One thing which does come out of this mess which even the most naïve person should be able to see is this system is unstable, unsafe, and dangerous to all our existences. Trump has imposed a 20% tariff on European Union (EU) goods and a 10% import tax on goods entering the US from the United Kingdom (UK), which includes the six counties, compounding the issue for the island of Ireland.
Some UK Ministers have claimed ‘Demented Don’ has been kind to them, as a master would be to their dog patting the dog's head, because of the friendly meeting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had with the President some weeks back. Others claim Trump has only levied the UK for 10% because he got his wish over the UK leaving the EU! Both these silly assertions are wrong because Trump has only one thing on his mind when it comes to the EU and that is get rid of it. As for his meeting with Starmer he has probably forgotten all about it. It must be music to his ears watching the EU countries pretending to be solid in their opposition to his tariffs while at the same time each member state is working out what is best for itself.
Could the 26-County’s leave the EU over this issue if the deal forged by the trading bloc proves detrimental to its national welfare, that being the national interests of the native bourgeoisie? Quite possible and Dublin may not be alone as country by country foolishly dance to Trumps tune! Millions upon millions of people’s jobs are dependent on what happens next as the representatives of global capitalism play economic chess with all our livelihoods and those of our children and grandchildren! Germany and France, despite the solid front they are showing in public, have differences behind the scenes and these cracks will appear as time passes. These two are the EUs major economies and if they fall out it invariably leads to war if history is to be a gauge. Will various national interests take preference over those of the bloc as a whole? Will the various countries bourgeoisie put their nations, and they are their nations, not ours in the working-class, over the interests of the EU as a bloc?
China received 54% tariffs on her goods by Trump and he is threatening to impose another 50% on the country if China retaliates. Trump does not like the Chinese domestic policies, often called ‘socialism with Chinese characteristic’s’ and the country aims to build a ‘socialist market economy’ if that makes any sense. It certainly has little if anything to do with the teachings of Karl Marx or, for that matter, Chairman Mao. However, Trump does not like this model and as he is a psychotic narcissist and considers himself the ruler of the world, he will do everything from the outside to force a change of political direction in Beijing. He does not like the various welfare states which EU countries afford their citizens as do the UK so he demands more money to be spent on arms thus reducing the amount available for social welfare!
China received 54% tariffs on her goods by Trump and he is threatening to impose another 50% on the country if China retaliates. Trump does not like the Chinese domestic policies, often called ‘socialism with Chinese characteristic’s’ and the country aims to build a ‘socialist market economy’ if that makes any sense. It certainly has little if anything to do with the teachings of Karl Marx or, for that matter, Chairman Mao. However, Trump does not like this model and as he is a psychotic narcissist and considers himself the ruler of the world, he will do everything from the outside to force a change of political direction in Beijing. He does not like the various welfare states which EU countries afford their citizens as do the UK so he demands more money to be spent on arms thus reducing the amount available for social welfare!
The US President could in his pursuit of changing country's internal policies line up with Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, offering to lean greatly his way in any negotiations with Ukraine. In return Putin would not back China in any future conflict and would support Trump in any conflict with the EU! This is only one avenue which Trump could take which was suggested earlier by Anthony and a view I concur with. The EU must not allow itself to be pulled apart while Trump sits back laughing his balls off. The UK are still self-deluding themselves they have a “special relationship” with the US which they have not perhaps since the 1960s and possibly before,. 1956, it could be argued is when this ‘relationship’ faltered over Suez.
“Capitalism is not virtuous, it is not caring, it is not stable and it does not deliver the goods”: these were the words of John Maynard Keynes a liberal economist and a far cry from Marxism in his critique of the capitalist system. Keynesian economic policies were, to a large extent, practiced by the Labour government after their landslide election victory of 1945. The object of Keynesianism was when a country was experiencing a boom in the economy the government would take some money out to cool things down a little, prevent overheating, and when the country experienced an economic down-turn they would put money back in to prop things up. This idea was designed to alleviate the uncertainties of capitalism without upsetting the bourgeoisie. The fact that the Atlee Government felt fit to use Keynesian policies shows a recognition that the capitalist system is unstable and insecure. Keynesian economics did stabilise the capitalist ship, to a point, as unemployment in the 1950s and 60s Britain was virtually non-existent. The US did not like these policies either and were glad when Winston Churchill was returned to power in 1951. Unfortunately for the US Churchill and the Conservative and Unionist party did little if anything to turn the previous administration's policies around. The post-war political consensus in Britain was born and the US, particularly under President Truman, hated it. Hate it they might but nothing compared to Trump's detestation of anything remotely socialistic.
