We have recently seen a display of bitter antagonism between Soviet Russia and the Communist Party on one hand, and the Labour Party and the Government on the other.
Following Russia’s crystallization of Eastern European countries into a Soviet-controlled bloc the Communist Party has answered the Labour Party’s opposition with charges of misrepresenting Socialism, supporting American Imperialism, and opposing “the new democracies of Europe.”
The Labour Party claims, however, that it is the C.P. that is misrepresenting Socialism, and, further, attempting by underhand methods to gain a dominant influence in the trade unions. Moreover it charges the Russian Government with endangering world peace by bringing a large portion of Eastern Europe under the orbit of Communism. In this matter Mr. Attlee said the following: "We can and we wish to have the friendliest relations with the people of Russia, and we can have the friendliest relations with a Communist State, but we are not prepared to accept Communism. We are resolutely opposed to the Communist way of life and the Police State.” (Daily Herald, January 24th).
When one looks closely at this conflict one is at once struck by strange contradictions arising within it. We are told by the C.P. that the ultimate aim of Russia is Communism and that this objective is almost reached. The social system in Russia, says the C.P., is Socialism—the prelude to Communism.
Now if Socialism is a prelude to Communism why is a Socialist organisation opposed to a Communist one? How can Mr. Attlee, who claims to be a Socialist, say that he is opposed to "the Communist way of life” ? And why does the Labour Party, which does not hesitate to call itself a Socialist organisation, object to the growth of Communism in Eastern Europe?
Going a little deeper we may ask the question: “How can a Communist organisation explain the fact that, although it claims to be out for the emancipation of the working class, it does nothing toward the necessary preliminary explaining Socialism either from its platforms or through its daily organ The Daily Worker?
Much of this mystery can be cleared by recognising that Communism and Socialism are one and the same thing, and that Russia’s social system is not Socialism but State Capitalism. Moreover, the Labour Party and the Communist Party, by their very actions, show that they are working in the interests of Capitalism.
But, if these parties are both supporting Capitalist interests, why are they opposed to each other? The answer is clear. The feature that reveals Capitalism in Russia is the buying and selling of labour power. It is true that many features of Capitalism, as administered in other countries, are absent in Russia. Commodities are not dumped upon the market by individual firms, but are allocated according to a Government plan. Foreign trade, too, is planned by the Government—not left to private importers and exporters. Agriculture is not the work of independent farmers, but of Government-controlled collective farms.
Irrespective of this, however, one dominant feature remains. The vast majority of Russia’s people, because they do not own the means of production and distribution, are forced to sell their labour power for wages or salaries. In common with the wage slaves, of other countries they, as a class, can live no other way under Capitalism.
We find, then, that wage slavery, the very thing that proves the existence of Capitalism, is a characteristic of the Russian economy.
Now, wherever it operates, Capitalism cannot remain static. Competition between Capitalist groups accelerates the need for each group to produce huge masses of commodities that can be profitably sold at competitive prices. Having secured these commodities there comes to the capitalists of each country the need to sell them. Competition for markets, fields of exploitation, and trade routes is rife and the rival competitors find that friction between themselves becomes ever more serious.
It is in this framework of exploitation and competition that Russia, with her growing industrial and agricultural capacity, finds herself thrown into conflict with America—the country most likely to endanger her future Capitalist development.
America’s vast resources and advancement in war weapons, however, are sufficient, should war break out, to tax or even overcome the strength of Russia—if she were alone.
The motive behind Russia’s annexation of Eastern European countries now begins to show itself. She is gathering strength for a possible war not only against America, but any rival power.
The Labour Party is right, therefore, when it suggests that the C.P. is working against Socialism. This, however, does not show that the Labour Party, in contrast is working for Socialism.
It is an unfortunate fact that the majority of workers still believe that Capitalism can be run in the interests of the workers, and it was in the hope that this would be done that a Labour Government was voted to power.
Despite the efforts of the Government, however, we have in the last two years seen a gradual increase in the cost of living, a greater shortage of goods, attempts to “peg” wages, and an ever-increasing friction between nations. We have seen that, Labour Government or no Labour Government, Capitalism will go its own sweet way.
The nationalisation programme, heralded as "a Socialist measure,” has been carried out, but profits are still derived from the nationalised industries—and you cannot have profits or dividends without the exploitation of the workers. Thus the Labour Government is doing no more than administering Capitalism.
Working, as it is, for British Capitalism, it sees in Russia’s recent expansion the growing strength of a rival Capitalist power. It is this that has incurred the wrath of the Labour Government, and prompted Ernest Bevin’s plea for a union of the Western European nations.
A final note upon the Communist Party. The manner in which this organisation so glibly refers to the Soviet-dictated countries as ”new Democracies” shows the depth of deception to which the C.P. will sink in order to gain support for Russian Imperialism.
Socialist knowledge can fortify the workers against the propaganda of political fakers. Gain that knowledge and you can no longer be misled by supporters of Capitalism posing as Socialists.
F. W. Hawkins
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