Nursing Homes That Were Unionized Saw Fewer COVID-19 Deaths
A new study finds that unionized nursing homes had 30 percent lower mortality rates than nonunion homes. Quite literally, unions save lives.
19391 Articles by: Ryan Switzer
Ryan Switzer is a PhD candidate in sociology at Stockholm University. He researches right-wing politics in welfare states.
How Mass Incarceration Was Built in the United States — And How We Can Undo It
With an incarceration rate exceeding 700 people for every 100,000, Americans have built a prison monstrosity that has few parallels in history — destroying untold millions of lives and families in just a few decades. We need to study the economic origins of this mass incarceration system in order to dismantle it.
The “Scarlet Runners” Women Were at the Center of New Zealand’s Six-Month-Long Miners’ Strike
1912 saw one of the biggest battles in New Zealand labor history, a six-month-long miners’ strike that paved the way for the general strike a year later. But it couldn’t have lasted so long without the working-class women who organized to defend their community — the “Scarlet Runners” who fought the strikebreakers.
The US “War on Terror” Has Created at Least 37 Million Refugees
A new study finds that America’s “war on terror” has displaced at least 37 million people around the globe. The US left has a responsibility to push an internationalism that aids the victims of American imperialism — and acts in solidarity with workers no matter their country of origin.
In South Dakota, a Young Labor Leader Wants to Rebuild a Culture of Solidarity
Kooper Caraway, the 29-year-old new president of South Dakota’s AFL-CIO, grew up in a working-class family and cut his teeth fighting ICE as a high schooler. Now his vision for labor includes union-run housing and childcare: “It’s all about building a working-class culture of solidarity.”
What Canada’s Social Democrats Must Do
When the Canadian parliament reconvenes this month, the Liberals will likely need the New Democratic Party to retain power. The center-left NDP’s support should not come from petty electoral calculation, but from an understanding that bold action is needed by both the country and the party.
The Only Thing You Need to Read About the Inane Cuties Controversy
The controversy over the new Netflix movie Cuties is so stupid, you never should’ve heard about it. But it’s gotten so hysterically overblown by this point, it can’t be ignored anymore.
Joe Biden Is Severely Hurting His Chances of Beating Donald Trump
As Joe Biden has ignored the Democratic base, polls now show he faces an enthusiasm gap. Progressive pressure is needed to force him to energize Democratic voters and defeat Donald Trump.
This Vermont Gubernatorial Nominee Is Showing How Successful Third Parties Are Possible
The rules are rigged against third parties in the United States, but that doesn’t mean successful third-party activism is impossible everywhere. David Zuckerman, the lieutenant governor of Vermont and current gubernatorial nominee for both the Democratic and Progressive parties, tells Jacobin how the Progressive Party has figured out how to push left-wing politics in the state.
How Eastern Bloc Architects Shaped Cities Across the Third World
In the era of decolonization, even nonsocialist states in Africa and Asia drew heavily on architects and planners from Eastern Bloc countries. Experts from the “Second World” adapted their work to local cultures and expectations — and often brought “Third World” lessons back with them.
Donald Trump Has Added Trillions to the US Military Budget. Joe Biden Wants to Spend Even More.
Joe Biden has made clear he would veto Medicare for All because it costs too much. But when it comes to the military, ballooning the budget by several trillion additional dollars isn’t enough for him — Biden wants more.
Uber and Lyft Are Trying to Cancel Pro-Worker Activism
Uber, Lyft, Instacart, and DoorDash are paying expensive campaign consultants to incite social media users to hound their critics. These are online mobs in the service of the elite.
Chris Coons Is Big Pharma’s Man in Washington
Senator Chris Coons is driven by the sincere belief that government and the people exist to serve the interests of Delaware’s big pharmaceutical companies.
Uber and Lyft Drivers’ Fight Against Independent Contractor Status Isn’t Going Away
Amid the pandemic, Uber and Lyft drivers are more precarious than ever. Even as the companies dodge court rulings, the battle for drivers to be legally classified as employees is growing.
Donald Trump Has Declared War on the Climate Movement
At a time when it couldn’t be clearer how desperately we need to roll back carbon emissions, Trump has not only made it easier for fossil fuel companies to increase them — he has also changed rules to make it harder for climate activists to fight back.
No, the European Union Shouldn’t Try to Become a New Superpower
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen speaks of the EU’s ambitions to project itself as a superpower on the global stage. But recent crises show that the last thing we need is the European Union expanding its mandate.
The New York City Left Could Get a Chance to Define the Post-COVID City
With retail outlets and wealthy residents fleeing New York City, the battle over its post-COVID city has begun. Ahead of next year’s mayoral elections, socialists and their allies are battling developers and mobilizing for a municipal Green New Deal.
The Working Class Is the Vast Majority of Society
Class isn’t just about how much money you make, and it’s certainly not about cultural traits or your level of education. Marxists argue that anyone who must sell their ability to work for a wage and can’t produce their life necessities for themselves is part of the working class.
No More Excuses. It’s Time to Fight for a Left Program in Canada.
The last time Canada’s center-left New Democratic Party was this important in Parliament, Justin Trudeau’s father, Pierre, was prime minister. In the 1970s, the social democrats were able to win important concessions. Today, the outlook is far bleaker. We need to demand real action.
Save the USPS, Defend Democracy
The USPS is under assault at the very moment we need a functioning postal service to hold a free and fair election. We can defend electoral democracy by defending the post office.