Links for 7/7/20

Links for 7/7/20
Picketty is hoping for a workers revolution calling for better social democracy, which preserves capitalism while leaving workers in their cage. Such demands are only possible when a vigorous worker revolution is on the table. Of course, if you can mobilize the masses, why stop at social democracy? The action is in cooperative control of the workplace, which the current crop of Marxists are pushing instead of a revolution. See the work of Richard Wolff, Gar Alperovitz and yours truly. Picketty's problem, however, is that he thinks that the wealth of the rich is real rather than leverage. And his wealth tax won't work.

We consult, rather than revolt. We are environmental. We are democratic socialists, rather than social democrats.  Of course I would never forswear politics. Never, ever. And I don't have an atheism problem.

Speaking of revolution, Putin and Xi are each inviting one. They key to success of such things is an active middle class which finally tires of authoritarian tyranny. Eventually, as in America and the United Kingdom, this class forms a kinder, gentler authoritarianism (unless you have brown skin). In China, the citizens of Hong Kong would be wise to move inland and become the yeast which will have Xi rule the day. Putin thinks he will live forever - but he is a second rate Brezhnev.

Trump thinks he is in the class of Putin. He is more a second rate Jefferson Davis, but without the charisma. At some point, McConnell will have to fish or cut bait. His leadership, his wife's job and his Senate seat are at risk. He is more like Brezhnev than Putin. Anyone who discounts the possibility of a Trump ouster is not paying attention.