[lbo-talk] London riots anew

Lenin's Tomb leninstombblog at googlemail.com
Fri Sep 9 02:28:20 PDT 2011


On 09/09/2011 00:55, Michael Smith wrote:
>> "Part of the reason for this explosion is the relative
>> weakness of the left and working class organisation.."
>
> That's nicely nuanced, isn't it? "Relative" weakness
> of the left. Relative to what? Dare one suggest that
> the weakness in question is in fact absolute?

How could it possibly be "absolute"? Weakness in any situation is always relative, either to an opposing force, or by reference to some relevant standard of comparison. The only case approaching "absolute" weakness is if the Left and labour movement doesn't exist - ie in the context of the complete victory of reaction, with working class organisations smashed, left parties banned, left leaders exiled, etc. The weakness of the Left and of working class organisation in the UK is, fortunately, not approaching that "absolute". It is weakness relative to continental standards, relative to historical standards, and relative to the cohesion and strength of the ruling class at this point. (Though, perhaps, not relative to the Tory government).



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