32. The New View of Society¶
Core Argument¶
This chapter argues that Tony Blair’s leadership, characterised by an absolute monarchy-like command over a servile cabinet and subservient party, is not an accident of personality but a logical consequence of his acceptance of capitalism and the market. This acceptance has devastated manufacturing, communities, and workers’ lives through privatisation and deregulation. However, this phase is ending, fractured by disputes over Iraq and growing opposition within the Labour Party and trade unions. The text insists that opposing Blairism is insufficient; the Labour movement must break with the market economy entirely. Lasting reforms are impossible under capitalist crisis; the working class must be imbued with consciousness of its own power. Internal democracy is essential—regular elections, the right of recall, and officials’ pay tied to the average skilled worker’s wage—while rejecting crude rank-and-fileism in favour of a class-conscious leadership.
A peaceful socialist transformation in Britain is possible only if the struggle is carried through to completion. The British capitalist class is the oldest and most ruthless, with a history of crushing challenges to its rule; it tolerates democracy only when it does not threaten its power. The Labour right wing has been bribed to control the working class, but its defeat will produce a sharp leftward swing. The real struggle for power will be decided outside Parliament, by the relative strength of the contending classes. A socialist government would face plots, conspiracies, and sabotage from the capitalists, who control the Lords, monarchy, army, police, and media. Marx warned of a “pro-slavery rebellion” by the ruling class. In response, a socialist government must mobilise workers in every workplace to paralyse counter-revolution.
The chapter calls for a socialist programme based on nationalisation of the top 150–200 monopolies and banks, with workers’ control and management. Under socialism, workers would manage nationalised industries through democratically elected committees. A national plan involving all sections of the population would replace production for profit with production for need. Eliminating unemployment and excess capacity would yield annual growth of 10–20 per cent, doubling wealth within a decade and transforming living standards. The trade unions must become schools of solidarity, struggle, and socialism. The ruling class’s opposition can be overcome through struggle, as demonstrated by past working-class victories.