A transitional programme for the environment
What would such a transitional programme look like for the environment? What set of demands should socialists make regarding the climate change? In this article, we attempt to outline such a programme.
News and analysis
The latest news and analysis from The Communist, alongside reports of our activity. For Marxist theory and history, click here.
Venezuela: Counter-revolution throws down a new challenge
In the build up to the September
elections, the right-wing opposition is preparing on several fronts.
Economic sabotage is one of them, as are the manoeuvres on the part of
right-wing elements within the Bolivarian movement itself. Meanwhile,
all this is having a radicalising effect on the left.
A Transitional Programme for the Environment
For many people, the idea of a revolutionary change in society seems like a pipe-dream that will never be possible in their lifetime. In this respect, Trotsky developed the idea of the “Transitional Programme”: a set of demands that could take society from our current situation under capitalism, towards our final goal of international socialism. What would such a transitional programme look like for the environment? What set of demands should socialists make regarding the climate change?
Bosses pay – worse they do, more they want!
You couldn’t make it up. In a recent report on ‘executive pay’, The Economist
(hardly a champion of equality) has been obliged to admit the (for
them) embarrassing absurdity of ever ballooning capitalist pay-cheques
in the midst of attacks on working class living standards.
Cambridge against the cuts
Over the last year Cambridge residents have
seen a number of attacks on the industries and public services in the
city. 12
months ago, Cambridge University Press, the oldest publishing house in
Britain,
announced plans to outsource much of its work; Addenbrookes, the main
city
hospital, has recently been told to find £40 million in efficiency
savings; the
workers in the CWU came out on strike last October against modernisation
plans
for the postal service. All of these words – “outsourcing”, “efficiency
savings”, “modernisation” – are clearly euphemisms for attacking jobs
and
services.
Cambridge against the cuts
Over the last year Cambridge residents have
seen a number of attacks on the industries and public services in the
city. 12
months ago, Cambridge University Press, the oldest publishing house in
Britain,
announced plans to outsource much of its work; Addenbrookes, the main
city
hospital, has recently been told to find £40 million in efficiency
savings; the
workers in the CWU came out on strike last October against modernisation
plans
for the postal service. All of these words – “outsourcing”, “efficiency
savings”, “modernisation” – are clearly euphemisms for attacking jobs
and
services.
The English Defence League in Bolton – partial victory for anti-fascists
On
Saturday 20th March the ragtag bunch of ex-football hooligans
and far-right activists who call themselves the English Defence
League (EDL) descended on Bolton, in their latest attempt to stir up
trouble.
The English Defence League in Bolton – partial victory for anti-fascists
On
Saturday 20th March the ragtag bunch of ex-football hooligans
and far-right activists who call themselves the English Defence
League (EDL) descended on Bolton, in their latest attempt to stir up
trouble.
For the Fifth International: A response to Chavez’s call
The call issued by President Chavez to
set up a new revolutionary
international, the Fifth International, has provoked a passionate
discussion in the ranks of the workers’ movement in Latin America and on
a world scale. It is impossible for Marxists to remain indifferent to
this question. What attitude should we take towards it?
For the Fifth International: A response to Chavez’s call
The call issued by President Chavez to
set up a new revolutionary
international, the Fifth International, has provoked a passionate
discussion in the ranks of the workers’ movement in Latin America and on
a world scale. It is impossible for Marxists to remain indifferent to
this question. What attitude should we take towards it?
How firms ‘avoid’ pension costs & Tory MPs Pocket the money
Eight months ago the Worcester-based company, Faithful
Workwear, which
was owned by former Tory cabinet minister Stephen Dorrell MP and made
industrial
clothing, went into so-called "pre-pack administration." The assets
were sold
to a new business trading under a new name but without the pension
liability
of the old business.
Now instead of the firm’s pensioners living a well earned
retirement,
after contributing for years to a pension fund, they are set to lose
30 to 40% of
their pension.
How firms ‘avoid’ pension costs & Tory MPs Pocket the money
Eight months ago the Worcester-based company, Faithful
Workwear, which
was owned by former Tory cabinet minister Stephen Dorrell MP and made
industrial
clothing, went into so-called "pre-pack administration." The assets
were sold
to a new business trading under a new name but without the pension
liability
of the old business.
Now instead of the firm’s pensioners living a well earned
retirement,
after contributing for years to a pension fund, they are set to lose
30 to 40% of
their pension.