[Marxism] The absence of real forces [was: The low point]

[Sayan Bhattacharyya]

On 8/1/07, Joaquin Bustelo <jbustelo at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> We need to grapple with some pretty serious issues.

I think Joaquin's message is an extremely important and cogent one. I
would be eager to see some responses to this.

It occurs to me that one prescription that might follow from the
message is to "give up" on the working class in the USA and in other
imperialist countries. I am not sure I agree with that.

My main criticism of Joaquin's message would be this: While it is true
that the living standards of the US (and other imperilaist countries')
working class is increasing, the important point here is that *the
rate of increase* has slowed down, both with respect to previous eras
and with respect to the rate of increase of the bourgeoisie.

Thus, while the US working class is not suffering absolute
impoverishment, it is suffering impoverishment in relative terms.

This is why demands for socialization of medicine is coming, even from
the unions

Another important point is deepening awareness about the environmental
adversity being caused by capitalism. Again, workers may understand
that, among all the classes in the USA, they are likely to be impacted
most severely by this, because, relatively speaking, they are becoming
more impoverished compared to the US bourgeoisie.

These things can all provide socialists with  potential openings to
make their case.