The latest news and analysis from The Communist, alongside reports of our activity. For Marxist theory and history, click here.
Marie Lyndon reviews The Emperor’s New Clothes, a new documentary starring comedian-turned-activist Russell Brand, which acts as a megaphone for the normally untold stories of the young, the unemployed, the disabled and all those marginalised by the capitalist system – and it’s a megaphone that’s not falling on deaf ears.
We publish here a letter from Darrall Cozens, longstanding member of the Coventry NW Labour Party and President of the Coventry TUC (personal capacity), who comments on the upcoming elections and points out the options facing the Labour leaders: either fight for a genuine socialist alternative, or carry out cuts and see support for the party wither even further.
Socialist Appeal and the Marxist Student Federation invite our activists, supporters, and readers to Revolution 2015 – a weekend of talks, discussions, and debates about revolutionary ideas and socialist alternatives, covering Marxist theory, history, current events, and action. Hosted by the UCLU Marxist Society on the weekend of 26-28th June – book your tickets now!
As the general election approaches, the working class face a bleak future. The Tory party promises to “finish the job” through increased austerity. The Labour leaders, meanwhile, want to continue the austerity but in a more “humane“ fashion. A clear alternative to austerity is needed. The leaders of the Left and the labour movement must fight for bold socialist policies.
Theatre company 1927, with their critically-acclaimed show Golem, have powerfully highlighted the contradictory and alienating nature of technology within modern-day capitalism. As this superbly created satire asks: in this era of monolithic multinational monopolies such as Apple, Amazon, Google, and Facebook, is it we who control technology, or does technology control us?
The war in Yemen, which has killed and wounded thousands, is bringing out the contradictions in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia finds itself increasingly isolated. Tension between the different players and powers across the region is increasing, provoking instability on all levels.
The recent death of more than 800 people as a result of a capsized fishing boat near the Italian island of Lampedusa brings the death toll of people attempting to reach Europe by boat in 2015 alone to 1,600. As Hamid Alizadeh explains, this tragic event highlights the dramatic situation that has developed in Africa and the Middle East after years of imperialist meddling.
On Thursday 2nd April, Iran and the world’s most powerful nations signed a preliminary outline agreement about Iran’s nuclear programme. This marks the beginning of the end of a 12 year standoff between the US and Iran. Hamid Alizadeh asks: what interests lie behind the negotiations and what does the deal mean?
On Wednesday April 15th, over 50 people attended the premiere of the Telesur documentary “Hugo Chavez: a portrait from Europe”, co-organised by Hands off Venezuela and the Marxist Student Federation, with discussion following on the recent sanctions levied by American imperialism against the Bolivarian revolution.
Alan Woods provides a Marxist analysis of the national question in the context of Scotland. Despite the defeat of the Yes campaign, the referendum on Scottish independence was a political earthquake, which has transformed the landscape of British politics for years to come.
As the 2014-15 football season drags towards its end, all the top flight clubs are basking in the glory of the nice fat TV deal which has been concluded. Football supporters and those watching games on TV will be less happy, however, as ticket prices and subscription rates increase even further. Steve Jones asks, whatever happened to football being “the working man’s game”?
At their manifesto launch this week, the Green Party called for a “peaceful political revolution”, announcing a range of progressive reforms designed to challenge austerity and an economy “being run for the benefit of the few, not the many”. Matt Rider of the Swansea Marxists looks at the Greens’ manifesto promises and analyses how can we fight for these demands.