As a second, in their “regime change” collection this week, the Democratic Socialists of America, today the DSA released an article entitled, “Against Campism, for International Working-Class Solidarity.” The entire article was a long tirade riddled with ahistorical facts. However, the basic premise falls short of any critical examination.
Both of these pieces were co-authored by Dan La Botz, who is a vocal supporter of the evangelical, right-wing Nicaraguan opposition.
When it comes to looking at geopolitical issues, my thought process is as follows: Take each issue, one by one, check the facts on the ground (not what US Nat-Sec propaganda says), look at potential action proposed by US, evaluate the effects based on my knowledge of the facts on the ground and finally come up with an opinion on the issue. But, they seem to impute a thought process that sounds more like Henry Kissinger’s thought process where he tries to “maximize the sphere of influence” to his camp.
Campism is a longstanding tendency in the international and U.S. left. It approaches world politics from the standpoint that the main axis of conflict is between two hostile geopolitical camps: the “imperialist camp,” today made up of the United States, Western Europe, Saudi Arabia, and Israel (or some such combination) on one hand and the “anti-imperialist camp” of Russia, China, North Korea, Syria, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and other less-industrialized nations on the other. The anti-imperialist camp is generally defined as all formerly colonized nations and especially all avowedly anti-imperialist governments in the Global South.
While, they have used some important key words, I have yet to see any understanding of the specific meaning of these words. The dictionary defines imperialism as, “state policy, practice, or advocacy of extending power and dominion, especially by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control of other areas.”
Imperialist States
The United States is clearly imperialist. It started out as a settler-colony, acquiring territory through conquest and genocide. As for Israel, much like the US, the entire state project is that of settler-colonialism.
The United States continues to be imperialist because of their attempts (often successful) of getting economic control of Chile, Iraq, Libya, Bosnia, Venezuela, Syria, Cuba, Russia, Bolivia… etc etc.
Western Europe is an ill-defined term. But, if they mean “individual countries in Western Europe”, well France still has economic control of their former African colonies. The United Kingdom, at different points in time, had nearly 2/3 of the world as their colony. They also supported the US in the invasion of Iraq, which enriched UK companies. If Western Europe means “NATO”, well NATO was a partner in the bombing of Libya, and it was for personal gain of many of the leaders such as France, ie exerting economic control of Libya. If Western Europe means EU, look no further than the Greek Debt crisis, where the stronger states in the EU, along with the US, exerted economic control over Greece through forced austerity.
Saudi Arabia has been waging a 7-year war, along with partners US and UK, in an attempt to install Saudi-backed Hadi government (who the Yemeni people overthrew). That fits the definition of imperialism.
Imperialism has a very specific meaning and a few countries fall into that definition of imperialism. It isn’t motivated by “blind hatred”, rage or a childish desire to b contrarian. In fact, it is merely looking at the facts on the ground.
Of course, as I have not examined each and every country for their imperial character, maybe other countries not on this list that are imperialistic. I only spoke about these countries because those are the ones that the article specifically pointed out.
Logical Categorical Error
The rest of the argument falls apart once you realize, the authors made a categorical error. A country can’t be anti-imperial, per se, but it can be “ non-imperial.” The authors mislabel and obscure the fundamental relationship between the imperial powers and these countries. They have been the victims of imperialism:
Russia
- In 1992, USSR was dissolved against the wishes of 75% of the population.
- It was quickly privatized and sold to Western investors.
- The privatization created such hardships, Yeltsin’s own minister called it “economic genocide”
Syria
- Wikileaks memos show that the US and Saudi Arabia have been pushing for regime change in Syria since at least 2006.
- In 2011, a memo entitled, “Undermining the Syrian Regime” explains the process.
- In the beginning, we realize there were legitimate protests against the Syrian government. However, the US and allies, took advantage of the legitimate protests to send Salafi fighters too.
- Under this civil war, it is clear that the “rebels” are not after economic justice, social justice nor Democracy.
- Content Warning: This link contains a video that is graphic, violent and extremely disturbing.
Venezuela
- Last year, John Bolton admitted on camera that he wanted to steal Venezuela’s oil.
- The Opposition in Venezuela lynched a black man.
- Attempted to bomb the Supreme Court after hijacking a helicopter.
- Set fire to pre-schools and day cares
For more information on misinformation surrounding Venezuela, please read my article.
China
- Last year, Hong Kong was gripped by protesters, who had connections to the US regime-change operation NED
- Collaborated with Ukrainian Nazis
- Burned a man who said, “We are both Chinese. Let’s stop fighting”
Iran
- The entire US anti-Iran framework exists because Iran successfully overthrew the us-puppet, the shah.
- The US has inflicted extremely cruel sanctions that is killing people
- Sponsoring various acts of terrorism in Iran
DPRK
- The US has been on their border at the DMZ for nearly 50 years, and it won’t leave despite South and North Korea’s request.
- The Korean war killed 1/3 of the population.
- Seems like the majority of both countries want peace and to restart relations, but the only impediment is the US.
- The US has enacted sanctions on North Korea, despite knowing that it could never be food sovereign
Cuba
- Fidel Castro, alone, survived over 600 assassination attempts by the US.
- US has sponsored extreme acts of terrorism.
- Since 1959, the US has constantly sent terrorists to Cuba and nearly 7000 cubans have died from direct acts of US regime change efforts.
On top of this, we understand how the US media works. For example, the US media tends to cover protests more, if the protesters are US-backed. While, there is often radio silence on protesters who are protesting US-allies.
Instead of accusing the left of being campists, it would behoove the authors of the article to take more time to understand the intricate nature of the media, government and also the US designs on the region before we ignite another war based on lies.
