The First World War was an indication that the capitalism has been a decadent
social system. This decadence has been manifested above all by the treadmill
of crises, wars and reconstruction; ultimately, the capitalist system forces
humanity to suffer. Capitalism is in crisis, a crisis that has become deeper
and spirits throughout the world, with better word the capitalism is in its
death crisis.
The current budget deficit crisis, in all the capitalist states, is indication
of the bankruptcy of capitalism. This has been the cause of attacking working
class’s living standard around the world. It is not the peripheral states of
the capitalism that are bleeding, but its most economically developed
countries, the metropolitan states. Economists and ideologues of the free
market have noticed the huge indebtedness of the leading superpowers.
The capital’s palpating heart, the world economic engine, USA, has gotten
third place in the top of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) debt ratios in the world:
“During the administration of President George W. Bush, the total debt
increased from $5.6 trillion in January 2001 to $10.7 trillion by December
2008, rising from 54% of GDP to 75% of GDP. The total debt is projected
to continue increasing significantly during President Obama's
administration to nearly 100% of GDP, its highest level since World War
II. The total debt could be 5-15% of GDP higher than that projection
based not slowing the annual deficits to 1 trillion instead of $1.5
trillion where the US is now. This would put the US in the top 3 of
GDP debt ratios."[1]
The Europe’s leading economic powers is not less bankrupt than the world
economic engine; USA. The fact is that European economic powers after
the USA have the most debt and belongs to the most bankrupt states in
the world. Debt of Euro stat 2009 are as the following:[2]
“Greek Finance Minister Giorgos Papakonstantinou announced three weeks
ago that his country's budget deficit could reach 12.7 percent of gross
domestic product this year, instead of the 6 percent originally
forecast - and well about the 3 percent limit foreseen by
European Union rules. Greece already pays almost 2 percent
more in interest on its debt than Germany. In other words, at
a total debt of €270 billion ($402 billion), Greece will be
paying €5 billion more in annual interest than it would if it were
Germany. And, with rating agencies threatening to downgrade the country's
already dismal credit rating, the situation is only likely to get worse."[3]
The working class of Greece began a wave of protests, strikes and
captured streets, workplaces in protest against a society that offers
them only deterioration of the social situation. To defend of their
living standard that has been attacked by the bourgeoisies and resistance
to paying the price of capitalism crises.
The protests of a young generation that has not even been given any
opportunity to get into the capitalist wage system, shows that young
generation know that they don’t have any future in this up and down
turn world of capitalism. At the same time, participating of students
in the protest shows that students see themselves as the future potential
proletarian and rebelled against their future.
The ruling class of the Greece wants the working class to make sacrifices
for capitalism in this “difficult situation” to save the capitalist society.
Papaconstantinou outlines the following solutions to save the bankruptcy of
Greece:[4]
A rise in value-added tax (VAT) to 23 percent from 21 percent
A further 10 percent hike in fuel, alcohol and tobacco taxes
A further reduction in public sector salaries and pensions.
. . .
No part of the working class spared from the bourgeoisies’ attacks,
neither private sector nor public sector, or unemployed. Working class
were forced to accept lower wages, tightening up their belts and work
harder, increase job insecurity, impair retirement, layoffs, notice of
dismissal due to cuts or open unemployment when major industries are
closing down. Bourgeoisies asking us to pay the price for the crisis
that capitalist system created.
Mass media of the capital acting as a loyal servant of the capital to
deform the truth about what happens in this up and down turn world of
capitalism. They never talk about the wild strikes and always trying
to cover up the police violence against working class. At the same
time, they often present the unions as the organizing and protesting forces.
However, the main tasks of unions are controlling of the working class and
misleading of its class struggle.
The more working class starts to take the initiative and go out in the
struggle, the more the state terrorism shows its true face and nature.
As the proletariat struggles become more radical and militant so as the
repression and brutality of the police. The repression apparatus of the
democracy tries to criminalize the struggle of the workers.
The capitalist crisis is global, but it is also working class response as
well. In order to overcome the isolation of struggle, the only way is to
develop solidarity and class struggle on an international level. We can
only repel attacks to the bourgeoisie from our own class terrain.
We must be consciousness of the real extent and importance of our
struggle, because it contains the germ of a truly global challenge
to the decadent social system.
The real roots of today’s economic crisis are capitalism’s ruthless
pursuit of profits and when the accumulation of capital stops, then,
the capitalism faces a crisis.
Only the working class can give a perspective to the protests, which
is ultimately an expression of a fighting spirit, a refusal to accept
the attacks of the bourgeoisie. Never before a social class had such
a responsibility as the proletariat has today. More than ever, the
working class needs its struggle to the future of humanity in its
own hands. When the working class developed its struggle across
national boundaries, the fight will be a real alternative to
the system of crisis, misery and barbarism.
Firoz
21 May 2010
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1. http://nextbigfuture.com/2009/12/us-deficit-situation-2008-2010-2012-and.html
2. http://econ.economicshelp.org/2010/04/european-fiscal-crisis.html
3. http://nextbigfuture.com/2009/12/us-deficit-situation-2008-2010-2012-and.html
4. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international-business/Greece-pledges-more-budget-cuts-gets-more-time/articleshow/5883771.cms