New Left Current for the Communist Liberation
NAR: We need to strengthen the class workers’ movement, the anti-capitalist revolutionary left and the communist movement, to defeat the war campaigns of capital
Versión en Español
The dramatic developments in Ukraine and the escalation of war in Europe have a decisive impact on the lives of workers internationally, changing the course of the wider socioeconomic developments. From the very first moment, we condemned the dangerous military aggravation in the region, caused by the US/NATO, EU, and far-right regime of Ukraine on the one hand, and by Russia on the other. We also condemned the war and the unacceptable Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is unfolding into a major long-lasting war operation. The war has implied thousands of deaths, injuries in both sides, and millions of refugees fleeing Ukraine.
The demand for peace against the unjust and reactionary wars of capital in our times is of great importance. This is a militant demand of the workers’ movement, not a pacifist appeal, in order to defeat the war strategy of capital. In the present conditions, and despite the ongoing negotiations, the risk of a war extension is real and leaves no room for complacency.
The war in Ukraine marks a cornerstone in the modern capital wars, which needs deeper study. These wars are an implication of the 2008-09 capitalist crisis, which has not been fully resolved by the capitalist system and has intensified the capital competitions at all levels, bringing a continuous threat of war to the doorstep of humanity. The last decade has seen the outbreak of major wars in Asia and specifically in Africa. In addition, the multifaceted crises in recent years (pandemic, environmental crisis, climate change) push capitalism into even more acute competition at all levels, in search of war “solutions”, as has happened repeatedly in the past.
Particularly, the cause of the war lies in the new phase of intensification of the competition between the Western capitalist bloc (USA, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.), which is still being formed, and the bloc of Russia and China, which is currently being formed. The US and its close allies, especially after the election of Biden, seek to take advantage of their great superiority in political-military terms in order to compensate for their decline in the socioeconomic arena, especially vis-à-vis China. We are in an era of transition and change of hegemony, which in capitalism does not evolve “peacefully”. These developments make USA capitalism more aggressive, seeking to encircle Russia directly, but also China (AUKUS agreement, contestation of Taiwan and China Sea status, Hong Kong). USA seeks to reconstruct and rejuvenate NATO, to strengthen links with Europe and to neutralize or even defeat Russia, the only rival in the military arena. From this point of view, this aggressive initiative belongs to the bloc of the US and its European allies, including the reactionary regime in Ukraine.
On the other hand, Russian capitalism has become stronger than the first two decades the collapse of the USSR. It seeks to establish of a zone of direct influence and economic exploitation on the periphery of the former USSR, elevating its position in the new field of global power relations, mainly as the political-military arm of an alliance with China, with Moscow playing a reinforced role.
The war in Ukraine is the first episode of the new period in which capitalist antagonisms will increasingly be resolved by wars. Ukraine constitutes a field of expression of these antagonisms, combined with the interests and enormous responsibilities of the Ukrainian bourgeoisie and ‘oligarchs’. On these grounds, the war in Ukraine is unjust and reactionary on both sides; it is a war of bourgeois interests, having features similar to the ones of the imperialist wars of the 20th century, although even greater implications, following the contemporary wars of the totalitarian capitalism in the 21st century.
Nothing can justify the aggressive strategy of both sides. The ‘defense of freedom, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and Europe’ and the ‘democratic alliance against authoritarian regimes and leaders’, as the US, NATO, EU, etc. claim, are misleading. The same goes for the ‘defense of Russians and Russian-speakers in Ukraine’ and ‘denazification’ as Putin argues. After all, Putin’s anti-communist attack on Lenin and the Bolsheviks and the repeated references to «there is no Ukrainian nation» mark the strong revival of Russian nationalism, of which Lenin was a strong opponent, with the USSR practically overcoming it, despite the subsequent contradictions and revival of nationalist complexes. «Decommunization» constitutes the common goal of both capitalist-imperialist blocs and both nationalisms (Russia-Ukraine), indicating the rival of contemporary murderous capitalism.
