After the ILWU dockworkers' struggle in the USA, we now have the struggle of
the New York transit workers to improve their conditions of life. This is only
the latest in a series of important battles which have been fought on the trade
union front in recent months. It highlights the real situation facing American
workers and also exposes the real nature of the so-called "democratic"
state. John Peterson provides an overview of the Marxist theory of the state
starting from the class interests in this and other labour conflicts.
On January 18, Washington DC resounded with protestors. Along with San Francisco and other cities, an estimated half a million Americans pledged their solidarity with protestors the world over, rallying under the slogan: No to the War on Iraq! Other slogans included, "Regime Change Begins At Home", "Axis of Evil - Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld", and "Dissent is Patriotic". John Peterson looks at the developing antiwar movement in the United States.
The words of George Bush’s annual state-of-the-union address were full
of lofty sentiments. But the President aims were more prosaic. There is growing
opposition at home to his war plans. And half way through his first term of
office, his popularity ratings are falling. He is worried that he may not get
re-elected in two years’ time.
