Re: French fascism's disturbing resurgence

"Armand" writes:

> I would not worry too much. Le Pen only
> grew 2% since the last election and he is
> going to get the same vote in the second
> round.
> 
> The results clearly punished the Communist
> and Socialist Party and their crisis is not
> a bad news, but good news.

But certainly the low voter turnout is a bad sign.  It's obvious that the
voters had plenty of left alternatives to the major parties, and yet they
still stayed home in large numbers -- and a fascist ended up in the runoff.
The statement: 

 
> But I do not see a collapse of the world
> behind Le Pen presence in the second round.
> Rather opportunities.  This whole situation
> is the reflection of the polarization that
> is taking place in society in the post 9/11
> situation: Argentina, Italy, Middle East,
> France ... things are getting better, not
> worse

reminds me a little too much of the "After Hitler, Us" enthusiasms of the
Third Period.  Perhaps we could be cheering on "polarization" if there were
any left unity, any coherent left program to speak of, but now?  I am afraid
that our forces may be much weaker than the writer thinks, or at least have
built much less of a popular base than we need, to stanch the severe losses
that this election represents.  Now, all of the center-left forces are going
to rally round the Gaullist neoliberal to save the republic from fascism --
how well-placed are the left-wing forces (especially in the extra-electoral
realm) to take advantage of the "polarization" spoken of here?

If this is a crisis of the Socialists and the PCF -- and clearly it is --
aren't politicians just as likely (perhaps more likely, in fact) to take it
as a sign that the center-left is too soft on crime and immigrants, rather
than as a sign that they are abandoning the socialism for which people
yearn?  Isn't it more likely that Chirac -- already a foul neoliberal --
will also take up even more racist appeals as a way to undercut Le Pen, than
it is likely that the left will be able to rein in Chirac's neoliberal
agenda?

John Lacny


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