Revolutionary Potential of the Proletariat

 

Revolutionary Potential of the Proletariat

 

V.K. Tripathi

            Common sense suggests that people at the receiving end of economic exploitation and joblessness would agitate on economic issues; they would support movements on such issues. However, in three decades of globalization/ liberalization any such agitation/ mobilization of the working classes, barring a few exceptions like the on-going farmers’ satyagraha, has not been seen anywhere in the world. Instead there have been instances where poor working classes got carried away by emotive issues like temple movement. In 2002, the anti-social zealots who participated in Gujarat riots in Panchmsahals and Dahod districts, included tribals. Right wing governments have come to power in many countries. At one time masses from these nations had carried freedom movements against colonialism. What has gone wrong with the revolutionary potential of the proletariat? Have the forces of dominance been able to dis-unite them (feeding myths and ethnic identities) and crush their initiatives in the bud?

            Running through 250 years of modern science and heavy industry (that began with the steam engine in 1776 and expanded with the invention of Petrol/ diesel engine in 1886 and electrical motor and other subsequent developments), one finds economic interests of the elite dominating world polity and economy. It divided the world into colonizing and colonized nations and working classes into organized and un-organized sectors. Colonial exploitation was so severe and administration so repressive that masses in the twentieth century rose for freedom in many countries. Working classes in Russia and China arose for freedom from economic exploitation. Few decades after freedom or revolution, that consciousness of working classes on economic issues appears to be waning.

            Big machine based economic system appears to have pulled sections of people out of starvation and they seem to be satisfied with token relief (like Rs. 6000 given to farmers per year or free gas cylinders to rural households in India) provided to them by the government, in exchange for which they vote for them crippling their long term interests. Millions of migrant workers living in slums in cities are struggling for survival, yet mobilization on economic issues is rarely in sight. Their voting for hate builders and supporters of corporate interests is puzzling.

            The hidden potential of the proletariat for freedom from prejudice and exploitation is again to be aroused. It demands grassroots work of consciousness building and networking. Many progressive groups are doing it. We have to ponder ways to enlarge these efforts hundred-fold.  .