surveys the first year of the
Workers' Party government in
Lula's victory was long anticipated by
Brazilian workers and the poor. His
three previous attempts to be president failed at the final hurdle. We can review by looking at the changes in Lula's positioning in the 2002 election campaign and how this differed from the PT political platform and the attitudes of it supporters.
Lula's 2002 campaign was far more orthodox in terms of style and presentation than his previous one. The suit had replaced the T-shirt, the voice retained its natural gruffness but the words were far more mellow, the TV adds slick with soft images of babies and pregnant women.
In all this the class content, the class conflict had gone in favour of the moderate 'man for all Brazilians' image. He was on the side of good, of caring, of ending poverty by job creation and welfare, of reviving business.
In short Lula presented the message of Get the Viewpoint! A monthly review of news and analysis from the CAPE TAL being good for every honest law abiding citizen while against corruption, poverty and the abuse of power. So what happened after the election? There were two overlapping sets of contradictory views about Lula's 'radical policies. First, among traditional oppoFourth International * 10 issues by airmail for only £30 from International Viewpoint, PO Box 112, Manchester M12 5DW. THE NEXT issue will be a special, focusing on the European Social Forum in Paris in November. JULY'S - still available - was a special double issue with documents from 15th World Congress of the Fourth International (send £5 plus £1.00 p&p) nents of the PT. The US regime sought to prevent his victory because he was an leftist extremist, only to find that their efforts increased his popularity
He was not seen as a leftist by a middle class which understood that their interests required the President to stand up the US politically and economically.
Sections of the oligarchy quietly joined this mood, seeing Lula at worst as unstoppable, but also as somebody they would be able to deal with. The possibility of change Second, among traditional supporters. The workers' movement in the towns and contryside understood that his victory would mean the possibility of change, or the chance of a government that could be pushed towards change.
While Lula's selection of a right-wing vice presidential running mate proved highly controversial within the PT, the majority currents were willing to accept this as a tactical adaptation to the realities of world and internal politics.
The minority saw it as a set back that could be defeated later. The party's leadership saw the radical policies as a longer term objective that were outside the reality of current world politics. Recognising these contradictions many commentators described the opening months of the presidency as a fight for control of Lula's soul.
How have these contradictions been acted out during the last 12 months? To answer this we need to look at Lula's policies and actions in different areas
0610 B Foreign Policy erts First, foreign policy. On the dne hand Luta has taken a much stronger stand relating to the USA than his predecessor. He played a leading role at the Cancun WTO meeting, and in attempts to keep the G22 going subsequently.
Within this he is pushing G3 (Brazil, South Africa and India) as an alternative 'southern pole in the world. He is pushing to develop a unified Latin America in at least trade bloc terms, which is aimed at strengthening their collective position vis a vis the USA. He is visiting third world countries extensively with a trade and mutual political support agenda, using Brazil's presence on the UN Security Council, and desire for a permanent seat, as a bargaining chip.
However, all of this is within a neo-liberal framework. There is no alternative view of the world, just a fight to make it a fairer neoliberal world. Most clearly this has been shown by rejection of the PT's policy to totally reject the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
The Brazilian government remains involved in the talks (with some successes chalked up) and shows no sign of withdrawing. The opposition to the FTAA has continued to organise very strongly, and its rejection remains a high priority not just of antiFTAA campaign activists but also of mass organisations.
Lula found himself
in direct
confrontation with some of his most important
supporters when
he cut the state employees' pension rights as part of the repayment strategy. ....
Those fighting for land reform in particular
are aware of the negative impact any trade
agreement will have on their campaign
because it will strengthen big business farming.
Economic policy
Second, economic policy. There is near unanimity that the previous president's policy has been continued. The business sector is responding positively as interest rates fall though there is a lot of speculation on the stock exchange which has soared to record levels recently.
In complete opposition to PT policy, repayment of foreign debt has been made a priority rather than its cancellation. State spending budgets have been cut. Social spending ministies have found their ability to deliver severely restricted
Most dramatically, Lula found himself in direct confrontation with some of his most important supporters when he cut the state employees" pension rights as part of the repayment strategy.
Months of strike action and demonstra tions resulted in some concessions, but also in deep internal divisions in the PT.
These led to the eventual disciplining and expulsion of parliamentarians who attempted to defend PT policy against pension cuts. This issue had dragged on for many years with the PT leading the opposition during the previous presidency. Social Policy Third, social policies. Until very recently these were on a back burner, at least at the spending end. However, there have been a wide range of initiatives developed, at least on paper, particularly where short term spending is not involved
There is now basic income legislation, laws defending the rights of pensioners and quota systems in the public services around race, gender and disabled recruitment. Racism has become an officially recognised problem of Brazilian society after a century of active denial.
Slaves are being liberated at a record rate Corruption is being investigated and police
page 19 of the scan
soclalist resistance February 2004 19