The Great Socialist Bake Off
The Great British Bake Off isn’t just wonderful entertainment. By prizing cooperation over cutthroat competition and solidarity over selfishness, it’s also quietly radical.
19073 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 Galling Hypocrisy of the Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats’ hypocrisy has never been clearer. Their demagogic new Brexit policy, their welcoming of distinctly illiberal Tory defectors, and their willingness to keep the Conservatives in government all show how willing centrists are to betray their own supporters for a whiff of power.
The Working Families Party Has Written Itself Out of History
Make no mistake: the Working Families Party’s opaque presidential endorsement process signaled a rejection of not only Bernie Sanders but the movement emerging around him.
GM Workers Strike Against Low Wages and Two-Tier Contracts
General Motors workers are stuck between a greedy boss and corrupt union leaders. But neither have stopped them from striking against the auto giant — and demanding higher wages and an end to the two-tier contract system that hurts and divides autoworkers.
The Welfare State Is a Poverty-Fighting Machine
Anyone who tells you the welfare state doesn’t reduce poverty is lying. Last year, even the United States’ tattered system of social provision cut poverty by two-thirds.
Bernie Has Been Vetted, and He Can Beat Trump
Bernie Sanders is a democratic socialist, vetted after four years in the national limelight, who polls repeatedly show can demolish Trump. The media should lay to rest the dominant narrative that the United States is a center-right nation with a public committed to capitalism.
The Tyranny of Structurelessness
Jo Freeman’s “The Tyranny of Structurelessness” brilliantly details how movement organizations founded on “structurelessness” and “leaderlessness” can give rise to authoritarianism and invisible hierarchies. We reprint her classic essay here in full.
Ask Labor Jane: How Can We Build Industrial Unionism in Education and Health Care?
Jane McAlevey argues that to build the power required to make huge gains for workers, we can’t organize different kinds of workers separately from each other. We need wall-to-wall organization in workplaces to build an antiracist, antisexist trade union movement.
I Am Free — but Turkey Is Not
Max Zirngast, the Jacobin contributor jailed for several months in Turkey, was acquitted on all charges last week. Here, in his first English-language article since the ruling, he reflects on the trial, the repressive state of Turkish politics — and why he’ll keep fighting for democracy and socialism.
Socialism and the Self-Checkout Machine
A $1,000 a month check won’t cut it, but there’s a real democratic socialist response to automation that could make us all happier and give everyone more leisure time.
Getting Andy Ngo and His Fascist Friends Off Our Streets
The far right turned liberal Portland into a site of fascist violence. The Left is battling to oust them for good.
Elizabeth Warren’s Strategy Within the Democratic Party Is All Wrong
Anyone who wants to enact “big, structural change” will find themselves stymied by the Democratic Party establishment. So why is Elizabeth Warren cozying up to that establishment?
“War Creates Its Own Weather”
Democratic socialist Tom Gallagher is primarying Nancy Pelosi, with a focus on America’s disastrous foreign policy of endless war. In a world without capitalism, he says, “we could eliminate a lot of military spending and war.”
Workers and Renters of the World, Unite!
Although unions seek higher wages from employers, much of that extra pay goes straight to the landlords. To build workers’ power, we need decommodified and democratically controlled land and housing.
Yes, the United States Needs to Withdraw From Afghanistan
When President Trump scuttled talks for a peace deal in Afghanistan, liberal media heaved a sigh of relief. But despite the risks, an end to the US occupation is a precondition for peace in the country.
Elizabeth Warren’s Health Care Plan Still Leaves a Lot of Unanswered Questions
Everyone is clear on exactly where Bernie Sanders stands on Medicare for All. But despite the release of her health care plan this week and embrace of the phrase “Medicare for All,” Elizabeth Warren’s precise health care proposal remains murky.
Ending the “Independent Contractor” Misclassification Sham
Misclassifying workers as independent contractors hurts workers and enriches bosses, and is central to the business strategy of companies like Uber and Lyft. California state legislators passed AB 5 this week to stop this exploitative model. It’s a victory that must be defended from Uber and Lyft’s fightback.
No Hugs for Rahm
Former Chicago mayor and Obama staffer Rahm Emanuel was a featured commentator during Thursday’s Democratic debate. It was, unsurprisingly, completely terrible.
Norway’s Socialist Left Is Ascendant
Norway’s Labor Party took a hit in this week’s elections. But the radical left surged — showing that socialist politics are still alive in the Nordic country.
How Medicare for All Looks From Britain
The terrifying experience of getting sick on a visit to America reminded me why Brits cherish our National Health Service. The NHS doesn’t just make the United Kingdom healthier — it creates a spirit of equality that changes people’s entire mentality about health care.