As the representatives of EU and UK capitalism talk about doing a “deal” with President Trump - and that is assuming the US want to do a “deal,” - the question of history must be asked. Back in the 1930s British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, travelled to Nazi Germany to meet Hitler. He travelled in good faith and nobody can deny that, but appeasement was not the way to deal with the leader of the Third Reich. He came back in 1939 waving a ‘piece of paper’ which was supposed to guarantee, according to him; “peace in our time”. Trump, or perhaps more to the point, the policies enacted by him, are not yet fascist let alone Nazi but they are creeping in that direction as right-wing legislation appears to pass unopposed. How long before Trump decides he is strong enough to ban the Democratic Party and declare the US a one-party state? How long will European capitalism allow their political representatives to lead the assault on Trump before they decide to take over themselves, cashing in their fascist insurance chip? These are unstable times particularly for the working-class of the EU and UK and, if they could see it, the USA.
It is labour which creates all wealth and not, as in recent decades we have been told, business. All three of the main classical economists, Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and Karl Marx each cited labour as the wealth creator. Marx summed it up as a commodity which the proletariat sell for a monetary wage; “labour power”. This applies today as then though the face of work and creating wealth has changed since the days of Marx but principally it remains the same. So, where are the Marxist revolutionaries in the 32 Counties? When will the working-class find their feet and overthrow this system which causes them so much distress and insecurity? Overthrowing this rotten system is the only way security can be guaranteed on earth for us and future generations?
“Capitalism is not virtuous, it is not caring, it is not stable and it does not deliver the goods”: these were the words of John Maynard Keynes a liberal economist and a far cry from Marxism in his critique of the capitalist system. Keynesian economic policies were, to a large extent, practiced by the Labour government after their landslide election victory of 1945. The object of Keynesianism was when a country was experiencing a boom in the economy the government would take some money out to cool things down a little, prevent overheating, and when the country experienced an economic down-turn they would put money back in to prop things up. This idea was designed to alleviate the uncertainties of capitalism without upsetting the bourgeoisie. The fact that the Atlee Government felt fit to use Keynesian policies shows a recognition that the capitalist system is unstable and insecure. Keynesian economics did stabilise the capitalist ship, to a point, as unemployment in the 1950s and 60s Britain was virtually non-existent. The US did not like these policies either and were glad when Winston Churchill was returned to power in 1951. Unfortunately for the US Churchill and the Conservative and Unionist party did little if anything to turn the previous administration's policies around. The post-war political consensus in Britain was born and the US, particularly under President Truman, hated it. Hate it they might but nothing compared to Trump's detestation of anything remotely socialistic.
As the representatives of EU and UK capitalism talk about doing a “deal” with President Trump - and that is assuming the US want to do a “deal,” - the question of history must be asked. Back in the 1930s British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, travelled to Nazi Germany to meet Hitler. He travelled in good faith and nobody can deny that, but appeasement was not the way to deal with the leader of the Third Reich. He came back in 1939 waving a ‘piece of paper’ which was supposed to guarantee, according to him; “peace in our time”. Trump, or perhaps more to the point, the policies enacted by him, are not yet fascist let alone Nazi but they are creeping in that direction as right-wing legislation appears to pass unopposed. How long before Trump decides he is strong enough to ban the Democratic Party and declare the US a one-party state? How long will European capitalism allow their political representatives to lead the assault on Trump before they decide to take over themselves, cashing in their fascist insurance chip? These are unstable times particularly for the working-class of the EU and UK and, if they could see it, the USA.
It is labour which creates all wealth and not, as in recent decades we have been told, business. All three of the main classical economists, Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and Karl Marx each cited labour as the wealth creator. Marx summed it up as a commodity which the proletariat sell for a monetary wage; “labour power”. This applies today as then though the face of work and creating wealth has changed since the days of Marx but principally it remains the same. So, where are the Marxist revolutionaries in the 32 Counties? When will the working-class find their feet and overthrow this system which causes them so much distress and insecurity? Overthrowing this rotten system is the only way security can be guaranteed on earth for us and future generations?