In the wider context, the real opposition is between the following sides. On the one hand, the millions of deaths, brutal exploitation of nature and sharing of the world led by the competition among the capitalist centers and the modern totalitarian capitalism. On the other hand, the workers whose interests can be promoted only in an environment of peace and flourish in the struggle against and in rupture with capitalism and the imperialist coalitions.
The consequences of the war in Ukraine are already great for the workers and people, on various levels, causing new contradictions in the system.
Geopolitical: NATO is returning, Germany and the EU increase their military budget and equipment, NATO-US and EU are getting closer, with the US having a more important role, although without weakening the antagonisms and contradictions. Dangerous militarization and armament around the world. Tendency to strengthen the EU’s military strategy.
Economic: Severe economic implications for workers and people; energy and food crisis; risk of long-term stagflation. Severe consequences for workers and poor people from sanctions and ‘economic warfare’ between the two blocs. Food crisis, especially in Africa and Asia, new migrant-refugee waves. New ways of deeper exploitation of labor power. War marks always a period of accelerated economic restructuring, technological transition, capitalist reconstruction at the expense of the working class.
Political: Strengthening of capitalist coalition-axes, strengthening of the bourgeois state especially in its repressive forms, strengthening of existing government, counter-attack of supporters of the EU, NATO, “West” (“either you are with us or against us”), integration of the Left, etc. Restriction of freedoms, persecution, censorship, totalitarianism and witch-hunts in media, art, universities. On the other hand, the horror of war, the destructive role of bourgeois interests and the important social consequences provide a suitable terrain for anti-war, leftist, revolutionary and communist ideas and strategies to flourish. Historically it has been shown (not only in the past with the two world wars and the emergence of the revolutionary communist current in WW I and the anti-fascist resistance in WW II) that the field of wars, despite the stifling political balance, creates possibilities for resistance. The peoples are not weak, they can impose positive developments; we have seen that from Vietnam to Iraq, the anti-war movements have influenced the political arena.
Ideological: Attempt to reinforce nationalism, legitimize war as a means of ‘conflict resolution’, militarism, and anti-communism. A particular aspect of this conflict pertains to the anti-Russian fanaticism, neo-McCarthyism against arts, culture and people of Russia. On the other hand, there are possibilities for the emergence of anti-war tendencies, claiming another world for the producers of wealth, etc.
In the new context, the main US/NATO objective is to strengthen the Southeastern wing of NATO and the steady return of Turkey to the Western coalition. A special objective is the exploitation by the European Union of the region’s energy resources in the most appropriate and economically profitable way, overcoming confrontations. Increasing risk of restarting the war conflicts in Syria and Libya, with a Western counterattack on the Russian influence.
The main objective of the Greek bourgeoisie is to utilize a strong alliance with the US/NATO and France/EU to upgrade its geopolitical and economic position in the region (at the expense of Turkey’s increased efforts and ambitions) as a pillar to boost its profitability and enhance capitalist reconstruction in Greece. This objective not only does not change, but is strengthened. This strategy is supported by the entire bourgeois political bloc and the parties of the New Democracy, SYRIZA, KINAL/PASOK and nationalists.
At the same time, however, this policy of Greek governments and capital becomes more dangerous unfolding in the new environment of international capitalist antagonisms, which are also expressed in war missions. The Greek capital seeks to increase its profits by taking advantage of specific developments, including Greek shipowners’ purchase of numerous LNG tankers, the participation in the new energy networks, and price speculation.
Against this context, the strategy the government of the New Democracy has caused people and youth’s concern. Extending the policy of the previous governments (ND, SYRIZA, PASOK), Greece has become attached to the plans of the USA and NATO in the early 2020s. Chiefly, the five-year agreement on the US bases turns Greece into a strategic area for the US military plans, constituting it as a target of the rival bloc and thus causing great dangers for the people and youth. The Greek Government has already involved Greece in the war and in the US plans, while getting ready for even deeper involvement.
