The primary driver of support for the Right, all throughout the West, seems to be opposition to immigration. Within that, there are basically two groups: white supremacists, and people who have been conned into seeing migration, rather than economics, as the fundamental cause of their declining living standards.

It seems like this is a wedge issue that any successful populist left movement would need to confront. I guess what I’m wondering is whether it’s possible to resolve in a way that doesn’t abandon leftist values entirely.

Whilst we on the left regard multiculturalism as an inherent good, the reality is, in a democratic sense, it was something imposed from above - and largely as a means of growing the bullshit neoliberal service economy whilst simultaneously undermining working class power. That it was utilised in this way is partly why so many working class people have been able to be led by the media into blaming immigration, rather than economic policy, for declining living standards.

I’m not sure about the US, but in most Western countries the vast majority of immigrants are not refugees. For example, in the UK only 10% are refugees. It is actually nearly impossible for the poor of the developing world to immigrate to most Western countries.

Would it be possible for leftist parties to advocate for reductions in immigration, if that came within the context of increasing refugee intake? Of course there is no necessity for such a policy, nor is it desirable, nor ethical - I’m talking purely in terms of strategic necessity. Or is any kind of kowtowing to anti-immigrant sentiment too great and too dangerous a betrayal of our values? Would any retreat here only be aiding the resurgence of fascism?
I guess I’m thinking about this lately because of whats happening in France - I feel like most Western countries either are or soon will be following that direction. It seems we’re already running out of time, and still nowhere near ready. And I feel like all this anti-immigrant sentiment is the backbone of it, and yet it’s something that people who aren’t far-right are loathe to address. And maybe they’re right not too, maybe their is no possible compromise here. I really don’t know, so just wondering what other people think

  • ChaosMaterialist [he/him]
    ·
    3 days ago

    I'll make two statements:

    1. "Illegal" Immigration is a Red Herring. If governments really cared about "illegal" immigration, they would go after Employers. But (a) politicians shy away from biting the hand that feeds, and (b) the Capitalist sector relies on that cheap labor.

    2. Anti-Immigration is False Consciousness. The goal is to deflect popular critique and hostility away from capitalists and towards migrants, and create a hostile atmosphere that effectively disciplines migrant laborers in favor of capitalist exploitation.

    Every now and again a conservative government gets too close to the Sun and burn their allies. Alabama and Florida both kicked out migrant workers, with hilariously predictable results and capitulation back to the status quo.

    Nevertheless, a variety of employers in Alabama said they have not been able to find enough legal residents to replace the seasoned Hispanic field pickers, drywall hangers, landscapers and poultry workers who fled the state. There was an initial rush of job applications, they said, but many new employees quit or were let go.

    and...

    SB1718 punishes employers who use undocumented labor and forbids undocumented people from having a driver's license.

    Many local Florida businesses say the new law has led to workers leaving the state, hurting their bottom line. "A lot of people are scared," says Sanchez. "A lot of people went north and never came back."

    My answer for Leftists is ironically the same for Liberals: Go After The Employers!