Population
and food supply
The hysteria over the so called population explosion have
caught up
with us here in Jamaica. The posters are all over the place
telling
young women “you don’t have to get pregnant”. On a different
level we
are told by scientist that population growth is so
outstripping food
supply, and living space, that we will all starve to death if
we dont
reduce our birth rate in a hurry. The present world population
is
estimated at 4 Billion, with a 2% annual increase.
Against the background of this increased population, and the
millions
of people without enough to eat, observe these two
occurrences. The
Canadian Government will pay fanners C$100 million not to grow
any
wheat this year 1970. The reason for this action in a hungry
world, is
that the major wheat producing countries grew more than they
could sell
profitable. They met and agreed that there should be a cut
back in
world wheat production. Farmers within the Common Market are
now being
paid to destroy some cows. As one official explained “Europe
is
drowning in a sea of milk, and a morass of butter”. The reason
again is
the same, production exceed profitable sale.
When scientist speak of the population trend, and food supply,
they
usually quote some figure, like the production of grain in
India last
year. They rarely touch on the problem of getting this grain
into
hungry stomachs. The problem of hunger today is not our
inability to
produce enough. The problem is, without money you cant partake
of
anything. The fact that people are in need is of no
importance. Things
in a Capitalist society are produced for sale not to satisfy
the need
of people. It is the inability of this system to distribute
the wealth
it can create that cause a hunger problem throughout the
world. Waste
in the midst of want is one by product of Capitalism, this is
the only
way it can operate.
There really exists a population problem, but only for the
present
Capitalist system. Socialism, a system based on production
solely to
satisfy need, would have no trouble feeding twice our present
population. We suffer from the effects of congestion, on the
one hand,
while there are large land areas with few inhabitants, on the
other.
All because people must seek work in order to share in the
wealth they
create. The degree of hunger, and starvation in the world is a
glaring
example of the obsolete nature of our social system, to serve
the need
of the majority. How many realise this?
Efforts to curb population growth is more likely to meet with
failure,
especially in countries like Jamaica. To many, their final
revenge on
society will be to have as many children as possible, because
this is
what the establishment does not want. An act designed in some
way to
disrupt a society that have robbed them of any worth while
life. Only a
world where a man’s life wont be taken up completely in the
process of
making ends meet, can effectively control its population. The
world is
as ready as it can be for socialism, it is only the lack of
Socialist
understanding by the victims of Capitalism the working class,
that
prevent this. Why not take steps to understand Socialism, and
realise
that the way we live, need not remain so forever. Conditions
won’t just
change, by themselves, it is up to you to make the change.
Mason
Listen to this Jamaica
Heath has finally admitted that apartheid in South Africa
would break
down for economic reasons.
At the meeting with President Kaunda and his O.A.U.
(organisation of
african unity) delegate on the question of Britain selling
arms to
South Africa the British “Prime Minister refuted the African
idea that
a racial showdown was inevitable by saying that apartheid
would break
down for economic reasons” -The (Manchester)Guardian Oct.
17.1970. This
is what the S.P.G.B. and companion Socialist Parties have been
saying
for a long time now. Capitalism just cannot work if it keeps
black and
white workers separate. It is economically undesirable. Labour
is
needed to keep capitalism alive, whatever the colour of the
workers
skin.
Heath comes up with the idea that apartheid is economically
(note, he
doesn’t take it from a moral point of view but from a
capitalist
economical view) insufficient and then thinks he’s the pioneer
of the
view. How wrong he is – if he’d only take time off to read the
Socialist Standard he’d soon see how “late” he was with that
“new” idea
of his.
What’s Britain going to do? Export arms to South Africa for
supposedly
external use at the risk of being exiled by most of Black
Africa and
the “pure hearted moralists” of the commonwealth and other
countries
who think “its awful”. But what can Britain do? That country’s
capitalist have got to protect their capitalism’s trade route
around
South Africa. Heath main argument is that Russia is trying to
block
Britain’s trade route around South Africa. Mind you all Russia
has done
so far is drop anchor in the Indian Ocean. What could this
really mean?
I think that Russia is playing that old cat and mouse game.
