John Clarke, former major organizer of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), recently posted on Facebook the following:
“You’re seeing growing anger and radicalization on the left as well.” Futile liberal bleating notwithstanding, making sure the right has no monopoly on bold and radical action should be a major priority.
The social-democratic or social-reformist left, however, believe in being tailenders–never questioning the limits of political and trade-union leaders since they fear being “left out” or isolated. They lack both a vision of the kind of society we need to create and the means by which we need to get there since they refuse to go beyond the limits of capitalist relations of production and exchange. Regular workers, citizens, immigrants and migrant workers, however, need an organization and voice that expresses their exploitation and oppression, and such a voice requires constant critique of those who, however well intentioned, refuse to question the limits of present social relations in a radical manner.
The far right has undoubtedly gained ground in various countries. The radical left should aim to do the same–and not be a rag-tag group who is afraid to challenge not only the radical right but also the social-democratic left.
The Abolitionary 