Note the anti-war/peace demonstration this weekend (March 18th) at the White House, with some associated protests elsewhere in the country, on the 20th anniversary of the US and UK's unprovoked war of aggression against Iraq in 2003. The invasion followed years of sanctions aimed at the Iraqi population, including sanctions on products needed for civilian infrastructure, sanitation, healthcare, and education, resulting in the death of something like a million people, many of them children, and the war and occupation had a similar death toll. Something similar is happening today with the sanctions and economic warfare against countries such as Venezuela, Syria, Cuba, and DPR Korea. The governments and mainstream media in NATO countries loudly accuse Russia of egregious criminal behavior in Ukraine – in many cases for allegedly doing exactly the same things the US and UK got away with in Iraq and their other wars. The elites call for and act like they actually expect a coup in Russia that would hand Putin over to a pro-NATO international court. Being an American warmonger made Biden vice president and then president, while George W Bush, the Cheneys, and co. got to be part of the "Resistance" against alternative warmonger Trump, who was faulted for being insufficiently pro-war in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, and Korea. The media was very loud about February 24th and Russia, and I wonder what if anything they will say about the invasion of Iraq; the BBC already had a story about Tony Blair's roll.
www.answercoalition.org/protest_march_18_19_peace_in_ukraine_say_no_to_endless_u_s_wars
I don't know of any charter buses going to DC from here this weekend, but the NC Green Party is organizing carpools. There might be a separate anti-war protest in central North Carolina later this month, TBA, and maybe there are still some anti-war vigils. The one in Chapel Hill would be something like 5–6pm Friday at Village Plaza, at the corner of East Franklin and Elliot, and it only takes one person to make a vigil.
The articles are slightly edited.
Scintilla, n. 132, March 2023
organized by the Communist Platform – for the Communist Party of the Proletarian of Italy
Political Tendencies of US Imperialism
That the US, from the Trump administration to the Biden administration, has tried and is still trying to scale back or recalibrate globalization is a fact. The explicit reason is given by the attempt to maintain its world hegemony (based on economic-financial, technological, military and media dominance), today questioned by the rise of Chinese imperialism whose development process has accelerated in recent decades to make it the world’s second largest economy.
US hegemony is shaken mainly by internal factors (economic crises, falling rates of profit, excessive debt, etc.), but also by external factors. The law of uneven development and the exacerbation of the imperialist system's own contradictions – which manifest themselves in the form of trade wars and the penetration of other powers into the world market – weaken it.
US imperialism is in a prolonged process of decline in confrontation with its rivals. Its weight in world production and trade is falling. However, the strength of US monopolies is still considerable (among the top 100 in the world by turnover 35 are from the US, 18 are Chinese); the dollar, although weakened, continues to be an international medium of exchange and the world's reserve currency; the US military apparatus is by far the most powerful in the world.
US imperialism has not lost its ability to build and expand political-military alliances with other imperialist countries, Western and Eastern, in order to contain and fight its main rivals, primarily imperialist China (which has no strategic allies).
The hegemony and economic, political and military control by the United States continues to rest on these pillars; it is the most aggressive, warmongering and dangerous imperialism on the planet. With these assumptions, the Biden administration is playing its cards in the struggle for a new economic and territorial division of the world among the main imperialist countries, with their zones of influence.
It must do so before China becomes too powerful to be stopped.
With the expansion of NATO to the east, the Maidan coup and its support for the puppet Zelensky to deploy long-range missiles on Ukrainian territory, insisting on the "Russian invasion", it did everything possible so that Russian imperialism, its immediate rival and friend of China, would start the ongoing war in Ukraine, with an outcome that is not currently a foregone conclusion.
Now the Biden administration is weighing the strategic steps of escalation to keep the war going for as long as possible, including nuclear conflict. With this line of conduct it is pursuing another, no less important objective: to weaken and keep divided the main countries of the EU and to delay the process of their political-military unification, which means progress in the formation of a new, potentially rival imperialist bloc.
