Marxist Perspectives for the 21st Century
‘A Revolution of the humble, by the humble and for the humble.’ Speech by Raul Castro Ruz, president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, in Santiago de Cuba on January 1, 2009, “Year of the 50th Anniversary of the Revolutionary Triumph.” [...more]
By Roger Annis. The biannual policy convention of the British Columbia Federation of Labour, held in Vancouver from November 24 to 28, reflected a growing anger among unionized workers with corporate attacks and deteriorating economic and social conditions in the province. [...more]
By Bernard Rioux. An intolerable economic statement. The formation of a coalition of opposition parties claiming they want to bring down the government. A shuttered parliament, MPs flushed from it for two months at the prime minister’s whim. The House of Commons has been the setting for a parliamentary crisis the likes of which have never been seen in Canada. How should we analyze what has just happened and its consequences? [...more]
By Richard Fidler. In a classic 19th century work, English journalist Walter Bagehot divided the Constitution into two parts. The “efficient” part — the executive (cabinet) and legislative — was responsible for the business of government. The “dignified” part, the Queen, was to put a human face on the capitalist state. Bagehot noted, however, that the Queen also had “a hundred” powers called Prerogatives, adding: “There is no authentic explicit information as to what the Queen can do….” [...more]
By Paul Kellogg. “It is no solution to replace Harper with a coalition government led by the other party of corporate power and of militarism — the Liberal Party of Canada.” [...more]
By Federico Fuentes. Having captured the imagination of progressives across the globe with scenes of indigenous uprisings confronting right-wing governments and multinationals, Bolivia has become a key focal point of discussion within the left regarding strategies for change. [...more]
By Federico Fuentes. Supporters and opponents of Venezuela’s Bolivarian revolution have produced very different assessments following the November 23 regional elections, which Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez called the most important electoral contest yet. [...more]