Bernie Sanders vs the Democrats - fight for a workers’ party
The Democratic primary campaign has become a two-horse race. Former Vice President Joe Biden and self-proclaimed socialist Bernie Sanders are set to slog it out over a gruelling campaign, reminiscent of the Democratic primaries in 2016. The party establishment are terrified of a Sanders win - not simply because of the Vermont Senator himself, but because of the mass movement behind him. An article in the Economist even argued that Democratic primaries are too democratic and that it would be preferable for “party insiders” to “vet candidates by setting tighter eligibility criteria” in order to prevent a “populist takeover” by the left.
Sanders has built a powerful base amongst the working class and the youth. He has achieved this on the basis of class-based demands, such as universal healthcare, combined with radical rhetoric - including calls for a political revolution against the billionaire class. This has resonated with many in the US - in particular those who have remained outside of politics, due to a lack of an alternative to the two establishment parties, as well as new layers of radicalised youth.
Britain after the election defeat
“The idea that all Britain’s Labour party needs to do to win is offer true socialism has been tested to destruction.” (Financial Times)
News of the British election result was greeted by jubilation on the stock markets of the world. The pound sterling soared, and Donald J Trump tweeted: “Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his great WIN!”
But all history shows that a rise in the stock market does not necessarily signify anything positive for the working class. Rather, the opposite is the truth. And what pleases the present occupant of the White House will not necessarily be to the liking of the working people of Britain.
Britain: lessons of the election, don’t mourn – organise!
All the reactionaries are crowing. Donald Trump expressed particular delight at the result. “Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his great WIN!” the US President wrote on Twitter. “Johnson secures crushing UK election victory,” exuded the Financial Times, as the pound rose on foreign exchange markets.
IMT statement: for revolutionary change, not climate change!
The international climate strike movement has created waves across the world. Over the past year, during the course of several global days of action, millions of young people from over 100 countries have walked out of school in order to join the ‘Fridays for Future’ protests, demanding immediate action against the climate crisis.
Marxism vs Modern Monetary Theory (MMT)
MMT has created a buzz on the left recently, with its supporters citing it as an answer to all our economic woes. Instead of trendy new ideas, however, we need the clear, scientific analysis of capitalism that Marxism provides – Adam Booth writes.
“Practical men who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back.” John Maynard Keynes
Read more: Marxism vs Modern Monetary Theory (MMT)
Hands off Ihumātao! No luxury homes for the elites!
Ihumātao is a place that most people had not heard of until recently due to the escalation in protests on this land. At present there are approximately 1,500 people on the site, which has been cordoned off by the police.
Why is this protest being undertaken?
Venezuela: Guaidó’s botched coup – what does it mean and what's next?
Just before dawn on 30 April, the Venezuelan opposition launched yet another attempt at a military coup. By the end of the day, the botched coup attempt seemed to have failed, with one of its leaders seeking refuge in the Spanish embassy, 25 of the soldiers involved requesting asylum at the Brazilian embassy and Juan Guaidó in hiding or on the run.
Mega-strike in New Zealand as 50,000 teachers walk out
Strike action was taken by over 50,000 teachers throughout New Zealand on 29 May to demand a 16 percent pay increase and improved working conditions. Their strike is the result of a breakdown in pay talks between the New Zealand Educational Institute, the Post-Primary Teachers Association; and the government Ministry of Education.
On Marxism and the State
With the increase in strikes in New Zealand we republish this article on the State by the late Phil Mitchinson.
Standing between the working class and the socialist transformation of society is a colossal state machine. Where did it come from? What purpose does it serve? can it be reformed, or must it be done away with altogether? What should replace it, indeed should it be replaced at all? In the first place what is "it"?
In their writings on the state, Marx and Engels set themselves the task of demystifying it, of conquering the idea that the state is some kind of eternal being, in order to strip away the magical shroud in which capitalism has cloaked it.
Auckland Rail Maintenance Workers Locked Out. Support RMTU 13% Pay Rise Claim
The maintenance workers responsible for safety checks on Auckland Transport passenger trains have been locked out for thirty days, from the 13 May, following industrial action. The dispute came about because of the difference in pay between the workers - contracted by spanish multinational CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliares de Ferrocarriles) - and Kiwirail workers. The technicians receive about $7000pa less than Kiwirail workers doing the same job.
Australian General Election: Coalition victory that defied the opinion polls
2019 Australian Federal General Election Results
Majority 76 Seats required
|
Party |
Vote count |
Vote % |
%Swing |
Seats Changed |
Seats |
|
Coalition |
4,794,801 |
41.6 |
-0.7 |
3 |
73 |
|
Labor |
3,940,393 |
33.3 |
-0.8 |
-4 |
65 |
|
Greens |
1,168,226 |
10.3 |
-0.2 |
0 |
1 |
|
United Australia Party |
390,436 |
3.4 |
3.4 |
0 |
0 |
|
One Nation |
346,902 |
3 |
1.7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Others |
966,775 |
8.4 |
-2.3 |
5 |
5 |
Projected totals 19/05/19
The Liberal / National Coalition, after being behind in the polls for years, have won the general election. At the time of writing the Federal Parliament is hung with the Coalition being three short of a majority, on 73 seats, and Labor on 65 seat, with 7 seats too close to call. There is a strong possibility of the Coalition returning to the government benches with a small majority and not having to rely on the cross benches to get through their legislation.
Religious fundamentalism – why is it growing and what is the alternative?
All religions have their fundamentalists; there are Christian fundamentalists, Hindu fundamentalists, Jewish fundamentalists, Buddhist fundamentalists and so on. They all play a reactionary role, and they are all growing in number. All of them believe they are the holders of the absolute truth, while all others are heretics or even the work of the devil himself. They are all used to sow division among toiling people around the world. The phenomenon affects all countries to one degree or another.