djsp

Liberals seemingly can’t fathom that this war is an act of imperialism and instead consider it:

• the work of Russian or Israeli puppeteers, which can be summarized in the chauvinist belief that American politicians would only ever engage in such “excursions” if beholden to foreign interests; or
• a mere distraction from the Epstein affair.

Both views arise from an understanding of history and politics that is far too personalistic and ignores the underlying material conditions that make capitalism imperialist in nature. Hammering the Epstein issue, despite the effect it might have, leads political discourse away from the root issue.

Although the coming crisis does pose the risk you mention –that capital instigates even more hate to deflect the increasing revolutionary pressure away from itself and unto scapegoats–, it also represents a historic opportunity –to develop international class consciousness, to organize and mobilize– that we should try to seize.

In their eyes, consumers are, in fact, distinct from the US economy; in their eyes, the US economy is the stock market.