I do think that there is a relationship between social democracy as it is now at least and revolutionary movements. It is an inverse relationship. Leftists become enamored of reforming capitalism and the benefits of being in power but then become protectors of capitalism and in bad times sell cuts as a means of defending whatever remains of the welfare state and progressive policies.
I do not understand your last question. You do have the threat of much worse in the Republicans and the Democrats are supposed to be the moderate alternative. But this is all part of the sham of two party democracy. In the U.S. there are two main brands competing to run the capitalist show business. There is nothing in either to promote any move towards socialism. Obama used even nationalization as a sort of hospitalization of sick corporations such as GM. When they get healthy again they are returned to private capital.
Cheers, ken
----- Original Message ---- From: Doug Henwood <dhenwood at panix.com> To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org Sent: Mon, July 11, 2011 5:58:25 PM Subject: Re: [lbo-talk] Bad Times and the Left
On Jul 11, 2011, at 4:58 PM, ken hanly wrote:
> If there were more leftists who rejected capitalism
> bad times would be the best of times because they show that capitalism is a
> failure and that socialism is necessary as a solution not attempts to save
> capitalism.
Oh, ok, we'll get right on that.
You think there's no relationship between the health of social democracy and the power of revolutionary movements? How can you have the moderate alternative without the threat of much worse?
Doug ___________________________________ http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk