1/I'm of the opinion that socialists and liberals (including neoliberals) should usually work in parallel, instead of fighting each other.
To put it mildly, this is a very unpopular viewpoint. But let me explain my thinking a bit.
To put it mildly, this is a very unpopular viewpoint. But let me explain my thinking a bit.
2/Neoliberalism (as I see it) specializes in ad-hoc solutions. It's basically a way of patching up the mixed economy and enacting gradual, piecemeal change toward a society that is both wealthier and more fair and just.
3/Socialism (as I see it) is, in contrast, about bringing about sweeping change through enduring mass organization - people power on a large and permanent scale.
4/As I see it, these approaches often work synergistically.
Often, the permanent mass organization and bold demands of socialist pressure the existing order to accept liberal reforms as a compromise.
Often, the permanent mass organization and bold demands of socialist pressure the existing order to accept liberal reforms as a compromise.
5/Sometimes reforms and patches aren't enough, and revolution happens anyway (e.g. France).
But sometimes reforms and patches *are* enough. I think the best example of this is the New Deal, which was seen by many as a way to save the market economy.
bloomberg.com/view/articles/…
But sometimes reforms and patches *are* enough. I think the best example of this is the New Deal, which was seen by many as a way to save the market economy.
bloomberg.com/view/articles/…
6/Without socialists, liberalism can degenerate into a bunch of elite intellectuals talking to each other while plutocrats chuckle and ignore them.
But without liberals, socialism can turn into an all-or-nothing movement that either A) fails, or B) becomes Venezuela.
But without liberals, socialism can turn into an all-or-nothing movement that either A) fails, or B) becomes Venezuela.
7/Right now in America we're coming off of 40 years of rising inequality, income stagnation, and concentration of wealth. And now wannabe fascists are in control of the country.
There might be a time for liberals and socialists to fight, but this doesn't seem like the best time.
There might be a time for liberals and socialists to fight, but this doesn't seem like the best time.
8/Anyway, this brings me to the question: Besides engaging in Democratic party politics and spreading memes on social media, what can socialists do right now to bring about major change and also build the foundation for lasting organization?
9/Not being a socialist myself, I of course don't know all the details of what socialists are doing around the country. But here are some good local initiatives that I've read about:
10/But I think socialists can and should think bigger.
And I think the teacher strikes now spreading across America show the way.
nymag.com/daily/intellig…
And I think the teacher strikes now spreading across America show the way.
nymag.com/daily/intellig…
11/The massive size of these strikes shows that there is a lot of bubbling labor unrest in this country.
But teachers are just the beginning. There are millions upon millions of low-paid service workers in this country. cbsnews.com/news/americas-…
But teachers are just the beginning. There are millions upon millions of low-paid service workers in this country. cbsnews.com/news/americas-…
12/We've transformed from a nation of farmers and factory workers to a nation of service workers, and these workers are, for the most part, unorganized.
13/Traditional labor unions have trouble organizing service workers, in part because their occupations and companies tend to change frequently.
(There are some things I think unions could do to improve the situation...
bloomberg.com/view/articles/…)
(There are some things I think unions could do to improve the situation...
bloomberg.com/view/articles/…)
14/But really, here is where I think socialists can make a huge difference.
Back in the day, there was the idea of a general strike, rather than just a single company- or sector-specific strike.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_s…
Back in the day, there was the idea of a general strike, rather than just a single company- or sector-specific strike.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_s…
15/Organizing low-paid service workers *as a class* would be much more effective, I think, than just organizing at a company or occupation level.
And no one except socialists is going to do this.
And no one except socialists is going to do this.
16/American society has, basically, zero respect for America's vast working class of underpaid workers, treating them as a fluid, dispensable labor pool to be drawn from and discarded at will, while culturally denigrating them as "losers".
It sucks.
It sucks.
17/And that won't change until the new working class gets together and *forces* it to change. Respect, I think, typically isn't "earned", but seized.
And who other than socialists can give this new working class the consciousness it needs to organize and demand respect?
And who other than socialists can give this new working class the consciousness it needs to organize and demand respect?
18/Now, I'm sure a few socialists are about to yell at me and say "WE'RE ALREADY DOING THIS, YOU NEOLIBERAL IDIOT, DON'T TELL US HOW TO DO OUR JOBS", etc.
Well, to the extent that's true, that's great news! And it certainly won't hurt for me to write this thread.
Well, to the extent that's true, that's great news! And it certainly won't hurt for me to write this thread.
19/Liberals (including neoliberals), meanwhile, shouldn't fear the mass organization and collective power of the new working class; they should relish it.
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