Welfare not warfare? Yes, but...
Slogans like “Welfare not warfare”, “Fund education not war” or “Books not bombs” are good as “longer range” slogans. They sum up our advocacy of resources being spent on socially useful goals, serving human need, not the capitalist priority of militarism, and can help develop political consciousness and mobilisation. But used as slogans against a particular war or military action, they can confuse more than clarify. They can be depoliticising, parochial and nationalistic. Having explained or sloganised the political reasons why a war or military action is bad (it will cost many lives, promote...