The Socialist Dune?
Since its publication in 1965, Dune has been claimed by both Right and Left — but its political and ecological critiques make its return to the big screen apt for an era of capitalist crisis.
20395 Article(s) by: William G. Martin
William G. Martin teaches at SUNY-Binghamton and is co-author of After Prisons? Freedom, Decarceration, and Justice Disinvestment (2016) and a founding member of Justice and Unity for the Southern Tier; he covers local justice matters at www.justtalk.blog
The Reconciliation Bill’s Gutting Is What Happens When Your Party Is Addicted to Corporate Money
The almost complete destruction of Democrats’ agenda in the reconciliation bill suggests that, despite some rhetoric to the contrary, the party is still intent on fulfilling Joe Biden’s promise to donors that “nothing would fundamentally change.”
Jeremy Corbyn’s Suspension Is a Monument to Keir Starmer’s Political Bankruptcy
British Labour chief Keir Starmer has now kept his predecessor suspended as a Labour MP on spurious grounds for an entire year. The ongoing saga of Corbyn’s suspension perfectly encapsulates the destructive and duplicitous nature of Starmer’s leadership.
Obama’s Failure to Adequately Respond to the 2008 Crisis Still Haunts American Politics
Meltdown, a new podcast from David Sirota and Alex Gibney, makes a compelling case that the failures of 2008 and 2009 — when Barack Obama had a chance to enact the visions of reform that swept him into office — are key to understanding American politics today.
Facebook Is Now Meta. And It Wants to Monetize Your Whole Existence.
Mark Zuckerberg’s turn toward the “metaverse” claims to put an extra digital layer on top of the real world. But Facebook’s new Meta brand isn’t augmenting your reality — it just wants to suck more money out of it.
New York’s Conflict Over Needles Is a Fight About What a City Is For
Economic elites and their press organs are up in arms over the decriminalization of syringe possession in New York. Beneath their reactionary bluster about “junkies” lies a stronger belief: that the purpose of a city is to provide investment opportunities for capital.
It’s Time to Put the Halloween Reboots Out of Their Misery
The second film in David Gordon Green and Danny McBride’s Halloween reboot can’t hold a candle to their 2018 installment — let alone the original.
Loblaw Makes Its Profits by Paying Workers Poverty Wages
For Canada’s third-richest family, the Westons, the pandemic has meant windfall profits. Now, workers at Loblaw-owned supermarket chain Real Canadian Superstore are threatening a strike for better pay and conditions.
Democrats Doing Big Pharma’s Bidding Are Being Rewarded
House Democrats say they aren’t sabotaging their party’s drug pricing plan. But their recent donation hauls from Big Pharma suggest otherwise.
Haitian Sugarcane Cutters Work as Indentured Servants in the Dominican Republic
Haitian workers, fleeing destitution, harvest 6,000 pounds of sugarcane a day for poverty wages in the Dominican Republic. Jacobin talked to some of them.
How Liberalism Justifies the Forever Wars
For over half a century, liberal organizations, governments, and lawyers have promoted the idea that wars can be made “humane.” The concept’s triumph in the twenty-first century has only served to justify US belligerence and endless drone warfare abroad.
The Left Is Still Favored to Win Chile’s Presidency — But the Far Right Is Gaining Steam
With less than a month until Chile’s presidential election, hopes are high that leftist Gabriel Boric will win. But the collapse of the center right has unexpectedly allowed far-right nominee José Antonio Kast to surge.
In Russia, Communists Are Standing Up Against Putin’s Fraud
In Russia’s general election, the Communist Party surged to a strong second place. But the party’s rise has also made it a target for Vladimir Putin’s government — including through Putin’s massive interference in the electoral process.
Democrats’ Paid Leave Proposal Isn’t Actually Universal. It Can and Should Be.
There’s no reason why the Dems’ paid parental leave program can’t cover everyone.
There’s No Reason for Progressives to Vote for the Watered-Down Infrastructure Bill
The reconciliation bill has been so watered down, progressives should no longer feel pressure — moral or political — to support it.
Noam Chomsky: “It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way”
In a new interview, Noam Chomsky argues that a livable future free of catastrophic climate change is possible — we just have to take on the billionaires standing in the way.
Canadaland: The Podcast Holding Power to Account
Jesse Brown’s Canadaland has stepped into the breach left by Canada’s ailing legacy media. The podcast has been a strong shot in the arm for the country’s investigative journalism.
Rep. Mickey Leland Was the Embodiment of Black Internationalism
In the 1970s and ’80s, internationalism was central to black politics. And few better personified that commitment than Texas congressman Mickey Leland, who fought tooth and nail to end US support for South African apartheid.
In India, Communists Are Leading the Fight Against COVID-19
India’s right-wing government has been criminally negligent in its management of the pandemic, with deadly results. But communists and their allies have stepped in to provide relief to tens of thousands of suffering people.
Private Equity Firms Want to Gobble Up California’s Pensions
Wall Street private equity firms are gaining control of retirement systems like California’s public pensions and fast-tracking the corporatization of the public sector.