The February Revolution of 1917
To commemorate the centenary of the Russian Revolution, Alan Woods, editor of In Defence of Marxism, provides a timeline analysis of 1917.
News and analysis
The latest news, analysis, and Marxist theory from The Communist, alongside reports of RCP activity.
Knives are out for Corbyn after Labour by-election defeat
The cacophony of calls for Corbyn to fall on his sword has grown louder after Labour’s defeat in the Copeland by-election, with the Labour right wing more determined than ever to stick the knife in. Only by coming out fighting with a bold socialist programme can Corbyn and the Labour Left turn the situation around now.
The Russian Revolution: before 1917 – the gathering storm
1917 was the year the Russian revolution changed the course of world history. But before the masses took to the stage, a whole period had prepared the fall of Tsarism. While the reign of Nicholas II appeared strong on the surface it was rotten to the core. Hamid Alizadeh explores the build up to one of the most monumental and inspiring events in human history.
Parliament Ltd: lifting the lid on the rotten world of Westminster
Pat McDonald reviews Martin Williams’ first publication, Parliament Ltd – an excellent insight into the murky depths of political and institutional corruption that brilliantly exposes the true nature of what goes on behind Westminster walls.
Southern strike continues as ASLEF members reject sham deal
Yesterday, on Wednesday 22nd February, RMT members on Southern rail continued their strike action against job cuts and attacks on health and safety. With ASLEF members now also rejecting a cooked up deal between the bosses and TUC leaders, we will likely see renewed joint action between RMT and ASLEF trade unionists in the coming weeks and months.
In defence of Soviet art: a reply to Jonathan Jones
Joe Attard of the KCL Marxists discusses the new Royal Academy of the Arts exhibition on Russian Art: 1917-1932, and responds to Guardian art critic, Jonathan Jones, and his hypocritical tirade against the Russian Revolution, Lenin, and the Bolsheviks.
Ban Trump! End the rotten relationship!
Yesterday evening, thousands gathered in cities across the country to protest once more against Trump, against his reactionary programme, and against Theresa May’s Tory government, which has cosied up to the new US President in the hope of a post-Brexit trade deal. The message was loud and clear: Donald Trump is not welcome here!
Britain faces return to Thatcher levels of inequality
The spectre of inequality continues to loom across Britain. A new report by the Resolution Foundation notes that conditions are returning to those last seen under Thatcher. With wage freezes and austerity measures continuing to burden the poor and working classes, the gap between top and bottom is ever increasing. Capitalism isn’t working.
Venezuela: balance sheet of 2016 and perspectives for 2017
The Bolivarian Revolution is at one of its lowest points since President Chávez’s electoral victory in 1998. On top of the defeat in the December 2015 National Assembly elections, the aggravation of the economic situation is impacting the mass of the working people—who are the base and support of the revolution. It is time to draw a serious balance sheet.
The market doesn’t work: nationalise the energy Big Six!
Npower, one of the ‘Big Six’ energy companies, has recently announced that it will raise its electricity and gas prices further. Even the Tories have been forced to acknowledge that the “markets aren’t working” when it comes to energy prices. We say: nationalise the energy industry without compensation!
In defence of the Russian Revolution
One hundred years ago the Russian Revolution shook the capitalist world order to its foundations. We launch here our official 1917 centenary campaign, commemorating the historic events of the Russian Revolution.
Paul Nuttall’s UKIP: what they really stand for
In just under a week, on 23rd February, two by-elections will take place in the constituencies of Stoke-on-Trent Central and Copeland. With no clear left alternative provided by the Labour Party, UKIP are threatening to eat away at the Labour vote, particularly in Stoke. Kelly and Joe from the Sheffield Marxists examine the factors behind UKIP’s potential success.