Alan Woods launches “Reformism or revolution” at the Havana Book Fair On Monday, January 16, sixty people packed the Carlos J Finlay meeting room in the Cabaña fortress to hear Alan Woods launch his latest book "Reformism or Revolution. Marxism and socialism of the 21st century, a reply to Heinz Dieterich". The previous day he also spoke to an enthusiastic group of university students.
Alan Woods at the XVIII Havana Book Fair Alan Woods has launched his book "Reformism or Revolution" at the XVIII Havan Book Fair. Here we publish an English translation of the text that appeared in Granma under the title "Books confirm full validity of Marxism".
Venezuela: Big Victory for the Revolution, Time to Build Socialism in Practice! The result of yesterday's referendum on the constitutional amendment was a huge victory for the forces of the Venezuelan revolution, and at the same time a severe blow against the counter-revolutionary right-wing opposition. Now more than ever, the question is the following: either the revolution moves forward to destroy the economic power of the bourgoisie and imperialism or it will go under in the most terrible defeat.
Venezuela: One million march in favour of the “YES” vote, while counter-revolutionaries promote violence Yesterday the Bolivarian movement in Venezuela organised a huge rally of a million people in support of the Yes-vote in Sunday's referendum. This shows that the power is there to put an end to capitalism in Venezuela once and for all. However, at the same time a series of provocations have taken place on the part of reactionary gangs, which are a warning of what could come if the revolution is not completed.
Brazil: Issue 18 of Luta de Classes - Um Fantasma ronda o Mundo The Brazilian comrades of Esquerda Marxista have published the 18th issue of their journal Luta de Classes. We provide here a PDF to download (2.2 MB).
El Salvador: First issue of BPJ Militante We would like to send revolutionary greetings to the comrades of the Peoples Youth Block (BPJ) in El Salvador for the publication of the first issue of their paper Militante BPJ.
General Strike paralyses Guadeloupe - Trade unions ask for solidarity The workers of Guadeloupe, the French Colony in the Caribbean, have mobilised against the effects of the economic crisis. Since January 20, workers have been on a general. At the same time, the union together with a number of community organisations has organised a number of mobilisations that have rallied thousands of people. We publish here their appeal for international solidarity.
Alan Woods to launch Reformism or Revolution at Havana Book Fair Alan Woods is to launch his book Reformism or Revolution at the Havana Book Fair this February. We reproduce here articles in Cuban press about the launch.
"Bloody Monday" and the Changing Consciousness in America Jobs in the USA continue to hemorrhage with no end in sight. Companies keep announcing layoffs as the official unemployment rate reaches a 16-year high of 7.2 percent and is expected to reach 10 percent or higher over the next 12 months. The number of Americans continuing to claim unemployment is now at 4.78 million, the highest level since records began in 1967. Workers are beginning to think.
Canada: The Coalition is dead… Long live the Coalition! Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has just declared his intention to support the Conservative budget. In response, an angry Jack Layton said that the NDP-Liberal coalition has been replaced by a Liberal-Conservative coalition. However, we don't know why he is so angry. When the NDP leadership bailed out the Liberals through the unprincipled coalition they gave the Liberals the opportunity to save the Conservatives. Canada has been through two months of intense political turmoil and it is important to take a balance sheet of events.
Website launch of Peoples' Youth Block in El Salvador We are pleased to announce the launch of the website of the Peoples' Youth Block, the International Marxist Tendency's group in El Salvador. Anunciamos la publicación de la web del Bloque Popular Juvenil, el grupo de la Corriente Marxista Internacional en El Salvador.
Obama's Inaugural Call for "National Unity" American workers are faced with an economic and social crisis on a scale not seen in decades. One after another, the pillars of American capitalism are crumbling around them: all the major banks and financial services companies; all the major auto makers; the dream of home ownership and a secure retirement; the aura of invincibility of U.S. military might; the promise of a tomorrow better than today. In short, the bedrock upon which U.S. capitalism has justified its continued exploitative existence has turned to quicksand. This is the backdrop for Obama's inaugural speech.
Firing The Boss: An Interview with Chicago Factory Occupation Organizer We republish here an interview from Upside Down World with Mark Meinster of the United Electrical Workers union in Chicago which was directly involved in the occupation of the Republic Windows and Doors factory in December. It is significant that the union president in the factory has been politicised and inspired by a visit to Inveval in Venezuela, the factory that was occupied by its workers, later nationalised and is being run under workers' control, and where the Revolutionary Marxist Current plays a leading role.
Obama and the Economic Crisis Barack Obama has been sworn in as America's 44th president. Now that the electoral dust has settled, many are already disappointed with Obama and his cabinet picks. Nonetheless, he enjoys astonishing approval ratings of over 80 percent. But this only means that the reaction to the inevitable disappointment will be that much more explosive.
Obama and the “Chicago School” of Economics Less than a week after Obama’s electoral win, and when “change” was still the battle cry of many of his supporters, the Wall Street Journal ran a piece entitled “Obama builds ties to Chicago School.” As many are no doubt aware, the “Chicago School” refers to the notorious Chicago School of Economics, known for touting free markets, so-called “free trade,” and for being fiercely opposed to any democratic oversight of market activities.