Perhaps
they want Britain to think what she’s thinking now, so that
she will
export arms to South Africa. Or maybe Heath’s just making a
mountain
out of a mole hill, at the appearance of the Russian Navy.
Anyway
Britain’s capitalists are scared to death that Russia is going
to pinch
“her” trade route. Another interesting point is that Heath is
trying to
get support from the people by saying that we should export
arms to
South Africa because the Russians are after our trade routes;
what
propaganda! Thank goodness we know better than to believe
that.
Capitalist are always fighting capitalist (yes, including
Russia and
China so called “communist”. They dont know the meaning of the
word)
and workers are fighting workers. Now you can understand
capitalists
fighting because capitalism couldn’t work any other way but
workers
against workers is not so easily understood. Their common
enemy is
capitalism, whatever country, or so-called “race” that they
come from.
Workers can unite instead of bickering, and bargaining with
capitalism.
Why should we be a part of capitalism and the dirty tricks it
carries
out. We can so easily unite and join together for Socialism.
Its no
good fighting only for more money, and petty reforms because
whatever
we get in our pay packets wont be enough to cover the ever
rising bills.
This world could be united, with no frontiers, no wars, no
famine, and
resources available to cure every ill. Money would be no
object,
because there would be no money. Money is the root of all evil
and
capitalism is the maker of money. Money, evil and capitalism
go hand in
hand, and you can’t abolish one without abolishing the other
two as
well. Lets work for this world of abundance together.
S. Ellis. Member of
the S.P..B.
No nuggets for us
The Nuggets for the needy drive is well on its way. The
expected target
this year is $l00,000. This organisation have now become the
chief
collector, and distributor for charity throughout the island.
Certainly
their task is not an enviable one, as the army of beggars in
Kingston
alone, increase almost daily. There are hundreds more whose
lives are
very dependent on charity.
We do not doubt the good intentions of those who seek to help
their
fellow men through charity. We would like to ask them however;
Is this
the best way to do it? Purely on the basis of results, charity
should
incite some examination as to its function in society. Since,
the more
you give, the need for more seem to increase. The condition it
set out
to improve, actually get worse. The need for charity is an
admission
that something is very wrong with society, we should try to
correct
this wrong. People generally, are made to feel guilty about
these
things, they usually give without really wanting to. This
feeling of
guilt is the result of a lack of a philosophical base to voice
an
objection. People feel it is all wrong, but it would seen
inhuman to
say so. Charity humiliates those who receive it and stifles
protest.
Socialists are just as concerned about people, and in fact
more so as
anybody else, that is why we say, create a world where there
would be
no need for charity. Let us change from production for sale to
production for use.
Those who are really interested in the poor and handicapped,
surely
would prefer to live in a world where everyman’s material need
is
guaranteed, and therefore free from the need to be pitied. The
knowledge of production are so advanced that production for
use has
been a practical thing for many years now. Against the
background of
how we could live, charity, regarded as a social virtue, is
really a
crime against mankind.
The organisation controlling “Nuggets For The Needy” have come
in for
some criticism, but for the wrong reason. There have been
whispers of
mismanagement of the funds collected, and others have been
demanding that they show how
the money is spent. People should not concern themselves with
side
issues, it is the reason why we need such an organisation that
they
should question. They should ask themselves, why should the
noblest
form of brotherhood be charity? No we shan’t buy any nugget,
and by so
doing we are really helping the needy.
Please quote me:
Life is not determined by consciousness, but consciousness by
life.
Karl Marx.
Capitalism generates war because it is organised in such a way
that its
wealth can only be produced, and distributed by a process of
competition.
Socialist Standard.
Violence in society
The rapid increase in crime is causing headache for the ruling
class
throughout the world. In Britain, and America, for instance it
has
become an important political issue. Here in Jamaica we are
witnessing
a dramatic increase in violent crime, many of them ending in
murder.
For the first time in memory people are really scared of
walking the
streets. Small business people are even more worried, as they
are a
constant temptation to the hold up man.
