Global Solidarity: International 2020
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global solidarity maldekstra international 2020 The world is in disarray: social divisions, inequality, economic crisis, the climate catastrophe and the rise of a new authoritari- anism all challenge the very foundations of civilization. Say- ing that capitalism offers no answers is not enough. We need effective alternatives, alternative experiments, more democracy, and socialist discussions. But there is another truth that is particu- larly evident amidst the Covid-19 pandemic: the challenges of a global world cannot be solved at the national level alone. Whether it is a matter of addressing the climate crisis, of the necessary restructuring of production methods, or of the worldwide fight for social justice: leftist forces in societies right around the world—in all their diversity, with their regional knowledge and experiences in local struggles for a better world—must redis- cover internationalism and renew it from the bottom up. Imprint maldekstra is published by common Verlagsgenossenschaft e.G, Franz-Mehring-Platz 1, 10243 Berlin in cooperation with the Advisory Board Hana Pfennig, Boris Kanzleiter Editorial staff Kathrin Gerlof (V.i.S.d.P.), Anne Schindler, Cooperation: Tom Strohschneider Layout Michael Pickardt Illustrations Michael Pickardt based on the graphic page 100 of Schroeter & Berger Contact phone +49 (0)30 2978 4678 [email protected] Print MediaService GmbH Franz-Mehring-Platz 1, 10243 Berlin Print run 5.000 “maldekstra” stands for “left” in world language Esperanto. “maldekstra” can be obtained free of charge via bestellung.rosalux.de. Please send inquiries and reader* letters to [email protected] “maldekstra” is financed by funds of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs Cooperation and Development. Many thanks to the translators* of lingua•trans•fair linguatransfair.de and the Gegensatz Translation Collective gegensatztranslationcollective.com for the great cooperation. 2020 maldekstra international 3 In spite of everything A cancelled congress. An ongoing debate. Editorial The Covid-19 pandemic has confronted us all with major challenges, some of which are still unknown. It is affecting not only our everyday life and our political thought, it is also affecting our work. Under the constraints of the pandemic, projects must be postponed, plans must be changed. At the end of May 2020 we intended to discuss “global solidar- ity” at a major international congress in Leipzig. We invited activists, intellectuals, politicians, and cultural workers from all over the world to discuss the possibilities for a “new internationalism”. There are more than enough reasons for this endeavour. Nationalist parties and authoritarian governments are on the rise around the world. Leftists are seeking responses to this situation through new global struggles, such as campaigns for the rights of women, minorities, and workers. The debate over a “new internationalism” is also already underway; it involves global cooperation from below, a perspective of praxis that focuses less on statehood and more on the transnational solidarity of the many. The necessity of this debate has once again been underscored by current controversies, for example on questions regarding migration, or the political arenas in which progressive forces are concentrated. It is not a matter of formulating ready-made recipes or conclusive answers, but of asking the right questions, of being curious about new responses. What are the challenges of this “new internation- alism”, who are its protagonists? And how does the debate today relate to the long leftist tradition of international perspectives? And then the pandemic broke out, forcing us to cancel the congress in Leipzig. However, the planned special edition of maldekstra interna- tional will still be published. In the era of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to make progress in terms of analysis and praxis. It is true that many governments are currently also calling for solidarity in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. However, in doing so, they only rarely refer to fair conditions for global trade, or to the collective fight for the environment and against the growing right-wing populism. These and many other questions and challenges require global answers and internationalist solutions. The present publication presents various standpoints for discussion, sheds light on practical attempts at global solidarity, and discusses aspects of both old and new internationalisms. Our congress cannot take place, but the debate continues. Boris Kanzleiter, Hana Pfennig, Kathrin Gerlof, and Tom Strohschneider Some of the texts collected in this issue have already been published in previous issues of “maldekstra”. A part