Another game which US imperialism is playing is the question of maintaining technological primacy (closely connected with military primacy and the development of its strategy). The game essentially concerns the production and use of chips, i.e. memory and logic circuit chips, increasingly miniaturized, and therefore increasingly powerful, used in computers, smartphones, and modern industrial and domestic technology in general.
In August last year, the US passed the US Chips and Science Act for $280 billion to invest in research, pursue re-shoring and nearshoring. In practice, the act subsidizes companies that invest in the production of chips in the US or that in any case undertake not to supply China with the latest generation chips, measured by the density of memories in terms of nanometers, in an increasing the race up to the size of a few molecular layers (a nanometer, equal to one billionth of a meter – is the order of magnitude of atomic and molecular dimensions).
With a monopoly on these technologies, the Pentagon plans to build supercomputers that are thought to be able to handle an atomic attack and intercept the enemy's reaction, stopping it or limiting its damage.
The main multinationals in this sector (including the US Intel) operate in South Korea (alongside Samsung), Taiwan and China. The measure in question, which provides only one year for the use of US cars, is putting sticks in the works in those countries for such an important business. Significantly, in 2022 Samsung, Micron, Intel and others, as well as computer and smartphone manufacturers, have seen substantial revenue reductions of the order of two percentage points (of course also for other reasons such as closures due to Covid and hyperinflation). In order to consider the upheaval caused by the Act, it must also be borne in mind that some high-tech machines for the production of chips are from Japan, Belgium and Holland.
In the same month, the US also passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to support electrical and digital restructuring. In practice, this means direct and indirect subsidies for the production of electric cars, batteries, power columns and other products produced in the USA or in countries that the USA unilaterally considers trusted allies or vassals (such as Italy). The total amount is almost 700 billion. A colossal figure also open to non-US multinationals, which has made some European chancelleries jump for the possible process of deindustrialization in the EU that is thus being provoked.
We also note that protectionist positions have long since taken the WTO out of play, which certainly cannot sanction a country the size of the US.
This action of US imperialism (protectionism, war in Ukraine, disruption of the EU, upheaval in supply chains in their favor) is contributing – together with other factors, such as the rise in real interest rates, the consequences of the pandemic (China has recently reopened), climate upheaval, but also to endogenous causes such as overproduction and falling rates of profit– to the slowdown of the world economy (see Scintilla of February 2023).
In this context, different political tendencies have formed or are being formed in the USA (as well as in the EU).
Not yet directly antagonistic parties, but certainly disputes between currents that make up a contradictory unity in movement, depending on the degrees of different positions that confront each other on globalization and the continuation of the war in Ukraine.
If in the USA the war-like tendency has prevailed so far, there is also a tendency more attentive to economic reasons, which opposes military escalation and a total decoupling from the globalization that has developed over the last three decades. This trend considers that the USA can hardly stop a massive and long-standing phenomenon without compromising the business of a large part of their corporations in a short time and without damage. And, you know, for the Anglo-Americans the saying business is business applies. This "economic" trend calls for a different approach to the world economy, which certainly takes due account of the preservation of US primacy, but without compromising the stability of the imperialist system and the growth of the world economy itself.
A sort of revision of unbridled neoliberalism, in which the imperialist system is managed while paying attention to growing global risks (including climate and health risks), to the prevention of another economic crisis, to the security of supply chains, with a resumption of 'regulated' cooperation and multilateralism (with allies) supported by Yankee economic muscles. Secondly, it calls for less involvement in military campaigns abroad and a compromise to end the conflict with Russia on the basis of the status quo on the battlefield. In short, a strategy different from that of global chaos to defend US hegemony.
The different political tendencies of the imperialist bourgeoisie – as far as the USA is concerned, which cannot be strictly traced back to the difference between Democrats and Republicans, being of a transversal type – must be analyzed and understood in the light of the Marxist-Leninist theory of the final stage of capitalism. In reality, there are no good and bad imperialisms, just as there are no good and bad political tendencies of the imperialist bourgeoisie because, in one way or another, they represent the interests of financial monopoly capital.