The Police are blamed in some quarters for lack of zeal, while
others
accuse the courts for being too lenient. The idea is that the
certainty
of punishment for wrongdoers, no longer exist. Important
witness have
suddenly changed their statement, others have even
disappeared. The
feeling exist that criminals have been getting away with
murder! One
thing is certain however, about 90% of all crimes are against
property.
The belief that poverty caused crime wont be around much
longer, you
need only look at the crime statistics in America to realise
why. In
fact the reverse would be more true. The more Capitalism
develop and
increases the living standard for some, it make many more
conscious of
material things, but frustrated in their efforts to get them.
Criminals
are as much in favour of Capitalism as any industrialist; they
are only
interested in adjusting the balance of possession in their
favour, and
are prepared to do so with a gun.
Regardless of the measures adopted, violent crime seem to have
come to
stay as a permanent part of modern life. In fact many of the
legitimate, and in fact essential business enterprises, incite
people
to crime. Take advertising. How can you escape from hearing,
or seeing
something or other that is essential for you to have, if you
want to be
on the “in crowd”. The pressure to get new things, and replace
old ones
have distorted any sense of value. Since getting is the thing,
how one
gets hardly seem to matter.
A society based on private property, is bound to have crime
against
property. It really is one more example, that our social
system is not
even capable of making us achieve social harmony. Socialists
say that
the only way to eliminate crime, is to end the present
capitalist
system throughout the world. The conflict between those who
possess,
and those who do not, would end. The motive behind crime would
be
removed, it would therefore cease. To end the present system
however,
demand your understanding of how society is as it is operated,
what
socialism is, and your conscious effort to convince others to
your
belief. We have made the first move, its up to you now.
DEXTER.
News and views
There are whispers that the government might call a snap
election.
Since the opposition leader is fairly new to his post the
Labour Party
might consider this to their advantage. Whether this is true
or not there
is a definite increase in political activity among the two
parties
lately. Recent show of strength by supporters of both parties,
outside
Gordon House, show how little the general public have learned
from
their experiences. It seem that regardless of how frustrating
life
became their love and loyalty for a particular leader
increases. The
extent of hero worship on these occasions is quite sickening.
It is
almost as if political affiliation is divorced from personal
interest.
People are still far from realising that politicans are not
elected to
serve their interest, but to run capitalism which is not the
concern with
them at all. This is not the politicans doing it, is the
system that
control his actions. Another aspect of political life that is
very
disturbing specially at election times, is the regular violent
clashes
among workers of opposing parties. This perhaps more than
anything else
show the degree of ignorance that exists. It is exactly like
slaves
fighting among themselves, to have a particular master. It is
sad to
think of the many people who have, and those who will waste
their lives
fighting for something that only regard them as tools. It is
sadder
still when one realises that it need not happen.
Gambling, the giver of substance to men daydreams, has really
caught on
in a big way. With nearly a thousand betting shops, and the
figure
still rising, things are looking quite rosey for the bookie.
Workers
gamble daily on English races with the hope that they will get
and
escape their poverty. The fact that this habit sink them more
into
poverty, cant really destroy their vision of escape. The
consequence to
home life can be imagined. As Capitalism becomes more complex,
it
brutalises, and destroys more people, we come to live the way
it
function, wrong priorities, wrong goal.
The sugar industry is really at a crossroad. With low world
prices,
high cost of production, and the uncertainty of the
preferential
agreement with Britain if that country enters the Common
Market. The
Government is doing all it can to persuade Britain to consider
their
interest in the negotiations. The fact that Britain needs the
Common
Market, more than they need Britain is apparently ignored. The
U.K. is
just not in the economic position to get any major concession.
Our
rulers appear to be more interested in keeping the
commonwealth idea
alive than the British Government! They continue to talk of
their 300
years as a colony. This should qualify them for something they
hint.
Our politicans talk as if they would like the British ruling
class to
give their problems equal status with their own, in Britain’s
effort to
get into Europe. If this is so, something quite unexpected is
in store
for them. Each country is forced by our social system to seek
the best
for itself, and disregard any other consideration. This is a
law of
Capitalism. If nothing else, independence has helped to expose
our
economic dependence, such is the nature of our world.
CREMO FORD.
(Kingston, 1970)