Unless we of course assume that China is some sort of "workers' state". If it isn't, why should Chinese workers have an interest in helping formulate its foreign policy?
Seeing as Doug asks: workers' real interests are probably to do with ensuring that they continue to develop an independent political outlook and that it takes an appropriate organisational form. If you're talking about trade union organisations, I would imagine that they've got their work cut out just defending wages and working conditions. Why make things even more difficult by subordinating your class interests to either of the two WTO camps and confusing your membership?
I'm all in favour of the development of a genuine working class politics on every important issue. I just don't believe this will be assisted by taking sides in the WTO fight.
Russell
Doug Henwood wrote:
>Russell Grinker wrote:
>
>> >On Tue, 11 Jan 2000, Doug Henwood wrote:
>> >> Rakesh, do you think the Chinese working class should support or
>> >> oppose China's WTO entry?
>>
>>While it is important to point out the xenophobic nature of the anti-China
>>campaign around the WTO and the dangers in this for worker independence in
>>the US, surely the question of entry is not really their/our business?
It's
>>like workers in an enterprise getting themselves involved in developing
>>their employer's business strategy - a diversion from defending their real
>>interests.
>
Doug replied:
>That's a bizarre argument. Workers shouldn't get involved in
>politics? Workers shouldn't care about government budgets or state
>policy in general? What are their real interests?