Wednesday 22 September is a historic day for the labour movement. Just 56 years, and four months after the general strike of 1926, the workers are once again downing tools. This week John Ross shows how the theory of permanent revolution is a guide to understanding what is happening in the colonial and third world countries.
The view that the capitalist class is no longer capable of playing a revolutionary role is one of the most crucial aspects of the revolution. But what exactly does it mean?
Does it mean that no capitalist force can ever take anv progressive sten at all? That would fly in the face of meini in Iran, the Shah, or the regime in Ethiopia which destroyed the monarchy of Haile Selassie? This is a frequent accusation made against the theory of permanent revolution -munitst Parties. We will look at this point through the career of one of the greatest capitalist figures of me twentern century -The achievements of Nasser as President of Egypt in terms of anti-imperialist struggle make a contemporary figure such as Khomein Tran appear pathetic. Nasser seized not an American embassy but the then greatest symbol of imperialist domination Arab world the Suez Canal.
He twice fought wars with Israel. In 1956, in the Suez Invasion. Nasser engaged in a direct military struggle with British and French made ine irst great arm. agreements between an Arab state and the Soviet 0101 ne nationalised the majority of big industry in Egypt.
theory of permanent anywhere evidence of people such as Khowho led a struggle which overthrew in particular by members of the Com Gamal Abdel Nasser.
revolutionaries have to take to him and his The way to understand the apparent contradiction of the policies of Nasser is faithful representatives of that he was the interests of his class the Egyptian bourgeoisie.
the ruling class of a semi-colonial country this enemies. The first were the IWO enemies.
bourgeoisies of the impperialist countires which systematically looted Egypt and prevented even its own capitalist class takprofits that were available. The second cnemy was Its own working class and peasantry which the Egyptian ruling class exploited Both these forces were Egypt's former president Nasser Bevan speaking at mass Labour Party demonstration against Suez War, 1956 The contradiction between the Egyptian ruling class and its working class and peasantry was and is an entirely different the Rogers plan Towards the workers ina peasants it was a wi o the death. Particular concessions could be made
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historic day