The Long Transition Towards Socialism and the End of Capitalism
Dec 23, 2024
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Torkil Lauesen, an anti-imperialist activist and author of 'The Long Transition Towards Socialism and the End of Capitalism', discusses the urgent need to replace capitalism. He explores historical materialism, the lessons from past revolutions, and the ongoing crisis of imperialism. Torkil delves into the disconnect of capitalism from human needs and the rise of socialist movements. He reflects on geopolitical dynamics, particularly regarding Palestine, and envisions a sustainable future shaped by collective action and systemic change.
Capitalism is in decline, facing socio-economic crises that necessitate systemic change and highlight the need for revolutionary action.
The historical evolution of socialism, shaped by various movements, emphasizes the importance of collective will and action amidst capitalist inadequacies.
Building solidarity across anti-imperialist movements is crucial, as local struggles can inspire global socialist transformations and collaborations.
Deep dives
The Context of Socialism's Evolution
Socialism has evolved as a historical process shaped by various revolutions and movements over the past two centuries. This evolution began with the 1848 revolutions, which introduced significant ideas about democracy, socialism, and social rights, emphasizing the need for the proletariat to be organized independently from liberal interests. The Paris Commune later showcased the proletariat's capacity for societal transformation through street struggles and self-governance, marking it as the first explicit socialist uprising. Each subsequent attempt to build socialism, such as in Germany and Maoist China, provided critical lessons about organization, strategy, and the interplay of revolutionary fervor with actual political conditions, all contributing to a complex narrative of socialist development.
Capitalism's Declining Hegemony
The conversation highlights the notion that capitalism, having reached its peak around the year 2000, is now in a downward trajectory, facing significant socio-economic crises that threaten its survival into the following century. The capitalist mode of production is described as increasingly irrational and destructive, failing to meet both human and ecological needs. Critical risks, such as escalating regional conflicts and ecological catastrophes, emphasize an urgent need for systemic change. The decline of U.S. hegemony is also considered a pivotal factor in creating opportunities for alternative systems to emerge, as the traditional power dynamics of neoliberalism shift toward multi-polarity in global governance.
Subjective Forces and Revolutionary Potential
The concept of subjective forces plays a critical role in the development of socialism, illustrating the need for collective will and action among the masses in the midst of capitalism's crises. As people around the world question the current system, they may recognize the inadequacies of capitalist structures but often lack clarity in connecting their struggles to broader socialist ideals. Historical movements are presented as organic responses to crises, with the hope that as these struggles develop, they will create a learning environment for future revolutionary actions. Thus, the success of socialism will depend on the ability to harness these subjective forces, pushing for a reexamination of strategies that resonate with contemporary realities.
The Interconnectedness of Global Struggles
The dynamic between imperialism and other forms of social struggle underscores the necessity of building solidarity across various anti-imperialist movements around the world. The analysis suggests that the challenges faced by countries in the Global South, particularly in relation to their historical exploitation and marginalization, must be leveraged to advocate for socialist transformations. Acknowledging the contributions of marginalized struggles to the broader socialist project will highlight the importance of local frameworks as part of a global strategy against capitalism. As countries seek to disengage from imperialist structures, there is potential for new coalitions to emerge, reinforcing the notion that resistance in one locality can inspire solidarity elsewhere.
Towards Realistic Pathways for Socialism
Looking forward, achieving socialism requires a grounded optimism rooted in a clear analysis of historical material conditions and the lessons learned from past socialist endeavors. The discussion recognizes that varying paths may arise, shaped by local contexts and the collective experiences forged during different political struggles. Strategies need to evolve, adapting to both the failures and successes of previous movements by developing new approaches that embrace the realities of contemporary socio-economic disparities. Ultimately, the call is to blend these historical insights with current urgencies, creating a vision that not only critiques capitalism but also actively engages in constructing feasible socialist alternatives.
Torkil Lauesen joins Breht to discuss his newest book "The Long Transition Towards Socialism and the End of Capitalism". Together they discuss the book, why capitalism is ripe for replacement, the importance of historical and dialectical materialism, the history of socialist movements and revolutions, each revolutions unique contributions to the historical process of socialism, the core and periphery and their connection to colonialism, the ongoing crisis of imperialism and how it relates to the end of the neoliberal era, the differences between capitalist and socialist modes of production, Torkil's vision of the next few decades, and much more!