Chomsky

The response to the WTO meeting in Seattle was discussed by the class early in this semester, and although I was quick to assume that the fragmentation of the protest unit was a consequence of pluralist society, Chomsky’s explanation provided me with a different understanding of that movement.

Though I do still believe that pluralism is the catalyst for promoting self interest and deterring the creation of a common good–often stonewalling opportunities for collective organized efforts–the protest that transpired because of the WTO protest did so because “varied constituencies that have rarely interconnected in the past” organized in a movement that transcended self interests to voice a common argument. According to Chomsky, this multi-faction mobilizations can be accredited to an effort to “educate and organize over a long period of time.” The gathering was a means of preserving popular sovereignty from falling helplessly into the hands of the “responsible class of men” who would quickly sacrifice it to promote the financial well being of elite lobbyists. But because the issue at stake was significant to so many protesters who feared the international ramifications of placing the national debt burden on the citizens, it was easier to reach a broad consensus.

I have one problem with excluding pluralism from this debate: In the case of the CIW/Aaramark rally in Philadelphia, members of a Baltimore labor union were on hand to support the migrant workers who were demanding a living wage from Aaramark. It was reassuring to see labor unions extending support to fellow workers, but what must be considered is this: Laborers who represented by the CIW were protesting because they were compensated 45 cents/32 lbs. of tomatoes picked from Florida farmlands (almost 900 tomatoes/hour to receive minimum wage). The Baltimore unions, which were recently on strike and on some could relate with compensation struggles, can in no way comprehend the slave like labor that is enforced upon the migrant workers. Once the contracts of the Baltimore unions are settled, it is likely that they will retire from the picket lines and resume their regular duties–because the self interests of the Baltimore union was no longer threatened, it would likely become increasingly less involved with the plight of the CIW. On a smaller scale, organization can be compromised by buying support of different interest groups.

That is all for now.