Socialist View - Summer 2003 - Political Journal of the Socialist Party

Summer 2003 - No. 11

THE FIRST anniversary of the Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrat government was marked by the publication of an opinion poll, that showed support for the government at a record low. Their satisfaction rating of just 28% is down a massive 33% in just a year. Fianna Fail is at 32%, their lowest poll rating for ten years. The Progressive Democrats who have managed to remain relatively un-scathed in recent polls came out on just 4% down from 6%.

THE PEACE process remains in deep crisis. Despite desperate efforts by the British and Irish governments over the last few months, it has not proved possible to re-establish the Executive, and the Assembly elections have been postponed indefinitely. Attempts to resuscitate the institutions established under the Agreement will continue over the summer but the same problems will surface, the same stumbling blocks will emerge. Since its inception the Executive has been suspended on three separate occasions and has stumbled from crisis to crisis. Even if a new deal is reached, it will again only deliver a temporary respite.

THE WAR on Iraq had a profound effect on people's attitudes. There is a generalised understanding that the war was about oil and a growing awareness that it was also about increasing the dominance of US capitalism internationally. It was the military reflection of the neo-liberal policies that capitalism has been imposing on the world in recent years.

THE AFTERMATH of US and British imperialism's war in Iraq is chaos. Bush and Blair's war of "liberation" has created a massive cornucopia of problems. The people of Iraq, having suffered decades of oppression under Saddam Hussein, three major wars, and 12 years of genocidal UN sanctions have been plunged into a new nightmare.

THE ROAD map for peace drawn up by the US, the EU, Russia and the UN has been put forward by Bush as the plan that can finally end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people.

DURING THE first months of this year, city centres across Europe reverberated to the chants of the millions who took part in what was the biggest anti war movement in history. More recently the streets and piazzas of many cities have again been filled by huge demonstrations; this time of working class people protesting against attacks on services, on welfare payments and on pensions.

The Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) now has six MSPs elected to the Scottish parliament. This important breakthrough can assist socialists to reach a new generation who are looking for an alternative to poverty, low pay, racism and war. But how is socialism to be won? In this article, Philip Stott (International Socialists, CWI Scotland) looks at the SSP's current manifesto and statements by leading SSP members during the elections and contrasts that to the kind of programme the International Socialists believe is needed to achieve socialism.

IRISH INVOLVEMENT in the Spanish Civil War has been covered by a number of books, beginning with Michael O'Riordan's 1979 book, The Connolly Column. This was followed, 20 years later by two others. These books have resulted in increased research into the Irish role in the war leading to new details being found about those involved.

NINA SIMONE, the great singer, musician, composer and civil rights activist died on April 21 at her home in the south of France. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21st 1933, Simone was one of eight children brought up in a poor black district in Tyron, North Carolina. By the age of six, her talent was noticed when she began to play the piano and sing in the local church choir.

FF/PD One Year in Power: A Government of Crisis	THE FIRST anniversary of the Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrat government was marked by the publication of an opinion poll, that showed support for the government at a record low. Their satisfaction rating of just 28% is down a massive 33% in just a year. Fianna Fail is at 32%, their lowest poll rating for ten years. The Progressive Democrats who have managed to remain relatively un-scathed in recent polls came out on just 4% down from 6%.
Northern Ireland: Peace Process Permanently Stalled?	THE PEACE process remains in deep crisis. Despite desperate efforts by the British and Irish governments over the last few months, it has not proved possible to re-establish the Executive, and the Assembly elections have been postponed indefinitely. Attempts to resuscitate the institutions established under the Agreement will continue over the summer but the same problems will surface, the same stumbling blocks will emerge. Since its inception the Executive has been suspended on three separate occasions and has stumbled from crisis to crisis. Even if a new deal is reached, it will again only deliver a temporary respite.
What is Socialism?	THE WAR on Iraq had a profound effect on people's attitudes. There is a generalised understanding that the war was about oil and a growing awareness that it was also about increasing the dominance of US capitalism internationally. It was the military reflection of the neo-liberal policies that capitalism has been imposing on the world in recent years.
Iraq: The Chaos of Imperialist Occupation	THE AFTERMATH of US and British imperialism's war in Iraq is chaos. Bush and Blair's war of "liberation" has created a massive cornucopia of problems. The people of Iraq, having suffered decades of oppression under Saddam Hussein, three major wars, and 12 years of genocidal UN sanctions have been plunged into a new nightmare.
Middle East: A Road Map to Where?	THE ROAD map for peace drawn up by the US, the EU, Russia and the UN has been put forward by Bush as the plan that can finally end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people.
European Workers Fight Back	DURING THE first months of this year, city centres across Europe reverberated to the chants of the millions who took part in what was the biggest anti war movement in history. More recently the streets and piazzas of many cities have again been filled by huge demonstrations; this time of working class people protesting against attacks on services, on welfare payments and on pensions.
After the Scottish Elections: How is Socialism to be Won?	The Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) now has six MSPs elected to the Scottish parliament. This important breakthrough can assist socialists to reach a new generation who are looking for an alternative to poverty, low pay, racism and war. But how is socialism to be won? In this article, Philip Stott (International Socialists, CWI Scotland) looks at the SSP's current manifesto and statements by leading SSP members during the elections and contrasts that to the kind of programme the International Socialists believe is needed to achieve socialism.
History: New Research on the Irish who Fought in the Spanish Civil War	IRISH INVOLVEMENT in the Spanish Civil War has been covered by a number of books, beginning with Michael O'Riordan's 1979 book, The Connolly Column. This was followed, 20 years later by two others. These books have resulted in increased research into the Irish role in the war leading to new details being found about those involved.
Obituary: Nina Simone (1933-2003) - "Just Give Me My Equality"	NINA SIMONE, the great singer, musician, composer and civil rights activist died on April 21 at her home in the south of France. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21st 1933, Simone was one of eight children brought up in a poor black district in Tyron, North Carolina. By the age of six, her talent was noticed when she began to play the piano and sing in the local church choir.