The five-year agreement with the US that has been agreed by the government of the New Democracy (on the path of the «strategic alliance» initiated by the SYRIZA government) and is expected to be voted on in parliament strengthens Greece’s engagement with the US-NATO plans. This marks the ambition of the Greek State and capital to get a share of the region. Moreover, the agreement with France, the huge armaments, the commitments for military support of EU military missions even in Africa, the plans for the development and independent intervention of the Euro-army, highlight the danger of the bourgeois policy.
The peoples have nothing to gain from the imperialist competition. The constant struggle against the ‘enemy in our own country’, against the strategic agreements between Greece, the USA and France and the powers that signed them, against capital and the government that is in line with the war-mongering policy of the USA-NATO is the only way for securing peace.
The critical starting point pertains to the anti-war strategy and independence from the bourgeois politics and interests of each country and from the international capitalist-imperialist blocs. A left-wing working-friendly strategy cannot align behind NATO, the EU and the government of Ukraine, behind the government of its own country. Nor can it become apologetic about Russia and Putin. The argument of the ‘lesser evil’, of the better imperialism and of the pacifist general denunciations of the war must be defeated, without highlighting the question of defeating the bourgeois war campaign, of overthrowing the pro-war governments, of ‘shortening’ the axis in which the country is involved, of stopping the war machine.
The crucial issue is the connection between the anti-war and the social-class arenas of struggle. As the governments attempt to put all the burdens on the workers and youth (extremely expensive energy and food, budget deficits, public debt), it is very important to form a unified class anti-war framework of demands and a corresponding movement. The latter needs to undermine the attempt to form a unified ‘national alliance’ under bourgeois hegemony, shaping conditions of strong resistance.
We adopt a clear position in the Ukraine issue and against the unjust, reactionary and aggressive antagonism of the bourgeois classes on both sides in Greece and Turkey. Regarding the broader socio-political movement, there is an attempt to form a social coalition in favor of NATO and the EU, as well as the reactionary regime in Kiev. Although there is a broader condemnation of the war and the Russian invasion, the attempt to actively support the side of NATO -as promoted by the government of New Democracy- is opposed by a large part of the people.
The Left and the popular movement must intervene in this national unity narrative, demanding the exit of Greece from NATO, the Euro army and the EU, and the closure of the US bases. We need to widen the struggle against war, to unite the anti-war movement with the struggle for bread, peace, health and freedom, against the government and the barbaric contemporary capitalism. We will not die for their interests; we will fight for a free creative life.
In this critical framework, the mobilization of the workers and anti-war movement is required by demanding:
– An end to the hostilities now. Russia out of Ukraine, stop all NATO and EU intervention and expansion in Ukraine and the wider region. Let the people of Ukraine decide for their future.
– Cease any involvement and participation of Greece in the war in Ukraine and imperialist plans. Stop the joint operations of Greece with NATO allies, in Greece and outside of it. No Greek troops outside the borders.
– The bases out of Greece. Close Souda basis. Alexandroupolis basis will not become a springboard for war. Reverse the five-year agreement with the US and with France.
– Cancel the military programs – money for health, education, the unemployed, social needs, not for weapons.
– Out of NATO, not in the Euro-army, out of the EU.
– The workers and people will not pay for their war. The sanctions hurt the people first and foremost. Cancel them!
-Impose a price cap on energy prices and on basic food now! Abolish the Special Taxes on fuel, heating and social utility tariffs. Abolish VAT on basic food and everyday essentials.
-Immediate increase all wages so that we can live decently from our work. Similar increases in pensions and unemployment benefits.
-Indiscipline on the EU’s fiscal rules, no to the Euro-memoranda, write off public debt. Out of the EU.
We believe that the most comprehensive response against modern capitalism is to strengthen the class workers’ movement, the anti-capitalist revolutionary left and the communist movement. The mobilization of millions of people, with a sharp revolutionary movement, is a prerequisite for the defeat of the war campaigns of capital.
