An Harangue

Lyrics

The insecurity of crystalline political super-structures as a consequence of economic crisis and social conflict, is not in itself a new form of social organisation — making deep changes in the social project. Unless a conscious socialist transformatory alternative develops, the result of crisis must be the further entrenchment of reaction and the growth of mass repression in lieu of solutions to societies’ problems. The ruling classes are universally appraised of such prospects: in the non-industrial countries the only growth industry is military and in the industrial (‘advanced’) countries, there is a vogue for discovering and ‘elimination’ ‘dangers within’ and an increase in hysterical, repressive legislation. The ideal is now the ‘strong’ and opaque state where repression keeps workers in line and activists harassed .. entangled in a charade … tolerated up-to-a-point. The point is that at which the activists cease to resemble traditional reformist organisations. The latter are, in any case, afforded space in which to operate — mystify.

For the ruling classes to want such regimes is one thing — to achieve them is quite another: the workers can move to the centre of political events rapidly and surprise the ruling classes with their economic power. This — even when the working class, as, such, is a minority.

But the prospect remains bright for the authoritarian right: for this, both the reformist parties and peasant-fixated 1960’s revolutionaries are to blame.

What is needed is an integration of the ideology of socialism … socialist … transformatory sections … with the industrial working class.

Socialist-working class solidarity is historical leadership identity.

Chronology

• Corrected Slogans
  • Michael Baldwin - vocals
  • Mayo Thompson - guitar

Various artists compilations

• January 2007: Rough Trade Shops: Counter Culture 1976 (Europe)