Although there are important differences, the main historical point of reference for the current crisis is the Great Depression in the 1930s. This crisis is developing against an entirely different historical background to that which existed in the 1930s and post 1945 capitalist boom.
Democratic community structures need to be built. The working class needs to take control of the battle against Covid-19. The tradition of community self-organisation remains alive and should be relied upon.
By any standard, sub-Saharan Africa, as a whole, is a massive weak link for imperialism and the local capitalist classes. The over one billion population are at a turning point, facing old and new threats to health and life.
On 27 April, 217 Cuban health workers arrived in South Africa to assist in the fight against Covid-19.
Across the left there has been a stampede to praise “socialist” Cuba. But there has been little said of any substance. However the history of Cuba since 1959 is full of lessons for workers and young people, especially in the neo-colonial world.
A historic weakening of US imperialism following recent decline, and a strengthening of China, are set to shape a new balance in world relations. US imperialism emerged from the 1930s depression in a far -strengthened position. It will emerge from this crisis weakened and increasingly challenged by China. A new period of international relations is posed.
Convene a Saftu Congress and a second Working Class Summit before the end of May to re-arm the working class with a clear socialist programme for the new period of global pandemic and capitalist crisis. The working class needs its own post-Covid ‘recovery plan’.
There is growing concern over police and military brutality in the enforcement of South Africa’s twenty-one day lockdown regulations.
The government had time to prepare for this calamity. But it spent all its time devising an austerity budget to cut social spending and wages. What is worse is that the government is completely unprepared for the economic fall-out from the pandemic.
The capitalist class are not trying to resolve the Eskom crisis in the interests of the working class majority. Rather, they are jockeying for position amongst themselves for a slice of the enormous wealth that Eskom controls…
The Need for a Socialist Alternative.
Statement from International Secretariat of the Committee for a Workers International – 23 March 2020
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