THE G8 (Group of Eight), who are holding a summit in Gleneagles in
Scotland this July, brings together the leaders of eight of the world’s
richest nations: USA, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and
now Russia.
Nick Parker, International Socialists (CWI, Scotland), Glasgow
University
Since it was set up in 1975 to discuss the "economic problems of
the day", the G8 has failed to provide any viable solution. The
problems facing the world have deepened further. 2.8 billion people
today are forced to exist on less than $2 a day, whilst transnational
corporations become more and more powerful.
However, the G8 has also been the focal point of the fight against
global capitalism. More recently, large-scale protests and direct action
have accompanied this event, with coalitions and networks formed between
various participating grassroots organisations.
This year Blair’s government assumes presidency of the G8 and July’s
Gleneagles meeting will discuss solving the problems facing the African
continent.
Any attempt by the G8 to solve the problems facing Africa will fail.
Historically, the African continent has been devastated by the actions
of the capitalist class who rule in many G8 countries. Their imperialist
and colonialist policies have caused extreme poverty for most Africans.
Capitalism’s representatives today are just as unlikely to secure a
solution.
In fact, imperialism’s ideological basis is still little more than
thinly-veiled racism. The official G8 website, created by Blair’s
government, argues that the African continent is afflicted by such
poverty and war because of "poor government". This denies the
urgent manner by which transnational corporations continue to exploit
Africa’s natural resources and sustain corrupt governments in the
region.
There are signs, however, that with collective struggle, ordinary
people can make a difference. Look at the impact of the general strikes
in which Nigerian CWI members had a key role.
Only with collective organisation and struggle can ordinary Africans
fight the poverty, war, and exploitation by transnational capitalism and
its representatives in the G8.
Past G8 events have been the arena for mass demonstrations against
the capitalist system and its hypocritical leaders. Gleneagles will be
no exception. At Glasgow University, coalitions have been formed between
students in various societies to co-ordinate resistance.
Ordinary people from all over the world, too, will travel to Scotland
this summer to show the ruling Žlite that another world is possible.
However, the full participation of the working class, supported by
the radical middle class, and the trade unions’ involvement will be
essential to establish a socialist world.
It is important to stress demands such as the abolition of Third
World debt. However, only the fight for a socialist world based on the
democratic organisation and control of production and society will end
the chaos which engulfs the planet today.
From International Socialist, paper of International Socialists, CWI
in Scotland
