An essential part of ringing in the New Year will be preparing for the major political struggles of 2026. Here’s a month-by-month roundup of the key union fights, elections, and other events of note for the Left.
Books Jacobin Loved in 2025
This year was a depressing one for politics, but it produced books that were ambitious and serious attempts to understand the present. From novels about millennial ennui to sweeping histories of the West, 2025 had a lot to offer to readers.
Avatar: Fire and Ash Cannot Be Stopped — Don’t Even Try
Avatar: Fire and Ash is not a good movie. But with its massive box office success, Big Jim Cameron is undeniably giving the people what they want. And what they want is skimpily dressed giant blue aliens.
Zohran’s Millionaire Tax Will Raise Revenue
Worries about an exodus of millionaires from New York City are not supported by economics.
Building Trades Unions Rally Against Trump’s Attacks on Wind
Construction unions are making clear that offshore wind is a win for workers and the environment. Donald Trump’s repeated attempts to block it are just another front in his war on workers.
For Nicolas Sarkozy, Far-Right Rule Is Tolerable
France’s former president Nicolas Sarkozy has called on his allies to stop demonizing Marine Le Pen. It’s part of a broader shift in establishment conservatism toward open collaboration with her far-right party.
When the Sewer Socialists Struggled for Racial Equality
Critics of the American sewer socialists often point to racist statements made by their leading light, Wisconsin’s Victor Berger. A close examination of his writings shows that those views changed dramatically over time.
Keeping Power Utilities in Corporate Hands Doesn’t Make Sense
A new study shows that socialist plans to take over the privately owned power utility in New York’s Hudson Valley would lower rates for users and improve its long-term health. Public ownership of power companies is better for everyone but the rich.
Now That He Has No Power, Mitt Romney Says “Tax the Rich”
Mitt Romney recently published a New York Times op-ed arguing for higher taxes on the rich. When he was in a position to actually sculpt the GOP platform and the tax policy of the US, Romney was an ardent supporter of cutting taxes for the wealthy.
The Health Care Crisis Is Gobbling Up the Economy
Health care spending now represents about 18% of the US economy, meaning that roughly one out of every five dollars spent goes toward health care costs — more than what Americans spend on groceries or housing. The spending is driving massive medical debt.
OSHA Wants to Cancel Protections for “Inherently Risky” Work
Donald Trump’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration wants to exclude “inherently risky professions,” including those in sports and entertainment, from basic workplace safety protections. The rollback could affect hundreds of thousands of workers.
The Revolutionary Roots of Social Democracy
Why was the revolutionary road out of capitalism abandoned for an evolutionary one? Vivek Chibber explores how socialist parties moved from revolution to reform, but why real progress will always mean a conflict with capital.
The Real Reason We’re All Annoyed With Quentin Tarantino
With nothing but a new cut of Kill Bill to offer, Quentin Tarantino has gone into semiretirement right as American cinema is fighting for its very life. And to make matters worse, he won’t stop talking smack.