The “Equality vs. Equity” Distinction Doesn’t Explain What Matters for Social Justice
The nonprofit jargon of “equity” isn’t helping us tackle basic questions of how to live in a better, more equal society.
19689 Articles by: Elizabeth Mahony
Martin Heidegger’s Nazism Is Inextricable From His Philosophy
Despite the mass of evidence proving Martin Heidegger’s Nazi commitment, academics often dismiss concerns about his politics as nonphilosophical. Two new books make a compelling case for rejecting this line of argument.
How Turkey’s “Construction Amnesties” Created a Ticking Time Bomb
In 2018, Turkish president Erdoğan boasted that an “amnesty” allowing builders to ignore safety codes had “solved the housing problems of 144,556 people.” In last month’s earthquake, tens of thousands of those people were crushed to death.
Graduate Student Workers at the University of Southern California Have Won a Union
The unionization wave in higher ed continues apace, with grad student workers at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles winning a union election in mid-February. Jacobin spoke to USC worker-organizers about their win and their contract demands.
We Aren’t Talking Enough About Wage Theft
Every year, $50 billion is stolen from American workers by their bosses. The Left and labor should be working tirelessly to pass anti-wage-theft legislation at every level of government.
The New Right Wants Activist Judges to Rule, Not the People
Liberal “anti-populists” often portray grassroots democracy as more a threat than an asset. But as reactionaries turn to judges to win their political battles for them, it’s time the Left got serious about putting power in the hands of the majority.
The Tragic Lives of the Communists Trapped in Stalin’s Shadow
Communists who came to the Soviet Union seeking refuge found themselves caught up in the madness of the Stalinist purges. But many, argued Isaac Deutscher, still couldn’t think of breaking with the system that Stalin created and ended up working for their former persecutors.
Sergei Prokofiev Was One of the Soviet Union’s Great Composers
Sergei Prokofiev died 70 years ago today, overshadowed by the death of Joseph Stalin, who had banned much of his work. But Prokofiev’s brilliant musical compositions have outlived him and still sound fresh and exciting to modern listeners.
The Ghost of Stalin Still Hasn’t Been Laid to Rest
Joseph Stalin died 70 years ago today, having stamped his indelible mark upon the Soviet system. Stalin’s legacy continues to haunt the post-Soviet landscape, right up to the present war with Ukraine.
Hindu Nationalist Lobbyists on Capitol Hill Are Growing in Influence
Right-wing lobby groups that claim to speak on behalf of Indian Americans are trying to stifle criticism of Narendra Modi’s Hindu chauvinist agenda. They’ve modeled themselves on pro-Israel groups like AIPAC and forged alliances around Islamophobic bigotry.
Canada Doesn’t Need More Renters, It Needs Public Housing
Going all in on the rental market won’t solve Canada’s housing crisis. As corporate landlords gain a bigger stake in the market and small landlords drive class divide, we need public housing more than ever.
No, AMLO Is Not Undermining Mexican Democracy
The international press is again bludgeoning Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, this time accusing him of attacking the country’s democratic institutions. It’s a baseless charge intended to undermine a government that refuses total obedience to US hegemony.
Free Leonard Peltier
American Indian activist Leonard Peltier was wrongly convicted in the 1970s and is now the longest-held indigenous political prisoner in the United States. He should be granted clemency and released from prison immediately.
Havana Syndrome Is Fake. But Mainstream Media Couldn’t Get Enough of It for Years.
American intelligence agencies have concluded that Havana syndrome isn’t real. No surprise. But that determination comes long after mainstream media credulously and repeatedly reported on and repeated intelligence officers’ absurd claims.
Starbucks Workers Attempting to Unionize May Have Just Had Their Best Week Ever
This week, white-collar workers at Starbucks signed an open letter in solidarity with baristas, Bernie Sanders announced he will force Howard Schultz to testify before a Senate committee, and the NLRB condemned the company for ignoring worker’s fundamental rights.
Nigeria’s Old Guard Clung to Power in Its Presidential Election
Bola Tinubu, a candidate from Nigeria’s ruling party, has claimed the presidency with a weak and disputed mandate on the lowest turnout since democracy was restored. Tinubu will inherit a deep social crisis that can only be addressed by radical reform.
The Biden Administration Sat Out the Warrior Met Coal Miners’ Strike
Joe Biden promised to run the most pro-union administration in US history. But it offered no support to Alabama coal miners who were on strike for nearly two years.
Under Capitalism, We’re All Dominated by the Invisible Threads of the Market
At times, capitalism resorts to exceptional violence to subordinate workers. Much more commonly, however, it exercises an impersonal, economic form of power that shapes our environment and compels our compliance on a daily basis.
If Biden Really Wants to End Homelessness, He Needs to Support Public Housing
The Biden administration promised a humane and proactive approach to the nation’s housing and homelessness crises. Instead, we’ve gotten technocratic tinkering and homeless encampment sweeps. We need investment in public housing.
Brandon Johnson in 2014: “It’s Not Enough to Patch Poverty”
Former rank-and-file Chicago Teachers Union member and organizer Brandon Johnson advanced to a runoff election in the city’s mayoral race this week. In 2014, Jacobin interviewed Johnson about the CTU’s political strategy. We publish the conversation here.