A Historic Opportunity

[polly7]

With victory in sight, Alexis Tsipras discusses Europe’s political landscape and the formation of a left government in Greece.

On Sunday, Greece will hold a pivotal election. Opinion polls still have Syriza ahead of New Democracy by 3 percent and the old party of the center-left, PASOK, behind even the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

Syriza’s platform has no doubt moderated over the past months, and much debate can be had about how much the party can accomplish in power so long as Greece remains tied to the eurozone. How a government of the Left would relate to the movements that paved the way for its election also remains to be seen.

First off, I think that we should be more worried about what will happen if Greece does not change course and continues being the guinea pig for the neoliberal policies that have been implemented to supposedly address the crisis.

There are many people in this country searching through the trash for food or whose homes no longer have electricity. The elderly are faced with the decision whether to spend their pension money on food or medicine — the money they receive isn’t enough for both. The real economy is in shambles, and unemployment has skyrocketed. Our young people consider emigrating their first option. And the possibility of being stuck living under these conditions for the foreseeable future is all too real — trapped by austerity and recession, without decent wages or work, without dignity.

We do have another choice, though — one where we can feel pride. The European Social Forum’s motto comes to mind: “If not us, then who? If not now, when?” Obviously, we don’t intend to run the ship into the ground. We are opposed to austerity, and we’re not alone in taking this position; there is growing resistance to these policies, not only in Greece, but across Europe.

Interview: https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/01/alexis-tsipras-interview-syriza/

[polly7]

1. More:

Latin America has also been subject to the IMF’s “adjustment programs” — the same ones that we’ve become subject to in Europe post-2008, from the IMF and others. These programs were implemented through the use of military force in some cases, with devastating results for society. Today, these countries have cast aside neoliberalism and have developed their economies as they’ve seen fit, putting emphasis on growth.

They have broad support from their citizens despite the challenges they face, as they pursue new methods of wealth distribution and productive reconstruction, universal access to health care, education, and social security, and the strengthening of their democratic institutions.

And it certainly seems that the efforts are paying off. This greatly interests the Left across Europe, as we intend to challenge neoliberalism on the continent. We can certainly benefit from cooperating with Latin America through the exchange of best practices on key matters, such as our shared views on economic crises, debt, or international trade agreements. The Left has been following the developments there for quite some time, long before the consequences of the crisis resulted in the historic opportunities that are now before us.

The supporters of neoliberalism are averse to these kinds of developments that are not in line with their views, and would have us believe that only those who support their doctrines are “democratic,” regardless of the level of coercion or corruption involved; politicians or social movements that don’t value markets over people are considered populist. It’s time for our adversaries to make peace with the fact that the Left is creating an alternative program for governing in Europe, as well as new alliances.

(Also at original link): https://zcomm.org/znetarticle/a-historic-opportunity/

[2naSalit]

2. Some thoughts based on what I have

read and heard on this issue - from sought out sources...

1. IMF should be dismantled as well as the world bank, both were created to inhibit progressive movements in other countries while offering lip service to the concept that they are helping those nations.

2. I think, personally, that the EU was a mistake that was cheered on by the entities in #1 above.

3. It may sting some if Greece and Spain reject the austerity programs even if it breaks up the EU.

4. Breaking up the EU may well inhibit the TPP and other dangerous trade deal policies.

But that's my perspective, others may well disagree and that's fine. Given an opportunity though, I would offer the above thoughts for consideration of the situation at hand and for a more favorable future for all.

[polly7]

3. Well said, 2naSalit, I agree completely with all of it. nt.