Voting for Neoliberalism With Iranian Characteristics
Sanctioned, isolated, and living under a neoliberal state seemingly out of options, Iranians go to the polls today.
20413 Article(s) by: Elizabeth Mahony
The Stakes Are Too High to Keep Denying Biden’s Shortcomings
For years, Democratic Party leaders have gaslit the public about Joe Biden’s fitness to lead. After last night’s debate, it’s clear that the costs of keeping up the act are higher than the costs of admitting the truth and correcting course.
Democrats Can No Longer Pretend Biden Is Fit to Be President
The Democratic establishment has been fretting about Joe Biden’s fitness for years behind closed doors, while misleading and dissembling about it in public. Last night’s presidential debate shattered the facade.
Biden Is Betting Everything on a Very Shaky Strategy
Joe Biden thinks he doesn’t need to deliver for American workers in order to beat Donald Trump, wagering that concern for democratic institutions will do the work for him. He’s sleepwalking into a catastrophe.
To Defeat Le Pen, France’s Left Needs to Offer Hope
Faced with France’s snap elections, the left-wing parties built an alliance in record time. But to defeat Marine Le Pen, sounding the alarm about the far right won’t suffice. The Left will need to offer a positive vision for working-class France.
Louisville Will Soon Have a Socialist City Councillor
Last month, socialist J. P. Lyninger won a landslide victory in the Democratic Party primary for Louisville’s city council; he is expected to advance to office after an uncontested general election. We spoke to him about his campaign.
Apps Aren’t a Magic Solution to Underdevelopment in Africa
Tech start-up leaders are touting digitalization as the path to prosperity in Africa. But the continent’s economy remains heavily based on exporting its unprocessed raw materials. In this context, new apps are only a way of managing poverty, not ending it.
How the CIO Tried to Prevent the Cold War
In the 1940s, Soviet and US labor unionists arranged for exchanges between their countries to promote goodwill and help prevent a dangerous rivalry. The largely forgotten effort serves as a reminder of how the Cold War might have been averted.
Right-Wing Money Is Lobbying for Modern Payday Lenders
Consumer advocates want “earned-wage access” apps to be regulated as payday loans, in order to prevent them from taking advantage of consumers in dire straits. Fintech companies have backed right-wing-funded efforts to counter such legislation.
Spain’s Alt-Right Scored an Electoral Upset via Telegram
In Spain, conspiracy theorist Alvise Pérez’s new party just won three seats in the EU Parliament. Its get-out-the-vote operation mainly relied on his own Telegram channel — showing how much the alt-right is outcompeting the Left on social media.
Corporate France Is Making Peace With Marine Le Pen
The manifesto launch for Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National showed how far the party has dropped its welfarist promises. The far right is vaunting its pro-business credentials — and part of France’s corporate elite is warming to its message.
Julian Assange Is Free, but Justice Has Not Been Served
After a nearly 15-year ordeal, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is free. It’s a victory worth celebrating. But the message has been sent: when it comes to exposing the wrongdoing of powerful governments and corporations, no good deed goes unpunished.
Scarsdale Is What We Thought It Was
Jamaal Bowman’s defeat is another reminder that left-wing politics cannot live or die in the rich suburbs.
AIPAC’s Defeat of Jamaal Bowman Disguises Its Weakness
Lost in the triumphalism over Jamaal Bowman’s loss is that AIPAC has had to drastically narrow its ambitions, targeting those critics of Israel who are already most vulnerable to electoral defeat in order to inflate its strength.
A Charter School Network in Los Angeles Goes Union
Earlier this month, teachers at all six Citizens of the World charter schools in Los Angeles voted overwhelmingly to unionize with United Teachers Los Angeles. Jacobin spoke to two teachers about the organizing drive.
American Suburbs Are Decaying
Working-class people of color have mostly been latecomers to suburbia. But by the time they get there, they often find the suburbs in a state of disrepair. A new book explores the boom-and-bust economic cycle that’s obscured by the gauzy suburban dream.
How Morena Turned Anti-Corruption Politics Into Class Politics
Anti-corruption politics was key to the landslide victory of AMLO’s Morena party in Mexico. Morena branded neoliberalism a form of upward redistribution, rallying the working class under the banner of republican austerity against the excesses of the rich.
France’s New Popular Front Can Stop the Far Right
In France, the left-wing parties have allied in a Nouveau Front Populaire, challenging both Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. France Insoumise MP Clémence Guetté told Jacobin about its potential path to victory.
India’s Farmers’ Movement Helped Thwart Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi’s plan to win an electoral supermajority ended in failure this month. A communist leader of India’s farmers’ movement explains how their struggle contributed to Modi’s biggest setback since taking power.
Jiu Jitsu Fighters Are Grappling With Exploitation
Professional fighters are rarely paid for participating in competitions, and the average income of athletes working with promoters like the UFC is only $45,000. Now Jiu Jitsu fighters are pushing back against low pay, giving the industry a wake-up call.