system for capitalism.
to stay in the intensive care unit.
So why do nationalisation?
introduced in the past. The Tories want to see as much profitable industry in private hands as possible. That's why they are gunning for the National Tony Benn has attacked the Tory proposals by warning that they will cut off the life support The Tories want to send the patient out for a good stiff constitutional, whilst Benn wants it socialists RICH PALSER looks at the arguments. Elsewhere we ask who stands to gain from de-nationalisation, and look at the steel industry to see how nationalisation has been argue for have been lost, Wages and conditions in these industries have been the first to come under attack through wage So is it worth the candle? If the Tories want to cut off capitalism's life shouldn't we let The question isn't new. As long capitalism will not cease to exist of its own accord. When the pressure on profits make investors scarce, and the state is not called in to bail industry out, the used to demoralise and weaken working class organisution, and thus boost profits The call for nationalisation under workers" control is a call to get rid of To tuke their company off them if, workers decent pay and conditions. It is a call for planning against the anarchy of private ownership and In fighting for the nationalisation the workers" needs and interests, not the are not entitled to compensation — they have workers who produce the wealth for New technology must be used in to the life of the workers through a shorter working the standards Products and prices must not be geared to cushioning the private heads.
Instcad of control being placed in the hands of the company directors. Workers must cantrol pens the control Indestries run through their own *rights Nor does the fight stop having won these demands. Private industry concentrated and powerful. A mere 80 companies own organisations Any serious victory in the fight for nationalisation would not ooly fail to increase invesiment in the private sector (and witbout chat no island of socialist nationalisation could exist for long), but it would positively make things warsc The wealthy few are hardly Likely their moncy in technology when they see workers on offensive to living and threat nationalisation hanging over their That's why Benn's talk of 'planning agreements" being used to see that investment takes place is pure fantasy — it's only by challenging the "right" of the big capitalists to dispose of their wealth as they will that planning of the economy can begin.
Exerting control the means denying those Nationalisation of the major banks and finance houses, placing them under the control of the workers that credit and investment are under their control that is the first essential step towards socialist planning.
Opening the books of the major contpanies and subiccting employers to the scrutiny and control of elecled workers committees is thc ne There should be no retreat from fighting for socialist including nationalisation. The Tories offensive can easily be used to divide workers.
The Pose Office Union for example has consistently called for the two main sections of the Post Office to be run by different boards one 15 a telecommunications sector, the other the loss making postal service.
Any de-nationalisation plans of the Tones will have similar divisions in mind.
If workers in these industries see no credible socialist alternative to nationalisation as we now know it, the basis will he laid for further divisions as the profitable sectors go back to the private sector and the remaining are left to suffer the WOrsE.
the policies, In the summer of 1977 the sold off to private hands 17 per cent of British PetroEngincering leum shares. This £540 million sale was just one of the concessions, along profitable public services, Goverament made in returo for continued loans from the International Monetary Fund.
The new Tory Government further in raising money this was. also advantage that their friends in business will gain — that is after all what a Tor Gotcrument is best placed workers to do.
The first to gu will he some of the companies in which the Na government prise Hoard Take Ferran tronics firm. I it recorded a y 19.12 million cent increase.
TOTEELS in Under the which the original agreen the NER - Ки Ferranti, it has sharcholding ! once Ferranti t a profit. to go a lot Tories has the This it di and 2940,0000 ou Tories know where that car the private ins have the bealing unpr