Socialist Voice Review:
March – 2023
It’s not easy reviewing Socialist Voice. The fact is that there is far more interesting and relevant material to be found in any number of outlets. Once again: not much wrong with it and not much right about it either.
Our February review ended with the words “Don’t mention the war” and it was a little cryptic with so many wars on the CPI’s doorstep. So, for now, let’s concentrate on the war in Ukraine.
“How long will Europe suffer for the United States?” is a long way of not saying that the United States has effectively engineered a total conquest of Europe – militarily, economically and propaganda wise.
Something else the article completely omits is any hint for the reader on how you might go about trying to respond to that state of affairs. The article ends “As the contradictions between the three imperialist centres mature, opportunities for advancing the cause of the working class and raising the standard of socialism and national liberation will increase.”
There you have it. So, then take a look at the Party website and see if there is more flesh on the bone there? “Statement on 1st anniversary Ukraine war” – “The Communist Party of Ireland calls on all progressive and democratic forces in Ireland to put pressure on the Government to break with the pro-War forces within the EU and instead to call for a ceasefire and a political solution.
We also call on all progressive and democratic forces to demand………..”
Having called on all progressive and democratic forces to take action on the listed demands it would be interesting to be told how the Party itself pursued those demands either before the date of publication (24 February) or indeed since that date. And what responses, if any, it received from the government or any other recipient of their ‘demands’.
There are many ways to conduct various campaigns – some are more effective than others and some are better off not done at all. Back on the Party website, we were informed that party members from all over the country attended a demonstration outside the Dáil organised by the People’s Movement against the concept of a European Army, accompanied by a photo of the event:
Seven people behind a banner does not match the blurb. Propaganda is only believable when it is made to look believable.
On the complicated issue of migration, asylum seekers and refugees, this is the Party contribution to enlighten the masses on that subject:
That’s it. The ‘fascists’ must be shaking in their jackboots. Of course, most of the people described as fascists are not fascists – but it may not be long until they are unless there is a reasoned and rational response to their questions and concerns.
Dismissing concerns and labelling people with legitimate questions as fascists is exactly the way to turn them into fascists. Where were the so-called communists when the real fascists were running away with the ball?
Finally, Capitalism and democracy (back to Socialist Voice) provides us with a lecture on democracy. “Many intellectuals have defined democracy in different ways. Bertrand Russell defined it as “a concern for the other.”
“When nations were created on the basis of language, religion, ethnicity etc., there is bound to be the creation of the “other”. The way the “other” are treated and how their concerns are addressed is the measure of democracy. Otherwise democracy will only be majoritarian rule, where minority opinions are not considered at all.”
Hmmm. Its also the measure of a genuine communist party. The party that calls itself the Communist Party of Ireland has a nerve to even approach such a subject considering its history and its conduct to the present day.
And, by the way, don’t mention the war.