Brazil’s dominant classes have never had a great fondness for democracy. Inheritors of three centuries of European colonization and four centuries of slavery, they have shown, in the last hundred years, a strong propensity for an authoritarian state…
Analysis
“Woman! Life! Freedom!”: The social revolution in Iran
As protests in Iran continue and deepen, Iranian activist Gh. H. Saedi looks at the potential of the struggle and argues for greater solidarity from the left in Britain.
Brazilian elections — Lessons from the first round: A quick take before the dust settles
The main lesson from the results of the first round is this: to defeat Bolsonaro electorally on October 30, it will be necessary for the people in the streets, with Lula, to transform the current electoral majority into a wave of popular support…
Global ruling classes welcome fascist-led government in Italy
The capitalists realize that in a crisis-ridden and polarized world, far-right governments may increasingly be an option for defending their power and privilege. They think that they are playing a clever game by normalizing the new government in Italy.
Bolsonaro will not accept defeat. What is to be done?
The theses propose tasks for the Brazilian left in the likely event that Bolsonaro won’t accept defeat, and at time when the constitutionally designated election authorities have allowed the military to conduct its own audit of the vote.
Iran: Islamic regime shaken by unprecedented revolt
Women were at the forefront of the first protests, cutting their hair and burning their headscarves in public in defiance of the hijab law. Unlike the individual initiatives of 2017-2018, this time removing one’s headscarf is done collectively, leading to a direct confrontation with the authorities.
Behind the electrical blackout of Puerto Rico from Hurricane Fiona
Congress had earlier passed a law forbidding the colony to declare bankruptcy, which states and cities in the U.S. can do. So even though Puerto Rico was bankrupt, it could not declare bankruptcy.
Iran protests spark feminist calls for action across Arab world
The enforcement of the hijab and, by extension, guardianship over women’s bodies and minds, are not exclusive to Iran. They manifest in different forms and degrees in many countries.
Greece: A dangerous government, clinging to power by any means
Facing a rough winter, the crucial question is whether the working-class movement and the youth will find the strength for their own independent massive intervention from bellow.
“Cancel culture” and its perils
Threatened by the increasing left and liberal cultural offensive, which prominently includes the activities of “cancel culture” (although as we shall see by no means limited to it), the American right and extreme right have mounted a political and cultural counteroffensive of their own.
Energy, cost of living and recession
The G7 has agreed to stop buying Russian oil, as part of its programme of using economics sanctions as a war weapon. But up to now, energy imports from Russia have not been stopped because it would mean a catastrophe for the EU countries, particularly Germany.
Chile rejects a new constitution: A preliminary analysis
Among the reasons for the victory of the “No”was the multimillion-dollar campaign of terror and “fake news” the No side mounted. The “No” campaign said the new constitution would establish a chaotic regime of expropriation of private property, including people’s houses…
Pakistan: Destructive floods in a murderous system
Widespread flooding driven by devastating monsoons has affected 33 million in Pakistan—some 15 percent of the population. It includes some 650,000 pregnant women who are in dire need of care in flood-hit areas.
Biden and Covid
In the place of government-led public health measures, and requirements that employers provide safe workplaces, we have a reversion to the idea that protecting oneself from COVID-19 is an individual responsibility. And for making this approach to the pandemic the conventional wisdom, business has the Democrats to thank.
Taiwan and the push to war with China
Taiwan is not the only potential flashpoint. China is the world’s leading exporting nation, and 95 percent of Chinese trade is seaborne, which makes control over the South China Sea of vital strategic importance to both the US and China.