Support Libyan Rebels While Opposing U.S./NATO Intervention

MHI here discusses the reasons for its opposition to the U.S./NATO bombing of Libya, as well as discussing our support for the rebels there and in the other ongoing revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa. We think it is important to take a position on the difficult and contentious issue of military intervention; waffling, as many Left groups have done by failing to take a firm stand on U.S./NATO intervention, hinders the development of both theory and activity that can actually aid revolutions. Our position rejects the false alternatives of “taking sides” and attempts instead to sharpen and develop the dimension of liberatory ideas and action. For a minority position within MHI on these issues, see Libya and the Left in the Forces of Revolution section below.

Whereas mass movements in Tunisia and Egypt, at the beginning of this year, won their revolutions to overthrow entrenched dictatorships relatively quickly, other Middle Eastern and North African countries are locked in longer struggles marked by much bloodshed and many reversals of fortune. Thousands have been slaughtered in mass demonstrations and rebellions in some 19 countries, and the struggles continue.

In Libya in particular, the rebels have sometimes appeared to be on the brink of success and at other times on the brink of being eradicated. Libya’s dictator for 42 years, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, has vowed to kill every rebel, and is doing so wherever he is able. Much of the rebel movement asked the UN to establish a “no-fly” zone in order to stop Qaddafi from bombing his own people and from flying in mercenaries and supplies. The UN passed a resolution in support and NATO proceeded to implement a “no-fly” zone; it has been bombing Qaddafi forces since March 19. Government-held and rebel-held areas of the country keep changing hands, while more and more civilians and rebels are killed. Read More

Marx’s Struggle against Defamation: 150th Anniv. tribute to “Herr Vogt”

by Andrew Kliman, author of Reclaiming Marx’s “Capital”: A refutation of the myth of inconsistency

[Editors' note, Oct. 8, 2011: Readers may also be interested in the related WSS article, concerning libel against the author: "Condemn Libelous Attack on Marx Scholar."] ,

The following text is the revised and corrected version of Dec. 29, 2010. For the original version of Dec. 23, click here.

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Proposal for a Network for the Circulation of Theoretical Struggles

Capitalism’s most severe financial crisis since the 1930s and the Great Recession have left us with an especially uncertain future. “The new normal” may prove to be very difficult, economically and politically.

In order for the Left to be prepared for what may happen and prepared to respond effectively, more and more activity and organization will not be enough. We also need the organization of thought. Wide-ranging dialogue is key, not only so that all views can be heard, but, above all, so that we can test different ideas in debate and work out answers to the questions we face.

We are encouraged by the relatively large number of Capital reading groups (study groups) that have sprouted up in the U.S., the UK, Germany, and elsewhere, largely in response to the crisis and slump. Nothing like this has been seen since the economic crisis of the 1970s. We are also encouraged by the seriousness with which the causes and consequences of the recent crisis has begun to be discussed.

To help facilitate and bring together these and similar initiatives, we propose an international Network for the Circulation of Theoretical Struggles (NCTS) and are taking the initial steps needed to establish it. We invite everyone who is interested in this project to participate in it. NCTS will bring together individuals in reading groups and related projects, and all other
interested people, so that we can engage in dialogue, provide mutual assistance, and share information. The network will supplement, not replace, the activity that is already taking place. Read More

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