Wind of change sweeping across the globe

Money speaks, and people with money are not likely to listen to poor powerless protesters. But if all the protesters get together to form some sort of union and put pressure on the rich, through programmes like work stoppages, then the rich will be forced to listen and act on their demands, writes Gopal Sengupta The winds of change are blowing across the globe. What triggers such a change, and when it will strike, is something that no one can predict. From New York City's Financial District to other places, hundreds of activists have been converging on financial hubs over the past four weeks, protesting as part of an "Occupy Wall Street" movement. The protests are largely rallies against the influence of corporate money in politics, but participants' grievances also include frustrations with corporate greed, anger at financial and social inequality, and several other issues. In the light of such a spectacle, those who highly value the role of ideas in social change are tempted to root for one side or the other. They wish to see their own ideology reflected in prominent people and institutions, and in any clash it is tempting to seek a hero. There is no point in remaining neutral when history is being made. Some who see the protesters as a bunch of whiny young leftists opposing the great symbols of greedy capitalism will be tempted circumstantially to side with the Wall Street. Yet much of the anger against the Wall Street is justified, if misdirected - even reflecting a vaguely classical-liberal class consciousness. In cahoots with the politicians, these giant firms are indeed ripping off the middle class and the poor. Today's political economy resembles some form of fascism more than the free-enterprise system, and of the businesses with a hand in colluding with the state in advancement of corporatism, those being targeted by the protesters for special animus are probably among the guiltiest. Some of the activists, waving signs in opposition to bailouts, war, and police abuses, are carrying a libertarian message. But overall the protesters' message is too vague and heterogeneous - at best - to elicit much enthusiasm. As in the tea parties with which it has been compared, many in this movement are condemning a nebulous conception of the status quo without much of an inspiring alternative vision. I believe there will be little or no positive outcome from all this protest action. Money speaks, and people with money are not likely to listen to poor powerless protesters. But if all the protesters get together to form some sort of union and put pressure on the rich, through programmes like work stoppages, then the rich will be forced to listen and act on their demands. The writer can be reached at e-mail: gopalsengupta@aol.com