IN THE NINETIES, millions of women and men have taken part in mobilisations against the evils of capitalism and the bureaucratic dictatorships. widening dangers astation faces millions of people.
Many more people recognise the barbaric nature of capitalism. In a situation where the inability of the social democratic and communist parties to provide socialist solutions is becoming clearer, the task of creating new leaderships remains ahead.
Socialist Outlook is written and sold by socialists committed to this struggle. We are the British supporters of the world-wide marxist organisation, the Fourth International. We stated for the revolutionary transformation of society and a pluralist, socialist democracy world wide.
The overall goal which we pursue is the empancipation of all human beings from every form of exploitation, oppression, alsenation and violence. Socialism must be under the control of ordinary people, democratic, pluralist, multi-party, feminist, ecologist, anti-militarist and internationalist. It must abolish wage slavery and national oppression.
The working class is the backbone of unity among all the exploited and oppressed. The working class and its allies must uncompromisingly fight against capitalism and for a clear programme of action in order to gradually acquire the experience and consciousness needed to defeat capitalism at the decisive mo. ment of crisis. people to fight their particular forms of oppression make an essential contribution to the struggle for a different society. They are organised around the principle "None so fit to break the chains as those who wear them". struggles. Furthermore we fight for a strategic alliance between workers and these organisations which respects their legitimate autonomy. each country and a revolutionary International we aim to guide and encompass the global interests of the workers and oppressed. By building a united struggle against exploitation and oppression we aim to ensure the survival of the human race. MSF Campaign for a Democratic Union, Annual Conference, 10a.m.-4p.m., University of London Union, Malet Stret, WC1.
Sat May 17 British leg of EuroMarch leaves Jarrow paign Groups Conference, What Are We Going To Do Now? A Socialist Strategy for Labour. 10a.m.-5p.m., London Welsh Centre, 157 Grays Inn Road, London WC1 (near Kings Cross).
This reflects the fact that humanity faces Ecological, military, social and economic devThe movements of women, lesbians and gay men and black The whole working class needs to fully commit itself to these By simultaenously building revolutionary organisations in Sat June 7 EuroMarch arrives in London. Departs Southall 8.30am, marching to Hyde Park 1pm. Rally in Westminster Contral Hall.
June 12-13 International conference against racism in Amsterdam. Capital and Class conference, School of Oriental and African Studies, London 9a.m.-5p.m. International Youth Camp, Keith Sinclair reviews The Rights of the Unemployed, by Anne Grey (European Labour Forum Pamphlet, Spokesman Press, £1.95) WHAT EXACTLY is workfare? This may seem a funny question to ask. Many of you will know that I have spent a significant amount of the last year fighting Project Work which we have all dutifully condemned as workfare, Ann Grey's pamphlet argues that workfare should be seen as having a broader impact than simply the explicit workfare programmes iske Project Work.
Grey argues that the impact ofa whole series of policies over the last few years has been to introduce a growing consensus between the two maior parties in favour of what she describes as 'soft worktare' By this she means the introducuon or policies such as the Job Seekers Direction within the Job Seekers Allowance legislation. | Anne Grey explains clearly the effect of 'soft workfare' on the labour market she arguc convincingly that workfare has centred round the moral issue of when or whether claimants should be disqualified if they refuse work or training. The fervour of this debate has detracted from the economic functions of workfare, from its role in the wage fixing process, which in the end is more important Grey also makes the important noint that when workers are forced to take low paid jobs then the downward ellect on wages hits af those already earning low wages.
One of the good things about this pamphlet is that it made me think though my own ideas. Grey rejects campaigning for "full employment, arguing that this leads Unemployment: a problem that spans the generations to a defence of "harmful forms of work.
However the reality is that nationally eight people chase every single vacancy. To demand that the state provide a job for everyone is a legitimate demand as part of a programme to fight unemployment. ing political consensus in favour of grapple with the conundrum that the Labour Party nationally - and crucially local councils - have held the line against Project Work It's important to ask why that opposition has taken place.
One possible danger of using the term 'soft workfare' to describe a is that it could blunt the edge of specifically anti-workfare campaigns.
In the areas facing Project Work Extension the key immediate task is to campaign against the Extension:
Overall, Grey has provided an excellent pamphlet which describes the history of the various employment schemes over the last decade.
Everyone campaigning against Project Work should get a copy ments.
Sat 24th May May 30-June 1 Sat May 31