Articles
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
With coronavirus the realities of the EU have been shown to contradict the image it presents. It has failed to show social solidarity to poorer and worst hit countries. The EU institutionalises neoliberal economic relationships, but it is only part of a wider network of neoliberal global economic relations which also need to be challenged.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
In France the Gilets Jaunes protests have been going on for over a year and now there are massive strikes and demonstrations against Macron's pension "reforms". Virtually unreported by the mainstream media in Britain these movements are beginning to collaborate and represent wider demands.
Friday, October 4, 2019
Many argue that "another Europe is possible", that the EU can be reformed. However, its structures and logic make that impossible. Neo-liberal capitalism is built into its treaties and the democratic mechanisms effectively do not exist to change that.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
May has been forced out at last, unable to sell her unpopular Brexit deal to parliament. The two leadership contenders to replace her both promise to carry through on Brexit, yet that is not what the ruling class wants. While this saga drags on in Britain, the EU continues to get on with other business, mainly jockeying for the top jobs post the EU elections and dealing with its own internal conflicts.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
The European Union is often portrayed as a harmonious, collaborative body but take a closer look and there are many disputes between member states and with other countries. in particular there are growing tensions with the United States over its tech war with China and spending on NATO.
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Book review. A thought provoking read which follows the story of a US academic whose parents left the Soviet Union in the 1970s. He returns to capitalist Moscow in 2008 and the novel documents his struggle to adapt and the dilemmas he encounters in his life there.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
There are many myths about the EU, among them that it is an internationalist body of equal partners committed to human rights. In fact it is the reverse of this. It serves big capital and the economic interests of its dominant nations at the expense of smaller ones and of the peoples of Europe. Furthermore its structures are undemocratic meaning that it cannot be reformed in a progressive direction.
Monday, February 11, 2019
A review of two contrasting films about families, Happy End by Micheal Haneke and Shoplifters by Hirokazu Kore-eda, where both economics and values are central to the narrative. In Happy End a wealthy, conventional family is portrayed as a loveless hell motivated only by money. Whereas, Shoplifters draws a picture of a motley family group in which some individuals are related and some not. It is their attempt to survive poverty that binds them together as a more affectionate family.