Answers to Questions by Anita Brenner

Add a subpage to this text

Read the help page for usage.

 

Q. What is the explanation of the crisis, and what effect will it have on American life?

A. All theories that attempt to explain the crisis by temporary or incidental causes, such as the result of war, nationalist epidemics, false tariff or monetary policies, etc., I consider absolutely false. All these facts and processes may, of course, sharpen the crisis but they themselves have only a derivative character. The war itself was an attempt, first of all, on the part of German capitalism to forestall the approaching colossal crisis. The primary cause of the present crisis lies in the fact that the productive forces of modern society are in an irreconcilable contradiction with private ownership of the means of production as well as with the borders of national states. The productive forces demand a planned organization on an all-European and then on a world scale Without this and until this, conjunctural changes are, of course, possible and inevitable; but the first improvement in the conjuncture will lead soon to a new and perhaps an even more painful crisis. The gist of the matter lies in the fact that we are faced now not simply with one of the conjunctural crises of the normal capitalist cycle No, we have entered into the social crisis of capitalism as a system. All attempts to refute or gloss over this fact are useless.

Q. Will inflation bring prosperity comparable to that of 1929?

A. No.

Q. Is a planned economy possible in a democracy?

A. It is not a question of "democracy" but of private ownership of the means of production. A system of planned economy is incompatible with a system of private ownership.

Q. It is possible to prolong the life of the capitalist system by limiting profits?

A. With file aid of this and similar measures it is possible perhaps to prolong the convulsions of the capitalist system but not to bring back its viability.

Q. Is it possible to preserve the principle of "free competition” in a planned economy?

A. The answer follows from the above.

Q. Do you consider the five-year plan" a success?

A. We cannot speak of a complete success. The contradictions of Soviet economy are very great and in some respects have even sharpened. But only the blind cannot see the gigantic force of the planned method based on nationalized property.

Q. Do you consider the USSR a communist country?

A. The USSR is as yet neither a communist nor a socialist state. It is a transition system from capitalism to socialism. Between it and socialism lies a long and difficult road.

Q. What has been the prime international contribution of the USSR?

A. The practical demonstration that successful economic work is possible without the capitalist class.

Q. What has been its biggest mistake?

A. The mistakes of the Soviet government are numerous. I have frequently criticized them in the press but would be at a loss to indicate the biggest one. Despite these mistakes, the USSR remains, however, the herald of a new social system and a serious peace factor.

Q. Can Hitler last?

A. Hitler must be overthrown. It is impossible to do this without a revolution. It is necessary that the masses recover from the defeat It is necessary that a new revolutionary party place itself at the head of the masses. All this demands a certain time.

Q. Why does Hitler persecute the Jews?

A. This is the sole thing left him as far as "solving" the internal problems is concerned. Defending capitalism which he has promised to destroy, Hitler is forced to distract the attention of the masses from social questions to national and race problems.

Q. Is German National Socialism an international menace?

A. Most certainly.

Q. Do you expect war soon? Will it involve America?

A. A great war (I do not speak of a small, preventive war) is hardly possible in Europe in less than three or four years, which is the time needed for the complete rearmament of Germany. At the expiration of this period, war will even become inevitable In the Far East where the Japanese war camarilla completely lost its head, war is possible at any moment I consider that the rapprochement between the United States and the Soviet Union should bring the militarists of Tokyo to reason and in this sense it is a factor of peace

Q. Do you, in general, feel optimistic in regard to the course that Western history is taking? What role does America play?

A. The history of the whole humanity, also that of the United States, is approaching a turning point Violent convulsions and great difficulties lie ahead, perhaps even a temporary decline of culture. But I do not doubt that humanity will finally raise itself to new heights.

Q. Do you think that the period of transition from capitalism to socialism is a question of years or of generations?

A. Of generations.