Articles
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Listen to Podcasts of articles from the Socialist Correspondent. From issue 30:
France further to the right under Macron
Carillion, PFI, finance capital and Brexit
West's dangerous view of North Korea
Friday, March 30, 2018
The collapse of the giant out-sourcing and construction firm Carillion exposes not only the scam of the Private Finance Initiative, which transfers taxpayers money into private hands at greater cost than alternative forms of funding, but also the parasitic nature of the British economy. Finance capital remains the dominate sector and all Tories, from hard-Brexiteers to hard-Remainers wish to preserve its role as they grapple with Brexit. Labour is challenging this model and proposing alternatives to promote other sectors of the economy.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
The conflict between the USA and North Korea is a David and Goliath contest, so to blame both equally is wrong. We also need to know about the devastation caused to North Korea by the United States during the Korean war to understand its position now. It is the US which has rejected North Korean overtures for dialogue, violated the treaty ending the Korean war and ripped up a previously working agreement. The view presented by the media in the west is dangerously skewed and part of war preparations, however, there are powerful voices who also want peace on the Korean peninsula.
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
OXFAM's failure to deal properly with the scandal of sexual misconduct by it's staff in Haiti and the fallout expose other problems with the politics of aid and how it currently operates. The British government has a clearly stated agenda of making aid work more in it's interests, whilst recipients of aid, including in Haiti, are calling for greater accountability to their governments.
Monday, March 26, 2018
We live in a very dangerous world dominated by neo-liberalism which fuels inequality, conflict and a drive to war. As well as making the lives of millions miserable there are growing tensions between rival imperial and aspiring imperial powers. Nearly 30 years since the end of the Soviet Union what kind of world is capitalism creating and how is being re-shaped? Despite its dominance, however, neo-liberalism has not won people to support its system. Forces from the left, the extreme right, religions and nationalists are gaining ground.
Monday, March 26, 2018
The United State's decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem may not have the entirely positive consequences both it and Israel imagine. The city was seized forcibly by Israel and the United Nations has repeatedly rejected Israeli claims to sovereignty over the whole of Jerusalem. The US move has already provoked a reaction in the international community and may galvanise Palestinians and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign to step up[ activity. It may also spell an end to the Oslo peace process, which has been ineffective in producing justice for the Palestinians.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
President Macron is driving through anti-worker measures to make France more "competitive" with other low wage economies and bringing it into line with the UK and Germany. He is attacking workers rights, eroding job security, cutting public services and jobs and privatising publically owned assets. There is opposition, however, it is weaker and more divided than it was. This weakness on the left is providing fertile ground for the right to make advances.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
The Syrian government, with the help of Russia and Iran, is making significant advances in eradicating terrorist forces like Islamic State. The United States is still trying to frustrate this process as it pursues its own objectives in the region.