How the Wall Fell
The Berlin Wall’s fall sparked dreams of a radically democratic East Germany. Unemployment and privatization followed instead.
21103 Article(s) by: Ryan Switzer
Ryan Switzer is a PhD candidate in sociology at Stockholm University. He researches right-wing politics in welfare states.
May 1968’s Black Sheep
André Glucksmann died last month. Why did he and so many other French intellectuals turn to the right after May 1968?
The Class Struggle in the North Pole
What’s behind Santa’s bloody rise? Three leading elven labor activists offer a class analysis of the North Pole “gift economy.”
What Really Happened With the DNC’s “Datagate”?
The definitive explanation of the Democratic National Committee’s “Datagate” scandal and what the mainstream media got wrong.
Benedict Anderson (1936–2015)
Benedict Anderson was a brilliant scholar whose work was animated by a deep commitment to human emancipation.
Why Class Matters
Erik Olin Wright on class, socialism, and the meaning of Marxism.
Bill Gates, Crypto-Socialist?
Bill Gates is right: the private sector is stifling innovation in green energy. But that’s not the only place capitalism is holding us back.
Tales From the Cold War
A new crop of Cold War spy dramas revels in the thrill of crossing enemy lines more than depicting political realities.
False Friends at the Border
Border control agents should not be entrusted to provide the humanitarian aid that migrants desperately need.
How a Revolutionary Was Born
Carl Skoglund’s early life as a militant worker in Sweden prepared him for leadership in the 1934 Teamster Strikes.
The Roots of Islamophobia
Donald Trump is no lone wolf. Islamophobia can be found across the political mainstream.
The Truth About Rikers
A look inside Rikers Island, one of the most horrifying scenes of American “criminal justice.”
The Spanish Response
On the eve of the Spanish election, an illustrated interview with Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias.
Portrait of the Leader as a Young Theorist
Ahead of tomorrow’s elections, what do the writings of Pablo Iglesias tell us about where Podemos is going?
Impatient for Justice
South Africa’s youth are leading an uncompromising movement to right the wrongs of the post-apartheid era.
Smash the Force
There was never an Empire; there was never a rebellion; there was only the Force, and it’s evil.
A Year of Change Postponed?
Spain votes in a general election on Sunday. Can Podemos reclaim its earlier momentum?
What Happened to the Arab Spring?
It’s been five years since the start of the Tunisian uprising. What was won — and what remains — in the Arab Spring?
South Africa Doesn’t Need a “Lula Moment”
A real political alternative in South Africa will come from powerful social movements — not charismatic leaders.
Why We Fight Uber
The fight against Uber isn’t technophobia. It’s a fight for a technology that could foster real cooperation.