Socialist Voice Review:
September – 2022
In a word: safe.
The best that can be said of the so-called most radical journal in Ireland is that it is safe – again, not much wrong about it and not much right about it either.
There are a number of references to socialist revolution presented in different ways in a number of the articles. Let’s be clear: there is not going to be a socialist revolution in Ireland any time soon. However, there are a number of revolutions underway which unfortunately, the CPI has no influence over except that it has allowed some of them to happen unchallenged.
On the national front (no pun intended) generally, there is a right-wing revolution well underway – a right wing revolution of the established political parties. The media revolution has poisoned most minds and a social revolution of drugs and gambling is almost unstoppable to mention just a few.
On the international front there is a major revolution underway – a new multi-polar world is emerging from the ashes of a weakened European Union and a weakening United States. Yet, on this major development, that has been underway for some time, the CPI has not a single word to say despite the fact that the CPI’s new best buddy, China, is a significant part of that development.
It was encouraging, at least, in some of the articles to see glimpses of some visions for the future. However, there is still no attempt to provide any direction, any leadership towards achieving any progress towards those visions. In an article Change and participatory democracy a sense of realism creeps in: “And maybe, just maybe, the present state of the decline of capitalism might create favourable conditions for the beginning of real, revolutionary change, allowing that socialists and communists are prepared” [our emphasis]. And: “Why would we bother with activism or agitation at all if we are not focused [our emphasis] on fatally undermining all aspects of capitalism and, in this case, taking power in Ireland?”
Another article Time for leadership and clear demands with a subheading A call to action for communists and progressive trade unionists reverts to type. Indeed, it is a perfect example of bullshit. While bullshit can sometimes be amusing there is nothing funny about this pretend radicalism. In fact, it is a time for leadership and clear plans and policies – none of which is on offer from the CPI. If the CPI or the author had any plans or policies to advance these demands it would have been the perfect place to advertise them particularly in a call for action for communists and progressive trade unionists. Not a word, no hint on where to start, how to start or anything else for that matter. Perhaps it is another secret CPI plot that is so dangerous and effective it can never be revealed? Or, re-introducing some realism – it doesn’t exist.
Furthermore, workers will also need the tools of information in order to counter the propaganda and the laying-off of blame for the ever-increasing economic mess we are in. The EU has blundered in so many ways and its only excuse is, and will continue to be, those pesky Russians and Putin. Would reading Socialist Voice – current or past issues – enlighten anyone on how to respond to and destroy their feeble excuses and transparent propaganda? The vast majority of people in Ireland – workers or otherwise – receive and believe the propaganda spread by all forms of biased media. How are they to consider anything different if no attempt is made to supply them with alternative information?
There is nothing revolutionary about making demands. Making demands from a position of weakness is meaningless and counterproductive. Continuously repeating the same demands from the same positions of weakness is pathetic. Continuously remaining in a position of weakness is tragic. And unacceptable. It causes you to wonder who are the real counter-revolutionaries?
Don’t take our word for it: “This requires a coordinated campaign both in work-places and at the political level. But we appear to be very far from this in the trade union movement at this moment”. Both the author and the editor recognise the extent of the problem and of the task but provide no hint on how to make progress.