On unity or solidarity, of course differences of opinion happen within any broad movement. However, I think you have to look at this in degrees and context. The reason you are treating people like children is that you think anti Austerity will actually make things worse but yet you say you want to support workers in anti Austerity struggles. I just can’t get my head around that idea. That is not honest debate but treating people with kid gloves. Trust me, if you want to be part of the broader movement tell it like you think it is and start applying the communes bottom up ethos. But when the debate is over and action time arrives we must all follow the will of the majority or sit on the sidelines.

But here also is emerges difference between solidarity and unity. If some workers think there is a chance to force a policy on a government and I think it unlikely I can still stand alongside them and say why I think it and other things are unlikley. This is part and parcel of the tradeunion struggle. Even on picket lines I have been on in the past the argument has continued as to whether it was the correct tactic or not etc. That discussion is not treating others like children to my mind but expressing the complexity of the struggle in developmental way and is largely understood by working people in that way.

Similarly, I advocate some perspectives on the coming struggles on my blog which many others will not agree, but that does not mean we cannot act in solidarity even if we are not unified in our thinking. That process to me is essential for the working class struggle. If workers of different ages, genders, ethnicities, sexulal orientation, religion and abiliites are going to struggle together in defence of whatever, it is more likley to be on the basis of solidarity rather than unity of thinking. And it would be a less creative world if everyone thought the same. Regards, Roy

I said earlier in the thread

“I believe that Austerity is an ideological project implemented by people who cannot see past neo liberalism. Can there be any other reason that New Labour will not contemplate nationalising the utility companies other than because neo liberal ideology is so pervasive among the media, political and ‘intellectual’ class”

So I disagree that Austerity is rooted in the rational, as far as I am concerned it is the irrational wildy striking out when it is in trouble. Irrationalities last stand if you like.

It isn’t that I am against working with you, I am just puzzled what message you plan sending out to workers, is it, we will support your attempts to battle austerity even though we think they will actually make the problem worse – this treats people like they are children!!! I would prefer if you just dropped the tactical and opportunistic anti austerity and actually told it like you saw it. And when you do that it would be clear that a unified left is not really possible (unless the minority accepted the will of the majority) and our positions could not be formed into a united message. That doesn’t mean we don’t have the same final goals of course.

As for the lack of working class mobilisation 100,000 were mobilised by the trade unions last weekend. I think those people should be taken seriously and I think unions should be engaged with, not told they are part of the problem. (I speak as a UNISON rep so maybe I am biased).

This article is about the left being disunited & not offering a real alternative to capitalism.

We (Barry, Roy & myself) disagree with your analysis of the crisis but we have said that we are for the workers in their struggle to resist austerity. Our analysis doesn’t say that austerity will resolve the crisis. To restore the rate of profit huge amounts of capital have to be depreciated, i.e. there need to be a big recession, even depression. But as we said we can disagree on the nature of the crisis & work together in the struggle against the common enemy. Working together to resist austerity, wage cuts, poor working conditions etc.

By disagreeing with one point (the nature of the crisis), as important as it is, you don’t appear to want to work with us in a comradely way. You become an example of the point being made about a disunited left, attacking each other.

Please accept the difference of analysis within the larger picture of the common fight against capitalism & the need to offer a real alternative.

Regards.

“From my studies I have also reached the conclusion that Keynesian economic theory and practice will not assist solving the problem facing the working class,either in the short-term or the long”

Then what does opposing Austerity actually mean to you?

I disagree that in the short term Keynesian policies would have no affect, I think workers would be better off with some left Keynesian policies than the neo liberal austerity we are currently suffering. That does not make me a Keynesian by the way!

I think it OK to disagree with an analysis of a fundamental and structural crisis who is correct on this question will be born out by the unfolding reality. However, I don’t think it OK to distort the position those who disagree with you. In the second part of the following sentence of yours;

“Your argument concedes that within capitalism Austerity is the rational approach, short of the complete overthrow of capitalist social relations you actually agree with the Condems”

To make such a link and say we agree with the Condems is a complete distortion of my position and I am sure also of duvinrouge.

Short of a revolutionary transformation of the capitalist mode of production we have advocated the utmost solidarity in opposing austerity. Read any of my articles at http://www.critical-mass.net and this will be obvious. Indeed, duvinrouge in a comment above advocated;

“supporting the workers in their struggle against the capitalist system is common ground.

This means fighting austerity. Fighting the cuts in public services, the job losses & wage cuts.”

Why have you made such a false assertion?

Roy

Your argument concedes that within capitalism Austerity is the rational approach, short of the complete overthrow of capitalist social relations you actually agree with the Condems, in order to save capitalism, the workers must pay.

If we could bring socialism to life with a click of our fingers your arguments wouldn’t be so worrying.