Leader of Britain’s RMT railworkers’ union Mick Lynch has become the most prominent face of the fight against the ruling Tories. He talked to Jacobin about his socialism and republicanism and how class politics can build a broad front against all inequalities.
The World Survived the Cold War Because It Feared Nuclear War
Many thought that, with the end of the Cold War, the world had seen the last of big-power nuclear brinksmanship. But the Ukraine crisis has revealed that leaders have forgotten the lessons of that era.
H. Chandler Davis Was a Lifelong Radical and a Moral Touchstone for the Left
Chan Davis, who died last month at the age of 96, faced down McCarthyite blacklists and imprisonment to pursue a brilliant academic career. Davis knew how to change and learn from political experience, but he always remained loyal to his socialist principles.
American Federalism Isn’t a Boon for Democracy — It’s a Disease
The promise of US federalism is that states will be “laboratories of democracy,” more responsive and more innovative than the federal government. The reality is that states are more often laboratories of authoritarianism, dominated by the rich and powerful.
Puerto Rico’s Electricity Nightmare Was Brought to You by Privatization
For years, Puerto Rico has endured a ruthless campaign of austerity and privatization, including a corporate takeover of its once-public power grid. The result: nearly a quarter-million people have been without power for over two weeks since Hurricane Fiona.
Abortion rights shouldn’t be at the mercy of the judiciary. We need federal legislation codifying Roe v. Wade — and Democrats need to buck up and eliminate the filibuster to pass it.
Republicans Are Trying to Block Citizen-Led State Ballot Initiatives
Citizen lawmaking through ballot initiatives is becoming an increasingly critical tool to counter minority rule and pass progressive policies. But Republican-led states are moving aggressively to make the ballot initiative process harder to use.
Those Refusing to Fight in the Ukraine War Should Be Protected
As Russian men fled after Vladimir Putin’s draft announcement, Latvia closed its border with Russia, and Finland said it was tightening its visa policy. Those choosing not to fight need to be celebrated, not shunned.
Tomorrow, Students Across the Country Will Strike for Abortion
Students at over 50 schools across 30 states are walking out of class this week for abortion rights.
The Kurdish Struggle Is at the Heart of the Protests in Iran
Protests in Iran have erupted following the death of a young Kurdish woman for “inappropriate dress” — laying bare not only the theocratic brutality of Iran’s government but the Iranian state’s historic repression of the Kurdish people.
For Socialist Psychologist Alfred Adler, Collective Feeling Was the Cure
Alfred Adler was ahead of his time in centering what he called “social interest” in his psychological theories. His approach sought to combat shame and alienation and encourage concern for the common good — a psychological application of his socialist values.
The Heroic Gwangju Uprising Sowed the Seeds of Democracy in South Korea
In May 1980, pro-democracy protesters mobilized in the South Korean city of Gwangju. The US-backed military dictatorship responded with bloody repression, but the legacy of the Gwangju Uprising was vital for the democratization of Korean politics.
Strikes Work Better When They’re Organized Democratically
Kindergarten teacher Tyler Dupuis went on strike with Oakland teachers in 2019 and Seattle teachers this fall. It’s not a coincidence that Oakland won more than Seattle: when it comes to strikes, militancy and member mobilization get the goods.
Massachusetts Utility Companies Are Blocking Environmental Progress
In liberal Massachusetts, you don’t have to convince many people that climate change is real — it’s for-profit utility companies that are creating a major barrier to climate action.