Such is the state of British politics that after watching last night's "European Election special" Question Time, available here on BBC Iplayer, you might be tempted to think that the sole job of MEPs is to claim extravagant expenses, employ family members and generally make a whole lot of cash. Here was me thinking that with the EU elections less than a week away now we might actually have a serious debate on the question of the UK's part in the EU or how the EU plans to respond to issues such as the recession, unemployment, climate change, North Korea's nuclear test, the on going war Pakistan, Middle East peace etc etc. But no, clearly these are far less important than expenses. What a very British kerfuffle. At least one can take hope in the audience's disapproval of both the ultra-Capitalist UKIP and the far-right BNP.
However in the infinite list of issues changing the British public right now, there is one whose importance eclipses all others, whose importance is paramount, one issue that if ignored could spell an end to all human existence. That issue is, of course, Climate Change and Global Warming. Given the current global recession combined with the spectre of mass unemployment, Climate Change may seem insignificant, but it remain in fact the most important crisis facing mankind. Let us not forget; We've only one chance. The Environment won't do a bail out. Unless we act properly and act now it will be too late. Too late for us all.
So while my heart tells me to back NO2EU, a coalition of Socialists, Communists, Trade Unionists and anti-Capitalists opposed to the EU's neo-liberal agenda, my head tells me to back The Green Party, a genuine environmentalist, reformist party committed to stopping our destruction of the environment and upholding human rights and democracy across the world. Being a Marxist, one does not fully agree with their policies on the economy and their analysis to the causes and solutions to the present economic situation, but as stated above, the environment comes above the economy every time.
Do not be fooled into thinking that the Green Party is a one issue party. Here is just a selection of their policies;
Constitutional reform such as;
- Creating a written Constitution
- Implementing proportional representation as a fairer electoral system
- Ending the powers of the British Monarchy
- Creating an elected upper house plus
- The boycotting of Israel until it stops violating UN resolutions
- Legalisation of recreational drugs
- Protecting human and animal rights
- Fairer taxation
- More powers for Trade Unions
- Renationalisation of the Railways
Election Video:
So please, don't let the environment go to waste.
Vote Green
I agree. We have to keep alive to do... Anything! And that's why we should focus on the environment more than anything else. The environment should always be our #1 priority.
ReplyDeleteTodays world leaders seem to do nothing but talk about it, and promise eachother that they'll reduce their CO2-outlet, but nothing crucial ever happens.
I blame capitalism.
If everything weren't a struggle for more power and money, we could've tackled this problem more efficient and much, much quicker.
I'm not british, so I have no say in this, but I support you in your decision. And I also understand that you feel torn, since the NO2EU party also has a very valid program.
Although, the Green Party's election video seems a bit sketchy to me.
It seemed to be fair when the narrator told "... To tackle climate change, to challenge immoral bankers, to stand up to unethical businesses and take on anyone else who may threaten your health, your community or your future..."
but when he said "A vote for the other parties will only result in more of the same" I felt the dreaded "this is propaganda" feeling, since some of the other parties also has these policies, such as, for instance, NO2EU.
Unfortunately, we don't have an equivalent to the Green Party here, so I'm voting for the NO2EU counterpart.
That is certainly true. If we've no planet to live on then frankly there can be no workers emancipation. Period.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't take quite the pessimistic view of yours, there are genuine environmental changes happening happening across the world and with the election of Obama it seems that the US will finally begin to act - of course these action will not be enough, but at least it's progress, and progress should always be welcomed. Keep an eye out for the big Copenhagen meeting later this year, could see a "new Kyoto agreement" being written.
Capitalism certainly does need to take it's share of the blame. Putting profits first above all else is one cause of the furthering environmental destruction. But I'm not convinced that Socialism/Communism by them selves offer an answer. The fact is society needs to live in sustainable way to survive in the long term. Sustainability is impossible in capitalism, but, in my opinion at least, not necessary in socialism. Basically that Socialism/Communism do not imply environmental sustainability. I hope you catch my drift there.
NO2EU does have a somewhat valid program, true, but they do seem a very limited party. To me NO2EU seem to believe that once the UK leaves the EU then everything will be fine and dandy and we can all celebrate - which clearly is not the case. Their campaigning also seems poorly organised.
I completely agree with you, but that's just how it is with a representative democracy. You always hear the cry "I offer all the answers everyone else's policies are exactly the same, vote for me and I'll make everything better." when often many policies are shared amongst several parties.
Clearly, as stated above, the Green Party are not a Communist party. Therefore, they are not what I would consider perfect. It's simply that, by a very wide margin, they are the most forward thinking party available - so that is why I am backing them.
And where is it that you live then?
As a student reading the Communist Manifesto for the first time and making my own notes in pencil in the margins, it's good to see my thoughts pre-empted by others across the internet. Indeed, one would hope this to be the case after 160 years!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more of your excellent blog. Keep up the good work.
