IRSN: May Day Statement
1 May 2009
International Workers' Day is especially significant this year for the comrades of the International Republican Socialist Network, as we look out both over the shattered dreams of the capitalist class and the relative quiet of the working class of the world. The IRSN was established four years ago, to promote a republican socialist analysis within those arenas where an unresolved national liberation struggle combined with conditions of mature capitalist development that placed socialism on the immediate agenda of the working class and to aid in facilitating cooperation amongst republican socialist organizations and individuals throughout the globe. At that time, the Irish working class had suffered the surrender of the national liberation struggle represented by the Good Friday Agreement, the Basque working class was confronted by a unilateral cease-fire by the national liberation forces, and most of the other struggles we sought to address were reeling under the combined!
onslaught of state repression and capitalist triumphalism.
Today, the international system of capitalism lies in disarray; exposed as incapable of its many boasts, but especially of its ability to provide stability, broad distribution of wealth, and continued growth. As would be expected, this most recent crisis of capital has emboldened the working class in their willingness to criticize the capitalist system; but working people have not demonstrated that their illusions in the ability of capitalism to meet their needs has been profoundly impacted. Had the working class genuinely recognized the failings of capitalism, we would not expect them to rely on established institutions of the state and economy to safeguard their well-being, but rather to be compelled into action by the fears naturally associated with a loss of faith. While many on the Left would spring forward to provide justification for such halting behavior, we will not.
Now is not the time for encouraging lethargy or cowardice within our class; the capitalist system has not been in such a weakened position on a global scale for over 65 years and failure to overturn the capitalist system at that time has resulted in a cost of millions of working class lives lost or destroyed, the general undermining of working class consciousness, and the ability of the ruling class to develop their capacity to militarily defend their system so far beyond what it had previously achieved that it makes comparison absurd. Those responsible for meeting the collapse of capitalism internationally in the 1930s with tepid reformism, advocacy of tactics that surrendered independent working class organization to various popular front formations, and an array of 'progressive' demands which replaced a clear class orientation must shoulder the blame for this long trek through hell for our class. Those who respond to this current crises with a reiteration of the same mist!
aken tactics should understand that they may be responsible for a further descent into barbarism.
The working class has nothing to gain from the system of capitalism; it has nothing in common with the bourgois class, and its well-being is constantly undermined by the needs of capital. This May Day is not the time for us to convey patience; not the time for us to urge caution. Today we need to state without equivocation that the current system must be destroyed and all of society re-ordered in the interests of our class. We can risk no more of this slide into barbarism--or class represents the salvation of humanity as a whole.
May Day is for the fighters of our class. Let us all become such. We shall no more retreat, we march forward to victory or death.
International Workers' Day is especially significant this year for the comrades of the International Republican Socialist Network, as we look out both over the shattered dreams of the capitalist class and the relative quiet of the working class of the world. The IRSN was established four years ago, to promote a republican socialist analysis within those arenas where an unresolved national liberation struggle combined with conditions of mature capitalist development that placed socialism on the immediate agenda of the working class and to aid in facilitating cooperation amongst republican socialist organizations and individuals throughout the globe. At that time, the Irish working class had suffered the surrender of the national liberation struggle represented by the Good Friday Agreement, the Basque working class was confronted by a unilateral cease-fire by the national liberation forces, and most of the other struggles we sought to address were reeling under the combined!
onslaught of state repression and capitalist triumphalism.
Today, the international system of capitalism lies in disarray; exposed as incapable of its many boasts, but especially of its ability to provide stability, broad distribution of wealth, and continued growth. As would be expected, this most recent crisis of capital has emboldened the working class in their willingness to criticize the capitalist system; but working people have not demonstrated that their illusions in the ability of capitalism to meet their needs has been profoundly impacted. Had the working class genuinely recognized the failings of capitalism, we would not expect them to rely on established institutions of the state and economy to safeguard their well-being, but rather to be compelled into action by the fears naturally associated with a loss of faith. While many on the Left would spring forward to provide justification for such halting behavior, we will not.
Now is not the time for encouraging lethargy or cowardice within our class; the capitalist system has not been in such a weakened position on a global scale for over 65 years and failure to overturn the capitalist system at that time has resulted in a cost of millions of working class lives lost or destroyed, the general undermining of working class consciousness, and the ability of the ruling class to develop their capacity to militarily defend their system so far beyond what it had previously achieved that it makes comparison absurd. Those responsible for meeting the collapse of capitalism internationally in the 1930s with tepid reformism, advocacy of tactics that surrendered independent working class organization to various popular front formations, and an array of 'progressive' demands which replaced a clear class orientation must shoulder the blame for this long trek through hell for our class. Those who respond to this current crises with a reiteration of the same mist!
aken tactics should understand that they may be responsible for a further descent into barbarism.
The working class has nothing to gain from the system of capitalism; it has nothing in common with the bourgois class, and its well-being is constantly undermined by the needs of capital. This May Day is not the time for us to convey patience; not the time for us to urge caution. Today we need to state without equivocation that the current system must be destroyed and all of society re-ordered in the interests of our class. We can risk no more of this slide into barbarism--or class represents the salvation of humanity as a whole.
May Day is for the fighters of our class. Let us all become such. We shall no more retreat, we march forward to victory or death.