The Workers Republic- What It Means [our Readers Write

John McGuffin, predictably enough, took me to task in last week's issue for the suggested limits on property ownership ina Workers' Republic given in my article on the Workers' Republic. John overlooks the fact that I said it should be the first priority of a workers' government to establish such limits. The point is that it is not the owner of two houses, the medium-sized farmer, or the inheritor of £10,000 who is the source of the exploitation of the working class. These people do not own the means of production, the banks, or the chain-stores. The first priority of a workers’ government must be to transfer the ownership of the sources of wealth from the tiny capitalist class to the workers as a whole. The lower middle class can be dealt with later.

limits The actual limits suggested were purely arbitrary. Of course if every house is needed then not only should no-one be allowed to own two houses but all large houses should be requisitioned and reallocated on need. The same for farms and legacies. But where there is no pressing need it would be unwise if not unjust to try to abolish all private property overnight. In a capitalist society the constant fear of recession and unemployment encourages people to acquire small amounts of property as a protection against bad times. They will not give it up easily until the elimination of poverty and need removes their fears, or unless they see a clear social need for it.

A minor point. John McGuffin wants even stricter limits on property ownership. Who would enforce these limits since he believes a workers' government is a contradiction in terms? John also casts doubts on the likelihood of the withering away of the state. There was no suggestion that the capitalist state would wither away. On the contrary it will have to be pushed, shoved, or very forcibly kicked. But a workers' government would I would like to become a member of the People's Democracy. I enclose a fee of 5 shillings.

All letters, gifts, correspondence etc. to:- 88, Ladybrook Park, Belfast.

To remit sums of money you can use our giro number: 68 101 2005 have as one of its objects the progressive disbanding of its repressive forces once the revolution was secure and the expropriation of the exploiters completed.

Finally, I fully accept that a limit of 250 acres on private farm holdings is far too generous. It would be acceptable in some other*countries, but with the fertile land and pattern of small farming in Ireland a limit of 75 - 100 acres would be necessary. Needless to say however it would be the duty of a workers' government to encourage the growth of large producers' cooperatives.

Yours fraternally, Comrades, The slogan of a workers republic has been adopted by the P.D. as an assertion of our ultimate aim - the achievment of socialism in Ireland. In previous issues writers have outlined what such a society might mean in practical terms, although it is near impossible to give an exact blueprint for a society which can only arise out of the experiences and:struggles of the working-class against capitalism.

One thing is clear however, that the winning of state power by the working-class of Ireland, North and South, would not necessarily mean the achievement of a socialist society in Ireland although such a victory would be a tremendous step towards it. The establishment of working class rule in Ireland alone would soon be threatened by the forces of capitalism and imperialism if the working class of other countries remained passive. Capitalism has long ago outstripped national boundaries in its neverceasing search for markets and the strongest capitalist countries have brought most of the world under ts control in order to ensure the great est exploitation. Such control does not always depend on armies for its support, but because such countries e.g. America, Britain have accumulated such vast-amounts of capital they are able to start factories, develop mining etc. in countries which lack the necessary capital. But these enterprises have not been built to help the people of these countries; on the contrary they exist because they give ahigher rate of profit of their owners than the equivalent investment at home. If for any reason the prospect of profit disappears, the factories will be immediately closed down and tough luck on the workers! In addition, the great banks and finance houses control the amount of money and the terms on which it will be lent to the 'under developed’ countries, so imposing another fetter on the er EO of the country.

% This advanced form of can‘* ism - imperialism - is what the vorking classes and oppressed peoples of the world must defeat if peace, dignity and harmony are to replace war, humilation and oppression. But because imperialism exists on a world scale and because it is not restricted to one country, it can, in the end, only be defeated on a world scale. The socialist revolution can be victorious only as a world revolution.

One worker alone cannot defeat the bosses on the factory floor, but must unite in common action with fellow workers if he is to make any progress. In the same way workers of all countries must fich! asa single class with intere. * common to them all.

The workers and peasants who rose in Russia in 1917 found themselves opposed by no less than twelve countries. They successfully fought off the assault by imper ialism , but the failure of the workers' revolution in the advanced capitalist countries of the West meant that it was ultim~’-.y impossible to build the socialist society in Russia and it delivered the revolution into the hands of a privileged caste of bureaucrats.

international The creation of an international socialist society would not mean a world of uniformity and staleness, but it would mean that national, racial or religious differences would not be used to divide and exploit people. Rather man would use his cultural and racial differences to achieve a greater understanding of himself and his environment - the energy which has been used in class societies to repress and stifle would be released to conquer and overcome poverty, hunger and want, in all its forms. Such a society would mean another advance in man's struggle to break free from barbarism - the workers' republic would be a major stride to wards that great destiny.

Yours fraternally, Eamonn O'Kane.

Back in Ireland the repression against P.D. members and the general public continues. 11 members are now apparently going to be charged over a peaceful sit-in and occupation of the Toome Eel Fisher ies offices 5 months ago, and more are to be charged with contempt of court for daring to have a peaceful - and perfectly legal picket outside Albert 'Spitoon' Walmsley's court while 17 P.D. members were being framed for demonstrating solidarity with the cement strikers (the appeal of 7 against jail sentences is due next month, money is still need ed for legal defence to keep these comrades out of jail). Apparently delicate Albert was 'offended' by some of the placards. Those who believed he was beneath contempt were obviously wrong.

FREE CITIZEN x MY HANDS weehr REALLY 18th September 1970 © MONTHS.

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