New Zealand: Labour goes back to “core values”

Written by Graham Day in New Zealand Tuesday, 06 October 2009

The recent national conference of the New Zealand Labour Party – held after their recent defeat in the elections – produced some interesting controversy around the question of what Labour should do if it gets back into office. The ideas of Marxism were present in the debate.

 

India: Where is it going?

Written by Umar Shahid in Sialkot, Pakistan Monday, 05 October 2009

India: Where is it going?We publish a comment by a Pakistani Marxist on the situation in India today. He outlines the appalling levels of poverty, highlighting that this is getting worse, not better, as the gap between rich and poor gets ever wider. The answer is to be found in the unity of workers across the whole of the South Asian subcontinent in the struggle for a socialist federation.

 

Ireland: Lisbon Treaty referendum ‑ Yes vote wins, but it's cold comfort for Cowen

Written by Fightback – Ireland Monday, 05 October 2009

Ireland: Lisbon Treaty referendum ‑ Yes vote wins, but its cold comfort for CowenWith all the mainstream parties and top business people campaigning for a Yes vote with huge resources at their disposal, and with most of the trade union leaders also backing the campaign, it is not surprising that the Irish bourgeois managed to overturn the result of the previous referendum. This vote, however, cannot hide the growing class polarisation taking place in the country.

 

75th anniversary of the Asturian Commune

Written by In Defence of Marxism Monday, 05 October 2009

75th anniversary of the Asturian CommuneToday marks the 75th anniversary of the Asturian Commune. The mining and industrial region of Asturias in Spain witnessed one of the key revolutions in the 20th century. We want to bring to the attention of our readers an article by Ramon Samblas written in 2004. For a more general analysis of the Spanish Revolution read Ted Grant's The Spanish Revolution 1931-37.

 

The class struggle in the Roman Republic, part five — The revolt of the slaves

Written by Alan Woods Friday, 02 October 2009

The class struggle in the Roman Republic, part five — The revolt of the slavesThe changes in the mode of production in the Roman Republic after the Punic Wars required greater and greater use of slave labour. This forced Rome into war after war as it sought to replenish its supply of slaves. This abundant supply of cheap labour explains why there was no incentive to invest in labour-saving technology. It also explains the brutal treatment of the slaves and the subsequent mass revolts that broke out.

 

Solidarity appeal by Mitsubishi workers in Venezuela – Defend the union, no dismissals

Written by In Defence of Marxism Friday, 02 October 2009

Solidarity appeal by Mitsubishi workers in Venezuela – Defend the union, no dismissalsThe attacks against the workers of Mitsubishi Motor Company (MMC) in Barcelona, Anzoategui, in Venezuela, and their union organisation, have started again. We appeal to you to take part in the protest campaign.

 

Venezuela: Interview with Félix Martínez, General Secretary of SINGETRAM, the trade union of Mitsubishi

Written by Revolutionary Marxist Current (Venezuela) Friday, 02 October 2009

Venezuela: Interview with Félix Martínez, General Secretary of SINGETRAM, the trade union of MitsubishiThe harassment of the multinational Mitsubishi Motor Company (MMC) automotive workers continues. While the plant was reopened on Monday, September 21, MMC in Barcelona (Anzoategui) notified the workers of the dismissal of 11 SINGETRAM union leaders. In this interview, Félix Martínez, secretary general of the trade union SINGETRAM, explains the reasons for this unprecedented harassment against workers of Mitsubishi.

 

Coal miners strike in Central China

Written by Jorge Martín Friday, 02 October 2009

Coal miners strike in Central ChinaIn August a strike broke out in the Hunan Coal Industry Group against demands the bosses were posing as part of the preparations for privatisation of the mines.

 

The Chinese Revolution of 1949 – Part One

Written by Alan Woods Thursday, 01 October 2009

The Chinese Revolution of 1949For Marxists the Chinese Revolution was the second greatest event in human history, second only to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Millions of human beings, who had hitherto been the beasts of burden of imperialism, threw off the humiliating yoke of imperialism and capitalism, and entered the stage of world history.