of the articles were written for this issue before the Corona crisis, another part has already been written under the impression of the pandemic. Further texts, statements and interviews can be found in our online dossier Global Solidarity at: rosalux.de/dossiers/global-solidaritaet Translation by Diego Otero and Joel Scott for Gegensatz Translation Collective 4 maldekstra international 2020 6 Not to be forgotten again On solidarity in the era of coronavirus, the political economy of global inequality, and what comes after the pandemic By Sabine Nuss 8 “We need an internationalist perspective more than ever” Michael Nassen Smith on global solidarity in the pandemic 11 Sources of despair, sources of hope The future of the labour movement in the face of coronavirus and pseudo-“wellness” By Mark Bergfeld 14 A world to win Towards a global solidarity and internationalism for the future. An editorial By Tom Strohschneider 16 Multiplicity of an extensive network Solidarity is more than just a means, an instrument, a utopia. Solidarity has been and remains a tangible experience By Bini Adamczak 19 Solidarity with those farthest away in our now small world Aspects of a new internationalism—sharing experiences, jointly defining goals and taking action together By Alex Demirović 25 “We’re right back where the International Workingmen’s Association started” Boris Kanzleiter on global authoritarianism, left-wing countermovements, and a new internationalism 29 Practical critique of the imperial mode of living Elements for a new internationalism to consider By Ulrich Brand 32 We still have a chance Left-wing YouTuber Sabrina Fernandes wants to change not only Brazil, but the whole world By David Pfeiffers 34 Rooms that are important True confessions of a reluctant negotiation junkie (or why I persist in climate activism anywhere, everywhere, and so must others) By Tetet Nera-Lauron 36 In praise of cosmopolitanism Countering people’s forgetfulness of history and their obtuseness By Tom Strohschneider 37 In search of the lost future 2019 marked a new cycle of global movements. Despite many differences, they also have much in common By Nelli Tügel 41 Painful solidarity Who or what are we defending? Venezuela, Nicaragua and the Left By Vincent Körner 42 “It is worth discussing” An interview with historian Stefan Berger discussing the history of internationalism and the lessons it holds for future forms of global solidarity 44 A very brief spring A century on from the founding of the Socialist International Women By Hannah Hoffmann 45 Substitutionist internationalism is impossible The Communist International between hope, heroism, and failure By Lutz Brangsch 48 Goose bumps on arrival Urs Müller-Plantenberg is a legend of Latin American solidarity work in Germany. In Allende’s Chile, he learned first-hand what critical internationalism is 51 It wasn’t the collapse of the Berlin Wall that liberated Mandela The story of democratic struggle in South Africa was written by the activists involved—and by solidarity By Andreas Bohne 2020 maldekstra international 5 53 The same, but different The Solidarity Service International originated in East Germany. But genuine solidarity does not end with the collapse of a social system By Kathrin Gerlof 55 “Yes, we’re reaching for the stars!” Alex Wischnewski on the prospects for a Feminist International—as a goal, as a movement, and above all as possibly the strongest force we have today 59 Enormous traction Striking is a powerful tool, as the battle for reproductive rights in the United States illustrates By Cinzia Arruzza 61 The right to say “no” On the links between climate justice, environmental relations, and gender justice By Christa Wichterich 64 It’s about time Climate justice is less an objective than a process: the struggle against the social structures responsible for climate injustice By Tadzio Müller 67 “There is no deadline, only enormous urgency.” Nadja Charaby and Tadzio Müller discuss the events that are creating new truths, climate justice, and why the left needs to take stock 71 The bitter reality So far, too little attention has been paid to how the climate crisis is already bringing about migration and displacement worldwide By Nadja Charaby 73 Not capital’s “plan” Open borders and labour market competition: Observations on solidarity and the global economy By Michael Wendl 75 Standard: Being human Fundamental rights are universal and indivisible. As more and more people seek refuge, “welcome” initiatives, solidarity cities, and sea rescue missions show what this means By Kathrin Gerlof 77 “We shouldn’t kid ourselves” Wolfram Schaffar on authoritarian developments, the crisis of democracy, and the connection between critical analysis and political change 82 From Bonapartism to Post-Democracy Marx and Luxemburg, Gramsci and Crouch: a