Yeah I was going to vote Green originally, but then No2EU turned up on the scene and there's just no way that I couldn't vote for them. You say the environment must always come before the economy but for me workers' rights, democracy and people's immediate well-being come before the environment. You also say that without saving the environment saving the workers is pointless but if we miss this opportunity there may not be another. By all means save the environment, but save the people too damn it!
ReplyDeleteNo, socialism/communism doesn't necessarily provide to road to a clean environment, but in socialism/communism we wouldn't have to worry about competitiveness (big word, don't know if I used it right) which is, in my oppinion, one of the most important factors when it comes to preserving the environment. But by definition, socialism hasn't got anything to do with the environment.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same thing with medicine. I understand that we now have vaccine for HIV, but the company who made this vaccine has to earn back the money they spent developing this vaccine, therefore the vaccine can't be distributed to areas with a high risk of getting HIV.
Oh, and I'll be following the Copenhagen meeting first hand, because that's where I live. ;)
@"Anonymous"; Thanks for the comments. Glad to see people reading old classics. Please feel welcome to voice your opinion.
ReplyDelete@Johnobrow; But the point I am expressing is that unless we care and act now over the environment human beings as a species will face a massive struggle to survive. Have you heard of Maslow's hierarchy of needs? Read up on it. He states, quite obviously, that people first have physical needs - these include food water etc. Only once the physical has been satisfied can we then work on emotional needs - happiness, belonging , love etc. So why is this relevant? Well, simply because workers rights and democracy, although of course desirable, are not necessary for human existence. Think about it; we don't need democracy to survive as a species, but we do need a hospitable planet. That is not to say I am against democracy, of course not, but when offered the choice of having food in a dictatorship or starving to death in a democracy which would you choose? Obviously almost everyone would take the food - that is necessary for survival. Democracy isn't. The fight for democracy needs us to be fed, to have our physical needs satisfied.
So what do I mean by all this? Well that we have to satisfy everyone's physical needs first. We need to ensure that humanity is fed, medicated, watered ect and that the Earth is being cared for before we should worry about democracy and civil rights. This may seem at the face of it controversial, but logically it is correct. Indeed in most developed nations all but a handful of people have their physical needs completely satisfied - but climate change could completely wipe this out.
To throw a further spanned in the works the Green party is much more on the forefront of promoting human rights and democracy when compared with NO2EU.
Actually your statement is false. The campaign for human rights and democracy is infinite - there's no time limit. It's not have 99% democracy world wide by 2050 or 20% of people will die. There's no scientific warning that if we don't complete human rights by 2100 then billions of people will die. No. It's that with climate change. Unless we act now against climate change then it really will be too late.
And actually I agree we can do both. There's nothing prevent both progress in world democracy and halting global warming. But when offered a choice of only one it is the fight against climate change we must join every time for 2 reasons - 1. the time limit and 2 the effects on our physical needs.
@Nikolai
I catch your drift about competitiveness and I think you have a point. In Capitalism, I'm maximising my profits to beat the next man -and if that means destroying the environment then so be it.
As far as I understand there is no real vaccine for HIV. The drugs that are prescribed just slow the disease's progression - and so massively reduce it's effects. I have not heard of the exact case you are referring but really it can be applied to all diseases. Thousands recently died in Zimbabwe of cholera - a disease that is 100% curable. So why didn't they get the drugs? Because they are too poor, and of course in Capitalism no profits for the companies means no interest in saving lives.
Ha.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete[I posted earlier as Anonymous, see above]
ReplyDeleteAfter reading some more, I've realised I'm a contemporary of yours studying very similar things, but I'm off to be a physicist next year :)
I actually have a few questions after reading the Manifesto. Would you mind answering them for me if you have a spare minute? Obviously I'm aware you're in the midst of exams - I'm in the same boat, but communism is much more interesting than revision.
That, and the fact that some organisations/companies may have a genuine interest in saving lives, but that task becomes so much harder when you need cold hard cash to do so.
ReplyDeleteNGOs' such as Amnesty, are relying on volunteers, and people and companies who are willing to give a little extra and support a good cause.
But sadly, so many people still suffer from poor living conditions...
@Not yet a physicist
ReplyDeleteOh, cool. But my heart belongs with Mathematics, well after Communism of cource.
Absolutely not, I'd love to answer your questions. The only thing I ask is that you ask question in the comments sections of my new blog entry here:
http://confessionsofamarxist.blogspot.com/2009/06/something-bit-different.html
Have a little read of what I've writen, then I'll be happy to answer anything. But please, I'm no expert, my opinion is not final nor definite - I'll also recommend to you a website called Reveleft link; http://www.revleft.com/
It's a forum for Marxist/Communists/Anarchists etc, it's a great community - make an account and ask away.
@Nikolai
Very True. Indeed.
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