[by Jeff Mackler]The two-party shell game of U.S. capitalist politics is now in full swing, with an impressive cast of characters lining up to support Obama, as they did with John Kerry. Some are helping to prettify his image and others proclaiming for the umpteenth time in history that "lesser evilism" is a viable political … Continue reading The Socialist View of the 2008 Election
Category: Marxist Theory & History
Mumia and Sacco & Vanzetti
Revolution
Worker & Student Uprisings of May 1968
Video of the 1989 Pittston Miners’ Strike
Below is a youtube video of the 1989 Pittston coal miners' strike.The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) succeeded in making their 12-month walkout against Pittston into a national labor cause, even though it involved only several thousand strikers in geographically isolated coal field communities. The union mobilized other UMWA members for sympathy strikes at … Continue reading Video of the 1989 Pittston Miners’ Strike
James P. Cannon on Independence Day
[James P. Cannon was a trade union leader and the founder of American Trotskyism. He lived from 1890 to 1974.]I’m a Fourth of July man from away back, and a great believer in fire crackers, picnics and brass bands to go with it. You can stop me any time and get me to listen to … Continue reading James P. Cannon on Independence Day
Why Mass Action?
The broad outlines of Socialist Action's views on the centrality of mass mobilizations in building an irresistible antiwar movement have been published in previous issues of this newspaper (see Jeff Mackler's article in our November 2007 issue). But some additional elaboration can be helpful at a time when activists are today discussing concrete measures to … Continue reading Why Mass Action?
A Critique of Non-Profits
by Joan RoelofsThose who wish to promote change should look closely at what sustains the present system. One reason capitalism doesn't collapse despite its many weaknesses and valiant opposition movements is because of the "nonprofit sector." Yet philanthropic capital, its investment and its distribution, are generally neglected by the critics of capitalism. Most studies of … Continue reading A Critique of Non-Profits
Cuba’s Take on Climate Change
Enemies and allies of Cuba alike can probably come to agreement on one thing: Cuba is by far leading the fight against climate change, internationally.Armando Choy, a key figure in the Cuban Revolution, and today head of the massive environmental cleanup operation in Havana Bay, explained, “This is possible because our system is socialist in … Continue reading Cuba’s Take on Climate Change
The Billion $ Plot to Destroy the Socialist & Labor Movements of 1920
by Hal Verb / November issue of Socialist Action Newspaper Any socialist, radical, or progressive is undoubtedly aware of the “Red Scare” days of 1920 and beyond, and the notorious “Palmer raids” carried out by President Woodrow Wilson’s attorney general, who was determined to smash and crush all radical movements—especially socialist and labor groups. But … Continue reading The Billion $ Plot to Destroy the Socialist & Labor Movements of 1920
The Life of the Party: Barry Sheppard, the SWP & the 1960s
by Joe Auciello & Jeff Mackler / August 2006 issue of Socialist Action Barry Sheppard, “The Socialist Workers Party 1960-1988, A Political Memoir,” Volume 1: The Sixties, (Resistance Books: Chippendale, Australia, 2005), 354 pp., $16. At a certain point in a person's life there comes a need for reflection and assessment. Socialist veteran Barry Sheppard … Continue reading The Life of the Party: Barry Sheppard, the SWP & the 1960s
Bolivia: The Cockpit of the Radicalization in Latin America
by Gerry Foley / July 2006 issue of Socialist Action newspaper The government of Evo Morales suffered serious setbacks in the elections for the Constituent Assemblies and in the referenda on autonomy held in the country’s nine departments. (In Bolivia, a department corresponds to what are often called “provinces” in other countries. The “provinces” in … Continue reading Bolivia: The Cockpit of the Radicalization in Latin America
The Real Deal on the ‘New Deal’
by Andrew Pollack / December 2005 issue of Socialist Action newspaper In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, some Democratic Party politicians and even conservative newspapers like the New York Daily News were calling for a “new New Deal” to deal with the destruction wrought, and with the broader social problems exposed in its wake. Some … Continue reading The Real Deal on the ‘New Deal’
Intelligent Design: A Renewed Attack on Science
by DoMajure & Marc Rome / December 2005 The heated national debate between so-called intelligent design and Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has been spotlighted during the recent six-week trial in a Pennsylvania federal court concerning the legality of actions by the Dover, Pa., school board. The trial’s final arguments were delivered on Nov. 4. … Continue reading Intelligent Design: A Renewed Attack on Science
Midwest Conference: Uniting to Rebuild the Socialist Mov’t.
by David Jones / November 2005 issue of Socialist Action newspaper MINNEAPOLIS—“‘Youth radicalization’ is not the kind of phrase that gets tossed around on the average American kitchen table,” said Adam Ritscher, organizer for Lake Superior Socialist Action. “I know my family never talked about the American youth radicalization.” But, said Ritscher, a self-described Midwestern … Continue reading Midwest Conference: Uniting to Rebuild the Socialist Mov’t.
