The Real Life of Social Realism
The communist Charles White created images of dignity to portray America’s working class. Now, forty years after his death, his art is back in the mainstream.
19431 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.
Our Very Own Albert Speer
The architect Philip Johnson had some good qualities. He was also talentless, a fascist, and a liar.
The Man Who Shot America in the Face
Vice reminds us of the hell Dick Cheney wrought, with help from a rogue’s gallery of perps, hacks, creeps, and fall guys.
Winning Democracy in America
Forget socialist democracy; by virtue of its Constitution, the United States barely has political democracy. If we take expanding democracy seriously — and if we want to implement sweeping social reforms — we need some serious changes.
Solving Poverty Is Simple
Corporations are making record profits. That’s money we could use to lift millions out of misery.
Here’s What Bernie Could Do in Power
From climate change to criminal justice and student debt: here’s what Bernie Sanders could do if he had executive office and mass popular support, but faced a hostile Congress.
The Exercise of Power
The “class-struggle social democracy” of Bernie Sanders is exceedingly difficult to pull off. If he wins, he’ll face structural pressure to compromise: administering a capitalist state requires maintaining corporate profits. We’ll need to create our own pressure through strikes and protests.
Amazon and the Jobs Charade
Critics are blasting leftists like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for chasing Amazon away from New York City. But we have nothing to apologize for — it’s the Left that is fighting for unionized, well-paying jobs.
“I Was Proud and Humbled to Stand With Such Brave Educators”
Last week, Oakland charter school teachers took a brave step, joining striking public school teachers on the picket lines. Two teachers, one charter and one public, explain what it was like to organize side-by-side.
No More Steve Mnuchins
In a new book, Rebecca Burns and David Dyen document Steve Mnuchin’s charmed, care-free life of looting. The tragedy is, there’s more than one of him.
Spain’s Troubled Spring
Unable to pass its budget, Spain’s Socialist government is calling snap elections. But reactionary forces are on the rise in the country.
Worked to Death at FedEx
Recent workplace deaths at FedEx suggest a serious safety problem there. Yet Trump is still trying to confirm a FedEx executive for the most important worker safety position in the country.
Elizabeth Warren’s Childcare Proposal Should Be Better
Elizabeth Warren’s childcare proposal is a good start — but it needs to go much further and be a truly free program guaranteed as a social right.
The Wilderness Years
Splitters from Labour want to create a new centrist force in British politics. The Social Democratic Party of the 1980s offers plenty of reason to hope they’ll fail.
Ilhan Omar Is a Threat to US Empire
Progressive politicians like Ilhan Omar aren’t being attacked because they’re antisemitic. They’re being attacked because they threaten the bipartisan consensus on Israel and US empire.
“We’re Fighting a Mean-Spirited and Antidemocratic Attack on Public Education”
Oakland teachers aren’t just fighting for a living wage and better working conditions. They’re fighting against the closure of dozens of schools, which would pave the way for the privatization and destruction of public education.
Rojava Is Under Existential Threat
Rojava, the site of a remarkable peoples’ revolution, is on the brink of colonization and extermination. The international left must stand against it.
From Faculty to Factory
In 1990 Albania’s students were key to bringing down a decrepit regime. Today, they are fighting the order that replaced it.
Dead Center
The Labour Party defectors keep repeating the tired centrist refrain that the public is hungering for moderation. The whole history of the past generation shows otherwise.
A Season of Discontent
Three months since the gilets jaunes protesters first blockaded roads around France, the movement has created a crisis in Emmanuel Macron’s presidency — and one that’s due to last.