(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL #249 -
Decentralization law: Pitfalls metropolization (fr, it, pt) [machine
translation]
The legislation concerning "new territorial organization of the Republic" provide many
transfers between the different authorities (regions, departments, EPCI[3], communes and
cities) and the state. But it is more than the concentration of power in the big cities.
---- The fans laws on territorial organization present them as a new act of decentralized
territorial organization, administrative and economic. It is a lie. The following are the
terms used by the Trade Union Solidarity: it is a relocation of centralization.
Metropolization particular, illustrates this. Strengthen the powers of the state has never
been a guarantee to defend public services. Without entering the debate on the definition
of these utilities, you might rename "socially useful products and services" , we must
remember that it is the State that deprives utilities the means necessary for their
operation which destroys, which privatized when the ruling class deems appropriate. Adding
that social democracy has never been a feature of government services, both internally and
vis-à-vis users.
Relocation of centralization
Because we share the analysis concluding with a relocation of centralization, the angle of
attack adopted by some trade union and political organizations on "the weakening of state
power" seems wrong. Historically, the state has had several adaptations of his
organization, impact the balance of power between social classes with different interests.
In this case, there is no state decay; it is organized differently, from a smaller number
of areas and enhanced skills[1]. For us it is not to fight a hypothetical "state
disengagement" but to adapt its structures and operations to the current needs of capitalism.
The number and breakdown of regions, county councils, county councils converted, are
topics that many politicians have opinions, even if it is often limited to defending their
turf. A critical issue is not mentioned: the metropolization, which is one of the
cornerstones of this state reorganization.
Places making will be even more distant from the people. Collective already alert and
already the intercommunal whose powers are reinforced and not elected by universal
suffrage, will be in the hands of the executive of the largest city. What reinforce
disinterest in elections, including in people not motivated by any revolutionary
abstention! The transfer of general skills council emphasizes the power of mayors of
cities, weakens that of the majority. Moreover, the communities that do not apply
zealously guidelines clusters and public job cuts will be penalized financially. It is
"Republic Act", which provides sanctions against the "elected representatives"!
Employer requirements
Metropolization was a claim of MEDEF[2]. Like many other employers' demands, the
government is quick to satisfy it. Employers and capitalist institutions need
metropolization and wider regions; that further weaken the limited democratic space in
society, greater inequality and condemns the future of whole areas of the territory and
populations not account for the servants of capitalism.
Christian (AL Transcom)
[1] 2. It should be noted that the repressive apparatus (army, police, justice...) is not
affected by the transfer of skills between jurisdictions; it remains in the hands of the
state's central structure.
[2] See for example the synthesis "Anchoring the company in the Territories" at:
france2020medef.files.wordpress.com
[3] Communities of municipalities, urban communities.
http://www.alternativelibertaire.org/?Loi-de-decentralisation-Les-pieges
