Israeli Draft Resister Tal Mitnick Is a Hero
Eighteen-year-old Israeli Tal Mitnick has just been sent to prison for refusing to enlist in the army and participate in what he calls a “war of revenge” in Gaza. He’s a hero.
322 Article(s) by: Ben Burgis
Ben Burgis is a Jacobin columnist and coauthor of the forthcoming book The Blueprint: How Socialism Can Work in the Real World.
Nationalize Greyhound
A publicly owned intercity bus service with dedicated highway lanes could do for travelers what the US Postal Service does for letters and packages: let them criss-cross the country cheaply and quickly at their own convenience.
Instead of Taking Trump Off the Ballot, Democrats Should Run a Better Candidate
The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled to remove Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 election ballot. The attempt will likely fail and backfire — but it's indicative of American liberalism's current distaste for the unpredictable messiness of democracy.
Right-Wing “Populists” Like Tucker Carlson Are Just Elitists in Disguise
Seeking to distance himself from rank elitism, Tucker Carlson called conservative luminary William F. Buckley one of the “great villains of the 20th century.” He’s right — but Carlson himself hasn’t broken with Buckley’s contempt for the working class.
Hunter Biden’s Corruption Is a Symptom of Grotesque Inequality
Hunter Biden, the president’s problematic son, has finally been indicted for his years of tax evasion. Only in an egregiously unequal society like ours do the children of the rich and powerful get away with corruption for as long as Hunter Biden has.
It’s Long Past Time to Abolish the British Monarchy
The best time to abolish the British monarchy was centuries ago. The second-best time is right now.
Congress Is Absolutely Wrong to Equate Anti-Zionism With Antisemitism
The US Congress has passed an absurd resolution proclaiming that “anti-Zionism is antisemitism.” It ignores the many Jewish Americans who oppose Israel’s apartheid state and slanders advocates for universal democratic rights as antisemites.
George Santos Isn’t Unique Because He’s Corrupt. He’s Unique Because He’s So Bad at It.
Washington is full of dishonest and corrupt politicians. Congressman George Santos, who managed to get himself expelled for his wild shenanigans, just flouted the norms of what polished DC corruption is supposed to look like.
If Donald Trump Wins Next Year, Don’t Blame the Voters. Blame Joe Biden.
It’s the job of politicians to appeal to voters. Right now what Joe Biden is selling is two wars and an economy that isn’t working for far too many ordinary people. If Donald Trump wins, don't blame the electorate: this is Biden's election to lose.
The “Human Shields” Defense of Bombing Gaza’s Civilians Is Morally Bankrupt
Apologists for Israel’s bombing spree of schools and hospitals in Gaza say Hamas is using the civilians there as “human shields.” But that justification makes no sense even if we accept the premise — in a hostage situation, you don’t just kill the hostage.
Capitalism Isn’t Just Buying and Selling Things. It’s a System of Domination.
Capitalism’s proponents often defend it by pointing to the virtues of markets. But capitalism isn’t defined by the presence of markets — it’s defined by capitalists’ domination of workers.
“From the River to the Sea” Is a Call for Democracy and Equality
“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is not a hateful slogan or a call for violence — it’s a call for democracy and equal rights for all.
A Lack of Money Means a Lack of Freedom
Capitalism’s defenders often claim that it protects “negative freedom” — an individual’s freedom from others interfering with their choices. But Marxist philosopher G. A. Cohen showed that capitalism systematically denies people just this kind of freedom.
A Pro-Israel Super PAC Is Smearing Rashida Tlaib for Standing Up for Palestinian Lives
Pro-Palestine congresswoman Rashida Tlaib is being smeared as pro-terrorism in a massive new ad by the Democratic Majority for Israel. But the pro-Israel group’s lies are transparent — and polls show that Democratic voters are more on Tlaib’s side.
Medical Schools Are Still Desecrating the Corpses of the Poor
Medical schools in the United States used to acquire corpses for research from literal grave robbers. They don’t anymore — but in most US states, your corpse may still end up on a medical slab without your consent if no one will pick up the tab to bury you.
The Nightmare on Elm Street Movies Are Wonderful, Flawed, and Endlessly Rewatchable
Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street movies rank among the most iconic horror films. They say more than you’d think about the decades when they were made, starting with the cultural anxieties of the Reagan era.
EXCLUSIVE: In the ’80s, Joe Biden Speculated to Israel’s PM About Wiping Out Canadians
In 1982, then-Senator Joe Biden met with Israel’s leader amid its bloody invasion of Lebanon. Biden expressed support for the campaign, and even speculated the US would be similarly justified in bombing Canadian cities in retaliation for militant attacks.
Democratic Socialist Politicians Are Leading the Charge for a Cease-Fire in Gaza
From the New York State Legislature to the halls of Congress, democratic socialist elected officials have been taking a brave stand against the bloodshed in Gaza — and calling for an immediate cease-fire.
Here’s What Joe Biden Would Say in Israel If He Actually Valued Civilian Lives
Joe Biden just landed in Israel. There’s no individual on the planet better positioned to stop Israel’s assault on civilians in Gaza, push for a cease-fire, and lay the groundwork for a just and lasting peace. But Biden won’t.
The Media Is Smearing the Democratic Socialists of America on Palestine
While mainstream politicians are supporting Israeli violence against civilians in Gaza, some in the media have focused on denouncing the left-wing group Democratic Socialists of America — and in doing so, they’ve played fast and loose with the facts.