 

Tunisia: Release student activist Essam Salami!

Written by Frederik Ohsten Thursday, 01 October 2009

Tunisia: Release student activist Essam Salami!Over the weekend Essam Salami, a leading activist in the General Union of Tunisian Students, was seized by the police who have treated him brutally. Please take up the appeal of the General Union of Tunisian Students, and write to local Tunisian embassies demanding his release.

 

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The Iranian Revolution

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Mexico: Fructífera Charla de Alan Woods en el SUTIEMS

Written by Militante - Mexico Friday, 06 November 2009
 

Honduras, ¿acuerdo o farsa?

Written by Jorge Martín Thursday, 05 November 2009

Honduras, ¿acuerdo o farsa?Se ha armado mucho ruido ante la supuesta “reinstauración de Zelaya”, ¿pero qué está sucediendo realmente? Ha habido todo tipo de maniobras e intrigas pero no se han dado pasos concretos para reinstalar a Zelaya como legítimo presidente. En los próximos días veremos cual es el contenido real de este “acuerdo”.

 

Iran: La Revolución vive

Written by Babak Kasrayi Thursday, 05 November 2009

Iran: La Revolución vive. Photo by .faramarz on flickr.El 18 de septiembre de 2009 hubo manifestaciones masivas en Irán que confirman que el movimiento contra el fraude electoral no está muerto. Este movimiento sacudió a la sociedad iraní y, aunque haya altibajos, continuará hasta que se derribe el denostado régimen actual. La cuestión clave para nosotros es el papel de la clase obrera y la necesidad de una verdadera dirección revolucionaria.

 

Austeridad en Gran Bretaña

Written by Rob Sewell Wednesday, 04 November 2009

Austeridad en Gran BretañaEl capitalismo, internacionalmente, parece salir de su peor crisis desde los años treinta. Existe un alivio palpable en las filas de la clase dominante pensando que han evitado el cataclismo financiero. Sin embargo, a pesar de todo lo que se habla sobre brotes verdes, existe una pesadumbre universal ante la situación actual.

Youth for International Socialism

1st US Edition of BolshevismNew from Wellred USA! The first US edition of Bolshevism: The Road to Revolution by Alan Woods. This monumental 500+ page study of the history of growth and development of Bolshevism demolishes the myths of both Stalinist and pro-capitalist historians of the Russian Revolution. Read More

pakistans-other-story-european-thumb.pngThe Pakistan Revolution of 1968-69 was one of the greatest revolutionary movements of the 20th century. It is rich in lessons and Lal Khan's book is an outstanding summing up of these lessons. It deserves most careful study by every revolutionary.Read More

The Crisis of Fundamentalism in Iran: Towards Socialist RevolutionA new book has come out recently, written by Maziar Razi of the Iranian Marxists' Revolutionary Tendency, with an Introduction by Alan Woods. It is a collection of articles on the crisis of the Iranian regime and the perspecti... Read More

International Marxist TendencyThe crisis capitalism has entered globally is having a deep impact on the real living conditions of billions of workers all over the world. With this comes a growing consciousness among ordinary working people and youth that something is seriously wrong with this system, that this cannot be the way human bei... Read More

Reformism or RevolutionThis book by Alan Woods is a polemic against a well-known (in Latin American terms) intellectual Heinz Dieterich. Dieterich claims to have invented a new "Socialism of the 21st Century" and much else into the bargain. He offers a great deal of advice to those involved in the Venezuelan Revolution dressed... Read More

Part of the intention of this article is to combat the kind of senseless anti-Americanism that one encounters all too frequently in left circles. Marxists are internationalists and do not take up a negative stance in relation to the people of any country. We stand for the unity of all working people against oppression and exploitation. What we oppose is not Americans, but American capitalism and American imperialism. The American people and above all the American working class have a great revolutionary tradition. On the basis of great h... Read More

