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One of my favourite articles in the latest edition of the Marxist Left Review <http://marxistleftreview.org/> is this piece by Sarah Ganham. It is an engaged and engaging critique of a set of economistic responses to the failure of identity politics that are growing among sections of the broad left. "Overall the net effect of neoliberalism has been to accelerate the oppression of the working class and women and racial minorities. Far from social emancipation coming at the expense of workers’ rights, we’ve been pushed back on all fronts. The co-option of members of oppressed groups into the ranks of the middle and upper classes in no way diminishes this fact. Those who have risen in this way have themselves experienced a lessening of oppression, but their numbers are finite and, like every other neoliberal venture, their gains do not trickle down. .... ...it is essential that the left understands oppression, relates to those affected by it and actively strengthens movements against it. These movements are necessary not only to challenge specific forms of oppression, but also to rebuild a united and powerful working class movement. To this end it is imperative to confront, rather than accept, racist and sexist attitudes within the working class. But also, we need to understand that this is not just a moral task. Rather it is an imperative that stems from a theoretical and political approach that recognises the integration of oppression and class within the totality of capitalism. A working class perspective that prioritises mass action and builds in the direction of politically engaged forms of class struggle is crucial in order for these movements to win. Socialists have always played a role in orienting movements against oppression in this way. There is another reason this integrated approach is important. It informs but is also necessary to build a movement capable of overthrowing the entire capitalist system. For the working class to fulfil its potential of liberating itself and humanity from the horrors of capitalist society, it must become the “universal” class, capable of “represent[ing] its interest as the common interest of all the members of society”.[45] Both the struggle for and the establishment of socialism can only be based on the most radical form of democracy and equality. This means articulating the demands of all the oppressed, in order to lead them in a united struggle against the common enemy. Such an articulation can only stem from a development of consciousness within the working class of the ways in which the structures of specific forms of oppression are linked to the structures of their own oppression and exploitation. With this understanding, it’s clear that the interests of the oppressed are indivisible from those of the working class as a whole." http://marxistleftreview.org/index.php/no-16-summer-2018/161-against-reductionism-marxism-and-oppression The edition also includes serious work on the crisis of neoliberalism <http://marxistleftreview.org/index.php/no-16-summer-2018/162-the-crisis-in-neoliberalism-and-its-ramifications>, a political economy of the situation in Gaza <http://marxistleftreview.org/index.php/no-16-summer-2018/160-the-siege-and-resistance-in-gaza-interview-with-toufic-haddad> right now, trump's strategy for the US empire <http://marxistleftreview.org/index.php/no-16-summer-2018/159-the-trump-presidency-us-imperialism-and-the-future-of-the-neoliberal-order>, Engels on the rise of women's oppression <http://marxistleftreview.org/index.php/no-16-summer-2018/158-the-origins-of-women-s-oppression-a-defence-of-engels-and-a-new-departure>, and more. _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
