By Eva Cheng
"Globalisation" of the world capitalist system was the theme of the international report to the DSP conference, delivered by Doug Lorimer. The report argued that there has not been a qualitative change in the internationalisation of capital. Claims to the contrary are mainly propaganda intended to persuade workers that they have to swallow rising austerity attacks so that their capitalists can stay "competitive", and that it is impossible for governments to restrict the privileges of business.
"By the late 1970s, it had become clear to the imperialist rulers that the long expansive wave had given way to a long depressive wave and that it was no longer possible to assure full employment, to maintain social security and grant a steady if modest increase in real income for wage earners without threatening capitalist profits. At that point the drive to restore the rate of profit through a strong upswing in the rate of exploitation of the working class become the imperialist rulers' top priority", Lorimer explained.
Initially this capitalist offensive was carried out under the ideological banner of neo-liberalism. As that theory began to be exposed, the ruling class shifted to "globalisation" as the new justification for its attacks.
Lisa Macdonald, reporting on the Australian political situation, stressed that the Coalition government's racism is part of a conscious ideological offensive to pave the way for more Thatcherite attacks on workers, a job made easier after the ALP's 13 years of right-wing policies.
"Far from shifting to the left" since its defeat, Macdonald noted, "the ALP has consolidated its rightward trajectory, ensuring that, while in opposition, it will continue to be seen as a reliable alternative manager of neo-liberal reform for the ruling class".
She stressed the anti-union, pro-business record of the Democrats, and the limitations of the Greens due to their naive illusions in "small business solutions" to the fundamental flaws of capitalism.
She added that while the resistance to the Coalition's attacks might continue to be sporadic, short winded and isolated, "Each of every one of these struggles is crucial to generating a new layer of radicalised activists who, while they may be small in number at the moment, will be the core of a new class-struggle left wing in the trade unions and social movements".
In his report on building the DSP, Peter Boyle affirmed the party's understanding of the strategic importance of building a disciplined cadre force around a revolutionary program. This is made necessary by the difficult but unavoidable task of bridging the gap between the historical task of the working class — to achieve socialism — and its level of consciousness.
Boyle registered the enormous pressure on a Marxist party while it is small and isolated, but stressed, "Our solution is to keep straining to break from that condition — by building the party and keeping the closest contact with the broad masses in struggle.
"It's a solution to that contradiction but it's not an 'instant' solution. So we're not going to feel 'comfortable and relaxed' about party building — not until the final victory. We're always thinking: how we are going to do better?"