Fascism again? (1947)

From the November 1947 issue of the Socialist Standard

The last War was ostensibly fought in order that the destruction of fascism might be permanently effected. Its measure of success in this direction may be judged by the recent revival of fascist activity. Under the new guise of the “British League of Ex-servicemen” a number of meetings have been held in the London area. The scenes that characterise these meetings are reminiscent of pre-war days. Rabid anti-Semitic propaganda, intense nationalism, slogan-shouting between supporters and opponents, invariably culminating in street brawls between both rival factions.

As a consequence a large measure of publicity was given by the daily Press. Among those perturbed at this state of affairs was Mr. John Platts Mills, M.P. At a meeting of the Finsbury Council he proposed a resolution “viewing with concern the recent outbreaks of anti-Semitism and increase in Fascist activity.” (Star, 26/9/47.)

He went on to say : ”I don’t think any of us would have imagined two years ago, after a war in which the whole world was embroiled in order to smash the most devilish system of government ever recorded in history, that we would now find people seeking to propagate the same system of government in our country. These people are self-declared traitors.”

Apparently Mr. Platts Mills is one of many who mistakenly assume that wars are fought over political systems and ideologies. It might interest him to know, however, that the S.P.G.B., while steadfastly proclaiming its Socialist opposition throughout the war, re-iterated the unpalatable truth, that whatever the outcome would be, the menace of fascism would not be removed. The cause of fascism must be sought in the economic structure of society prevailing in the world today. This system of Capitalism is based upon the ownership of the means of life by a comparative few, resulting in the consequent enslavement and subjection of the dispossessed majority in society, the working class.

Fascism then, arises when millions of workers, lacking a knowledge of their class position and desirous of seeking a scapegoat as the cause of their economic ills, fall an easy prey to the rhetorical arguments of the fascist demogogues.

Believing also that democracy can serve no useful purpose and therefore what is needed is a one-party government with a strong man at the helm, the workers in their political blindness hand over power to these tyrants, resulting in the inevitable abrogation of democratic institutions, with the subsequent establishment of a ruthless, repressive regime in its place. The rise of Hitlerism in Germany is a classic example of this.

The only safeguard against dictatorship is the conversion of the working class to the ideas of Socialism. When the majority are convinced of its necessity, they will wrest political control from the Capitalist class by sending their own Socialist delegates to the seat of power with a mandate to transform society from one of class ownership to one of common ownership and democratic control.

With the inauguration of a Socialist society, dictatorship, Fascist or otherwise, will be inconceivible, because the means of life will be owned and controlled by the democratic community of the world. Wealth will be produced solely to satisfy the needs of all, whereas today it is produced primarily for the profit of those who own, which results, in the starvation of millions who inhabit this globe if these profits are not forthcoming.

Socialism, then, will not only solve the major problems confronting society today but will afford the fullest possible life imaginable to all humanity. Such monstrosities as war, Fascism and economic insecurity will go and will be replaced by peace, democracy and plenty for all mankind.

J. Pizer

Work Harder? (1947)

From the March 1947 issue of the Socialist Standard

The working class, that long-suffering section of humanity, are being beseeched by the Labour Government and powerful organs of capitalist propaganda, to work harder in order that “greater effort now” may mean “better living sooner.”

However, an interesting sidelight on what really is in store for the workers comes from an article in the “Star” (February 1st, 1947) under the heading "Plans to Avoid Post-War Disaster.”

A report issued as a White Paper by the Preparatory Commission on World Food Proposals, tells us that “production capacity has been expanded in many countries outside the combat areas.”

Now from this simple statement of fact, the average worker might deduce that the good time so long promised him cannot be very far off.

However, our capitalists have decidedly different views on the matter, for we read on: "If nothing is done to absorb the infinitely greater production that our efforts in World War II have stimulated, the result may he millions out of work, an unparalleled business recession and social and economic unrest.”

Could anything further demonstrate the futility and bankruptcy of capitalism to solve the world's economic problem? 

Here we see the most gigantic forces of production the world has ever known, where the potentialities exist for satisfying all the material requirements of mankind, yet we are promised nothing more than “social and economic unrest.’’

The cause is not difficult to understand. Socialists have pointed out incessantly that so long as a privileged class in society, the capitalists, own and control the means of production, so long will the motive for producing be one of procuring a profit

If no profit can be realised then production will either be restricted or closed down altogether, to the detriment of the rest of the population, the working class.

Only under Socialism, when the whole of society will own and democratically control its means of production, will the forces of production, unfettered, be harnessed for the common good, the needs and desires of the world’s population being the sole consideration.

The question of overstocked markets, unsaleable surpluses and starving workers, would then belong to a dead and forgotten era.

Fellow workers, wake up !

J. Pizer