The conquest of Ireland was the sole precondition for the emergence of British rule in the world and the maintenance of British hegemony in Ireland has always been at the top of the British ruling class agenda. This class rule has been maintained by mass starvation, pogroms, and the brute force of merciless military interventions.

What is becoming clear is that `brute force alone" is no longer a guarantee of British rule in Ireland. What is more, no other strategy, cultural, social or political can guarantee continued British presence in Ireland.

The institutional forms of British dominance in Ireland are in a crisis that is dissolving the foundation upon which British capital rose to world predominance. British rule in Ireland is organically linked into the framework of the British capitalist state and consequently affects and is effected by the relative health of the state as a whole.

With the vital interests of British capital being mauled in the deepening world economic crisis, the continuing struggle of Irish fighters is a poison pill that enervates the ruling class and its state organizations. The Irish struggle has contributed to the weakening of the United Kingdom, the Monarchy, the Anglican (state) Church, the Judiciary, the Conservative and Unionist Party (Tory), the standing armed forces, and parliamentary rule itself.

Since institutions of capitalist rule are only as powerful as the capitalist class itself, the perceived weakness of the above mentioned institutions is a reflection of the actual decline in strength of British capital on a world scale. All these institutions of capitalist rule were the product of the English bourgeois revolution. Having been consciously put into place with Ireland in mind, they all have played a vital role in the subjugation of the Irish people.

These are very real fears for the British ruling class and can be one cause for their apparent paralysis. What we appear to be witnessing is a measure of the exhaustion of the explosive energies unleashed on the world by the English bourgeois democratic revolution.

Frank Gorton

Detroit, Michigan

On Eastern Europe
The excerpt from the article, "The problem of Eastern Europe," by Joseph Hansen in the "Book of the Week" column was a welcome addition to the March 3 issue of the Militant. Hansen's clear, concise, and thoughtful writing on a complex subject certainly offers an example of how to effectively approach this discussion with fellow workers. The term "workers state" (like "social relations") appears frequently in the Militant in reference to events in Eastern Europe. I think it is often unclear to many readers what these terms mean. The excerpt from Hansen's article must have been appreciated by both long term readers and those who have just discovered the Militant recently. Perhaps the paper might consider a review of, "Class, Party and State and the Eastern European Revolution," the Education for Socialist bulletin this excerpt was taken from. A good review could throw additional light on this subject and point readers to a useful resource for more study and thought.

Geoff Mirelowitz

Seattle, Washington

At an all time high
The Militant is now at an all time high! Your Book of the Week is another good addition.

Mildred Solem

Duluth, Minnesota

The `Militant' since '71
I've been reading the Militant since 1971. Keep up the good work! Thanks!

Jeff Pike

Houston, Texas

Battling Rockerfeller types
A relief and insights unavailable from local press. A different point of view makes me aware the whole world is battling Rockerfeller types.

Michael Ybarra

Fresno, California

The letters column is an open forum for all viewpoints on subjects of general interest to our readers. Please keep your letters brief. Where necessary they will be abridged. Please indicate if you prefer that your initials be used rather than your full name.  
 
 
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