Cuban Journalist Sees Permanent Revolution in Latin America
by SA’s Editors / July 2005 issue of Socialist Action newspaper To celebrate the new rise of revolutionary movements in Latin America, Celia Hart—a leading Cuban journalist and intellectual and the daughter of two of the most celebrated leaders of the Cuban Revolution, Armando Hart and Haydee Santamaria—began a series of lectures in Mexico City … Continue reading Cuban Journalist Sees Permanent Revolution in Latin America
1905 Russian Revolution
by Michael G. Livingston / May 2005 issue of Socialist Action For the Russian revolutionaries of 100 years ago, the 1905 revolution was a rich learning experience. Years later, Lenin referred to 1905 as the “dress rehearsal for the October Revolution” of 1917. And while it was not a dress rehearsal in the sense … Continue reading 1905 Russian Revolution
YSA’s First Seven Years
by Marc Rome / March 2005 It's accurate to characterize the overall student and youth radicalization in the United States today as uneven and erratic. Without a clear political program, it has not been able to sustain the consistent action necessary to fight capitalist globalization, attacks on women's rights, rising tuition costs—and most important, … Continue reading YSA’s First Seven Years
Socialist Action National Convention: Build the Party!
SAN FRANCISCO-The Aug. 2-4 Tenth National Convention of Socialist Action attracted revolutionary fighters, antiwar activists, trade unionists, and youth from across the country. After four months of pre-convention discussion, Socialist Action members debated and approved three major resolutions that set the political and organizational framework for the party's activities in the coming year. The adopted … Continue reading Socialist Action National Convention: Build the Party!
What do Socialists Propose? ‘Be Practical – Demand the Impossible’
By PAUL SIEGEL Below we are reprinting the fifth and last chapter of Paul Siegel's new pamphlet, "Socialism versus Capitalism." The pamphlet may be ordered from Socialist Action Books Socialism has been pronounced dead many times before-and it has always revived to continue the struggle. One instance was the time of demoralization that followed the … Continue reading What do Socialists Propose? ‘Be Practical – Demand the Impossible’
What do Socialists Propose? Part Four. Capitalism Feeds on War, Environmental Destruction
By PAUL SIEGEL Following is the fourth chapter of a new pamphlet by Paul Siegel, "Socialism versus Capitalism." It is available from Socialist Action Books for $3. In 1987 the World Commission on Environment and Development, established by the United Nations General Assembly, issued a report, "Our Common Future," after a three-year study. It concluded … Continue reading What do Socialists Propose? Part Four. Capitalism Feeds on War, Environmental Destruction
Revolutions Brought Gains in Education and Health Care
By PAUL SIEGEL Following is the third chapter of a new pamphlet by Paul Siegel on the theory and practice of socialism. It is available from Socialist Action Books for $3. It is noteworthy that the Soviet Union, China, and Vietnam all made great strides forward after their revolutions in the vital fields of health … Continue reading Revolutions Brought Gains in Education and Health Care
The Communist Manifesto & the World Struggle Today
By PAUL SIEGEL Following is the first chapter of a new pamphlet by Paul Siegel on the theory and practice of socialism. It is scheduled to be published by Socialist Action Books (formerly Walnut Publishing Co.) in March 2002. After the collapse and dissolution of the Soviet Union, the "death of socialism" and the definitive … Continue reading The Communist Manifesto & the World Struggle Today
British Trotskyist Charlie van Gelderen dies; Covered S. Africa news for Socialist Action
By TERRY CONWAY Charlie van Gelderen, who for almost two decades wrote many articles for Socialist Action (mainly on political developments in South Africa), was the last survivor of those who attended the 1938 founding conference of the Fourth International in Paris. Following is a shortened version of an article in the November 2001 … Continue reading British Trotskyist Charlie van Gelderen dies; Covered S. Africa news for Socialist Action
Picket Line & Barricades
Picket Line & Barricades The right kind of unity I had planned to write this month's column on unemployment. The administration in Washington and their presumed opposition, the Democratic Party, are only glancingly concerned with the disastrous condition of the workers receiving layoff notices. I wanted to make some comments about this, but then … Continue reading Picket Line & Barricades