Articles
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
The Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike, begun on 17th April has ended in victory, with 80% of their demands being met. It demonstrates the strength of the Palestinian people when unified round their cause and the power of solidarity. It also shows that Israel is vulnerable to pressure, both internal and external.
Monday, September 4, 2017
The picture across Latin America is now very different from the leftward surge of a few years ago. Progressive advances are being rolled back or are under threat from neoliberal forces internally and imperialist forces externally. Despite that there is strong resistance. Venezuela is at the centre of US attempts to reassert its dominance in the region. There are still positive developments as well and everything to fight for.
Sunday, September 3, 2017
John Reed an American journalist and communist was eye-witness to the Russian revolution. His account is electrifying and is a must read for anyone who wants to understand what happened in November 1917 and indeed any socialist revolutionary process.
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Killing Communists in Havana by Steve Cushion describes the struggle to maintain an independent and militant Trades Union Movement in Cuba in the period before the revolution. this was in the face of right wing government attempts to undermine it and take it over. It was a struggle which included the use of violence, gangsterism and the interference of the USA. There were assassinations and many paid a high price for their principled activity on behalf of the Cuban working class.
Friday, September 1, 2017
The end of colonial rule in India was not a magnanimous gesture by British imperialism. In fact it had no choice as it faced a popular upsurge against its rule. To preserve its interests and influence it reached agreement with the Indian capitalist and landowning classes which passed power to them. Just as in Ireland it utilised partition to create divisions and hamper progressive development. The independence of Burma likewise was engineered do that Britain retained access to its economy and military bases. it was also saddled with a huge debt.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
After partition Pakistan was ruled by highly reactionary and repressive forces. The country moved into the orbit of US imperialism and the web of influence that it was building in Asia. However a general election in 1954 lead to an overwhelming victory for democratic parties. The reaction was the suspension of parliament by the Governor-General and the establishment of a dictatorship.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Following the revolt the Indian Army against British domination in 1857 the imperial power set out to learn lessons. The central one was that the policy of divide and rule must be rigorously enforced in the army and in civil life. So that different groups would not make common cause they were separated into different fighting units and differences and antagonisms were actively encouraged. Conflicts of religion, caste and nationality were nurtured as tool of British rule.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Karl Marx gives a contemporary account of the 1857 revolt of the Indian Army against British colonial rule. 160 years later his insights into its importance are still valid. In particular how opposition to imperial domination overcame the British tactic of divide and rule and Hindus and Muslims fought together against their oppressor.