The Need For A Socialist-Republican Agenda

The following is to argue for a coherent political alternative to the current capitalist and materialistic lifestyle which permeates nearly every aspect in Irish life.

At present, Irish society is run in the interests of private profit, with power in the hands of the financial and political elite. Where working-Class families, people and communities are exploited. Due to the ills in our society, there is a growing need for Socialist-Republicanism to be put firmly back on the political agenda. This would ensure true democracy being extended into every sphere of life on this island.

In the recent past, political groups like have not used the right language to connect with the daily struggle of working-class people. As such,  we need to flesh out our alternative as being understandable and coherent. Political Activists need to talk about and highlight issues like housing; IE, The Household Tax in the South and the reduction in Housing Benefit in the North. We need to talk about and analysis issues we’re not very comfortable about. We need to respond to people’s everyday concerns and come up with coherent alternatives.

The recent strikes in the Six Counties and the Occupy Movements in the 26 Counties widened peoples horizons of what is possible today that seemed impossible a few months ago. Both were demonstrations of what power ordinary working people have and how the correct political direction can point the majority of Irish people in the right way. They refocused everyone’s attention on who actually caused the economic crisis. Raising people’s consciousness was brilliant but unless we build a coherent alternative, there's no threat to imperialism and neo-colonialism.

While we live in an age where revolt is possible, however Ireland does not have a unified or mass Left movement. Even though they have made headway, the recent mobilisations lack the correct political direction. Socialist-Republicans, must set out our political analysis and ensure the majority of our fellow citizens understand how best to change society for the betterment of everyone and not the few.