Thursday, April 18, 2013

Ecological Transition of the Economy: A Giant Step Beyond Capitalism

Presse-Toi A' Gauche!
April 16, 2013
(Google translation)

Québec solidaire, in the wake of the 2007-2008 crisis, launched a manifesto on May 1, 2009, entitled to recover from the crisis: dare beyond capitalism? This question has animated all the reflection of our party in the issue 2 (economics, geography, employment).

Québec solidaire to the crisis of capitalism and the ecological crisis

This exciting approach has resulted in a transition program to define the foundations of a new post-capitalist society. While the crisis has unveiled the power of the financial oligarchy, against the backdrop of global ecological crisis, this program allows us to identify the necessary exercise of genuine sovereignty economic conditions marked by the limits of the environment.

The "Green Plan": a transition program

The Green Plan Québec solidaire is a summary of this ambitious project that involves the initiation of major ecological work (public transport, renewable energy, energy conservation, agriculture centered on food sovereignty), while preserving our natural resources . As against the neo-colonial plunder proposed Plan Nord, as an economic plan is based on the respect for local communities, including indigenous peoples, as well as ecosystems.

While the PQ dream of opening the oil sector, Québec solidaire is proud to seek the definitive abandonment of oil by 2030.While our opponents argue that such measures would only mean unemployment and impoverishment, we must remember that this plan is estimated at 166,000 the number of newly created jobs and viable. While the Conservative government made Canada a shameful example of environmental economics, the Green Plan is an ambitious ecological society resolutely turned towards the future. Could become a model inspired by the world, it is more or less realistic and desirable economic plan that the sustainability of our ecosystems and thereby our societies.

Demand a future for our region

Quebec regions are hit by deindustrialization, the source of countless economic insecurities. In addition, they are disfigured by a dubious marriage between tourism overdevelopment, harnessing our last pristine rivers, polluting mining projects and agro-business. Is this the future of our region? In Québec solidaire, a central pillar of our economic policy is the second and third processing of natural resources. This should enable us to be more immune to speculation in international commodity markets.

In addition, the sector of green energy and transit electrified contribute to a diversified economic base and hopeful for our regions. To go further, it would be desirable QS engages in a thorough review of a policy of industrial restructuring, to give meaning to a socially sustainable diversified manufacturing, and environmentally. A key purpose is to focus more on short circuits, instead of a system of dependence unbridled imports-exports. It might even be an opportunity to reflect on the repatriation of sectors that have been outsourced to countries where the rule of law "cheap labor."

Finally, countless local and regional initiatives should receive greater support from the State through decentralization of economic management, guaranteed by adequate financial resources. Moreover, such a policy can only be based on a substantial reform of our economic and financial institutions.

Rethinking finance as a public service

It is time to put finance at the service of the real economy and not the other. A proposal that we put forward in Québec solidaire is the revision of the mandate of the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, so that it contributes directly to the development of collective enterprises and ecological purposes. In addition to investments in major structural projects Green Plan, it may, for example, support workers who wish to return in the form of a cooperative businesses relocated.

On the other hand, Québec solidaire proposed in its program the establishment of a state-owned bank, is the creation of a new institution or by the partial nationalization of the banking system. This bank will be essential to support multiple projects to be developed in the context of a green economy. In addition, a study is needed to return to the original mission of credit unions, which now act as a private bank among others. The prohibition of several adverse financial practices also be essential (eg various forms of speculation, including currencies, etc..) To restore the mission of a public service finance.

To real economic democracy

Québec solidaire is ultimately the socialization of certain economic sectors, combining public ownership of state and development of the cooperative sector, recognizing the legitimacy of the SME sector. In this sense, Québec solidaire offers a progressive nationalization of critical economic sectors, primarily in the areas of energy and natural resources. It is not only moving from one form of private property as a form of public ownership, but fundamentally transform our production processes and economic decision. That is why these nationalizations will be under the democratic model, in which the voices of workers and communities will be at the center of economic decision-making.

Indeed, democracy stops too often the doors of workplaces in which a large part of our time unfolds. Thus, it is high time that democracy is established in the heart of our economic life, so that the economy finally serve a real social project.

A comprehensive and compelling vision

Québec solidaire proposed by the project approach contrasts with dimensional and short-term typically found in politics.Instead, we want to work with all segments of our society to build an economy that takes into account the diversity and dynamism found in our region, both at the ecological level at human level. By all forces to use in a real democratic cooperation, we can and we out of the doldrums imposed by capitalism and ecological crisis that worsens at a breakneck pace.

No comments:

Post a Comment