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Socialist Youth News
 Debate: Marxism vs Anarchism
By Cian Prendiville

Over 40 people attended a debate between Socialist Youth (SY) and the anarchist group Workers’ Solidarity Movement (WSM). The lively debate had speeches and good discussions on two main points: How to organise to change society? What’s the alternative to capitalism?

All present agreed that Irish Ferries and the war in Iraq show how capitalism puts profit before people and so clashes with workers and young people. We also agreed a complete system change is needed, to one where workers and young people run society and people come first. Then the debating began!

The first part of the debate concerned the role of organisations like SY and the WSM. The WSM said our organisations must mirror the society we wish to build i.e. build anarchism within capitalism. SY countered saying that we should strive to be the best tool for change, not necessarily a complete reflection of the new society. The WSM argued against having a leadership, even a democratic leadership. We argued that leadership within an organisation is necessary and inevitable, with some people more willing to give up their time and more capable and that these people should be elected and held accountable by branches with all policies discussed and agreed democratically.

SY pointed to GAMA as a sign of the importance of and possibilities with correct leadership in the wider workers’ movement. The WSM, however, criticised us, saying we sought to become the new rulers, not just help transform society. Running in elections was also a hot topic. Both sides agreed that the Dail was not real democracy and that major decisions are taken by multinationals, for instance the invasion of Iraq. Therefore, the WSM argued, we shouldn’t run candidates as it is risky and harmful. We argued that having people in the Dail can assist struggles on the ground as was demonstrated in GAMA, and struggles against the water and bin charges.

The second part of the debate was on how an alternative society would work. Both agreed it would centre on democratic workers’ councils in workplaces and communities and coming together regionally and nationally. The disagreement was over whether it would be federal or centralised. WSM argued that every individual workplace should be free to do what it wants, even if it goes against the will of the majority. SY argued that that would be ludicrous, especially initially when efficiency is crucial.

We argued that once decisions were made by national, democratically elected and accountable bodies, they would have to be carried out by all. The WSM, however, said all decisions had to be agreed by all on the ground.

Ultimately we strive for a stateless, moneyless society. But we understand that after the working class gain power, the capitalist class both nationally and internationally will do everything it can to hinder the development of socialism. Thus, it will be essential for working class people to organise their own democratic state to ensure the democratic rule of the working class.

All agreed that the debate was a success, with a number of people present indicating they wanted more information about Socialist Youth.
Socialist Youth News
 Venezuela – Eyewitness tour
The Socialist staff

Since returning from Venezuela, Michael O’Brien (Socialist Party Member) has spoken at meetings in Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Omagh, Drogheda, Bray and UCD. Crowds of predominantly young people listened to Michael explain the revolutionary process taking place in Venezuela.

Of particular interest were Michael’s stories of his trip to the barrios (slums), where he saw first-hand the impact of Chavez’s reforms on the lives of poor people, with investment in infrastructure raising their standard of living. He reported on the struggle for independent working class representation both industrially and politically, including the establishment of a Committee for a Workers’ International group there. Michael emphasised that the best way for people to show solidarity with those struggling for a better society in Venezuela is to get involved in the fight for socialism here.

For details of upcoming meetings in Dundalk, Limerick, Galway and Enniskillen, contact the Socialist Party on (01) 6772592 [South] or (02890) 232962 [North].
Socialist Youth News
 End the Occupation of Iraq - Withdraw the troops now!
By Cillian Gillespie

At the beginning of this month the war criminal George W. Bush paid a visit to US soldiers at Shannon airport. This gave two fingers to the majority of Irish people who have opposed his brutal war and occupation of Iraq.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the Irish government allowed him to pass through the airport on two separate occasions in the one week. They have allowed over 300,000 US soldiers to pass through Shannon since 2003. This devotion has not gone unnoticed by the Bush administration. The US special envoy to Ireland Richard Hass said that the use of Shannon was crucial to operations in Iraq.

The Irish Government’s slavish support for so-called "war on terror" has not stopped there. They have been more than happy to turn a blind eye to the CIA using Shannon as a stopover for ‘’rendition’’ flights. Rendition is the Bush administration’s disgusting euphemism for the kidnapping and torture of mainly Muslim prisoners who are brought and held without charge in detention centres like Guantanamo Bay.

Using conservative estimates, over 100,000 have died as a result of the occupation in Iraq. Unemployment now stands at 70% and living standards in Iraq generally have declined significantly in the past three years. On top of this, imperialism has helped to fuel sectarian tensions that are potentially pushing Iraq in the direction of civil war. These facts speak for themselves. Bush and Blair’s war was not waged in the interests of the Iraqi people but was a war for oil and profit waged under the flimsiest of pretences.

This is a conclusion shared by the vast majority of workers and young people across the globe. But on the third anniversary of the outbreak of the war, many will wonder how this brutal occupation (and in Ireland the use of Shannon Airport by the US) can be brought to an end. In the past year, we have seen mobilisations such as the successful campaign by school students to “Bring Kunle Home” and the successful strike of Turkish and Kurdish migrant workers against GAMA Construction. These glimpses of struggle show that we are not powerless against capitalist war criminals like Bush and their servants like Bertie Ahern. If any anti-war movement is to be successful in its aims, it needs to base itself on this real power and not just on annual protests.

Socialist Youth and the Socialist Party will be using the anti war protest on 18 March to hammer home this point as we have consistently done. Once again we will be arguing the need to link opposition to this imperialist war with the capitalist profit system that has created horror without end for the people of Iraq. The fact that $1 trillion has been squandered by the Bush administration to wage this war is as good an argument as any as to why young people need to fight for a socialist future. A future not based on wars waged for the blind pursuit of profit, but one where the collective ownership and control of our planet’s resources can be utilised for the benefit of all.

US TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ & SHANNON!
DEMONSTRATE 18 MARCH, 2pm, PARNELL SQUARE

On 18 March Socialist Youth will be taking to the streets North and South as part of the International Day of Action against the occupation of Iraq.

In over 50 cities around the world, demonstrations will take place demanding the removal of all foreign troops from Iraq. The dangers of which the anti-war movement warned before the invasion, of US and other “coalition” armies becoming bogged down in an un-winnable war, have been borne out. The threat of a sectarian civil war now hangs over the Iraqi people.

In the US, Bush’s support is at an all-time low. There is growing support for troops to be withdrawn. The anti-war movement needs to be rebuilt to demand the immediate withdrawal of all imperialist troops. At the same time, the anti-war movement needs to oppose the sectarian fundamentalists who threaten to unleash civil war in Iraq. Instead, solidarity should be built for working class unity in Iraq.

Socialist Youth will be intervening in protests and organising anti-war activity on 18 March to explain the need for a socialist resistance to the occupation which can unite the Iraqi working class from all religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Contact Socialist Youth at Belfast (02890) 232962 or Dublin (01) 6772592 to get involved.