By its nature, imperialism breeds exploitation, oppression and war; It is "reaction across the board" and cannot be reformed for the benefit of the proletariat. All the political tendencies of imperialism are reactionary, anti-worker and anti-communist.
The struggle of the working class and the peoples for social and national emancipation must be guided by a policy of complete class independence: this is a condition for the full realization of the strategic objectives of the proletarian revolution.
This implies putting the defense of the interests of the working class and oppressed peoples at the centre, and targeting the bourgeoisie and imperialist rule in order to ensure the victory of socialism.
Class independence does not negate, on the contrary, it presupposes the possibility and necessity of taking advantage of the inter-bourgeois contradictions that manifest themselves in the concrete historical conditions of a given country.
In the same way, a policy of class independence of the proletariat presupposes the need to exploit the inter-imperialist contradictions, to weaken the domination of the power identified as the most dangerous, to open up spaces and to strengthen the front of the workers' and popular forces.
Taking advantage of these contradictions in no way implies fighting one imperialism so that another can take its place, or supporting one imperialist political tendency to counter another, equally imperialist one. It is the revolutionary struggle of the proletariat and the struggle for the liberation of the peoples that must be supported and upheld, so that they may progress constantly!
Of course, in order to develop this independent class politics, it is necessary to have the tool that embodies the independence of the proletariat from the bourgeoisie on all levels: the Communist Party.
Scintilla, n. 132, March 2023
organized by the Communist Platform – for the Communist Party of the Proletarian of Italy
Strong protests by workers in Tunisia
In Tunisia, as the Workers' Party has long denounced, a right-wing populist regime has held power through its representative, Kais Saied, which has monopolized all powers since the coup of July 25, 2021 and intends to autocratically establish its "New Republic". Kais Said used his position in the presidency to overthrow from power the wing of the establishment formed by the Islamist movement Ennahda and its allies, and gradually proceed to implement his project: to eliminate representative democracy in the name of "true democracy," which is no different from the democracy of fascist theorists.
According to populist logic, what Kais Saied wants is what the people want, and what the people want is what Kais Saied expresses because he is the only one who understands what the people want.
Accordingly, he rules by decree.
Kais Saied is a real danger that is advancing in the realization of his project of bourgeois dictatorship, with decisions that eliminate the democratic freedoms and collective and personal rights won through the political revolution of 2011.
This while an economic crisis that affects the poorest sections of the population, young people, and women, continues and worsens.
The main target of Kais Saied today is the workers' trade unions.
With the silence of the media, an unprecedented attack on trade union freedoms and rights is developing in Tunisia.
During February, many trade unionists were arrested or placed under surveillance by the police simply because they were exercising their fundamental rights of union action, including the promotion and participation in mass initiatives and strikes.
The attacks culminated in the arrest of Anis Al-Kaabi, leader of the roadway union belonging to the General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT, which has about one million members), accused of having "caused financial damage" to the roadway company.
The arrest came after a speech delivered by Saied at the Tunisian National Guard barracks in which he threatened those who wanted to block roads. Kais Saied later arrested political opponents and independent media journalists as "terrorists" who wanted to stoke social tensions. A real repressive campaign is underway orchestrated by the Kais Saied regime aimed at eliminating the right to strike and expression in order to crush the resistance of the workers' and popular movement to the policies it is carrying out, policies that place the economic and social crisis on the shoulders of workers.
Despite the repression, strikes and protests are continuing: workers have taken to the streets in several cities of Tunisia against the growing authoritarianism of the populist regime, against the worsening economic situation and the lack of basic necessities, which is taking place while Kais Saied is preparing a plan of "tears and blood" together with the IMF.
