From: "Harald Beyer-Arnesen" <haraldba-AT-online.no>
Subject: Re: AUT: Argentina: Diary of a Revolution
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 02:25:03 +0100



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Hamilton" <s_h_hamilton-AT-yahoo.com>
To: <aut-op-sy-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu>
Sent: 2. februar 2003 12.04
Subject: Re: AUT: Argentina: Diary of a Revolution


"The idea that a strong national bourgeoisie and an
independent 'national capitalism' can be established
in Argentina and provide a material basis for left-wing
reforms is utterly utopian, as the postwar history of the
country shows."

I am curious about you constant return to "an independent
'national capitalism' ". Where on earth does such a thing
exist? No reason to argue with you, but that Argentina's
postwar (II) history uniformly shows "that left-wing
reforms [whatever that preciely is] is utterly utopian" does
not seem to confirm to facts. That is the problem with
theories that tries to impose the map on the terrain. I would
still claim that class forces is involved here, and not merely
iron laws. This promotion of idea that capitalism never
ever can be forced to deliever on anything has done
immenslely harm and have been effective --contrary to what
is claimed -- in facilating its continued dominance. That is
again the unfortunate to see the whole world though the
debates with Bernstein and Co.
        Not that I doubt that capitalism will forever (re)create
misery in new and old forms. But even if I did not so
believe, I would still be utterly opposed to class rule.
        What you also utterly fail to take into account are the
problems that will face, might one say "an independent
'national socalism' " which is not to say that this aware-
ness if lacking among the workers of Argentina.


"... Perhaps this is what Nate and Harald mean when they
talk about 'the concrete experiences' of Argentina. Why, then,
not look at what the mass organisations of Argentinean
workers have been saying now for more than six months?
Why not read the declaration of the second congress,
or the numerous statements of the militant unions, or the
speeches given on the anniversary of the Argentinazo?"

I am trying slowly to catch up. But firstly, a section of the
working class is not the whole -- and your constant reference
to a single factory, or sometimes two, bears out that in an
parodical way, though things have developed.  Secondly as
far as I have seen so far even the particular section you
refer do not claim that a revolutionary situation already exist:
The demands for workers' control, and then primarily in factories the
owners have temporarily or permanentlily closed down, is
precisely  reflection of that. The move of some from the
demand of nationalisation to municipalisation and the linking
of production to immediate needs, is however a positive
sign, if "unmarxist".  What can be discerned in some
of the resolutions is the will to move towards creating the
conditions - a material and social base - that just might
produce a social revolutionary situation. 
        I get the feeling that the most radical sections of the
Argentinian workers are playing this by air, which is not
the worst way to proceed.
        

You seem to think that believing in the illusion that a revolutionary
sitaution already have been created somehow magically
also translates into a more radical practice. It is not so. Even
in the most prosaic daily struggles, oen should always try to
align the means with the longterm ends, moving as far ahead
as one can manage.  I suspect that my critique of the resolutions
you refer to, had I been on the ground in Argentina, might have
been that they are not radical enough, that they do not go far
enough.  But then, that is maybe all that it possible to get
support for now. What has been accomplished is still quite
impressive. 
         


"A word about vanguardism and revolutionary situations:
the CWG/Workers Democracy articles I have posted do
not argue that a revolutionary situation must have as a
prerequisite the existence of a mass revolutionary
organisation."

Apart from the Trotskyist-Lenist orthodoxy, I was referring
to the following. posted by you to this list on January.23: 

-----

"This comes from the new issue of Class Struggle, paper
of the Communist Workers Group of NZ...
SH

[ ... ]

"... The class struggle wing is now drawing these lessons
and embarking on that road and building united fronts
across the country. But that will not be sufficient. There
needs to be a revolutionary party and program to lead
the way forward. 

"The Revolutionary Party

"The single crucial factor that will make the
difference in which direction Argentina goes is the
existence a revolutionary party ..."

------

Harald




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