The RCN has based much of its analysis of capitalism on the notions of exploitation and oppression, to which we counter the ideas of emancipation and liberation – hence the name of our main publication. However, we have been conducting discussions on capitalism’s third prop, alienation, and its antithesis, self-determination, understood in its widest sense. In the article below, by…
What May Day Means In The Ukraine Crisis
In the second article from the RCN’s May Day Special Bulletin, Allan Armstrong (RCN) outlines the significance of current events in Ukraine, the dangers of inter-ethnic conflict allowing imperialist intervention, with the growing threat of inter-imperialist conflict. “Take a neighbour of ours {Germany}. Our relations are very much better than they were a few years…
‘Emancipation & Liberation’ RIC Special Bulletin, March, 2014
The RCN produced its first Emancipation and Liberation RIC Special Bulletin for the National Forum in March. It included the following articles: Let’s all end our abusive relationship with the UK state The Republican Communist Network and the Radical Independence Campaign A Republican perspective is important for Scotland’s future LET’S ALL END OUR ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH…
Hands Off The People Of Scotland – Solidarity From England
The following motion will be placed before the Left Unity Conference in Manchester on March 29th. It was initiated by members of the Republican Socialist Alliance in England. Steve Freeman, of the RSA, addressed the RIC National Conference in Glasgow on November 23rd, 2013. The Daily Telegraph (16 March 2014) claimed that the 2015 general election would be…
Latvia And Ireland In The Race To The Bottom
There has been much talk recently from George Osborne about economic recovery in the UK, demonstrated in a rise in employment figures. That many of these jobs are on zero hours or other part-time contracts, and that the largest group dependent now on benefits are the low paid jobs, highlights the reality of life in ‘Food Bank…
The SNP And Scottish Independence
Eric Chester (RCN) outlines some of the problems that the SNP government’s White Paper Independence-Lite proposals would pose for genuine Scottish self-determination. As the referendum campaign unfolds, it becomes increasingly obvious that Alex Salmond and the SNP have no interest in a truly independent Scotland. Instead, a ‘yes’ vote is a vote to authorize Salmond to…
Irish Budget 2014 – A Budget Of Smoke And Mirrors, Advancing An Agenda Of Barbarism
The mainstream Irish press claims the economic crisis has bottomed out in Ireland, and the economy is on the road to recovery. This article from from the Socialist Democracy (Ireland) outline the reality, particularly for the Irish working class. The extent to which the ideology of austerity has been engrained in Irish society is reflected in the expression of relief that…
Nelson Mandela – Two Views Of His Legacy
MANDELA WILL NEVER BE YOUR MINSTREL Dear revisionists, Mandela will never, ever be your minstrel. Over the next few days you will try so, so hard to make him something he was not, and you will fail. You will try to smooth him, to sandblast him, to take away his Malcolm X. You will try…
RIC and the Catalan Struggle
The RCN supports an ‘internationalism from below’ perspective within the campaign for Scottish self-determination. Edinburgh RIC branch proposed the workshop The Break-up of the UK: the Case for ‘Internationalism from Below’ for the very successful RIC conference on November 23rd. Dundee RIC branch proposed the workshop to address the denial of Catalan (and Basque) self determination by…
2nd Radical Independence Conference ‘Emancipation & Liberation’ Special
Our Emancipation & Liberation Radical Independence Conference Special will be available at the conference on Saturday, November 23rd. CONTENTS Editorial(also posted below) Scottish Self-Determination: For a Scottish Wannabe Ruling Class or for Scotland’s People? – RCN Why is Venezuela relevant to Scotland’s Radical Independence Movement? – Ewan Robertson Women and Independence –…