The article critiques the notion that capitalism is legitimized through the promise of progress, emphasizing that while crises reveal its inherent flaws, they also often reinforce the system. Despite historical patterns of crises leading to speculation about capitalism’s eventual collapse, the system continues to persist. The article argues that crises expose class interests and self-interest, but they do not inherently serve as opportunities for the working class.
It discusses the liberal and Marxist frameworks’ responses to crises, highlighting that liberals often seek to control crises through state interventions while Marxists hope for revolutionary potential in these moments. However, the author warns against viewing crises as opportunities, noting that they disproportionately harm the poor and vulnerable, labeling such ideas as anti-humanist.
The article suggests that a more robust socialist response is necessary to confront crises. Rather than viewing crises as openings for political action or positive change, they should be understood as battles that require awareness and action against the conditions fostering them. The author calls for a proactive socialist approach that urgently addresses both the symptoms and root causes of crises, underlining the necessity of solidarity and action in the face of systemic challenges.
Overall, it asserts that while crises can reveal capitalism’s contradictions, they should not be romanticized; instead, socialists need to confront and manage these crises as immediate and ongoing struggles that require serious engagement rather than passive hope for change.