Lenin, Trotsky and the Theory of the Permanent RevolutionWellred Publications is pleased to announce the publication of a new book on Trotsky's famous theory of the Permanent Revolution, written by John Roberts. This work critically analyses and compares Lenin and Trotsky's writings in relation to the theory of the Permanent Revolution and defends that theory against revi... Read More

Russia, from Revolution to Counter-RevolutionThis book, by Ted Grant and with a preface by Trotsky's grandson Esteban Volkov, covers the key developments in Russia since the Revolution right up to the present day. It traces the elimination of workers' democracy, the rise of Stalinism, the advances of planned economy and the eventual collapse of the bureaucratic sy... Read More

Germany, from Revolution to Counter-RevolutionIn 1918-33 revolution and counter-revolution followed hot on each others' heels. The barbarity of the Nazis is well documented. Less well known are the events that preceeded Hitler's rise to power. Rob Sewell gives a picture of the tumultous events - the 1918 revolution, the ... Read More

History of British Trotskyism, by Ted Grant This book by Ted Grant is a unique contribution to the history of British Trotskyism. It begins with the debate on Trotskyism in the British Communist Party in 1924 and ends with the break-up of the Revolutionary Communist Party in 1949 and the beginning of more than thir... Read More

Bolshevism, the Road to Revolution. By Alan WoodsThere have been many books and potted histories of Russia, either written from an anti-Bolshevik perspective, or its Stalinist mirror image, which paint a false account of the rise of Bolshevism. For them, Bolshevism is either an historical "accident" or "tragedy". Or it is portraye... Read More

Lenin and Trotsky, what they really stood for It is now more than thirty years since the publication of the first edition of this work. It was written as a reply to Monty Johnstone, who was a leading theoretician of the Communist Party of Great Britain. Johnstone had published a reappraisal of Leon Trots... Read More

The Iranian Revolution, a Marxist PerspectiveThis book represents an important contribution to our understanding of the Iranian revolution. This work will be particularly useful in the West where it is universally believed that the revolution of 1979 was a movement of Islamic fundamentalists led by the Ayatollah Khomeini to push Iran b... Read More

The History of PhilosophyThis text was originally written by Alan Woods as a part of the book Reason in Revolt: Marxist Philosophy and Modern Science, but eventually the book became too long and this part had to be left out. Therefore this history of philosophy is published here for the first time. With chapters on: Do we Need Philosophy?, The ... Read More

Kashmir's OrdealThe comrades in Pakistan were just about to publish a new book on Kashmir when the devastating earthquake hit a month ago. The comrades have been hard at work on their solidarity and relief operations. Given the current crisis in Kashmir, they have decided to go ahead with the publication of the book. Over the weeks we will pu... Read More

The Irish Republican movement has been struggling for a united Ireland for decades. Today it is no nearer this objective than when it was founded. Marxists understand that a united Ireland can only be achieved on a socialist basis. So long as capitalism dominates Ireland there will be division and strife. Therefore it is time to take stock of the past of the Republican movement and to draw a balance sheet. Only by such means can we build the revolutionary movement urgently needed to prevent a further descent into sectarian chaos and achie... Read More

In the Cause of Labour - A History of British Trade UnionismThere are many narrative histories of the struggles of British workers. However Rob Sewell’s book is different. The purpose of this history of British trade unionism is not only to recite the wrongs inflicted on working people, or simply to describe their heroic struggles. It is an attempt to draw out the lessons of the events that helped ... Read More

The Unbroken ThreadFor over 60 years, Ted Grant has been the foremost figure of Trotskyism in Britain and internationally. In the post-war period, the effects of world boom, the policies of right wing Labour Party reformism and the degeneracy of Stalinism combined to make a massive onslaught against the ideas of Marxism. While Grant's contemporaries ... Read More

Reason in Revolt: Marxist Philosophy and Modern ScienceThis book, by Ted Grant and Alan Woods published in 1995 coinciding with the centenary of Engels' death, defends the validity of the philosophical writings of Marx and Engels. It does this by showing that the scientific discoveries of the twentieth century confirm the very essence ... Read More