The Illusion Of Free Trade In A Capitalist World.pdf

The WTO meeting in Seattle revealed stark opposition to global financial oligarchy and multinationals, highlighting the inherent conflicts between "free trade" and the capitalist system. The text argues that while capitalism seeks to open world agriculture and break down protected markets in poorer nations, economic competition among these countries, coupled with foreign capital flows, undermines any notion of free trade as a solution.

Key points include:

- Capitalism's Inefficiencies: Emphasizes the decline of capitalism's ability to develop new markets and its increasing reliance on financial speculation over productive investment.
- Financial Dominance: Notes that financial derivate trading, worth twelve times the global economy in 1997, demonstrates the parasitic nature of the financial sector, which wreaks havoc during crises.
- Anti-Capitalist Unity: Highlights the diverse groups mobilizing against capitalism globally, showcasing a united front against its barbarism.
- Weaknesses of Anti-Capitalist Forces: Critiques communist parties for lacking a unified program and policy, submitting to national interests, and failing to challenge the nation state as a barrier to global socialism.
- Seattle's Significance: Seattle demonstrations exposed capitalism's social debility and showed popular opposition to it worldwide. The text argues that only a planned world economy under socialist federations can address global poverty.
- Call for Revolution: Concludes with a call to bring down capitalist imperialist forces, emphasizing the need for a return to building socialism.