of a slowly deracializing capitalist ruling class (both bureaucratic and corporate). The African National Congress (ANC), which is in political and administrative possession of the state, is under the effective control of this ruling class and is fully committed to serving its interests.
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Things have to change. We have to change things. We have to struggle for working class rule |
July 13, 2009 By Trevor Ngwane
Everyday working class life is a life of pain. It is a life in which no ordinary person is free of oppression and exploitation. If you do not have a job, you are a victim. If you have a job, you are the victim of exploitation and alienation. That is the truth of capitalism. Sometimes individuals can fight and claw their way out of the worst of capitalism. But that leaves everyone else behind to suffer the worst of capitalism. Sometimes a few people can defend themselves against the worst of capitalism. Sometimes, through struggle, there can be victories against capitalism. None of these is ever secure. Each one is threatened the next day. There is no stability, no security, no solidarity. This is not life for human beings. It has to change. It has to be changed. We have to change it. We have to make the future free from all oppression, exploitation and alienation into the reality of everyday life. That is the communist future.
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Rejoinder from Peter Waterman |
Dear Trevor
(I am assuming that you will read or receive this):
I can recognise most of your analysis of the crisis of the South African Left because it corresponds with that of the West European, North American, Russian or Latin American Left.
What I cannot agree with is your strategy alternative, which seems to be: try HARDER to do what the historical Left (Marx, Lenin, Rosa Luxemburg, Trotsky...Mao?) tried to do. Nor can I accept for today the historical discourse: Marxism, Working Class, Organisation, Revolution, Working Class Power, Communism.
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Response from Martin Legassick to Peter Waterman |
revolution WITHIN capitalism
Dear Peter (Waterman)
I have read your recent response to Trevor Ngwane, and have also read your 1998 book on "Globalisation...", of which your recent email is a summary. I must say that I found both your book and your recent response very weak. Though I don't think we have met you once kindly republished a piece of mine on pluralism in your "African social studies" (which you edited jointly with Peter Gutkind).
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Peter Waterman Responds to Martin Legassick |
Brian? Martin? Or both? Or are these one and the same?
No matter. I am flattered by the amount of effort you put into refuting my 'very weak' book and response to Trevor.
I am, however, disappointed that the response amounts to reiteration of Marxist-Leninist verities and references to texts from Lenin, speaking from or on the capitalist periphery, around one century ago.
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