EU – No to the Bosses Attack
The European Union has long been heralded as a perfect example of co-operation and ever-increasing integration of national capitalist economies. The introduction of the Euro ten years ago, as a common currency, in particular, was put forward as evidence of the new unity of European capitalism.
by Jim McFarlane
The events of the last few months have exposed these claims. As the economic crisis unfolded, the ‘unity’ and ‘collective action’ previously lauded by European governments were cast aside, as various national governments performed major interventions in the market, in defence of their own economic interests. This shaking up of the EU provides a useful glimpse into the new period of intensified national rivalries, which will accompany the crisis.
The Lisbon Treaty started its life as the European Constitution, which was finalised in 2004. However as the process of ratification was underway in 2005, the Constitution was rejected in referenda held in France and the Netherlands . Those results scuppered that exercise and resulted in the formulation of the Lisbon Treaty, which is really the same Constitution dressed up as something new. The Lisbon Treaty consolidates the drive toward rightwing, neo-liberal policies, especially the privatisation of public services, including the postal service.
It also consolidates the move toward an EU army and armaments industry for the purpose of giving the EU greater weight on the world stage. The anti-worker nature of the EU was clearly illustrated by the role its institutions played during the period of economic boom. As profits soared, the EU establishment pursued a campaign of undermining wages, increasing working hours and promoting privatisation.
neo-liberal assault
The EU plays a leading role in pushing a neo-liberal assault on public services. The Lisbon Treaty is explicit in calling for “uniformity in measures of liberalisation”. In other words, uniformity in the asset-stripping of the public sector across Europe, and the selling-off of vital public services, including health and education, to financial speculators.We have consistently been opposed to the EU as an instrument of capitalism and opposed the EU constitution as an attempt to promote and enforce the policies of neo-liberalism.
However, our opposition to the EU, and its institutions, has nothing to do with the narrow nationalism of the ruling class or far right parties like the BNP or UKIP. The working class of Europe has common interests and we stand for a united socialist Europe on a free, voluntary democratic basis. The working class must unite across national borders to combat the threat of neo-liberalism and capitalism. A glimpse of this potential was illustrated by the magnificent Lindsey Oil dispute which saw a defeat inflicted on the EU’s Posted Workers Directive and a victory for British and Italian workers.
The governments of the EU countries and the leaders of the EU will inevitably attempt to pass the cost of the crisis onto the working class. The attacks of bosses and governments will provoke a new wave of radicalisation, as workers and young people fight back. The development of new mass workers’ parties of struggle throughout Europe will be an important part of this process. The only viable alternative to the capitalist economic crisis is a socialist planned economy, in which the fate of jobs, homes and wages are not determined by the capitalist market. It would see the European economy planned democratically, to meet the needs of the great majority rather than the super-rich and their representatives in the EU and national governments. On the basis of the democratic control by workers over the economy and society, there can be real solidarity and co-operation between workers of all countries, in a Socialist United States of Europe.
