For over a hundred years the cause of socialism has been dominated by
the machinations of two statist creeds, Social Democracy and Leninism.
These have fed off the discontent and aspirations of the working class
to become alternative managers of Capitalism. Their heydays are long
past. The Labourites have long abandoned any pretence to 'reforming
Capitalism' in favour of simply managing it; after the end of
'Communism' the Leninists have been reduced to mini-sects which
replicate within their own structures the regimes of the old Stalinist
States in a homage to Marx's dictum, "first as tragedy, now as farce".
Their aspirations have shrunk with their horizons, whilst they grandly
imagine storming the winter palace and fantasise about bloody
revolutions, in reality they have little or no belief in the working
class ever rallying to their 'proletarian leadership', and even less in
the ability of the working class to emancipate itself.
They hide themselves in front campaigns for partial reforms, and
embrace and promote a succession of 'Saviours from high' who they are
sure will deliver us, until the inevitable betrayal, when they move on
to the next.
All previous revolutions have been the overthrow of one minority ruling
class and the victory of a new one. Such revolutions have needed
abstract slogans and ideals (Liberté, Fraternité, Egalité; Peace, Land,
Bread,) in order to enlist the support of the masses. They have needed
heroes and demagogues to inspire the majority to give their lives for
the victory of new masters.
The socialist revolution can only take place when the majority of the
working class not only understand that it is possible, but also
desirable. It needs no abstract ideals to mask it's true purpose, no
demagogues to beguile the masses.
It needs no heroes.
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