Disagree on `Bonapartism'
The recent articles concerning the new governor of Minnesota
and his "Bonapartist" politics have been foolish exercises in
ultraleft dogmatism.
Reaching back in history to a pre-imperialist era political trend to describe Mr. Ventura is rooted in a narrow, simplistic view of fascism. Fascism is a complex current in imperialist societies in crisis that can have a "left" face as well as a "right-wing" face. It expressed itself as having "socialist" characteristics at times in societies where socialism was popular. In the United States, "left-wing" fascism will naturally bring to the front libertarian slogans along with its nationalism, militarism, and antidemocratic views. As Trotsky so wonderfully described fascism, "...capitalist society is pushing up the undigested barbarism."
Have your Militant writers and editors paid attention to Ventura's cultural and emotional message? It is a message of "muscle against everyday politics." It is Mussolini's message "modernized" and "Americanized."
Phillip Amadon
Cincinnati, Ohio
Definition of Bonapartism
On Christmas Eve Jesse Ventura, the Governor Elect of
Minnesota, held a press conference to announce the release of a
"Jesse Ventura action figure toy." It seems that the self-
promoting Mr. Ventura has signed a contract allowing a major
toy company to produce and market a tiny plastic copy of
himself. Apparently, the manufacturers also intend to market an
equally tiny plastic villain, "Mr. Evil Special Interests Man"
for the plastic hero to fight. These action figures are planned
for release to toy stores in time for the spring sales season.
Whatever we may think of the sort of person, who would lend
himself to such a scheme, we should take this as a sign that
Bonapartist trends in American politics are not a passing
phenomena.
In political discussions with friends and comrades, I have found that few have a very clear notion of what Bonapartism is and perhaps a common definition would simplify future discussion. There is a really precise definition of Bonapartism in Leon Trotsky's pamphlet, Trade Unions in the Epoch of Imperialist Decay: "Bonapartism refers to a form of class rule that is dictatorial in form and is usually headed by an individual appearing as a `strong man.' Originating in a period of social crisis or stalemate of contending class forces, a Bonapartist regime tends to elevate itself above the country's classes and acquire a certain independence of action."
What is essential in this definition? That Bonapartism is a form of emergency class rule in a period of crisis. That the government is dictatorial in form (i.e. makes law by decree of the executive ) and is usually headed by a "strong man." The key element in any Bonapartist government is that it attempts to balance between contending class forces and poses as "above politics." The usual historical role of Bonapartism is to defuse a social crisis by a mixture of repression, concessions and demagogy and by forestalling the outbreak of revolution, save the endangered social order.
How is Bonapartism a danger to the working class? Let's think of the central political message of Bonapartist agitation: The workers, the farmers, the oppressed are incapable of freeing themselves and must be rescued by a "hero." Workers, don't strike! Don't fight in your own interests! Above all, don't form your own political party and strike for power! Instead, put your fate, the fate of your class, the fate of your country into the hands of the "tall, gray eyed, man of destiny. The savior of the people...."
True, it is hard to take H. Ross (the Boss) Perot, or his professional wrestling protégé, seriously as heroes. I mean, Perot is this weird little guy with big ears and a squeaky voice.... As far as I know, the wee man has never been convicted of committing an unselfish or heroic deed in his life. Still, a billion dollars can buy a lot of air time, hire a gang of "spin doctors" and maybe put a plastic action figure into office....
At present, the social crisis may not have developed enough for a classic Bonapartist regime. I don't think we can expect a military coup in Minnesota, the shelling of the state legislature, or the crowning of Emperor Jesse in the local cathedral. Still, we do have a capitalist politician winning high office with the use of Bonapartist rhetoric and that is a warning signal to thinking workers. I somehow find it impossible to believe that a "Reform Party" governor will govern in anyone's interests other than those of the capitalist class.
Roy Inglee
Elsmere, Delaware
Only social revolution will sweep away racism
The last paragraph of the editorial "Defend affirmative
action!" in the December 14 Militant is misleading. After
describing the movement that defeated Jim Crow segregation in
the '50's and '60's, the editorial concluded "it is only along
this road that a social movement [emphasis added] can be built
that will ultimately sweep away the discrimination and racist
cancer that are a cornerstone of capitalist society." It is not
a powerful protest movement (like the civil rights movement)
that will sweep away racist discrimination, but a social
revolution where political and economic power are put in the
hands of the toilers. "U.S. Imperialism Has Lost the Cold War"
[in New International no. 11] makes this point succinctly. "In
the United States, as in other imperialist countries, `nation
timé and the socialist revolution will triumph together" (p.
240). The experience of the Cuban revolution shows that it will
take generations following the victory of a socialist
revolution for the last vestiges of racism and discrimination
to be "swept away."
Gary Boyers
Detroit, Michigan
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