DISCUSSION—In pursuit of thankless tasks
Subjectively today neither most animal liberationists nor leftists realize or accept that their struggles and positions are—objectively—inherently congruent. But that may change.
ROLAND VINCENT, Special Editor
Eco-Socialism, The Environment, and Animal Rights
.
There is an adage that behind every law is a gun aimed at the people.*
Not quite true. Behind every law is a gun aimed at those in violation of the law.
That the state should have the power to proscribe certain conduct seems an unassailable proposition.
Most people across the political spectrum are supportive of the role of government. Disagreements center on upon what conduct should be proscribed, and who should benefit by the prohibition.
Conservatives generally support government protecting the status quo and the plutocracy, while Liberals generally support government protecting the disadvantaged and the disenfranchised.
________
Radical feminists, ecologists, and fighters for gender equality are in the forefront of the convergence. We salute them.
________
The Animal Rights movement would ban the exploitation, murder, and consumption, of animals.
Where does such a position fall on the political spectrum?
Considerably farther to the Left of most Liberals and traditional, anthropocentric Socialists.
Animal Rights activists: You, too, ARE the Left.
ROLAND VINCENT, an attorney, political strategist, and former stockbroker, is an animal liberationist and social justice activist. He is dedicated to formulating and advancing tactics and strategies that make sense in a complex and distracted world. He currently serves as The Greanville Post’s Special Editor for Animal Rights, the Environment, and Socialism.
.
___________________________________________
Approve? Shocked? Outraged?
You think this is all rather ridiculous or even divisive? We understand. The introduction of radical ideas, even to radical minds, is never easy. Send any comments directly to Roland at rolandv@greanvillepost.com, or to the editor in chief at patrice@greanvillepost.com . If you think that we may be on to something rational and just, keep your peace and follow these columns as they set forth the foundations for the convergence between socialism and animal liberation. Above all, before mounting a righteous horse, think that we did not come to these positions rashly. The embrace of animal liberation today is not only an extension of compassion and justice for all sentient beings—which is a mater of elementary decency and consistency in terms of justice— but a matter of ecological duty.
Yes, the congruency of animal liberation and all it implies and the advance of socialism, or, broadly speaking, the anticapitalist struggle, is not just founded on compassion but an equally compelling rationale: the salvation of the planet. If you don’t give a damn about animals, or think you are compassionate enough as it is, without having to contemplate a more rigorous regime that does not include barbecues and bucketfuls of KFC chicken, think that, as long as you believe yourself to be progressive, let alone a socialist, it is your duty to join the cause of world ecological defense, and follow its logic wherever it may take you.
If you do not know yet why this is necessary, or urgent, inspect more carefully your own positions, inform yourself better, question your facts with an open mind, and finally, if you can conquer the slavery of the palate, and the tendency to see things through the speciesist lens while denying to yourself that this is so, align your position with the knowledge acquired. In future columns we will be examining in detail all major arguments, excuses, and pretexts commonly brandished by speciesists (of any political persuasion, left, right and center) to justify dominion over animals. Meantime, refrain from pelting those who are trying to advance this thankless cause against enormous odds. Contact them privately. If their counterarguments do not persuade you, then do what you think is right.
Notes
* Leave aside for a moment that in all states the prevailing law of the land reflects the values and interest of the ruling class—whatever that ruling class may be. Historically, it has usually been the interest of a privileged minority, but it doesn’t have to be always so. In a revolutionary state arisen from the struggle of the masses, the organized majority, the law may actually reflect the interests of that majority , which will be logically detrimental in a number of regards to the interests of the old ruling class, the “ancient regime”. This is inevitable since the new regime, to make matters right, must remedy and eliminate innumerable vices and crimes inherent in the old arrangement—such as the continuing spawning of profound inequality—that directly benefited the old system. This is what sets off a long and hard period of adjustment when the old ruling class, often using the support of powerful foreign ruling classes still in power, attempts to resist, sabotage and destroy the new government.
