Boycotting Russian Dissidents Is Only Helping Vladimir Putin
Anti-Russian boycotts in the West are hitting even outspoken opponents of Vladmir Putin’s war. Collective punishment is deeply unfair — and only hardens Putin’s grip over Russians.
19201 Articles by: Opal Lee
Opal Lee is a writer.
Gabriel Boric: “Democracy Is Built by All of Us Together”
In his inaugural address, Chile’s new socialist president Gabriel Boric salutes “comrade Salvador Allende,” remembers the horrors of the Pinochet dictatorship, and pledges to fight social inequality.
To Rebuild, the Labor Movement Will Have to Organize Young Workers and Gig Workers
For decades, unions in Australia have suffered declining membership. The solution is not a new app or social media campaign, but a laser-focus on organizing the unorganized.
The History Behind Putin’s War in Ukraine
Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine is a horrific, unconscionable act. NATO’s expansionist policy made such an invasion more likely. Both of these things are true.
Eugene V. Debs: “James Connolly’s Foul Murder”
Happy St Patrick’s Day! Here’s a 1916 article by Eugene Debs denouncing the British government for executing Irish socialist James Connolly and calling for a revolution to “sweep landlordism and capitalism and oppression from the Emerald Isle.”
The VA Needs More Funding, Not More Privatization
Joe Biden touted himself as friend of veterans while on the campaign trail. But now he’s overseeing the continued privatization of the VA and backing nominees that brag about being venture capitalists.
Fighting Putin with Putinism
As Vladimir Putin prosecutes his brutal war in Ukraine, Western governments and tech companies have apparently decided the best way to fight Putin is to join him — engaging in censorship and propagandizing reminiscent of the autocrat’s own repressive actions.
Socialist James Coleman Thinks California Is Ready for a Leftward Shift
California’s San Mateo County is home to both a booming biotech industry and a large working-class immigrant community. Democratic socialist James Coleman is running for state assembly to represent workers and their families against corporate interests.
Tony Benn Lives
Legendary British socialist Tony Benn passed away eight years ago this week. From democratizing the economy to campaigning for peace, the causes he fought for are as relevant as ever.
Ironworkers Have Filed More Than 100 Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against G&D Integrated
A big fight is on at a small shop in Illinois, where the Iron Workers Union has filed more than 100 unfair labor practice charges against a logistics company. Workers are urging the NLRB to order the company to bargain with the union.
Andrew Cuomo Thinks He Got “Canceled.” Actually, the Word Is “Disgraced.”
Andrew Cuomo, New York’s disgraced former governor, is hoping to mount a political comeback. But his posturing as a victim of “cancel culture” can’t change the fact that his comeuppance was richly deserved.
High-Tech Pandemic Solutions Don’t Save Lives. They Just Boost Profits.
Governments around the world have partnered with tech companies to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. But their high-tech solutions haven’t saved lives — they’ve simply lined the pockets of Big Tech.
Race Marxism Is a Very Strange, Very Bad Book
James Lindsay has a best-selling book out called Race Marxism. Reading the book, you soon learn that Lindsay has a shallow understanding not just of Marxism or racism in the US but the classical liberal tradition he seeks to defend.
It’s Time to Cancel Ukraine’s Foreign Debt
Ukraine owes billions of dollars in foreign debt, most of it to international finance institutions, banks, and hedge funds. If Western governments were serious about helping Ukrainians amid a devastating war, they would push for those debts to be canceled.
Jordan Peterson’s “Postmodern Neomarxism” Is Pure Hokum
Jordan Peterson’s recent musings on what he calls “postmodern neomarxism” — enriched by hours of careful research on Wikipedia — are a reminder that when it comes to intellectuals, the reactionary right isn’t sending its best.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon Has a Radical Program. Implementing It Would Be Far Tougher.
French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon has a radical program that is far more detailed than any of his competitors. But it risks being derailed by capitalist pushback.
Canada’s Liberals Are Letting the Wealthy Write Their Own Tax Policy
Justin Trudeau’s government loves to tout its commitment to combating inequality. Now it’s pushing a special tax break for private jets.
Meet the Filipino Socialists Challenging Rodrigo Duterte’s Right-Wing Rule
Renowned Filipino scholar-activist Walden Bello is running for vice president this year on a left-wing ticket. Writing for Jacobin, Bello describes the transformative impact an openly socialist campaign can have on the Philippines.
No, Crypto Isn’t Helping Ukraine
In times of war, stocks in weapons companies have always been a safe investment. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shown that wars are also a big opportunity for crypto bros — another group of disaster capitalists profiting off other people’s misfortune.
India’s Farmers’ Struggle Against Modi’s Government Is Far From Over
Last year, farmers in India blocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s neoliberal agricultural reforms through a wave of protests. But the economic woes that fueled the unrest continue to hammer farmers, leading to sky-high suicide rates.