Maybe it is time to stop marching behind banners depicting the busts of Larkin and Connolly, the SWPs of this world, or those busts of Marx, Engels, Connolly and Lenin and put ideology into practice. These revolutionary parties in Ireland (as a whole unit) should be involved in the trade unions, local authorities and should have been preparing for a dangerous capitalist discrepancy which is now upon us. Have they fulfilled this task? Not a chance! It is the far-right who appear organised. Thankfully, they do not possess a political brain cell between them, for now!
It is the ‘historical destiny’ of the working-class to secure its own future and seize power. Now is, or should be, the time to do this! Are any of the present so-called revolutionary political parties ready? No, they are not in fact many of these could be a liability in giving a lead. The working-class should go it alone forming workers revolutionary councils at the point of production and within the trade unions out of which a revolutionary socialist party may evolve. This must happen in more than one country which is why I have supported membership of the EU when many others campaigned to leave. All revolutionary socialist groups across the EU should have been communicating with each other, preparing a blueprint for a plan of action in the event of a situation like this arising. Have they done this? Have they fuck! The free-market economy should be replaced with a command or planned economy, an end of production for profit and a not-for-profit system of production must be enacted by the revolutionary socialist councils. An end to the emphasis on ‘private property’ and public ownership of all property to replace this emphasis. One Special Branch man in Britain many years ago who had issues with myself took me into custody. He described the revolutionary socialist groups as; “about as dangerous as a pond full of ducks” referring to the SWP, WRP and CPGB which I mentally agreed with him. He did exempt one group from this description but that was then and now is now, I doubt the same exemption would apply today nearly forty years on!
So what could Donald Trump’s next move be? He has slammed a 54% tariff on Chinese goods and has threatened another 50% on top if China retaliates. It is likely the eastern giant will take retaliatory action against these huge tariffs imposed by the US but where could this lead? Remember V.I. Lenin’s prophesy about the thieves falling out! Capitalism is based on legalised robbery and what could happen when “the thieves fall out”? Could this trade war which barmy Donald is waging on the rest of the world, particularly China, turn into a real war? China is a nuclear power with about 600 warheads, a number dwarfed by the arsenal of the USA but once over 100 nuclear warheads the relevance of the remainder decreases. If these two giants were to go head-to-head it is likely Britain would jump in, ignoring the needs of its peoples, on the side of the USA and, in all probability, Russia, the world’s largest nuclear power with the most warheads, would back China thus making-up for China's smaller numbers, that is unless Trump gets to Putin first with an alternative offer as mentioned above.
So what could Donald Trump’s next move be? He has slammed a 54% tariff on Chinese goods and has threatened another 50% on top if China retaliates. It is likely the eastern giant will take retaliatory action against these huge tariffs imposed by the US but where could this lead? Remember V.I. Lenin’s prophesy about the thieves falling out! Capitalism is based on legalised robbery and what could happen when “the thieves fall out”? Could this trade war which barmy Donald is waging on the rest of the world, particularly China, turn into a real war? China is a nuclear power with about 600 warheads, a number dwarfed by the arsenal of the USA but once over 100 nuclear warheads the relevance of the remainder decreases. If these two giants were to go head-to-head it is likely Britain would jump in, ignoring the needs of its peoples, on the side of the USA and, in all probability, Russia, the world’s largest nuclear power with the most warheads, would back China thus making-up for China's smaller numbers, that is unless Trump gets to Putin first with an alternative offer as mentioned above.
Where would, or could, all this end? The worlds bourgeoisie and their governments have nuclear fallout shelters, in Britain there are several shelters one being outside Clapham Common Underground station shaped like a Submarine. The ruling-classes of this planet we live on would be safe for a while but what of the rest of us, the petit bourgeoisie and the proletariat? We, and our children, would bear the brunt of radiation sickness resulting in slow agonising deaths and all because we failed to stop things now! Wars are not nice and apart from wars of national liberation are unnecessary. Capitalists start wars which usually begin with petit arguments leading to all out confrontation. Then millions of workers from different countries are sent out to kill each other on behalf of their own rulers. Working-class people do not start wars, we just fight them like the gladiators of ancient Rome. This time, however, it will in all likelihood be different should it happen. Nuclear war does not really need troops, just somebody mad enough to push the button and start the process resulting in MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction). Could Donald Trump be that man?
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| Caoimhin O’Muraile is Independent Socialist Republican and Marxist. |
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