We condemn the anti-popular and repressive policy of the Kais Saied regime and express solidarity with the Tunisian workers and trade union representatives affected.
We are sure that the workers and people of Tunisia, who are suffering from the crisis and repression, will rise up again in the struggle, to win their future of freedom, independence and social justice.
Scintilla, n. 132, March 2023
organized by the Communist Platform – for the Communist Party of the Proletarian of Italy
The earthquake in Turkey-Syria and capitalism
Here is what have we seen after the terrible earthquake that struck ten provinces in south-eastern Turkey and the northern regions of Syria on February 6, killing more than 53,000 people and destroying tens of thousands of buildings?
We have seen earthquake areas without means of rescue days after the earthquake, the population completely abandoned to their fate.
We have seen that the most affected neighborhoods have been those where poor people live, in houses without any anti-seismic measures.
We have seen that the autocratic administration led by Erdogan not only did nothing to prepare for the earthquake, but tried to use it to strengthen its power. We have seen that the Turkish government has declared a three-month state of emergency, using the earthquake as an excuse, but with the aim of targeting Erdogan's opponents, certainly not the needs of the population.
We have seen the repression of the voices of people, volunteers and journalists protesting against the government for lack of aid, asking "where is the state?"
We have seen that Erdogan's government has centralized the delivery of aid, without allowing anyone to help outside its control, even closing down streets.
We have seen the relief and aid distributed with logic dictated by geopolitical interests, especially in Syria, a country devastated by the war created by imperialist brigands.
We have seen that the first crucial hours for saving those trapped under the rubble have been wasted.
Where were the construction machines that did not reach cities full of rubble for long days? Thousands of excavators, bulldozers, cranes, etc. were kept on construction sites and private ports, in industrial zones and in the warehouses of building monopolies. Planes, ships, trucks, means of transport, which in the event of an earthquake are of vital importance, have been kept stationary because of the law of profit.
The result? In the earthquake cars and services went to those who had money, while those who did not were left to death and misery. Why? Simply because it made no sense for the bourgeoisie to bring machinery and means of transport to unprofitable places.
Thus, while the rich earthquake victims rented construction equipment from other provinces, millions of people in poverty could not even remove their dead from under the rubble.
But there is another aspect that should make us reflect, as explained by the comrades of the Party of Labor (EMEP) of Turkey. Who produces the tents, containers, prefabricated houses, radiators needed by earthquake victims, sanitary equipment? Workers.
Who produces the baby food, diapers, hygienic material, canned food, meat and dairy products? Workers, laborers and poor peasants.
And who are the hundreds of thousands of people who died under the rubble, who were buried alive in the ground, who trembled for days outdoors in the cold and rain, who needed a bowl of soup, clean clothes, toilets and showers? Again workers, laborers and poor peasants.
While shares in real estate, pharmaceuticals, equipment food, etc. companies traded on the stock exchange, millions of people were denied even a meal and a tent. All these vital products have not been sufficiently supplied because they are not the collective property of millions of workers and laborers who are the main productive force of society. This is because we live in a capitalist system, based on the exploitation of workers, the plundering of peoples, bourgeois private property.
The present social order enriches the capitalists and the rich not only in times of peace, but also in times of war, earthquake and calamity. This is the greatest disaster for humanity.
In turn, the earthquake is an event that makes clear the need for the transition to a new and higher social order, which is called socialism, the first stage of communism. We reiterate this while the peoples of Turkey and Syria continue to need solidarity and international aid. Piattaforma Comunista and the editorial staff of Scintilla, adhering to the international campaign promoted by the ICMLPO, invite people to express concrete and generous solidarity with the populations affected by the earthquake and the reactionary policy of the Erdogan regime through sending economic contributions.
Donations can be sent to the postal current account 001004989958 in the name of Scintilla Onlus, writing as the reason for payment "For Earthquake Victims". We will collect and transfer the proceeds to Turkish and Kurdish comrades engaged in solidarity activities in the area affected by the earthquake.
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