We are posting the following article by Paul Rogers which was posted by openDemocracy. It examines the possibility of a new war breaking out in the Middle East, adding further to the inter-imperial tensions over Ukraine and Taiwan. ARE CIRCUMSTANCES NOW ALIGNED FOR POSSIBLE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST? With instability in Iran, a right-wing…
Edinburgh marches against COP27
The following article on the COP27 Coalition march, organised to coincide withe world wide protest against the COP27 leaders and corporate capitals’s continued attempts to greenwash their activities, was written by Stephen Topple and first posted by The Canary. EDINBURGH MARCHES AGAINST COP27 Several thousand people marched through Edinburgh on Saturday 12 November. This was…
Aneurin Bevin on the Socialist ambitions of the NHS
This article written by the Editorial Board of Tribune points out that decades on from the creation of the NHS, there is no scarcity of praise for the greatest social achievement in Britain’s history, but readers of the mainstream press today find precious little mention of its socialist roots. However, this article and interview are struck by…
The Republican wave crashes on the rocks of voter rejection
The following article, written by Ezra Brain, and first posted on Left Voice (USA) analyses the outcome of the mid-term elections and associated referenda in the USA. THE REPUBLICAN WAVE CRASHES ON THE ROCKS OF VOTER REJECTION In a contradictory result, voters have rejected the Republican hopes of a “red wave,” instead choosing to protect…
Trade unions backing down in the face of reactionary militarism is painfully British
The political weakness of many trade unions, including those led by the Left, is highlighted in this article by Joe Glenton, which first appeared in The Canary. Their acceptance of the existing UK state places a severe constraint on their actions. TRADE UNIONS ARE BACKING DOWN IN THE FACE OF REACTIONARY MILITARISM British trade unions…
After the killing of Mahsa Amani in Iran – women, life and liberty –
We are posting the following two articles which offer solidarity to women, minorities and others struggling for freedom in Iran, after the state murder of the young Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amani. Both articles look to real solidarity on the basis of ‘internationalism from below’ and warn of the hypocritical ‘solidarity’ of western governments and an…
The British monarchy: a “glorious” feudal class in 21st century trappings
The EL&SD Editorial Board only received this article sometime after Elizabrit’s death and Charlie’s royal proclamation. We have already posted several articles addressing these events. However we think this article contains valuable extra information highlighting the role of the British monarchy in defending ruling class interests and the particular form the UK state takes to…
Review of Paul Mason’s – ‘How to Stop Fascism: History, Ideology, Resistance’
Over the Ukraine war, there have been two campist positions which have emerged on the Left – support or apologetics for Putin, and support or apologetics for NATO, tied to backing for Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour leadership. Paul Mason is an example of the latter. Alfie Hancox’s review of Mason’s How to Stop Fascism: History,…
Immigration: who benefits, who suffers?
The following article on immigration was written by Canadian socialist, Susan Rosenthal, and first posted on her blog. IMMIGRATION: WHO BENEFITS, WHO SUFFERS? There are basically two ways to respond to immigration: The racist response argues for a White Canada and accuses immigrants of taking jobs, housing, and social services away from White Canadians. These…
Ukrainian coal miners defy national protest ban to go on strike
The following article, written by Kateryna Semchuk and Thomas Rowley, highlight’s Ukrainian coalminers continued preparedness to organise in defiance of the Ukrainian state. This was first posted by openDemocracy. Miners and management at a state-owned coal operation in western Ukraine have called a strike over what they say is an attempt to seize control of…