Its time to recognise that the global capitalist economy lies at the root of many of the woes facing us today: War, systematic ecological destruction, poverty and starvation for large parts of humanity, the global exploitation of workers and peasants, the mass killing and maltreatment of animals... the list is endless. Globalisation, Neoliberalism, the free market- whatever the name and attributes, capitalism has always been inherantly flawed; it reduces the richness and beauty of people and the natural world to just one dimension- one that increases profits. This is neither natural nor necessary.
But a new world IS possible. A global movement of resistance is rising- people are reclaiming control of their lives. Coinciding with the G8 summit in cologne,independant groups of people around the world are taking simultaneous action in financial and business centres. We can create a different world. Has it ever been so necessary?
On June 18th the leaders of the eight most powerful nations will meet for the G8 summit in Cologne, Germany. Their agenda will be the intensification of economic growth, "free" trade and more power for corporations as the only way towards a bright future. But these 'leaders' are not in control... Our planet is actually run by the financial market - a giant video game in which people buy and sell blips on electronic screens, trading life for money in their search for ever-higher profits. Yet the consequences of this frenzied game are very real: human lives, ecosystems, jobs and even entire economies are at the mercy of this reckless global system. The problems it creates are many:
More intensive work. Longer hours. Increased stress. More accidents and industrial illness. Temporary contracts. Less job security. Benefit cuts and compulsory workfare schemes forcing people into lowpaid jobs. From Scotland to Singapore the quality of people's lives is being sacrificed on the altar of profit. But there is resistance - from workers like the Liverpool dockers, to country-wide claimants groups targetting New Deal exploiters Reed Recruitment.
IMAGINE a world where there are no employers and employees, just people giving according to their abilities...
In the early 1990s IMF austerity measures were imposed on the people of Yugoslavia leading to drastic pay cuts, mass redundancies and slashing of the welfare system. When these measures met with stiff resistance, the elite of the Yugoslav Communist Party needed a new strategy to neutralise and redirect the mass discontent. The break-up of Yugoslavia was their solution, and was welcomed by the leading NATO nations. Then ethnic cleansing started in earnest in Croatia and in Bosnia. Kosovo is the last stage in this tragedy.
IMAGINE a peaceful world community...
There is a growing movement calling for the cancellation of the debt of some of the poorest third world countries. We would welcome the success of this campaign but we feel that the best way to fight debt is to give practical solidarity to the countless people (continued from front page) resisting the consequences of debt to first world banks. Debt does not appear out of thin air - its roots lie in the exploitative nature of the capitalist economy. As long as capitalism prevails, debt will continue to be an issue. The one-off cancellation of third-world debt will not end the devastating long-term effects of global capitalism.
IMAGINE a world without debt - a world without money...
Capitalism is dependent on continuous expansion, regardless of the consequences - but endless growth is impossible on a planet where natural resources are finite. The continuing use of fossil fuels to drive an economy gone mad where basic goods are shipped around the world instead of being produced locally is severely threatening the stability of Earth's climate.
IMAGINE a world where animals and nature are not regarded as resources to exploit but treated with respect...
The Bank of Scotland's attempted deal with the American Far Right televangelist Pat Robertson highlights capital's disregard for people's well-being. The venture's failure is a small victory for those who campaigned against it, but the drive for profit will continue to inform the bank's actions, as it informs any bank's.
IMAGINE a world where people's needs come before profit...
Ideas and institutions condition and pressurise women and men into stereotyped gender roles. These restrict us all. Women's particular oppression meshes with capitalist exploitation. Women are often used as cheap labour; women's unpaid domestic labour maintains and reproduces the workforce. But worldwide, women have been at the forefront of environmental, anti-military and animal rights activity, fighting casualisation, campaigning to end male violence and supporting each other.
IMAGINE a world where all relationships are based on freedom, equality and mutual respect...
If you act as if there is no possibility of change for the better, then there will be no change for the better. The choice is ours...
As the economy becomes increasingly global and interdependent those resisting it are joining forces. Our actions today are part of global actions which can help strengthen international links between workers and communities, stopping the transnational corporations playing people off against each other, and planting the seeds of a world based on human need not profit. Around the world, the movement grows - from Mexico's Zapatistas, to France's unemployed, to India's small farmers, to those fighting road building in the UK, to anti-oil activists in Nigeria - people are taking direct action and reclaiming their lives from the insane game of the markets. Resistance will converge on June 18th as hundreds of groups simultaneously occupy and transform banking and financial centres across the globe.
The Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow actions are part of actions happening all round the world to oppose capitalism and the G8 Summit in Koln, Germany. There will be actions in the City of London, in Germany, all over Europe, in Canada, USA, Nigeria, Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Australia and more. Don't underestimate the power of global resistance!
Info c/o ACE on 0131 557 6242 (ansaphone : plus ace is open Tues 12-4pm, wed 2-6pm and (usually) sun 2-6pm.