International

The Panama Papers and the corruption of capitalism

Details: Published: Thursday, 07 April 2016 05:55; Written by Roberto Sarti and Ben Gliniecki

Almost everyone is involved from across the Establishment, the rich and the ruling class: current and former heads of rich-pig state; business magnates; and celebrities. In the biggest data leak in history it has been revealed how the global elite make use of 200,000 shell companies created by the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca to secure their money in offshore tax havens and to shield them from investigation.

Iran, Ireland and the USA - The lessons of three elections

Details: Published: Friday, 04 March 2016 03:48; Written by Alan Woods

For Marxists elections provide a valuable way of ascertaining certain tendencies in society. It is true that they are not the only way of judging the mood of the masses – nor even the best barometer of the real state of the class struggle. At best they are a snapshot of a certain mood at a given time. But having made these necessary reservations and qualifications, one has to take these indicators seriously, as Marx and Lenin certainly did.

In the last few days we have witnessed at least three elections, all of which bear witness to highly significant processes that are now moving with great speed. These processes are not confined to one or two countries. If that were the case, they might be dismissed as mere accidents, events with no particular significance. But when the same – or very similar – processes repeat themselves in many countries, they can no longer be dismissed as accidents. They are the manifestations of the same phenomenon.

The Sanders phenomenon: What does it mean and where is it going?

Details: Published: Thursday, 25 February 2016 04:28; Written by Miles Lacey

Although it had been widely predicted, the landslide victory of Bernie sanders in the New Hampshire primary produced shock waves. After narrowly losing in Iowa (and it is quite likely the result was rigged), Sanders beat Clinton by a margin of more than 20 last Tuesday. This result has produced bewilderment among the commentators. That was something that was not supposed to happen.

“Theory is grey, my friend, but the tree of life is evergreen” (Goethe’s Faust)

Bernie Sanders NYC Rally January 30, 2016

British EU Referendum: Establishment in panic as UK Tories implode

Details: Published: Tuesday, 01 March 2016 04:10; Written by James Kilby

As the crisis of capitalism deepens, all that was once solid is melting to air. The European Union, designed to strengthen European capitalism against the crushing dominance of the world market, is now unravelling at the seams. David Cameron (UK Conservative Prime Minister), in a desperate attempt to hold his party together, has risked everything by allowing a referendum on EU membership. In doing so, he has set loose forces that are beyond his control – forces that could lead to an implosion in the Tory Party, whilst also providing a catalyst for the inevitable disintegration of the EU. All the chickens are now coming home to roost.

Venezuela: counter-revolutionary provocations ignite revolutionary ferment

Details: Published: Friday, 11 December 2015 18:59; Written by Jorge Martin

With 53% of the votes the Venezuelan opposition has managed to secure 112 seats in the National Assembly. This gives them a sweeping two third majority and wide ranging powers. Drunk with victory and seething with revenge, they have started to announce plans to reverse every single one of the gains of the Bolivarian revolution. This has provoked ferment amongst the revolutionary rank and file, which at the same time is directing part of their anger at bureaucrats and reformists within its own ranks.

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