@nother view of the North

international | anti-capitalism | opinion/analysis

Friday February 11, 2005 12:41

by Dermo - WSM

D_Sreenan at yahoo dot co dot uk

An anarchist view of the current impasse in the North

A look at the never-ending story of the Peace process and its continious lurches from crisis, to hope to failure, and back again. We give this as a sample of some of the ideas and analysis that you can find in the latest issue of Workers Solidarity # 84 which is available though the usual outlets i.e. it's members!

The Peace process seems to be a never ending story with a continuous pattern of crisis, hope and failure. You could become mesmerized by it all. A flow of political talking heads on your TV espousing seemingly sincerely held beliefs and aspirations, all willing to do a deal for the betterment of the people. For most people, the most important work of the process is done, e.g. a ceasefire an end to the war, terror campaigns, troubles chose your own title. The absence of the high level of violence has been a welcome respite for people in the north and the there is a very strong desire for no return to the past. The British and Irish governments desired for a stability of sorts in the north and by and large they have that, but they would prefer if everything was bit more settled. For instance, if they could get the north’s political leaders to share what power is given to Stormont, then that problem could be shelved for the foreseeable future. The political elite themselves are anxious for their bit of the pie. The Good Friday Agreement provided for a neat little sectarian carve up. It institutionalised sectarianism to satisfy both sets of “community leaders”, both would be given a share in the power structure in return for various
concessions on their part.

The problem is that they have a great deal of difficulty in working together, trusting each other, and giving up old habits. There is much speculation over the Northern Bank robbery. The main question seems to be, was the operation sanctioned by the republican leadership closest to the Adams led project or by some out of step wing of that movement. This is all very interesting and many hours could be spent wondering about it all. This crisis is temporary however, certain dynamics remain in play. There is a clear impetus amongst the political power brokers in the north towards a sharing of power and sooner or later this will emerge as the new face of government in that state. There will be full participation by Sinn Fein ultimately in administering power there through the various departments including law enforcement. In time this will come to pass there is nowhere else for a reformist movement to go.

Importantly, however, this will make no discernible difference to the lives of the working class except that it will probably make the implementation of the neoliberal agenda easier in the state. Already Public private partnerships are becoming part of the reality of life there. The planned introduction of water charges continues apace. Raytheon goes on manufacturing arms in Derry as part of the peace dividend and northern enjoy lower wages and worse working conditions than their in the south and in Britain. Northern Ireland is not being rebuilt in the image of Britain or the Republic but as just another bit of the neoliberal capitalist structure. The march of this agenda, the direct and damaging consequences for working class people of all religions and none, is the real issue in the north and pretty much everywhere else. Much of what passes for political debate in the north revolves around Sinn Fein being left into or out of the government. Should workers celebrate if they are left in or celebrate if their kept out? Should workers really care? We wouldn’t argue for a return to a unionist government but neither would we argue for the currently proposed sectarian power sharing one, nor for the status quo of a British government appointed governor. None of these routes offer a road out of oppression and injustice. But whilst the show goes on people organise against the racists, against the water tax, defend hospitals struggle for work and wages.

It is there that the struggle for a new society is being born not in the negotiating rooms of the peace process. Government has never been good for the north, why not abolish it altogether and replace it with something new? Anarchism.