Mike Quill: The Greatest Irish American
Born in rural Ireland and a veteran of the IRA, “Red” Mike Quill went on to form one of America’s most militant unions — and to stand side by side with Martin Luther King Jr in the fight against racism.
19086 Articles by: James Bloodworth
James Bloodworth is a writer and journalist from London.
Del Monte Is Turning Kenya Into a Pineapple Republic
Del Monte’s impunity in Kenya goes beyond its security’s alleged murder of pineapple thieves. The US corporation’s leverage over the state has allowed it to swallow Kenyan land and labor whole in its quest for profit.
Pandemic Movies Reflect Our Age of Late Capitalist Despair
Movies depicting the spread of disease have become a well-established genre and helped frame our understanding of the real-life COVID-19 pandemic. The spirit of these films increasingly reflects the despair and atomization of neoliberal capitalism.
PragerU’s Moral Case for Capitalism Is Terrible
Megapopular right-wing YouTube channel PragerU’s “moral case for capitalism” fails to address capitalism’s massive defects — its injustice, exploitation, and instability. Instead, it offers a glib pep talk about why modern society is better than feudalism.
France’s Jails Are at a Breaking Point
As the number of inmates continues to soar, France has among Europe’s most overcrowded jails. But with the range of imprisonable crimes also growing, Emmanuel Macron’s government shows little interest in rehabilitating convicts outside the cell walls.
Bougainville’s Independence Struggle Won Against the Odds
Bougainville is a Pacific island with a population of just 300,000, but its independence movement successfully challenged one of the world’s most powerful and predatory mining companies. Its people have now voted overwhelmingly to form their own state.
Pharma-Backed Democrats Are Fighting to Keep Drugs Expensive
For the first time ever, Medicare is negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of lifesaving medicines. Big Pharma’s favorite Democrats are working to curtail the negotiations and protect the industry’s tax loopholes.
Banks Want to Protect Their Most Predatory Junk Fee
Federal regulators have introduced a ban on one of banks’ most blatant profit grabs: nonsufficient funds fees. Even though most don’t charge those fees now, financial institutions are fighting the rule to preserve their future right to.
The Obscene US Profiteering From Israeli War and Occupation
It’s not just the defense industry — plenty of US-based corporations do business with Israel and are complicit in its violation of Palestinian human rights in Gaza and beyond. Here are some of the worst offenders.
The Right Pushes Culture War to Mask Its Unpopular Agenda
In Who’s Afraid of Gender?, Judith Butler seeks to explain the global right’s obsession with gender. Their latest book, however, fails to see that the aim of conservative scapegoating is to legitimize an unpopular political program.
Rachel Corrie Gave Her Life for Palestine
This day in 2003, the IDF killed American activist Rachel Corrie as she defended homes in Rafah from destruction. As Israel threatens to invade the city, a volunteer who stood alongside Rachel writes on her legacy — a call for steadfast solidarity with Gazans.
Uber Australia Is Creating a Yellow Union to Head Off Reform
After expanding into Australia over a decade ago, Uber is now setting up employer-controlled committees that mimic real union structures. It’s part of a multipronged strategy aimed at heading off demands for better wages and safer conditions.
Hollywood Unions Are Back at the Bargaining Table
Two major strikes by Hollywood writers and actors dominated headlines last year. Only months after the strikes’ end, contract negotiations are now underway for the entertainment industry’s crew members — and the possibility of a strike is not off the table.
A New Alliance Could Change Puerto Rican Politics
The Citizens’ Victory Movement and the Puerto Rican Independence Party are forming a coalition called La Alianza. Their goal: a radical shift in Puerto Rican politics.
Shawn Fain: Workers Deserve More Time for Themselves
Yesterday UAW president Shawn Fain spoke before Congress in support of Bernie Sanders’s new 32-hour workweek bill. Jacobin publishes Fain’s remarks here in full.
There’s No Outbidding the Right-Wing Politics of Strength
Defeating Donald Trump will require going beyond rational appeals to economic self-interest.
How Israel Weaponizes Tree Planting to Displace Palestinians
Israel has long used forestation projects to push Palestinians off their lands. That has included the ongoing displacement of Bedouin people in the Naqab desert by a large tree-planting project, funded in large part by charitable donations from the US.
Why Is Europe So Far Behind Silicon Valley? Blame Monopolies.
French start-up Mistral was billed to lead Europe’s charge in the global AI market — until last month, when it sealed a partnership with Microsoft. Hopes of the EU regulating the sector are crashing up against the sheer power of monopolies.
Pakistan’s Election Stitch-Up Exposed Its Ruling Bloc
Despite heavy repression, candidates backed by Imran Khan’s party were performing strongly in Pakistan’s election until the authorities started tampering with the results. The country’s ruling bloc is now devoid of popular legitimacy or a coherent project.
A New Day for College Athlete Unions Could Be on the Horizon
College athletes have long been classified as amateurs rather than employees to avoid paying them and granting basic worker rights. A National Labor Relations Board ruling at USC could change that, opening the door to unionization for all college athletes.