Mapping imperialism's crisis, article series by soL

The world-system is desperately struggling in an uncommon crisis
Tuesday, 30 May 2017 05:20

As many large and small conflicts continue in almost every part of the world, people are concerned about the diffusion of the conflicts or triggering potential of these conflicts for a disastrous war involving much larger regions. They are not wrong about their concerns and fears. Because those who rule the world are not able to overcome this danger. Not because they do not care. And not because they are unaware…

They are aware of the danger. Yet, the danger the world faces is not deepening because of the preferences of a handful people or interest group. The crisis and the risks caused by the crisis are intensifying due to the nature of the system. Crisis and war are immanently the essential parts of this plundering system. They are two integral components of the system.

For the very reason, it is not a doom mongering to draw attention to the crisis of the system and to the growing risks arising from these crises. Because saying that crisis and war are the integral parts of the system guides us to overcome the crisis and eliminate the danger.

THE UNITED STATES, CENTRE OF THE CRISIS 

In the first article of the series, we focus on the U.S., still maintaining its world hegemony but going through a serious economic crisis.

The U.S., willing to create a unipolar world after the fall of the Soviet Union, entered an unexpected period of collapse with the 2008 crisis. Being at the centre of the crisis, the U.S. spread it to the rest of the world but still could not go back to the pre-crisis period.

UNSAVEABLE EUROPE 

The financial and political crisis of capitalism extending to years reflected on Europe as the de facto separation of the Old Continent. While the financial requirements give way to new political quests, the proletariat cannot ‘benefit from’ the battle among the fractions of the capital owners.

PLACATED WAR IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

With its trade volume of over $5 trillion, the South China Sea has become one of the most important centres for imperialism’s crisis because of both the size of the unshareable pie and the US and China coming face to face. The region, with no exaggeration, is considered as a place for World War III to break out.

AS SYRIA BREAKS ASUNDER

Syria had long been one of the main obstacles standing against the US plans to reshape the Middle East, and it became ready to be divided and shared with the devastating crisis. A possible partition and sharing of Syria would mark the beginning of a period of enmity among peoples of the region and a never-ending war of attrition carried out by jihadists.

DPRK, THE COUNTRY OUTSIDE THE BELL-JAR

DPRK is wanted to be shown as a country which has closed itself to outside world and lives in a bell-jar far from reality. However, as the crisis of imperialism deepens, those living in a bell-jar are not DPRK but those acting as if there is no U.S. military blockade and imperialism.

ENTANGLED FEET IN INDIA

These fault-lines underlying Kashmir, which appear as a local question, host many burdens from Asia’s historical shaping to militarist investments of imperialism. Therefore, imperialists' feet would probably entangle on such a high-tension line.

END OF THE DREAM IN BALKANS

As long as it is the imperialist powers that determine the current political situation in Balkans, it seems that potential developments will be determined by the crisis of imperialism for the moment. However, the mass protests that took place in the recent years out of class-related reactions exceeded the models proposed by EU.