Statement from Stop the G8 regarding the summit in Fermanagh next year

by Elric Wed Dec 12, 2012 13:58

The Socialist who aids directly or indirectly in perpetuating the privileged position of one nation at the expense of another, who accommodates himself to colonial slavery, who draws a line of distinction between races and colors in the matter of human rights, who helps the bourgeoisie of the metropolis to maintain its rule over the colonies instead of aiding the armed uprising of the colonies; the British Socialist who fails to support by all possible means the uprisings in Ireland, Egypt and India against the London plutocracy – such a Socialist deserves to be branded with infamy, if not with a bullet, but in no case merits either a mandate or the confidence of the proletariat.
Trotsky.

by Elric Wed Dec 12, 2012 13:53

“It is historically impossible today for a great people to discuss earnestly its internal problems as long as it lacks national independence . The Irish and Poles are most internationalist when they are nationalist”
Engels, letter to Kautsky, 7 February 1882.

by An Draighneán Donn - Páirtí Cummanach na Poblachta Wed Dec 12, 2012 11:46

In response to the usual lefty liberal weak willed hand wringing, I would refer readers to Mao Zedong's inspiring text, "The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War," in which he writes:

"Can a Communist, who is an internationalist, at the same time be a patriot? We hold that he not only can be but also must be. The specific content of patriotism is determined by historical conditions....Thus in wars of national liberation patriotism is applied internationalism. "

Full text:
http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/selected-...0.htm

by My name is not important Wed Dec 12, 2012 09:27

" We are stronger together and we are all part of the same anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist struggle."

In the context of Northern Ireland using the phrase "anti-imperialist struggle" and the reference to Ireland (but not the UK) is likely to be read as a pro-republican statement.

Personal cards on the table, I am not involved in Stop G8 and don't even think organising against the summit is a good idea but this is not why I am making this comment. I care about you folks and worry that statements like this which are clearly partisan towards one nationalism endanger you; both physically (if you end up going to N.Ireland) and mentally (if nationalism regains a foothold in the anarchist/activist left).

"Anti-imperialist struggle" has often meant supporting those who aspire to becoming prison guards, politicians and police over those that hold these positions now. In N.Ireland republicans "day" has not "come" but they have won through hard anti-imperialist struggle the right to become part of empire: prison guards, politicians and police.

I would highly recommend, especially to those who signed onto the above Stop G8 statement, the excellent "The Continuing Appeal of Nationalism" by Fredy Perlman.

Available at: http://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/fredy-perlman-th...alism