Was John Stuart Mill a Socialist?
John Stuart Mill might have lots of libertarian fans, but his idiosyncratic ideas, despite their limitations, had more in common with democratic socialism than pro-capitalist ideologies.
19576 Articles by: Jonathan Sas
Jonathan Sas has worked in senior policy and political roles in government, think tanks, and the labor movement. He is an honorary witness to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. His writing has appeared in the Toronto Star, National Post, the Tyee, and Maisonneuve.
The British Elite Lets the Bodies Pile High
Dominic Cummings’s bombshell testimony on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s disastrous response to COVID gives us a window into the murderous and deranged culture of the British elite.
The Women of Raqqa Are Rebuilding Their Future
Four years since Raqqa was liberated from ISIS, women are playing a leading role in rebuilding the Syrian city. Their activism shows that socialist feminism isn’t just about gender parity in top jobs — it’s about women taking control of their own lives.
Capitalists Exploit Workers — Even When They’re “Socialists”
After the “socialist”-branded No Evil Foods busted its workers’ union last year, the company settled with two former employees for $40,000. But those workers still aren’t satisfied — and the private-equity backed company is as fiercely opposed to worker organizing as ever.
How Joseph Stalin Became a Bolshevik
Ronald Suny’s Stalin: Passage to Revolution traces Joseph Stalin’s trajectory from his boyhood in Georgia to the Russian Revolution in 1917. In an interview, Suny explains the specificities of the Georgian socialist movement, Stalin’s role in the revolution, and why Stalinism was “bloody, ruthless,” and “the nadir of the Soviet experiment.”
Will Bolsonaro Be Held Responsible for Brazil’s COVID-19 Disaster?
Jair Bolsonaro has overseen one of the most disastrous COVID-19 responses in the world. A new congressional inquiry into his misconduct faces long odds — but could help expose the disaster to the Brazilian people ahead of the election against former president Lula.
Ending the Filibuster Is About Defending Democracy
Ending the filibuster isn’t just crucial to getting any positive legislation passed — it’s a question of whether we believe in the basic principle of majority rule.
Halston Suffers From Ryan Murphy Syndrome
Ryan Murphy’s new Netflix limited series on the 1970s fashion icon Halston is yet another showcase not only for Murphy’s trademark bright and glossy style but also his contempt for the unglamorous rabble.
Socialists Were Right to Slam Boris Johnson’s Coronavirus Response
For a year, centrist pundits scolded the Left for daring to criticize Boris Johnson’s response to COVID-19. This week’s hearing with former aide Dominic Cummings revealed we were right all along.
80 Years Ago Today, Disney Animation Workers Went on Strike
The Disney cartoonists and animators’ strike that began at a California studio on May 29, 1941, forever changed the labor standards of an industry — and inspired cultural workers to take greater ownership over their labor.
Obama Labor Secretary Tom Perez Just Joined an Anti-Union Law Firm
Former DNC chair and Obama labor secretary Tom Perez just joined a law firm that brags about its lawyers who “regularly counsel and train clients on union avoidance” — another member of an administration that posed as “progressive” yet was anything but.
The Iron Dome System Is a Monument to Israel’s Hubris
Israeli officials depict Iron Dome as a near-infallible shield against Hamas rockets. But the system’s real purpose is to sustain the illusion that Israel can rule over the Palestinians while pretending they don’t exist.
Canada’s Communists Played a Vital Role in the Workers’ Movement
It’s a century this week since the Communist Party of Canada was founded. Historians often dismiss the party’s importance for the Canadian labor movement — but early on, it helped organize workers against steep odds.
Workers at the Whitney Museum Just Won a Union
After workers announced their organizing drive last week, the Whitney Museum of American Art has voluntarily recognized the union — the latest in a rising tide of cultural workers unionizing. We spoke to one of the Whitney workers about why the museum went union.
One Woman’s Journey Through the Paris Commune
Today marks 150 years since the final crushing of the Paris Commune. Bloody repression extinguished the world’s first workers’ revolution — but the Communards of 1871 provide a lasting model of resilience in the face of defeat.
Congress Is Debating Another Massive Corporate Giveaway Disguised as a “Bailout”
Bernie Sanders is trying to restrict a proposed $52 billion subsidy for already wildly profitable microchip companies.
Why the Paris Commune Still Resonates, 150 Years Later
The Paris Commune ended on this day in 1871, after just two months in power. How do we explain, Enzo Traverso asks, the longevity and freshness of the memory of a fleeting revolutionary government?
The Family That Created the Opioid Epidemic Wants Legal Immunity
The Sackler family behind Purdue Pharma became incredibly rich off of America’s opioid crisis. Now, they are trying to shield themselves from the punishment for creating that crisis.
The Pentagon Seriously Contemplated Nuking China in 1958
Newly leaked documents show that US officials in 1958 cavalierly planned a nuclear strike on China over a handful of disputed islands. As Washington once more stokes tensions with China, it’s a reminder of the callous recklessness at the heart of US foreign policy.
Outer Space Should Be Ours to Explore, Not Jeff Bezos’s or Elon Musk’s
We can’t stand by while plutocrats like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos put themselves in charge of humankind’s expansion to other worlds. The results would be more Blade Runner than Star Trek.