Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1114/31767
From The Socialist newspaper, 16 December 2020
Book launch: The national question - a Marxist approach
Oisin Duncan, Socialist Party Scotland
90 socialists from Scotland, Wales, England and Ireland, and even from as far afield as the US, attended an online book launch public meeting organised by Socialist Party Scotland on 10 December.
The new book, 'Scotland and the national question - a Marxist approach', is a 150-page contribution to a vital debate that is taking place in Scotland: how, and using what methods, can an independent socialist Scotland be achieved?
Philip Stott, national secretary of Socialist Party Scotland, pointed out that there were two main reasons for producing the book now. Firstly, to look at how our programme on the national question has evolved over the decades. Unlike the vast majority of forces on the left in Scotland, Militant and Socialist Party Scotland can reproduce our material on this issue and stand by it. We have always taken a very sensitive approach to the right of the Scottish people to self-determination.
Philip pointed out that another key reason for producing the book now was the major confrontation that is looming between a Tory government at Westminster, who will at all costs refuse a second independence referendum, and the majority of the working class in Scotland who now support independence. The Scottish elections in May 2021 will very likely see a pro-independence majority government at Holyrood.
Trade unions must take lead
The scene is therefore set for a massive collision on the issue. Even now, 79% of 16-24 year-olds support independence for Scotland. A key task of this book, Philip argued, is to make the case for a mass working-class-led movement for IndyRef2, with the trade unions taking a decisive lead. The workers' movement and socialists must fight for the leadership of the movement for self-determination and link this to the struggle for an independent socialist Scotland.
Peter Taaffe, political secretary of the Socialist Party England and Wales, explained that the national question is in many cases one of the unresolved tasks of capitalism. Even at the height of its powers, capitalism failed in a number of bourgeois national revolutions to complete the task of creating settled nation states. As a result, in this period of capitalist crisis, the national question has remerged with a vengeance in many countries. It is the task of socialists to be powerful advocates for democratic rights, linked to the struggle for socialism and the creation of a voluntary socialist federation of states.
Dave Reid from Wales explained that the movement for Scottish independence is having a big effect in Wales. Support for independence is increasing - as high as 25% in some polls this year. 40% of young people support independence. Socialist Party Wales calls for a parliament in Wales with a socialist majority and full economic and tax-raising powers.
The new book on the national question can play a key role in arming workers and young people with the programme and methods needed to win the struggle for national self-determination and socialism.
Scotland and the national question - a Marxist approach
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
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In The Socialist 16 December 2020:
News
Unemployment and Covid rising - the crisis is not over - Fight for jobs and safety
Mass testing - we need trade union oversight and full pay for all
Rich countries hoarding vaccine is danger to us all
No to Tories' new anti-protest law
Maternity unit deaths - democratic, public ownership needed
Met police investigate British mercenary war crimes against Tamils
No surprise, poverty is rising
Education
Cancel exams for class of Covid
Welsh schools close for safety after union pressure
Effective testing and properly funded safety plan needed in schools
East London shows the way: strikes are how to fight for state education
Determined strikers at Leaways school
Workplace News
Openreach and EE: Massive vote for action
PCS union conference stripped of powers by NEC
Unite launch ballot over sacked London bus rep
Christmas redundancy shock at L&Q housing association
Stop 'fire and rehire' at British Gas
New Technology
Can green technology and AI save capitalism?
Engels
'Socialism - Utopian and Scientific' by Engels
Reports & campaigns
Protests in solidarity with Indian farmers
Book: The national question - a Marxist approach
School boy assaulted by police in Tottenham
TUSC relaunch in the north west
Protest against immigration enforcement centre in Newham
Tremendous fighting fund reflects confidence
Quiz
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