A NATION ONCE AGAIN?

There has been a lot of  talk recently about the inevitability of a united Ireland after a ‘No Deal’ Brexit. This article from Socialist Democracy (Ireland) provides a more cautionary note. A NATION ONCE AGAIN? Dream and reality in the United Ireland discourse     What do you learn when Irish nationalist sources start to…

LOYALIST BONFIRE VICTORY IN BELFAST

Socialist Democracy (Ireland) reports on the latest UK state accommodation to Loyalism, during their annual Belfast bonfire rituals.   LOYALIST BONFIRE VICTORY IN BELFAST Can this be compensated for by dreams of a future modernity?     In the aftermath of the paramilitary victory at a Belfast “11th night” bonfire, correspondents were quick to spread…

BRITISH GOVERNMENT EXPANDS POWERS IN THE NORTH

The following article from Socialist Democracy (Ireland) highlights the impact of the reactionary unionism in Northern Ireland.  The Good Friday Agreement,  with its official  recognition of Unionists and Nationalists in a reformed Stormont, acted as liberal mask for the continued sectarian order in Northern Ireland. This placed the UK government in the position of ‘neutral’…

THE IRISH STATE, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE NEW ABORTION LAW

Socialist Democracy (Ireland) provides a further two articles outlining the continued resistance of the Right and Catholic Church to women’s rights in the aftermath of the historic victory over the Eight Amendment.   1. NEW IRISH ABORTION LAW A 350 million euro hospital for the nuns, 14 years jail time for those who exercise the…

FAILING GOVERNMENTS IN IRELAND – SOUTH AND NORTH

We are posting two articles from the Socialist Democracy (Ireland) website, highlighting the problems faced by  the current Fine Gael  government in  the Dail and the lack of enthusiasm for reviving Stormont in Belfast.   1. CONFIDENCE AND SUPPLY AGREEMENT EXTENDED A de facto government of national unity in Ireland weakens capitalism and poses a…

UK: THE POLITICAL CRISIS INTENSIFIES OVER THE BREXIT DEAL

This article first posted by Socialist Democracy (Ireland) analyses the crisis for the UK state, the British ruling class and the Tories and Labour over there deal May is trying to get through parliament. UK: THE POLITICAL CRISIS INTENSIFIES OVER THE BREXIT DEAL The unveiling of the draft agreement on withdrawal from the EU has…

AN IRELAND UPDATE – SOUTH AND NORTH

We posting to articles from the Socialist Democracy (Ireland) website on the current political situation South and North. The first looks at the recent Presidential election; the second at the collapse of Stormont. 1. IRISH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: AN ELECTION WITHOUT CANDIDATES Throughout the presidential election one could only watch open mouthed as RTE, an organisation…

RENEGING ON REPEAL: A NEW THREAT TO ABORTION RIGHTS IN IRELAND

This article, first posted by Socialist Democracy (Ireland) on the situation in Ireland following  the earlier successful repeal of the 8th amendment highlights the need to organise independently of the state.      RENEGING ON REPEAL: A NEW THREAT TO ABORTION RIGHTS IN IRELAND After a period of quiet relief following the repeal referendum the…

REVIEW: BALLYMURPHY PRECEDENT (Channel Four)

The following review from Socialist Democracy (Ireland) is of the film Ballymurphy Precedent made by Callum Macrae for Channel Four.     A HIDDEN HISTORY OF BRITISH MILITARY REPRESSION AGAINST CIVILIANS  The Ballymurphy massacre has the simplest of all dramatic structures. It is a narrative built around a chronology – a three-day assault by the…

A QUIET TWELFTH

We are posting the latest update in out coverage of events in the Six Counties. This article was first posted by Socialist Democracy (Ireland)    A QUIET TWELFTH Capitulation to Orangeism pays off, but at what price?                                    …