This is a stunning conclusion that, for me, needed some fleshing out. Koppel’s article was a welcome contribution. The court’s decision upholding affirmative action is a reflection of the long-term trends strengthening the working class and its allies that the rulers have been forced to reckon with.

Thank you and keep up the good work.

Theresa Kendrick
West Palm Beach, Florida
 
 
Disagree on Scotland
Pete Williamson’s piece on the Scottish election (July 28 Militant) clearly indicates the dangers inherent in taking a political line applicable in one country and mechanically applying it to the situation in another.

Let’s look at the situation of farmers during the recent Scottish elections. Here in Fife I am surrounded by “working” farmers—many of whom although facing poor conditions still appear to be able to support very affluent life styles with many driving £30,000 4X4 vehicles and live in fine houses.

More interestingly they were, certainly here, uniformly filling their fields with posters supporting the detested Tory party.

The origins of Farmers for Action lies in the fuel blockades of 2000 and was, at the time, universally condemned by the Labour and Trade union movement including the Transport and General Workers Union, TUC, and Scottish TUC. Its politics are more Poujadist than Marxist.

I am familiar with the line of the U.S. SWP on building a farmer/workers alliance but suggest that a few economic demos on prices in Scotland leave a very long road before the Perthshire farmers will be in alliance with nursery nurses or fire-fighters.

Not all victims of monopoly capitalism are able to take their struggle to the stage of consciously aligning with the working class movement, which Marxists know will be the key driver in their defeat of capitalism.

I suggest most Scottish farmers are some way from this point.

Turning to the politics resulting from the election, of course the Greens contain middle-class elements. They are not consciously seeking a socialist solution, but the logic of their position challenges capitalist solutions and means they are potential allies for the Left—at least as reliable as dairy farmers.

Pete’s position on the SSP [Scottish Socialist Party] is simply sectarian. Of course Scotland is not Cuba but the SSP is a major supporter of the gains of the Cuban revolution with this position confirmed by the SSP conference.

On the wider political question of course any serious party has to discuss the types of society in existence but this does not imply that the SSP is not in favour of breaking with capitalism—it clearly is and its growth indicates that this aspiration is shared by the voters.

Pete’s sectarian approach is the more puzzling when the fact that many people from his own segment of the Trotskyist movement are now participating in the SSP’s project and he should consider joining them.

Finally on Ireland it is not surprising that it did not feature in the SSP manifesto for the Scottish Elections since the Scottish Parliament has no powers to deal with the issue. However, it is underhand and verging on falsification to imply that the SSP is ignoring the issue—it has been widely debated with speakers from all traditions at several party events in the recent past.

His claim that the Irish struggle fuelled Scots demand for Independence has limited validity—otherwise how do we explain the fact that when the Irish were in arms as in 1916 Scots were helping to suppress them—for example one infantry regiment, the Kings Own Scottish Borderer, were known as the Kings Own Scottish Murderers.

Ken Ferguson
Convenor SSP Tay Coast
Fife, Scotland
 
 
How did capitalism arise?
Today by pure chance I have in my hands an example of your Perspectiva Mundial and I would like to know how I can receive it. At this time I am in federal detention in prison in Beaumont, Texas. I like it for the information and even more because it is socialist. I hope to soon be free together with my family to begin a new life.

I would appreciate it very much if you could send me information on how I can go about becoming a member of your magazine.

I also would be grateful if you could help me with a little information. The information I’m talking about is how and when did capitalism arise as a social system. I understand that it was in Spain in 1492, during the reign of King Fernando and Queen Isabel, the Catholics. They succeeded in accomplishing two events of great social and political importance, which were the discovery, or better to say, the conquest of America and the expulsion of the Arabs from Castilla or from Spain.

If you send me something in writing about this subject I would appreciate it. Also If you were to publish something about this in your magazine it would be very interesting and instructive. (To be a socialist means to be social and to be social means to be human).

A prisoner
Beaumont, Texas

The Militant receives many requests from readers behind bars. The Prisoners Fund makes it possible to send them reduced rate subscriptions. A prisoner can buy a six-month subscription for $6 and a one-year subscription for $12.

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The letters column is an open forum for all viewpoints on subjects of interest to working people. Please keep your letters brief and indicate if you prefer that your initials be used rather than your full name. Where necessary letters will be abridged.  
 
 
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