Date: Sat, 19 Apr 1997 21:49:39 GMT
From: Chris Burford <cburford-AT-gn.apc.org>
Subject: M-TH: Coordinated action and class consciousness


Rob has come in with posts on content and on form.

Re content ("How to spend lunch"), I found this a 
particularly interesting although necessarily 
condensed overview of a number of writers. Where do 
we go from here?

I would say it is essential the left abandons the utopian
vision of perfect harmony as an alternative to late 
capitalism. We must analyse contradictions among the people
as well as contradictions with the enemy. We must try and 
handle the former in a more civilised way. If we do this,
we will be able better to expose how capitalism hides behind
the existence of conflicting democratic interests.

That is necessary for co-ordinated action. As for class self-
recognition, we need to accept that the great majority of the 
workers have been bourgeoisified. We must transcend the "working 
class" "middle class" divide, and the two party divide. 
A way forward has got to conform to the interests of 90% of 
the population. That includes by definition Conservative, 
Republican and National Party supports.

To be concise (IMHO).



Concerning form, yes I am sure the flurry of posts in criticism 
of Brian and Stephen's pugnacious intervention, starting with 
Leo's first objections, were all very understandable, but they
were not clever in totality. We cannot get rid of really
determined people with an invading culture, by mobbing them, because
the heightened confrontation and adrenaline (epinephrin?) buzzes will 
promote a flame war. It should be sufficient if two or three people 
engage the invaders is quiet discussion about the merits of 
their proposals, and the rest strictly moderate themselves not 
to confront, however wittily, as that will only raise the 
adrenaline  level in the debates.


Regards,

Chris Burford.




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